The unstoppable Aamina Sheikh
Amina Sheikh isn’t one to be rushed and somehow, taking things as they come has truly worked in her favour.
Aamina Sheikh isn’t one to be rushed and somehow, taking things as they come has truly worked in her favour. The model, movie star, brand ambassador and overall success story chats with Ms T to revisit some of the milestones she has achieved in her career.
By the time arrive for my meeting with Aamina Sheikh, I am slightly worse for the wear. The blazing heat and lackadaisical Karachi traffic have rendered all my pre-meditated coolness futile and I literally bite my tongue lest I lash out at the lift operator who is taking his sweet time greeting a colleague across the reception. “Relax,” I tell myself as I make my way up. “It will be just fine. She’s just another, regular woman.”
But of course, that isn’t ever remotely true! The most sought-after actress of Pakistan, producer, director, brand incubator and national celebrity, Aamina has recently clocked in over a decade of consistent hardwork and monumental success in the Pakistani showbiz industry. A favourite at all fashion events, Aamina’s talents as a model are vouched for by the impressive roster of designers she has worked with. Her powerhouse performances in telefilms like Aasman Chuh Le and ‘Seedlings’ have earned her international recognition, including the award for Best Actress at last year’s New York International Film Festival. With that under her belt, Aamina is ready to set the big screen ablaze once again with the upcoming thriller Operation 021, alongside the legendary Shaan Shahid. And so, I cannot help but feel a tad bit intimidated as I fumble into the room and come face-to-face with the ‘Pakistani Angelina Jolie.’
Today, clad in jeans and a sweater with only a sweep of eyeliner a welcoming smile as accessories, Aamina’s uncanny resemblance to the Hollywood starlet is even more startling. The nicer surprise, though, is her amiability. She laughs as I apologise for my tardiness, saying “Nahin nahin, it’s okay.” We settle onto the chairs laid out for us and between intermittent sips of coffee, Aamina narrates the story of how she came to where she is.
“I initially started acting during school,” she says. “I was doing English plays with the great Rahat Kazmi and I loved it. Ironically, I never thought I would end up doing it professionally. I was more inclined towards the production aspect of filming so after completing my degree in arts, I took up an internship at a production house in New York. Fortunately or unfortunately, my parents wanted me back in Pakistan so here I am!”
As Aamina continues to share her experiences with swift hand movements and frequent chuckles, I can’t help but wonder how an accomplished actor like her can be so laid back! In the course of our conversation, I realise that she really is just another, regular woman with a very regular story, albeit in a seemingly more exciting industry. “It doesn’t matter what you do or where you work,” she explains. “The first seven to eight years of one’s career are always the hardest. You have to put in double the effort to make a future for yourself. I also had to work extremely hard to reach this point. There were lots of rejections, bounced cheques, cancelled shoots, etc. I had to do my own research, make my own way. Success takes a lot of patience and perseverance, especially in showbiz.” So what was the turning point for you, I inquire to which she curtly replies “Nothing.” Nothing, I repeat skeptically and she says “Yes, nothing. I don’t believe in turning points; they don’t exist. Life is more of a domino effect: one thing leads to another just so long as you keep at it.”
Deeply impressed by her independent thinking and candidness, I wonder if this is what encouraged Aamina to endorse the Always Karo Yaqeen campaign, launched by P&G to empower women in Pakistan and help them achieve their dreams. “The problem in our part of the world is that there is immense talent but no scope,” she says. “Girls have dreams but aren’t equipped to make them come true. I joined Always Karo Yaqeen because on some level, it reminds me of myself in the initial stages of my career. I want them to fulfil their aspirations, just like I have. I can relate to these girls and want to bring forth their hidden talents. Thankfully, I am now in the position to inspire others to go out and get what they want.”
It may be her position as mentor that she relishes but Aamina has always had a passion for her profession. I am hardly shocked when she confesses she can’t imagine working in anything that is not related to films, especially since she beat out all odds for it. “I was the first person in my family to study arts so you can imagine the apprehension my parents felt when I decided to pursue films,” she shares, laughing. “But now, they have come full circle and always praise my work. In fact, my father has appointed himself as my designated career mentor now.” Between back-to-back shoots, interviews and travelling, she must be a workaholic, I ask. “Not at all!” she responds. “I love being home too. Yes, my career is my top priority but so are my family, home and health. No one knows this but I absolutely love my garden and take out time for it whenever I can.”
This reminds me that an hour has gone by already and I must speed up the meeting to accommodate Aamina’s next appointment; after all, she is a very busy lady. I had been made aware of her professionalism earlier when she criticised others for arriving late to shoots, being rude on the sets and the general “lack of structure” that the Pakistani showbiz industry suffers from. I begin to appreciate that Aamina epitomises the typical modern Pakistani woman: she is the ideal combination of a traditional homemaker with the diligent work ethic of the contemporary career woman. She works hard all day but only to return home and unwind with her family. Aamina likes to take matters into her owns hands, be it rehearsing her lines on the sets or catering to the small vegetable patch she has grown in her garden. She has mastered the art of mixing business with pleasure, serving as an inspiration to women across the countries who are trying to balance their careers and their homes. This woman of the 21st century is strong, independent and not afraid to follow her heart.
“I draw inspiration from other female artists like Bushra Ansari and Saba Hamid,” says Aamina. “They are icons! Both women have had exponential acting careers and still continue to do so, even after so many years.” But longevity isn’t the main aim for Aamina. “As an actor, my aim is to touch the hearts of my viewers. I don’t want them to see Aamina Sheikh in a role. I want them to see and feel the emotions I am portraying. That is the true mark of a great actor: when the viewer forgets the actor, the film and everything else and just relates to the story.” As a closing note, I ask Aamina to share some advice for young girls seeking a career in modelling or acting and she pauses for a second, as if reminiscing about her own days as a newbie in the industry. “Do your research and always be well prepared,” she finally says. “If you aren’t intelligent, people can and will take you for a ride. And of course, stay focused and hope for the best!”
With her confidence, ambition and ability to sail through even the hardest of times, Aamina has garnered in little over ten years what most cannot achieve in a lifetime. One would think she is all set for life, with a stringent plan of what to achieve in the next phase of life but in reality, she just wants to go with the flow. “I want to keep evolving as an actor,” she states. “The showbiz market is limited and fortunately, I have already done most of what it has to offer. But like I said earlier, life is a domino effect. One door leads to another and who knows which one I’ll be knocking on next,” she adds with a mischievous smile.
As I get up to leave, I feel a strange sense of warmth – like I had just made a good friend. That, in a nutshell, says volumes about the charm of Aamina Sheikh.
Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, March 9th, 2014.
By the time arrive for my meeting with Aamina Sheikh, I am slightly worse for the wear. The blazing heat and lackadaisical Karachi traffic have rendered all my pre-meditated coolness futile and I literally bite my tongue lest I lash out at the lift operator who is taking his sweet time greeting a colleague across the reception. “Relax,” I tell myself as I make my way up. “It will be just fine. She’s just another, regular woman.”
But of course, that isn’t ever remotely true! The most sought-after actress of Pakistan, producer, director, brand incubator and national celebrity, Aamina has recently clocked in over a decade of consistent hardwork and monumental success in the Pakistani showbiz industry. A favourite at all fashion events, Aamina’s talents as a model are vouched for by the impressive roster of designers she has worked with. Her powerhouse performances in telefilms like Aasman Chuh Le and ‘Seedlings’ have earned her international recognition, including the award for Best Actress at last year’s New York International Film Festival. With that under her belt, Aamina is ready to set the big screen ablaze once again with the upcoming thriller Operation 021, alongside the legendary Shaan Shahid. And so, I cannot help but feel a tad bit intimidated as I fumble into the room and come face-to-face with the ‘Pakistani Angelina Jolie.’
Today, clad in jeans and a sweater with only a sweep of eyeliner a welcoming smile as accessories, Aamina’s uncanny resemblance to the Hollywood starlet is even more startling. The nicer surprise, though, is her amiability. She laughs as I apologise for my tardiness, saying “Nahin nahin, it’s okay.” We settle onto the chairs laid out for us and between intermittent sips of coffee, Aamina narrates the story of how she came to where she is.
“I initially started acting during school,” she says. “I was doing English plays with the great Rahat Kazmi and I loved it. Ironically, I never thought I would end up doing it professionally. I was more inclined towards the production aspect of filming so after completing my degree in arts, I took up an internship at a production house in New York. Fortunately or unfortunately, my parents wanted me back in Pakistan so here I am!”
As Aamina continues to share her experiences with swift hand movements and frequent chuckles, I can’t help but wonder how an accomplished actor like her can be so laid back! In the course of our conversation, I realise that she really is just another, regular woman with a very regular story, albeit in a seemingly more exciting industry. “It doesn’t matter what you do or where you work,” she explains. “The first seven to eight years of one’s career are always the hardest. You have to put in double the effort to make a future for yourself. I also had to work extremely hard to reach this point. There were lots of rejections, bounced cheques, cancelled shoots, etc. I had to do my own research, make my own way. Success takes a lot of patience and perseverance, especially in showbiz.” So what was the turning point for you, I inquire to which she curtly replies “Nothing.” Nothing, I repeat skeptically and she says “Yes, nothing. I don’t believe in turning points; they don’t exist. Life is more of a domino effect: one thing leads to another just so long as you keep at it.”
Deeply impressed by her independent thinking and candidness, I wonder if this is what encouraged Aamina to endorse the Always Karo Yaqeen campaign, launched by P&G to empower women in Pakistan and help them achieve their dreams. “The problem in our part of the world is that there is immense talent but no scope,” she says. “Girls have dreams but aren’t equipped to make them come true. I joined Always Karo Yaqeen because on some level, it reminds me of myself in the initial stages of my career. I want them to fulfil their aspirations, just like I have. I can relate to these girls and want to bring forth their hidden talents. Thankfully, I am now in the position to inspire others to go out and get what they want.”
It may be her position as mentor that she relishes but Aamina has always had a passion for her profession. I am hardly shocked when she confesses she can’t imagine working in anything that is not related to films, especially since she beat out all odds for it. “I was the first person in my family to study arts so you can imagine the apprehension my parents felt when I decided to pursue films,” she shares, laughing. “But now, they have come full circle and always praise my work. In fact, my father has appointed himself as my designated career mentor now.” Between back-to-back shoots, interviews and travelling, she must be a workaholic, I ask. “Not at all!” she responds. “I love being home too. Yes, my career is my top priority but so are my family, home and health. No one knows this but I absolutely love my garden and take out time for it whenever I can.”
This reminds me that an hour has gone by already and I must speed up the meeting to accommodate Aamina’s next appointment; after all, she is a very busy lady. I had been made aware of her professionalism earlier when she criticised others for arriving late to shoots, being rude on the sets and the general “lack of structure” that the Pakistani showbiz industry suffers from. I begin to appreciate that Aamina epitomises the typical modern Pakistani woman: she is the ideal combination of a traditional homemaker with the diligent work ethic of the contemporary career woman. She works hard all day but only to return home and unwind with her family. Aamina likes to take matters into her owns hands, be it rehearsing her lines on the sets or catering to the small vegetable patch she has grown in her garden. She has mastered the art of mixing business with pleasure, serving as an inspiration to women across the countries who are trying to balance their careers and their homes. This woman of the 21st century is strong, independent and not afraid to follow her heart.
“I draw inspiration from other female artists like Bushra Ansari and Saba Hamid,” says Aamina. “They are icons! Both women have had exponential acting careers and still continue to do so, even after so many years.” But longevity isn’t the main aim for Aamina. “As an actor, my aim is to touch the hearts of my viewers. I don’t want them to see Aamina Sheikh in a role. I want them to see and feel the emotions I am portraying. That is the true mark of a great actor: when the viewer forgets the actor, the film and everything else and just relates to the story.” As a closing note, I ask Aamina to share some advice for young girls seeking a career in modelling or acting and she pauses for a second, as if reminiscing about her own days as a newbie in the industry. “Do your research and always be well prepared,” she finally says. “If you aren’t intelligent, people can and will take you for a ride. And of course, stay focused and hope for the best!”
With her confidence, ambition and ability to sail through even the hardest of times, Aamina has garnered in little over ten years what most cannot achieve in a lifetime. One would think she is all set for life, with a stringent plan of what to achieve in the next phase of life but in reality, she just wants to go with the flow. “I want to keep evolving as an actor,” she states. “The showbiz market is limited and fortunately, I have already done most of what it has to offer. But like I said earlier, life is a domino effect. One door leads to another and who knows which one I’ll be knocking on next,” she adds with a mischievous smile.
As I get up to leave, I feel a strange sense of warmth – like I had just made a good friend. That, in a nutshell, says volumes about the charm of Aamina Sheikh.
Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, March 9th, 2014.