Celebrity Interviews

Perhaps it's the personal battle she has been fighting with multiple sclerosis that has toughened her up. It's an ailment that still not many people understand in Pakistan and she has taken it upon herself to spread awareness so that other women may benefit from her experiences. Mag4you.com wishes Iman the heartiest of best wishes as she prepares to travel to Dehradun (India) later this week, for alternative therapy of MS.

In this brief interview Iman talks about the road she has been traveling through films, fashion, television and also multiple sclerosis....

Khuda Kay Liye has been doing so well despite your early apprehensions that it wasn't a commercial film. Your role has been greatly appreciated and you must be basking in glory these days?
Iman Ali: There's no glory as such. I haven't seen anything change. People's behaviour towards me has not changed.

The one most touching moment for me was when Babra Sharif called and told me how good I was - now that really mattered. She threw a party for me and all that appreciation coming from her was humbling. I'm such a big fan of hers to be appreciated by her felt very nice.

Do you think the film does a greater service to reviving cinema in Pakistan or to changing mind sets?
Iman Ali: It's a little bit of both. What this movie has done is start a dialogue. At least people are talking about it and the issues it takes up. Reaction, any reaction, can only be positive. Plus, before this film people thought that only Punjabi films do well in Pakistan. This broke the stereo type.

The perception has been proven wrong. Those films have flopped and Khuda Kay Liye is still running to packed theatres. No cinema is willing to take it down. Now hopefully other film makers will get the finances to take up equally stimulating projects. The people are ready for better cinema.

You've had nothing but good reviews from the film. Are film makers hounding you with offers now?
Iman Ali: Interestingly, I had offers even before the film was released. People who were interested had seen me act on television and they had seen me dance in the ad. So the offers were already there. What I'm extremely pleased about is that it has opened doors for Fawad. He has been 'discovered' in this film.

Are you working on a new project?
Iman Ali: I've been in dialogue with Amena Khan (from the former Amena-Ahsan video directors-duo) for some time now. I've always loved her work and she has been eager to make a feature film. I still don't know what she's making but I'm onboard the project. There have also been discussions with Asim Raza.

They're all ready to step out but are looking for financiers. I have to say that I may have done serious cinema, but I'm up for all genres of film. I want to do the comedy and the dancing. If it's good, it'll be good.

You love to dance, don't you?
Iman Ali: I absolutely love it! You know that I was supposed to dance at the Lux Style Awards this year but couldn't because of my health. I'm hoping I will be able to next year. And I want to do it with Pappu Samrat.

He's very good and I believe in giving our own people a chance. Talking about the LSAs I must also say that while we're all hunky dory about creating new stars, we mustn't let go of our legends. We should take our older generations of celebrities forward with us.

Television is what influences our masses the most and the second LSA was so strong in that it brought people like Moeen Akhter, Samina Ahmad, Feryal Gauher and many others together. Films are still a flop medium in Pakistan and fashion is still relatively inconsequential. It's these people who can still bring more life and even class to a show.

Iman, you have always been very open about your health, despite the fact that it could have jeopardized your career. What has motivated you in being so vocal about it?
Iman Ali: I've been open because people in Pakistan don't know about MS. I've seen a lot of cases where women have not taken it seriously until they're in a wheel chair and their condition is out of control. It targets mostly women so people find it convenient to ignore.

Awareness has to be created: it was recently discovered that multiple sclerosis is life threatening. I motivated Nadia Khan to do a show on it. I don't understand why anyone would hide it? Alopathic treatment is unaffordable to most people and I now want to spread awareness about the alternative methods available.

I really want to make some difference and share my experience once I'm back from India where I'll be gone for around six to seven weeks. Before leaving I want to clarify that I am not going to Bombay to make films I am going to Dehradun for alternative therapy on MS.

How did you enter TV?

I joined the TV and radio in my childhood. My first play was Omar Marvi and after marriage I started working for PTV in a proper way, because Kazim Pasha offered me the play Aabroo. This play became very famous and I got a positive response from the public.

What kind of difficulties have you faced in this field?

After marriage, when I started my career as an actress I faced a lot of criticism from my in-laws, especially from my father-in-law. But my husband supported and encouraged me and I didn't face any other hurdle in this field.

What is the most memorable character and play in your career?

My most favorite play was Khak Jahh. In this serial I played a role of beggar girl, who collected the things from garbage that was my most memorable character.

What differences in TV do you find in the1985 period and today?

(She smiled) I have worked in many plays on TV. I feel sad whenever I asked friends and viewers about my dramas and they simply nodded their heads obligingly.

But it is the fault of viewers because in period of 1985 only one channel was on air and viewers would watch that play with concentration. Now today there is boom of TV channels and every channel is showing different play for viewers. So in fact, today the situation has changed very much and advanced.

What about your production house?

I launched my production house in 1999. One of my plays Aap Ko Kia Takleef was on air on Aaj channel and one play Mr and Mrs was on air on Hum channel. My play Wilko I've given to PTV and many other plays are running. Now I am going to start a play about anti-narcotics to promote awareness among the young generation the title is Zindagi. This play will soon be aired on PTV. I am also acting in this play.

Which is your favourite TV centre?

I like Karachi centre, as they are quite advanced and efficient. I enjoyed myself in Lahore and the spicy food of this city. However, in Islamabad you will not find many artists. Usually artists are called by the Islamabad centre from other centres. The Islamabad centre is also lacking the sharp and professional atmosphere of Karachi and Lahore.

What film offers have you received?

I have received many film offers but the film industry is lacking professionalism and serious people. There is a dire need of professional people who could boost this industry in a positive and effective manner. If a film is like Khuda ke Leye, then I would think about working in films.

Is acting hard or easy?

Everyone can't do acting. We have a lot of talent in our country. I always encouraged newcomers and educated people should join this field. One academy Nepa' is working in Karachi for newcomers and will shortly be starting in Islamabad.

When you go out what sort of response do you get from the public?

I am used to this now and at the same time I feel happy to meet people. Everywhere I get a good response from people and they give me special attention in every public place, markets, banks etc.

Do you watch your own plays?.

Of course I watch my plays with my family and also receive criticism from my family. So in this way I can improve the shortcomings in myself. One of my plays was Rawal Jugni. I didn't like my character in this play as my character was not powerful.

What about professional jealousy?

Professional jealousy is a major problem in this field. Some people think that I feel pride when I find people are jealous of me. But I am not really like that.

No facilities are provided to artists in our country. There should be rules and regulations for channels, like before casting an artist a channel should make a firm commitment and change their decision. When payment is made the artist often finds it less than what was agreed. Artists do hard work and they should be given respect like other professions. PTV is the only channel that still has professionalism in every manner.

Currently Laila Zuberi is doing a play on ATV channel Khuda Gawah and she is playing the role of a Prime Minster. She is also known as a social activist and she is the chairperson of the Red Crescent Society'.

IF YOU need inspiration to kick-start your quest for impossible showbiz dreams, flip on the vibrant morning show titled Nadia Khan Show - Geo Mazay Sey, from 9-11 on weekdays.

There's a good chance you'll see a pretty, perky lady looking back at you with a pair of warm brown eyes and an extremely innocent, young face.

Nadia Khan's wit, humour and quick thinking are displayed in front of the camera.

When and where were you born?

i was born on 22nd of May 1979, in Quetta, which makes me a Gemini. I can still disclose my age, (laughs) for at least another four years.

Describe yourself.

I'm a very positive yet stubborn person. I like to celebrate life and have fun and I'm definitely not a control freak. I don't like anybody to suffer and I don't allow anyone to give me pain.

As a young child, did you have any idea, any vision, of what you wanted to accomplish?

Yes. I guess I was pretty sure what I wanted to do from the time I remember. When I was a child I used to play six or seven characters at one time. I was 14 years old when my first show came on television. My first show was Dark Time and the first serial was with Hasina Moen. I wouldn't have acted if it was for anyone else other than Hasina.
A lot of people in showbiz start very early, and now I realise why.

How did your family react towards this?

By the grace of God I have a very broad-minded family. I made my television debut through NTM, 14 years back. My cousin and sister in-law were working with NTM, which was, in those days, introducing a lot of youngsters as compares and announcers. As I mentioned earlier, I was at that time a student of class VIII and wanted to become an announcer. I sought my father's permission to appear on NTM as an announcer. Finally one day, I went to meet my cousin who was, unlike my father, hesitant at first to allow me to work on TV. I had a screen test done and it was there when a director spotted me.

And what about your husband?

My husband is my backbone. It's taken me seven years to change his thinking and now he is so proud of me. He keeps telling me that I have to grow as an artist, and helps me with the current issues concerning politics and the newsy bit. He doesn't only respect my profession but also supports me with new ideas. My in-laws are my biggest critics but their support is immense.

Did you ever consider any other career besides talking, broadcasting, acting?

Never. This is what I wanted to do. But life is very unpredictable it makes different choices for you. I gave it all up when I got married to my Dubai based husband. So when I moved here there wasn't much to do and I couldn't join the Arabic media because of the language. I wanted my own set-up and hence I waited for something 'Pakistani' to happen. And here I am, back to the showbiz arena.

Do you feel that acting, direction and production have changed during the recent years since PTV?

Media boom in Pakistan happened much too quickly, the media wasn't ready as they lacked the technical staff. Channels are scared to invest in individual growth because they'll be dumped as soon as the staff is trained. It is very unfortunate that people want to become rich overnight. For them it's all about money, not about channel loyalty.
On the other hand, actors' attitude has changed because of so much work happening. All of them are so busy that they can't stay focused due to this.

Do you feel it's difficult to conduct an interview in pure Urdu? Or there is no such restriction for your show?

never wanted to do a complete English show because my forte is Urdu and so I waited for a long time for this show to happen. I don't communicate in proper Urdu, it's a mix of English as well and there are no such limitations for my show.

Is it important to be educated in the field of production?

Certainly, learning the craft teaches one to recognise better directors, teaches one punctuality and respect for others in the team. It's a great career for women, its for the educated people, they must study media as there are so many opportunities in this field. Media needs talented and experienced women.

How do you go about it, right from how the questions are being conceptualised, to coordinating and finalising the high-profile guests?

My team does some of the research for me, whatever is catchy I remember and what I don't remember is not interesting enough. As a compere, I feel, my brain connects to the brain of my viewers. Hence I know what will click to them. Over the years my thinking process has become so fast that I edit everything in my mind before I say it therefore never had to regret anything I said. And as far as guests are concerned, I avoid specialists like doctors and all. I don't have to fill a slot. Exclusivity is an essential part of the show and who ever we approve of, has to be credible.

Who came up with the concept?

There's an entire team called Geo Idea Cell working for the show operating from Pakistan. My director wanted a morning show as a vehicle to show that celebrities are just like everybody else. So it was a chance to hang out with all these famous people.

Do you research on the stars you'll be interviewing?

look them up on the Internet, and the director writes a couple of sample questions for me, but it's really just whatever they want to talk about. I'm not there to be, or even pretend to be, Larry King. This is a reminder that the people we all enjoy watching are just like us. That's all.

How have you found interviewing other stars? Were you ever uncomfortable?

My work is a hobby that I am almost addicted to. Only three people in my guest list have given me strange vibes. Others have been brilliant.

Do you believe in media ethics?

Ofcourse I do. Before the show starts, I ask all the celebrities if there's anything they would not want me to ask them. I'm not somebody who would just want to sit here like a pastry and count my ratings. I don't want to get a kick out of embarrassing anybody. Everybody has their own secrets. Since I know how to frame my questions I have a certain edge on others. The strange thing is that my guests connect with me so easily that they end up telling me more than I ask for. Every show I do is done with a great responsibility. I own every word I say. Earlier I used to make fun of people and now I realise how time has changed me. I hope our senior comperes realise that it's time for them to grow up.

How is it for you to get so up close and personal with stars?

get excited, but I wouldn't say I'm intimidated. I don't get nervous with my guests. I just get giggly.
I don't watch international TV shows because I believe that if something inspires you, you are bound to copy and since I have a tendency to mimic and copy style and accents, I avoid watching such shows. I'm a trendsetter myself and I'm not really impressed with the western morning shows but in the end I think that blends well with their culture.

Who was your first guest on a live show and how was your experience with him/ her?

My first guests were Javaid Shaikh and Poonam Dhillon. I was extremely comfortable with them and it was good fun. I have a lot of regard for my Indian guests as they make an extra effort to come to my show and are extremely polite.

How do you deal with criticism?

I only take criticism from people I know, not from strangers. I should know that the person has complete knowledge of my show. I have some friends who are hard on me. I wanted to bring in something new for my show so I changed myself. People change the show, props or sets, but I changed my wardrobe. Seven years back when I got married, I started wearing

conservative clothes, and I lost track of fashion. I realised that I'm young but yet not experimenting at all. So I'll keep on changing as a person and I'll evolve for the better.

What about competition?

My show was the first perky breakfast show. I think the viewers need a variety so it's good that they are coming up with more morning shows. I don't feel competition because they all started after me. I don't have a moment of insecurity because I have a huge fan following internationally. I can proudly say that I have the best technical team that backs me up. You can send me to Sudan and I'll do the same show if I have the same technical support.

Is it difficult to work in a male-dominated society?

I'm very fortunate that I never came across such men. I believe that a woman can surmount any society if the men in the house are supportive. Because I joined at such a fragile age I was told not to joke on the sets. I was a popular miss attitude. One can build an image and sustain a reputation by their actions. Nobody wants to be termed as 'persona non grata.'

How do you juggle your personal life with work and what challenges do you encounter?

When I got married I started teaching immediately. I taught drama in Dubai Gem for 3 years. Since I'm not a qualified drama teacher I couldn't have taken it up as a career. It wasn't lucrative enough. My salary was the lowest among my colleagues. I used to put up drama performances for 200 and more students along with taking care of the technical stuff as well. I also taught in Jumeirah international Art Centre. But I missed performing myself. It was a very learning experience but I wasn't happy with what I was doing. I hoped this is not what I had to do for the rest of my life.

What is the reason behind the success of the show?

The success of this programme is that I'm doing one show only. No other artist in this field sticks to one thing.
When I started the show on another channel I had a baby of two months old, I weighed 84 kg. I realised that what is there for people like me in television. I wanted to do one exclusive show and nothing else on the side. My colleagues used to say it's a commercial death for an artist.

What do you do if you're having a bad morning?

I'm happy and excited every morning. I've worked in immensely tough situations. My sister passed away and I continued my show. I'm one tough Pakistani woman and I know that I'm strong because I'm a Pakistani. Women from our country can accept any challenges and we don't give up on our families or our husbands. Pakistani women are homemakers. Changing the people around you is a big achievement. Lots of people and families see me as their role model because I've dealt with the toughest situations with patience and courage.

Besides hosting this show, do you have any plans for acting?

I don't have stamina for drama, this show cant stop. I can never get tired of this show. Everyday there's something new in store for me.

Would you like to give a message to the youngsters?

Life is going to be more beautiful hereafter, one should smile and have a positive attitude towards life. Serve Pakistan in whatever way you can.

enjoy 😃😃😃