She’s dazzled us with her charm, wowed us with her style and captivated us with her performances—Nausheen Shah is truly a force to be reckoned with. Here, the face of 9Lines’s new Resort Collection 2020, speaks to Mehek Raza Rizvi talks to her about her goals, her views on the industry and more

Nausheen, I’m a huge admirer of your style, as are many others. Do you ever feel that that takes away from your work as an actress though? 

I don’t think fashion and acting are at odds with each other. It’s actually beneficial for an actor to dress well. In fact, that’s true for every profession; if someone knows how to carry themselves and look presentable, they’ll leave a good impression.

As far as my sense of style taking away from my craft is concerned, I would completely disagree. I’ve never felt any such thing. I’ve received appreciation for both, my acting skills and my flair for fashion.

“I’m perhaps one of the very few actresses who’ve happily played characters way older than my actual age, because that’s what our job is”

You’re one of the few Pakistani public figures who’ve been brave enough to speak about mental health. Do you think about using your influence to help those in need? 

I’ve been talking about mental health because it’s an issue close to my heart. In our country, depression and anxiety aren’t discussed as openly and as frequently as they should be, but I wish to create more awareness. I’ve experienced the helplessness myself; I’ve suffered a lot and would never want anyone else to go through the same.

I have a lot of plans that I’ll be executing with some of my fellow actors. You’ll hear more about this in the future. I’m definitely not going to give up on this cause easily, because I understand what a grave subject it is and how depression affects one’s life.

“I’ve definitely found it hard to detach myself a couple of times. The trick is to take some time off, unwind and spend alone time until you’re ready to bounce back with renewed energy”

You’ve mentioned choosing quality over quantity at this point in your career. What kind of scripts appeal to you? 

Quality is far better than quantity. Less is always more. I’m not inspired by one-dimensional characters. I need acting margin, even if that means opting for a second lead. I don’t want to be remembered as just a pretty face; I look for challenging roles that allow me to get out of my comfort zone. I’m perhaps one of the very few actresses who’ve happily played characters way older than my actual age, because that’s what our job is — to mould ourselves according to the script.

In the future, I’d like to push my limits even more. I want to pick up interesting, complex roles that leave an impact and allow me to grow further as an actor. When I look back at my professional journey so far, I feel I’ve tried doing just that and given my 100% each time.

“I’ve experienced the helplessness myself; I’ve suffered a lot and would never want anyone else to go through the same”

With the conversation on gender equality and feminism on the rise, how important is it for actresses to choose their roles carefully and avoid playing the damsel in distress?

Our audience is very intelligent. If people follow us and look up to us as role models, it’s for a reason and comes with a responsibility. It’s certainly important for actors to be mindful of the roles they pick, but this isn’t gender specific. I think both, female and male actors should choose scripts carefully and try being part of more substantial projects — something real, different and evocative.

It’s important to portray strong female characters and not always show women crying, getting beaten up and feeling helpless, but it’s equally important to not always show men as evil. We have so any real life stories of resilience, so many unsung national heroes in this country — we need to make serials and movies based on them to inspire people.

“My childhood was beautiful; I’ve been blessed. I was a naughty child and have many fond memories that I cherish”

As a woman, have you experienced any inherent prejudices in your line of work?

Well, as women I feel we’re faced with multiple issues on a daily basis that we unconsciously overlook and just move on. It’s like we’ve become immune to them. Of course, I’ve experienced those too, but honestly overall I can’t complain of any major prejudice based on my gender.

Very recently though, I was taken aback by an occurrence, unlike any other in my entire career of sixteen years. I signed a legal contract with a well reputed production house and much to my surprise, they detached me from the project without notice, casting someone else instead. I could’ve taken them to court for this, but decided against it and just took it as a lesson. I’m pretty disappointed by the unprofessionalism and still can’t wrap my head around how such a big company can do this.

Apart from this one incident, I’m pretty grateful for the way I’ve been treated. I’ve received a lot of love and support and have no complaints.

Have you ever found it hard to detach yourself from an intense or complex role you’ve played? Does some part of the characters you essay stay with you?

Yes, sometimes it’s hard to get out of certain characters. Many a time, I’ve found it hard to fall asleep after an intense scene. It’s not uncommon for me to get deeply absorbed into a character and become that person. I don’t think it happens to every actor, but I’ve definitely found it hard to detach myself a couple of times.  The trick is to take some time off, unwind and spend alone time until you’re ready to bounce back with renewed energy.

Out of all the characters you’ve portrayed, which one do you relate to most and why?

It’s so hard to pick a favourite. I’ve done so much work, sometimes it’s honestly hard to keep track and think of the multiple characters I’ve essayed.

I have, however, learnt from each one of them and carry a part of them with me. One role in particular that’s close to my heart was that of Dua, from a drama serial called “Pani Jaisa Pyar” by Sarmad Khoosat.

What is Nausheen Shah like at home? Tell us about your childhood and family?

I’m like any other girl, very regular. I’m super chill and lazy. I don’t really do much at home and like enjoying time unwinding. My childhood was beautiful; I’ve been blessed. I was a naughty child and have many fond memories that I cherish.

I don’t like talking much about my family because they aren’t part of showbiz, I am. I keep them out of the public eye because they wouldn’t appreciate being spoken about.

 

 SHORT & SWEET

Wardrobe staples you can’t live without?

A good pair of jeans, a white shirt and red lipstick

Your favourite current fashion trends? 

Jeans, white button-down shirt and nude coloured heels

Describe your personal style in three words? 

Personal, personal and personal

Which Pakistani celebrities do you think have good style? 

Meesha Shafi and Nabila

And the ones in dire need of a stylist? 

Everyone has their own style, so I can’t recommend things for others.

What irks you most about social media?

Too many people with a lot of time on their hands.

Favorite ‘90s jam?

There are quite a few by Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton and Lauryn Hill. I can’t pick one.

What’s the last photo you took? 

I don’t usually take selfies, but took one on set.

Do you have a nickname?

Naush — but only close friends and family call me that.

“I don’t regret anything. I follow my heart and if things don’t work out as planned, I consider it a lesson”

What was the last lie you told?

Currently in the mix, so can’t say now.

What’s one choice you really regret?

I don’t regret anything. I follow my heart and if things don’t work out as planned, I consider it a lesson.

Your biggest aspirations for this decade?

To keep moving forward, to learn something new every day and share that knowledge with people willing to listen.

Words: Mehek Raza Rizvi

Wardrobe: 9Lines

Photography: Haseeb at 9Solutions

Art direction & styling: 9Solutions

Hair & makeup: Ayan Amir

Commencing the new decade by bringing together two of our favourite faces in fashion: one is a legendary icon from the early days of modern Pakistani fashion and the other is our current reigning queen, gracing every big fashion campaign. After receiving laurels in the fashion world, both have drifted towards the entertainment industry as well. Never shying away from speaking their mind, both ladies have become mainstays in their own right

IFFAT OMAR

You’ve been an active part of Pakistani fashion since the 90’s. How have you seen the industry evolve?

I feel things have changed for the better. The industry and everyone involved in it are a lot more professional today. It wasn’t like this back when I started working. Things are more streamlined now and that’s great to see.

Do you think it was harder for models to be taken seriously back in the day?

Yes, for sure. The biggest issue for us was to get permission from our families. We were constantly struggling to prove that being a model doesn’t make one immoral. There’s definitely more acceptance for the profession now.

Have you experienced any inherent prejudices as a working woman? If yes, how did you deal with them?

Of course, life’s not easy for any working woman in Pakistan, but even harder for a model. I had to give up my profession because my in-laws didn’t approve of it and nor did my husband. I had to make a choice between my personal and professional life – something a man wouldn’t need to.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane. What are your fondest memories from your early modelling years?

I’ve made the most unforgettable memories travelling with my friends for work. I enjoyed my trips to America the most, along with one particular trip with Vinnie to Zürich and Dubai.

Did you have a support system within the fraternity? Who were your friends and are you still close?

Yes I did. Ather, Shahzad and Umar Sayeed were my closest friends within the industry and nothing’s changed.

You were one of the few who were able to prove that models can act. What interested you towards TV?

It was a very natural transition. I was offered projects by several people and I accepted the ones that appealed to me. I took a long hiatus after getting married, but managed to convince my husband eventually.

If you could give one piece of advice to your old self at the start of your career, what would it be?

That’s hard to answer because I’m pretty grateful for the way things worked out for me. I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Despite so many new faces emerging every year, you’ve still managed to say relevant. What’s the key to your success?

Am I still relevant? I don’t know, maybe because I’m an actor too and there’s no shelf life as one. Also, I make an active effort to move with the times, stay in touch with current trends and adapt to them.

What’s your opinion of the new lot of models? Do you have any favourites?

Honestly, I think most of them look exactly the same. There’s nothing unique or different to see and very few stand out. The two who do, in my opinion, are Eman Suleman and Amna Babar, so I’d say they’re my favourites.

Your adoration for Eman Suleman is evident. Which qualities of her do you think make her stand out?

She’s a beautiful girl and a great model, there’s no doubt about that. But I think what makes me love her truly is her indomitable spirit. She’s a real feminist and is always one of the first to stand up for issues that need attention. She’s brave and unafraid to speak her mind. I think that’s commendable.

EMAN SULEMAN

In your last interview with GT you spoke about thinking ten times before posting anything that may generate online abuse. That hasn’t stopped you from standing up against social inequities though. Where do you think you inherit the resolve from?

I don’t know. I guess it’s difficult to remain quiet, especially when we’re so aware about what’s happening locally and globally. Empathy is very important, you can’t lose it. You can’t be complicit. Not anymore.

Is it hard remaining authentic, with your life in the spotlight?

In offline spaces, it’s really not hard. However, I do feel I have to filter and manoeuvre my way in online spaces. My online persona isn’t my 100% authentic self, as much as I would like it to be. This is due to obvious reasons; nobody enjoys being bullied or policed and be subjected to censorship and threats. As a result, I have to dial it down. People would get scandalised if I put myself out there completely anyway. It’s better for everybody that I don’t.

What’s your earliest fashion memory?

My earliest fashion memory has to be my first photo shoot back when I lived in Islamabad. It was for a cousin and my sister did my makeup, while my brother did the photography. Iit’s quite a vivid memory; I had long red hair (my family was so disapproving of it) and we shot in front of a wall in our lounge right next to a window. The results came out great, surprisingly, since all of us were amateurs and had no idea what we were doing.

Growing up, did you follow the fashion industry and did you start your career with any preconceived notions?

I didn’t follow the fashion industry religiously, but I was well aware of the models: Iraj Manzoor, Aaminah Haq, Vaneeza Ahmed and Jia Ali. I used to find all of them so beautiful. I was in love with Iraj in particular.

I’ve heard so many stories, some good and some bad, not about the models, but the industry itself being exploitative — which it still is. So that’s probably the only preconceived notion I came with.

Does your interest in acting have anything to do with the shelf life of a career in modelling?

No, not really. I don’t think I’ll be acting full time. I want to find a balance between my work as a model and actor. Honestly though, I can’t predict anything for sure, because I used to tell myself I’ll never act and here I am. I’ve done three projects thus far and might sign up for another.

Your upcoming movie “Zindagi Tamasha,” directed by Sarmad Khoosat, won the Kim Ji-seok Award at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 2019 in South Korea. Tell us about your role and experience working on the film.

I had a fantastic time working on this film; the whole team was absolutely wonderful and so wholesome. Sarmad himself is so nurturing and caring. He knows exactly what he wants and is a brilliant director. I don’t know how much I can tell you about my role, but all I can say is that I play the antagonist, or maybe not. It’s for the audience to decide.

In an industry that constantly promotes perfection, you’re perhaps the first model to talk about normalising things such as acne and body hair. How long is the road to inclusivity and deviating from conventional beauty standards?

We’ve only just started being inclusive. I think we still have a long way to go. It’s pretty evident that our fashion industry thrives on lawn. It’s what we, the audience and buyers, are most attracted to, so the deviation and inclusivity needs to start from those campaigns. The progress is going to be slow, but it’s going to happen.

Why don’t we see you on the ramp too often?

I don’t enjoy ramp shows. That’s all there is to it. I prefer being in the audience.

Everyone’s talking about your wedding. How are you feeling as the big day approaches near?

People ask me if I’m excited or nervous, but I don’t feel either emotion. It’s not going to be anything grand. We really tried convincing our parents to let us have a small nikkah. You can fight one parent, you may be able to fight two but you certainly can’t fight four. So we’re going ahead with all three functions. I just want to get done with it.

The respect you have for Iffat Omar is evident. Which qualities of her do you wish to emulate in your own career?

She’s unbelievably genuine. During my first interaction with her I thought, “Damn! I want to be as sincere as her.” She always seems to be on the right side of every fight, which is very admirable. Also, I feel she’s doing great professionally as well. She’s been smart and I hope I am too.

Words & coordination: Mehek Raza Rizvi

Photography: Ather Shahzad

Hair, Makeup & Styling: Shahzad Raza

Wardrobe: Wasim Khan

Jewellery: Hanif Jewellers