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Acting is a powerful tool to bring change in any culture: Naeema Butt talks about theater, activism, Ehd-e-Wafa, football and a lot more

A trained theater actor from the USA, have been a football player and now a house-hold name for her acting performance in Ehd-e-Wafa, Naeema Butt is surely one fine addition to the Pakistani drama industry this season. Recently we got chance to speak to the latest crush of Pakistani drama viewers. And we at MediaSpring PK are absolutely impressed by the work she has done not just as an actor but also as a advocate and activist for change though the medium of theater.

As Mala National wrote about her: Naeema Butt has never let discrimination stand in her way of becoming a star, whether it’s on the soccer field or on the acting stage. In her story she shares why she has never backed down and her message to others to stand up for their rights and do the same.

Here is what Daasi and Ehd-e-Wafa star has to say in reply to our questions.

Tell us about your journey how it all started. Do you think TV has has resulted in instant popularity for you?

Naeema Butt: It all started during my student years. It’s been 13 years now doing theater for social change. I feel like theater is part of my life, my soul. The power of acting for change is unbeatable.

I have earned respect in theater for social change nationally & internationally e.g was invited to represent my work in United Nations HQ NYC, 9th federal Congress on cultural foreign policy in Berlin Germany etc. I feel TV has opened up a new audience to me.

Naeema Naem Butt, CEO and Founder of PEHLAAJ (Theater of the Oppressed), delivers her remarks at the “Investing in young women’s leadership is key to implementing the SDGs” event in New York. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown

Pehlaj what is it about. how is it different to be an international theater artist, TV actress and and an activist. How you manage so many hats.

NB: Pehlaaj is a Center for Change where we conduct theater of the oppressed trainings to empower people and give the oppressed ones  a voice to express what they feel. We do trauma therapy. It’s all linked to each other. I don’t see acting, theater and activism as a separate thing. They are tools and medium to bring change. In the end we all are actors in the real life too no?

Besides acting what other activities do you have. Is that true that you hold a gold medal in football at university level.

NB: In 2005, I played football in the first ever women national championship held in Pakistan representing Punjab province and won the gold medal.

Pakistani womens Punjab football team players hold aloft the National Women’s Championship trophy in Islamabad, 29 September 2005. Naeema Can be seen under the trophy with the victory sign.

I played football for 8 years and also was a part of national camp. I am deeply invested in meditation and healing by using theater techniques. Apart from this, I love to travel, I am an empath. Spirituality, philosophy, pluralism and human rights/freedom to express are the topics I am passionate about. I was also a part time journalist where I raised many topics related to politics, human rights etc. While I was not able to pay my bills through theater and social work, I worked in many other fields to meet my financial needs like Artificial intelligence, cyber security and solar energy.  I enjoyed them a lot!

How did the journey with Pakistani TV dramas started. Was it part of the plan?

NB: Ehd-e-wafa is my first drama serial. While most of the female actors of my age would reject this role,  I just opted for it. I am a method actor and I believe in sincere and emotional expression of the performance. That’s all what I did! And I didn’t think how would it go. My acting mentors from USA has taught me to focus on the honesty and commitment to your character and not on the results.

Naeema’s story being shared at the United States Institute of Peace.

Ehd e Wafa is considered to be your most popular TV project. What do you have to say about it.

NB: I am glad that people liked it so much all around the world. I got hundreds of messages including a lot from India. It’s a cute surprise.

Acting and theatre for change what are your views about this concept

NB: As I mentioned earlier, acting is a powerful tool to bring change in any culture. Theatre for change is one of the coolest way to communicate your message to the audience. I do theater of the oppressed which is the form of interactive theatre. Your spectators become spect actors! You give a chance to audience to intervene into the play and change the situation presented in the play. You empower people and encourage them to take action.

9th Federal Congress on cultural policy in Berlin, Germany. Naeema was the speaker representing her theater work and how theater and arts can play a great role in strengthening foreign relations and voice youth opinions

I have also got my training in theater of the oppressed from Julian Boal, son of Augusto Boal (founder of theater of the oppressed). As he teaches: “Theatre is a form of knowledge; it should and can also be a means of transforming society. Theatre can help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it.”

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