Daily Times

Hira Mani was recently seen in Yaqeen Ka Safar, Preet Na Kariyo Koi and she has been nominated as the best supporting actress in Hum Awards soon to be held in the near future. Hira has had a versatile history of singing and hosting but she is a full time actress, a full time mother and generally a very enjoyable person to be around. Daily Times caught up with her to talk about everything she is and more.

Tell us about your early life.

I wasn’t a very academic person, though I was very active in co-curricular activities. I used to sing a lot.

What were your early influences?

I was very influenced by Mani. He made me aware that I should work. I never thought I wanted to work. I thought I was a heroine in my head. I used to sing. The struggles I faced was that some people who Mani would drill – they would refuse to work with me. Some people we didn’t even say anything about refused to work with us. With me. Things have gotten ahead now. Things have changed. I believe in peace and strength. And I have many cards up my sleeve – acting, singing. I’ve played the hosting card – and I’m currently doing the acting card. We’ll see how far it all goes. I want to see if I can be better or worse than the actors I’m around. I’m learning. I keep watching Shehnaz Sheikh, Sania Saeed, Irsa Ghazal even. I was slightly obsessed with Sri Devi – ever since she died, she’s been everywhere. In my phone. Her songs. Her movies. I was amazed at the work that she done. What an actress she was.

Hira thinks the industry really pushes you, puts you through a grind, and that’s how you become a success

What were some struggles/difficulties you faced during the times you did not get what you were looking for?

The industry really pushes you, puts you through a grind, that’s how you become a success. It was different for Mani. He created his own brand. He became ‘Mani’ and that’s how he was a successful brand. It’s different for me though. I have to work in various plays, I have to wait and see which one becomes a ‘hit’ and that’s how I am branded a success or a failure.

What are your notable successes and achievements?

What is the criteria of success in Pakistan? Even the bigshots here are still struggling in Pakistan. Look at Saba Qamar. Look how hard she’s worked. Now that she’s done Bollywood, people have accepted her. Maybe I need to do something like that to? That once I have some Bollywood film, people will accept me? But the ban won’t lift so I’ll guess I’ll have to do some Hollywood? (laughs). I guess my success is that I’ve worked on my own terms. Sometimes – when you’re working like that – you are sometimes a flop, sometimes a success.

What are your current projects?

Pagli recently ended which was about sexual abuse and sexual abuse happening within the family and at the hands of near and dear ones. I’m shooting for some plays right now and you will soon see me on air again.

What are your future endeavors/projects?

A new drama serial will be soon on air on Geo, I’m starring opposite Ali Abbas. There’s a drama called “Thays” with Junaid Khan whose soundtrack I’ve sung as well. It’s called “Thays” and it will air on A Plus.

Do you have any quote/message to people/fanbases?

I know this is something everyone says but believe in yourself. Be original.

Published in Daily Times, April 15^th 2018.