In lieu of Independence Day on August 14, all of August, the Daily Times will highlight individuals who continue to make Pakistan proud. Our fourth interview is with an immensely talented actress renowned for her unparalleled performances in film and TV — Samiya Mumtaz
Please tell us about your foray into the drama and film industry. How did it all begin for you?
I used to do stage and street plays with Ajoka Theatre in Lahore. When Ajoka Theatre’s in-house playwright Shahid Nadeem wrote and directed a TV play called ‘Zard Dopaher’, he asked me and many other actors from Ajoka to join him. That was my first TV serial as an adult. As a child, though, I would frequently visit the PTV’s Lahore Station, because my brother, cousin and I regularly participated in children’s music shows there, and did small roles in a few plays as well.
You have proved your mettle and skill in many of your performances. Which has been your personal favourite?
That is difficult to say, but if I really have to choose, I would say ‘Sadqay Tumharay’.
Who have been some actresses you’ve grown up admiring the most?
We didn’t have a TV at home, but would occasionally watch the odd play at my dadi’s (paternal grandmother) house. The actresses whose work I remember is Khalida Riasat, Roohi Bano and Marina Khan.
Is there anyone you haven’t worked with in the Pakistani drama and film industry but would love to?
Amongst the directors, I’d like to work with Mehreen Jabbar and Sarmad Khoosat. Amongst the actors, I think I have worked with most of the actors I know of.
Are there any drama serials airing right now of which you aren’t a part of but are really appreciative of them?
I am a bit of an ignoramus when it comes to what is on air at the moment. I have no TV at home, and don’t follow what is being aired.
Who is the most promising Pakistani drama and film actress in the contemporary lot?
From what I have seen of their work, I’d say Sajal Aly and Sonya Hussain.
Saba in ‘Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan’ was the one character I most connected with emotionally, although I didn’t agree with the way she behaved and made decisions about her life, on an intellectual level
Who do you share the best camaraderie with in the drama and film industry?
When I’m working with them, I get along with Aamina Sheikh, Babar Javed and Noman Ijaz in dramas. Farjad Nabi and Meenu Gaur in films!
What is your vision for Pakistan and what does it mean to be Pakistani for you?
To be honest, I don’t really believe in loyalty to nation-states, just because you were born in them. What is more important to me is the sense of cooperative community, and compassionate humanity.
What are you currently working on?
There are two TV plays; the scripts of which I am working on at the moment. They are both challenging, in the sense that I haven’t done either of those characters in the past, and am trying to visualise them and understand them.
Tell us about your most memorable experience from your career.
I suppose Saba in ‘Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan’ was the one character I most connected with emotionally, although I didn’t agree with the way she behaved and made decisions about her life, on an intellectual level.
What according to you has been your biggest achievement so far?
I think the fact that I choose not to market myself as a product, and stay away from the camera and media while not working, and yet manage to get interesting work, is a surprise and something of an achievement.
We at Daily Times consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?
Abdul Sattar Edhi, Malala Yousafzai, Perween Rahman, IA Rehman, Muhammad Sabir (the homeless boy who started life as a trash-picker, and went on to educate himself and establish an organisation that sets up toilets and schools in slum communities) and also the Pakistani women’s squash champion Maria Toorpakai Wazir are some of my heroes.
Achievements
VERSATILE ARTIST
Actress Samiya Mumtaz brings life to the screen. She is a versatile actress having starred in many theatre plays, hit drama serials as well as films and does justice to her role be it any medium.
PROMINENT ROLES
Samiya Mumtaz has bagged some of the most prominent roles in both TV and film ever since she ventured from theatre to the small screen. Keeping a low profile, Mumtaz has essayed the most unique roles in her career, for instance her performances in ‘Sadqay Tumhare’, ‘Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan’, ‘Dukhtar’ and ‘Moor’.
CRITICAL APPRECIATION
Mumtaz has been lauded and appreciated by not just her fans only but the critics as well. In 2015, she was nominated for the prestigious Lux Style Award for her outstanding performance in ‘Dukhtar’ as Best Actress. That same year, she won two Hum Awards for Best Actress in a Negative Role as well as Best Actress in an Impactful Character for her role in ‘Sadqay Tumharay’.
Published in Daily Times, August 4th 2017.