Anayah Shahid says playing Shireen in 'Zanjeerain' was a calculated risk

Actor says she deliberately chose a morally grey character, crediting Sajal Aly and Shahzad Kashmiri for their support

Actor Anayah Shahid has opened up about the risk she took by choosing a morally grey character for her acting debut in Zanjeerain, saying she knew from the outset that Shireen would likely draw criticism before audiences understood where the story was headed.

Speaking in an interview with FUCHSIA Magazine, Anayah said she was aware that Shireen was far from the conventional choice for a newcomer, but saw the complexity of the role as an opportunity to prove herself. “Most newcomers get roles as a best friend or sister, which don't have much margin for acting. So, I saw this as a huge opportunity, and I kept pushing for it,” she said.

Anayah worked closely with director Shahzad Kashmiri to understand Shireen’s emotional journey and prepare for the character’s eventual arc. “I worked closely with Shahzad Kashmiri to map out Shireen's emotional trajectory, and he reassured me early on that the character would eventually win the audience over,” she said.

Her first day on set, however, was hardly an easy introduction to the production. Anayah recalled that her opening scene involved a technically challenging sequence centred around a necklace, and she relied heavily on Kashmiri’s guidance as she found her footing.

Another demanding moment came during the filming of Shireen’s pivotal confession scene, which was shot during Ramadan while Anayah was fasting and physically exhausted. Rather than allowing the fatigue to work against her, she said the experience helped her connect with the emotional intensity of the scene.

“When I got the character, from the time the shoot began, we all knew this was going to be a hit, and it was going to change all of our lives,” she said.

Anayah also credited co-star Sajal Aly with helping her navigate the nerves that came with entering the industry opposite an established actor. She described Aly as approachable and composed on set, which allowed her to concentrate on her own performance rather than feeling intimidated.

“She makes you feel so comfortable; she doesn't make you feel awkward or worried. Even when lines were being repeated, or a mistake occurred, she remained so calm, which allowed me to deliver my performance comfortably and confidently,” she said.

She recalled that Aly made the first move to put her at ease, making their interactions feel natural from the beginning. “She was very easy to talk to, and I think that was a major reason why I could perform well,” she added.

Away from the set, Anayah spoke about the values she wants to carry into her career, particularly when it comes to independence.

For her, financial stability is closely tied to having the freedom to make choices on her own terms. “If you want to live your life on your own terms, the first step is to become financially independent. After that, you can do whatever you want,” she said.

She also spoke about resisting the pressure to conform to an industry mould, saying she wants to retain a sense of authenticity as her career develops. “I manage to be who I am, which is very important for authenticity nowadays,” she said.

As for what comes next, Anayah said she is being selective rather than rushing into another project simply to remain visible. She named director Kashif Nisar as someone she would like to work with and said she is looking for roles that contribute meaningfully to a story.