ActressEntertainmentInterview

The best of work will sustain: Maira Khan on acting, mimicking, modelling, future plans and a lot more

Maira Khan is a well-known TV host, model and actress who has successfully marked her presence in media industry ever since she began her career as a model and then established herself as one fine versatile actress.

Maira hails from Lahore with ancestors’ roots in Peshawar, “My grandfather is from Peshawar and from my mother’s side I am a true Lahori,” says the actress.

Talking about her student life, Maira told us that she was a prominent, socially active person and always taking part in various activities in her college. Her original name is Pakeeza Saeed Khan but she is known as Maira Khan when asked what made her change the name she said:

“Actually when I was in school, my mother changed my name from Pakeeza to Maira. But in my documents it remained Pakeeza Saeed Khan. No one calls me with that name, I have always been known as Maira Khan. It does not mean that I have taken any inspiration from a famous person for my name, it was my mother’s idea that too a long time ago.”

Maira while talking about the initial modelling days she said:

“I started my career as a model and it all owes to my initial shoots, fashion walks and commercial ads that later on it bagged me a role in my debut drama serial ‘Yaad Piya Ki Aaye’ back in 2008 and this is how I stepped into acting. ”

Maira Khan is a self-taught actress and is not certified with a degree in acting from an institute. However, last year, she travelled to the UK to attend a workshop to learn TV presentation and broadcasting.

Maira stated that she always tries to learn more from the characters played by her own role models previously such as Bushra Ansari and Barbara Shareef while she critically views her own characters as well to improve her work further.

When asked about the most challenging character in her career she answered:

“I think playing a girl’s character living in a Jhuggi for drama serial ‘Kamal e Zabt‘ that aired on A-plus news, was the toughest role in my career. I even had to meet the people that actually live in slums to connect realistically to my character.”

On answering how she sees modelling and acting as two different fields she replied back saying:

“I think modelling doesn’t require as much effort as acting does. Acting is a full time job that involves relevant expressions as well. And I have always personally enjoyed acting more.”

Maria believes that her shot to fame has a lot to do with Dr. Younas Butt. While replying to another question about her career, she said:

“I am always grateful to Dr Younas Butt who offered me mimicry roles in Hum Sab Umeed Se Hain and Butt Tameezian which were not only appreciated by the audience but also eventually gained Sir Aftab Iqbal’s attention as well who later on casted me in ‘Khabardar ’ which was the most popular TV show on Express News for almost four years.”

As a mimicry artist Maira portrayed some of the iconic characters such as former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, ace TV anchor Asma Shirazi, Lollywood actresses Reema, Meera and many more but her ultimate claim to fame is portraying the legendary singer Malika-e-Taranum Noor Jahan.

Maria is currently part of Khabarzar and she opened up that she really enjoys shooting it because it is never scripted and everything happens spontaneously on the show which makes it extremely challenging for all the actors.

Even in Khabarzar, Maira has cemented her spot with her stellar performances in various characters be it a women police constable, heer, or a character from Sholay she is always spot on with her role. When asked how are shows like Khabarzar effective for masses Maira said:

“Viewers are very smart now, while they still have an apatite for rona dhona, saas bahu, kala jadu etc based TV dramas and stress giving talk shows they also do want a fresh change and laughter which shows like Khabarzar offer. Best thing about Khabarzar is that it is not just about mindless laughter, comedy and fikrey baazi but also a good source of information too. Khabarzar is setting standard in the genre of infotainment TV shows.”

Maira believes that things have changed a lot in last ten years since she joined the TV industry, now there is more space to work but at the same time, it is harder to cement the place too since the viewer has so many options now. “The best of work will sustain,” says Maira Khan. She in her message to all the newcomers in the industry said:

“Newcomers should never be hasty for success. They should focus on their craft with dedication and success will eventually come to them itself.”

Besides mainstream media, Maira is very active on social media as well with an active presence on her official Facebook page, her twitter handle, and her Instagram profile. Moreover, she is now also launching her YouTube channel where she is planning to produce tailored content such as vlogs, tutorials, acting masterclasses, and a lot more. 

At the end, Maira told us that she is eager to do more dramas and will do a film only if offered a role with a wide margin for acting and her future plans involve going behind the camera as well to direct the TV dramas.

Maira is surely a gem and we wish her the best of luck for her future endeavours!

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