T-Diaries: Atiqa Odho

T Diaries
A glimpse into the world of Pakistani powerhouses

The last thing you do before going to bed is?

Think about what I achieved that day and how much I need to do the next day.

Do the stars of today have it easier than you and your contemporaries did back in the day?

The actors of today need to work harder to get noticed and if they do manage to become celebrities, they need to work even harder to maintain their public following. There is a lot more competition in the industry today than we had in the 90’s.

Many men claim women can’t be funny. What do you have to say to them?

If women didn’t have a sense of humour, how would they manage to meet the day to day challenges of struggling between family life and jobs/careers?

Looking back over your career, what do you think is your best performance?

I have enjoyed all the roles I have done as they have had their own moments. An actor’s job is never done as every next role has its own challenges.

You are a working woman with a husband, children and even grandchildren. How do you maintain a work-life balance?

Life is all about meeting challenges.  The fun is in the melting pot of experiences that we go through during life.  I have always tried to get the most out of my life and time as both things are extremely precious.

You don’t look like a grandmother at all! What’s your secret fitness regime?

I believe in living a disciplined life with lots of skin care, sleep and good food.  Also, I try to keep myself mentally strong which helps me keep myself physically strong as well. Happiness is a great rejuvenator for body, mind and soul.

The Superwoman Syndrome is the desire to do everything perfectly, without any time to yourself. What do to have to say about that?

I’ve never tried or claimed to be superwoman. I’m just an average hard working woman who enjoys her family life as much as her professional choices.

An idea that changed your life?

There have been so many, like my idea to become a mother, an actor, a business woman, etc. Everything is born from one simple idea.

What’s the best way to deal with failure?

There is no such thing as failure. Everything in life is an experience that we learn from. There are highs and lows but without them we would never build any character.

If you could relive any one day of your life, it would be...?

Any day where I could spend time with my father or grandmother again as they both passed away when I was very young and I have missed them all my life.

Is it true that people love their grandchildren more than their own children?

I love my children and grandchildren equally. The only difference is that grandchildren are more fun as you don’t have to do any hard work like you do with your own children.  Also, life is a little more settled by the time you become a grandparent so the stresses are less, hence you enjoy the relationship more.

Any advice for aspiring actors?

Work hard and never let anyone pull you down or make you feel unimportant. Also, actors have the great ability to reach out to a society’s conscience and make people think and they should try to exercise that whenever they can.

Atiqa Odho

Actor

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, April 27^th, 2014.