Renowned supermodel and actor Vaneeza Ahmed recently sat down for an interview with BBC Urdu, discussing her role as Sofia Agha in the Pakistani drama series ‘Kuch Ankahi’ and the impact it has had in breaking stereotypes within the industry. Having made a comeback to acting with this project after a hiatus, Ahmed reflected on her character’s significance and the importance of challenging traditional notions of supporting and main roles.
Ahmed expressed her belief that every role, regardless of its prominence, holds significance. She mentioned iconic shows like ‘Tanhaiyan’ and ‘Ankahi,’ where there was no distinction between supporting and main roles, and emphasized that every character contributes to the overall story. The response to ‘Kuch Ankahi’ has been overwhelmingly positive, with Ahmed stating, “The good thing about Kuch Ankahi is that one can see routine stories – and each person is the main lead in their own story. This is what real life is.”
Despite the challenges of balancing acting with her responsibilities as a mother, Ahmed was convinced to take on the role after reading the script and receiving encouragement from the director, Nadeem Baig. Although adjusting her habits and finding time for the show was difficult, Ahmed found the character of Sofia intriguing and inspiring. She stated, “The character was such that I wanted to do it. The time that it takes to do dramas, I didn’t have it. But Nadeem said I’d have fun, that I should make time, and that it was time for me to do such a show.”
When asked about the similarities between her personality and Sofia’s strong character, Ahmed acknowledged the resemblance but noted that Sofia is more unapologetic. She aspired to be like her character, stating, “It’s quite close. She’s more unapologetic than I am. Sometimes, I would say, ‘How can I say this to my brother or sister-in-law?’ But it wasn’t me saying it. It was Sofia. It’s something I aspire to be, and I think every woman should be like this. Why do we forget ourselves under the guise of shyness? Recognize who you are and don’t be apologetic about it.”
Ahmed also addressed the stereotype associated with paternal aunts often portrayed as villains in Pakistani dramas. She humorously mentioned her resemblance to her character, being a paternal aunt in real life as well, and advocated for breaking such stereotypes. Ahmed emphasized the need to showcase positive aspects, including good paternal aunts, in dramas and expressed her hope that ‘Kuch Ankahi’ plays a role in challenging and changing these stereotypes.
One of the issues highlighted in ‘Kuch Ankahi’ is the plight of women in Pakistani society, particularly regarding marriage customs and the suppression of their rights. Ahmed passionately discussed the viral marriage scene in which Sofia advocates for reevaluating the marriage contract, urging women to be aware of their rights and not be afraid to speak up. She shared her own experience of feeling unheard during her marriage contract negotiations and stressed the importance of challenging societal norms that suppress women.
Ahmed touched upon the portrayal of older character roles and love stories in Pakistani dramas, emphasizing that stories should not solely revolve around young people. She mentioned renowned actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Javed Sheikh, Bushra Ansari, and Samina Ahmed, who continue to play lead roles and highlighted the beauty of older love stories.
The interview also delved into the influence of social media on the entertainment industry, with Ahmed acknowledging the importance of social
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