Nadia Jamil’s journey is one of extraordinary courage, artistry, and an unwavering commitment to living fully. From her remarkable performances on stage and screen to her heartfelt advocacy for children, women, mental health, and the environment, Nadia exemplifies resilience and grace.
In this exclusive feature for Good Times Magazine, Nadia reflects on the roles that shaped her career, the personal challenges that redefined her perspective, and the practices that allow her to radiate light even in dark times. She shares insights into how acting, singing, and art serve as powerful tools for healing, how faith and gratitude have guided her through life’s toughest moments, and the philosophy that continues to inspire her activism.
Join us as we step into Nadia Jamil’s world—a space where vulnerability meets strength, creativity meets purpose, and the present moment is embraced as the seed of infinite possibility.
Nadia, you’ve had such a remarkable career in television and theatre. Looking back, which role feels closest to your heart and why?
A stage performance I did with Shoaib Hashmi—Jean Anouihs Antigone, in which he was Creon—back in the nineties. Because it was sharing the stage with one of my greatest mentors. A true legend.
Eve Ensler’s V Monologues, because it liberated my femininity and allowed me to celebrate it unapologetically.
Mere Paas Paas, because it was the serial that began HUM TV’s rise and was MD Productions’ first hit—a beautiful love story.
Lorelie, directed by Haissam Hussain, because it taught me how strong a mother can be.
Taming of the Shrew, because we shone at the Globe Theatre.
Damsa, because it tells the story of the children I work with. And Asma Nabeela was fantastic as a writer and storyteller.
How can there be just one? 🙂
Honestly, most of them have taught me unique lessons. All are precious.
How has your approach to acting evolved over the years, especially after the profound personal experiences you’ve gone through?
I’ve understood that acting is telling the truth as the character you have embodied—not your truth, but hers. The character’s truth. It’s a profound mix of disassociation and honesty. Very healing and empowering. And it’s in the nuances. It’s a delicate, powerful art. I use the emotions my body, mind, and soul store, but she (the character) uses them. It’s her story, her truth—not Nadia’s.
You are also known to sing at times — is music more of a personal passion, or do you see yourself exploring it professionally?
Personal passion 🙂 My dad loved singing with me. I sing for Allah, Abu, and myself. I sing for love and connection. I sing to make hope a life-active experience, and I sing because it brings my heart, head, gut—my whole being—joy.
You’ve been very open about your battle with cancer. What did this journey teach you about strength, vulnerability, and resilience?
I survived cancer because of the doctors, medication, early detection, Allah’s Will, and total Tawakkul in Him. I had no personal fear. The only thing I had power over was my response to cancer—and I chose gratitude and trust in Allah, believing in the lessons sent my way through pain and heartbreak.
During cancer, I realized the importance of the pause—stopping to be in beautiful solitude with my precious breath. I discovered how stunningly empowering solitude is, and that one is never truly alone. The planet is alive, our bodies are alive, Allah is Samad, and in every iota of everything—including us—we are connected via the Creator. How beautiful it is to be alive and able to serve His Will and creation.
In what ways did surviving cancer transform your perspective on life, art, and even your work as an activist?
Cancer taught me that the only person responsible for my happiness, mental health, and overall well-being is me. I am responsible for not distracting myself from the connection the Universe—Allah, the Source Energy—is providing us with all the time. Distractions from the peace within and around us are our problem. We can solve it by being mindful and breathing into the essence of Truth—Haq—and acting on it. Knowledge is meaningless if not acted upon; all true knowing is in the doing.
Cancer taught me humility and what true healing is. Necessity forced me to learn how to heal—not just from cancer, but from the past and from mental struggles.
What kept you grounded during the most difficult days of treatment—was it family, faith, or perhaps creativity itself?
All of it 🙂 Faith, creativity, and accepting love from total strangers on social media. Leaning into the resources that strengthen and empower me—NLP, Art of Living, mBIT. The loop of all these, woven together with faith, keeps me centered.
Life. Loving it actively. Living it actively. Whether it is embracing the pause, doing nothing but sitting on the grass and breathing, reading, dancing, teaching, praying, or learning—the power of now and my choice in this moment keeps it real. My son once told me, “Reach out for the stars, but keep your feet firm on the ground.”
Beyond the screen, you’ve been a tireless activist, raising your voice for children’s rights, women’s empowerment, and mental health. What drives this side of you?
I also speak up for animal rights and the environment—climate change. It is my duty as a human being to feel responsible for everything that affects us. Social media has made it easier to be a voice for positive change.
Children are my path, my Sirat ul Mustaqeem. Mental health is critical, especially at a young age. I love sharing with children, learning from them, and teaching them. Healing is a shared experience.
Pain was my initial driver—when I was 17 and started working in orphanages. Now it’s healing and the glow of living with the freedom that you are powerful enough for your own healing. Lean towards yourself and service. Sharing this truth creates a domino effect of love and healing. It fuels my heart and connects me to others’ hearts. It’s a surrender to a larger truth. Alhamdulillah.
Do you feel your public platform comes with a responsibility to speak about uncomfortable truths—and has that ever felt like a burden?
Never. The truth frees us and empowers us. How can it ever be a burden? 🙂
Which cause is closest to your heart right now, and how can your fans/readers support it?
Life. Living. Gratitude.
We can all support our own truth, our own life, and our own commitment to gratitude. It’s a muscle that needs practice, like gym or prayer. It allows us to embrace a healthy self. Mental health is a path to freedom, requiring work and commitment. It encompasses what we eat, how we love, how we move, how we choose our thoughts, and how we learn to go beyond language and noise. Committing to the present moment via breath and appreciation frees us. Acting on this knowledge—embodying it in our choices—is the true practice of life. Alhamdulillah.
Do you see art—whether acting, singing, or writing—as a form of healing for yourself and others?
Always. And what isn’t art? Medicine, science, maths, language, colours, light, sound—energy and creation are all art. Art is perfection. How you perceive creation is your healing. I see a tree and see art. Friendship. Oxygen. Mother. Nature. Solace. Beauty. Colour. Texture. Everything. From a surgeon’s work to a beautiful cup of tea—it’s all art. Allah’s art, and our art through Him.
Many of your fans describe you as someone who radiates light even in dark times. What practices or philosophies help you maintain that?
We all radiate light—you, me. If there was no dark, how would we know light? I find solace, truth, and healing in both dark and light. The dark holds truths we benefit from in solitude—my inward time. Pain is a fantastic teacher. The light is when we go external with healing truths, connecting with others. That’s where others see the light. We must perceive, feel, and act from what we learn.
If you could describe yourself today in three words after all these transformations, what would they be?
I would like to give three versions:
- Nadia Fazal Jamil – Work in Progress – Unique. Commonplace. Nothing.
What excites you most about the next chapter of your life—personally and professionally?
Now. This moment. This second. The enormous potential hidden in its seed and the blossoming of that potential tomorrow—whether I live to see it or not. The richness and power of NOW. Wah! Even now, I am smiling, feeling it :))
Are there any projects or collaborations we should look forward to?
Lots of fun stuff coming up—small, powerful role for television, some children’s theatre, poetry readings, talks, and healings.
I also curate retreats—transformational healing, mental health, and wellness retreats for women in Hunza. Additionally, I run a thriving mental health and positive-living coaching clinic and practice in Gulberg. So there’s plenty to look forward to as well 🙂
Finally, what message do you want to leave with women and young readers who see you as a symbol of courage and grace?
I belong to you. I feel deep love and connection to you. Let’s live, together, making this world a better place NOW. We are the heroes we wait for. We hold the answer to suffering and joy. He has created us powerful, unique, beautiful, responsible, resilient—even in our incredible vulnerability.
We are the same—humans, animals, trees. And we are nothing in the scheme of the universe; our birth affects nothing. These three things in symbiosis, my Abu taught me, are the path to being whole, unique, and yet unified in commonness, humility, powerlessness, and power together.
What a beautiful, wonderful experience we share. If only we open our hearts and connect. As E.M. Forster said: Only Connect. I open my heart to you and invite you to connect with love, trust, and respect.