Daily Times

Hira Mani is one of the most prolific and versatile actors of Pakistan. She has managed to win the hearts of Pakistanis not only with her brilliant acting but also with her personality which through her interviews, comes forward as lively and infused with positivity. Daily Times caught up with the actress for an exclusive interview.

You have worked in two scripts by Mustafa Afridi. Which one did you enjoy more; “Firaaq” or “Aangan”?

“Firaaq” has an interesting story behind it. Before its shoot started, Momina called me and told that there’s a play in which I am supposed to do a character stretching across ten episodes. She also wished to see if I would be able to do serious acting or not, for I was to be given “Preet Na Kariyo Koi” and “Firaaq” came as a kind of test before that. When I performed my first scene of “Firaaq”, a serious one and that too with Sanam Saeed, I was quite impressed by her performance and dialogue-delivery. It was thus Sanam Saeed from whom I learnt the dos and don’ts of serious acting, making “Firaaq” an amazing learning experience. “Aangan” too was a beautiful script and I readily accepted the offer but “Firaaq” is a project that is connected to my heart, the major reason being my first chance of acting along with amazing actors like Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza and learning from their performances.

‘Mani and my real inclination is towards comedy and whenever we watch sitcoms we do think that this is something the like of which we should be doing. Mani’s stance on comedy is very unique. He has been a trendsetter in the genre and believes in comedy that is classy. I would recommend everyone to watch our project Teri Meri Kahani on YouTube and see that we have done comedy, but not in a cheap manner’

Is there any specific acting strategy that you follow?

No actor has a specific strategy, I believe. One only has a minute between “action” and “cut” in which one has to give his or her best. It is then recorded and cannot be undone. The whole world has to see it now. Yes, retakes are possible but once the scene is out, it is out. However, when it comes to what goes on before recording, I do not delve into complexities. I do try to understand the character, get involved in it and when the time comes, I try to execute it as much spontaneously and naturally as possible. Therefore, for me, the recording moment is what matters the most. It is the real moment of action. My focus, in all the characters that I play, does remain that I leave an impact and convey a certain message to my viewers. More than awards and ratings and the drama’s popularity, what matters to me is the viewers’ response towards my character. I always want to present something before them that they aren’t able to forget and are able to say that Hira Mani performed such and such a character in a manner unparalleled. The characters, after-all, are for the viewers to watch and should be played in a way that they are able to relate to them.

Mani’s area has been comedy. Have both of you ever decided to make a sitcom with a better vision, since we seem to be deprived of good comedy?

Mani and my real inclination is towards comedy and whenever we watch sitcoms running, we do think that this is something the like of which we should be doing. Mani’s stance on comedy is very unique. He has been a trendsetter in the genre and believes in comedy that is classy. I would recommend everyone to watch our project “Teri Meri Kahani” on YouTube and see that we have done comedy, but not in a cheap manner. We have carried small yet important social issues along and tackled them in a humorous way. A few of our meetings are in pipeline as well and we will probably come up with something new also in the genre.

You have always remained above scandals, petty issues and meaningless statements. Are you like that in real life; aiming high and focussing more on work?

That happens with personality issues, which fortunately I do not face. I don’t hate anyone. I don’t find settings or managements bad. I don’t find temperaments annoying. Everyone’s personality and work are different from the other and should be appreciated. Cameramen, technicians and engineers also put their heart and soul into their work and should be treated with respect. Ninety percent of the work in our drama industry belongs to them. We walk out after doing our scenes and it is the editor who cuts the bad parts out and lets our good work remain there. If you focus on your work and do not create fuss with others, then automatically, scandals and petty issues won’t arise. It is when you accept every kind of temperament and personality that you start avoiding conflicts. You don’t always find compatible people in life and you have to accept that without being obstinate.

You have been frequently appearing in serials lately. Do you feel that your family gets neglected as a result? How do you manage time between work and children?

Women, be they from any part, religion or culture of the world, have a beautiful heart, regardless of whether they are in the role of a sister, a wife, a daughter or a mother. They care about every little thing. So, when it comes to children, to whom they themselves have given birth, they are over-cautious. In fact, their concern cannot be described in words. Even when I used to do hosting only, I used to carry my son to the sets. Throughout my career, I have focused less on my looks and more on my children. I earnestly started doing acting when I realized that my children have grown up and can take care of themselves. Before that, I would do hosting mostly. But yes, I can’t help being a mother and remain tense, as a result of which I still neglect my work at times and take care that my family doesn’t get ignored.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies include dancing. That is something I love to do. Apart from that, I charge myself and that happens when I am with my family. Being with my family gives me energy; be they my parents, my husband, my children or my cousins such as Zoya, Amber, Nausheen and Ayesha. These people have a very important part to play in my life. We cook together, we talk and we crack jokes. This provides me with full energy to work throughout the week.

After having worked in so many scripts, do you plan to write something of your own?

Yes, I do feel like writing at times. Even my husband started off his career with writing and keeps motivating me to pen down something. I have a strong desire to write and will certainly do that, for one realszes the importance of good lines when one reads a script and is sometimes not able to relate to it. Around the world, lines are written for performers and the kind of aura they hold. But that is something lacking in our part of the world. That is what stimulates me to write something extremely beautiful.

What kind of a film would you do? Any preferences?

I am passionate about films, but I won’t be sad if I don’t do one, for except for dancing, I have done everything in my dramas which a heroine does, be it falling in love, making hair flutter, being emotional and other such things. There is something inherent in me that inclines me to do every role in a filmy manner. The moment I am told that a certain sentence is to be uttered with love, an emotion from out of the blue enters my personality and delivers the statement. I feel that I am the heroine of my dramas, and instead of doing a bad film, I believe in doing good dramas, for there is no guarantee of a film being a success or a failure. My basic purpose is to act, and I have to do that, no matter what the medium is.

What pulls you down?

What pulls me down is the category of “best supporting actor” in award shows. When actors are given scripts, they are told that they’ll be doing a parallel role. But when it comes to awards, it becomes a supporting role. An actor is an actor and every actor puts in equal effort. No actor should be categorised as either leading or supporting performer.

The writer is a freelance journalist and can be reached at m.ali_aquarius85@yahoo.com