In this month’s edition, to match the positive vibe of Ramadan with a colourful summer theme, we’ve headed to interview the ever-gorgeous, stupendously beautiful; Zarnish Khan. She’s given the industry staggering shows such as sun yaara, Aye Zindagi, and De Ijazat relished by the whole of Pakistan.
∗ What drew you to the entertainment industry?
As a child, I was enthralled by a variety of professions. There were so many things I wanted to do, and acting was one of them. I entered and started doing it for the sake of having fun, but I believe I found my passion, and it has continued since then.
∗ How do you give your work a distinct edge?
I suppose the key to success is dedication and passion for your work! I am firmly convinced that you must be honest in whatever task you perform in life, and that honesty will help you reach all of your ambitions! So, if I’m talking about myself, I believe my distinguishing feature is my honesty and commitment to my work.
∗ Can you tell us a little about your childhood?
Well, as a kid, I was a real tomboy. I was really aggressive, naughty, and spoilt by my family.
When my mother became ill and my family had to relocate abroad, things altered a little and that’s when I truly found myself; you know, maturity comes with age, but I had a wonderful childhood.
∗ Did you have any difficulties while pursuing the Showbiz field?
Every path has its setbacks, but when people ask this question, they have very particular thoughts in mind. I didn’t have to deal with any of these issues because it was more of a destiny than a choice for me, so it just happened. However, there are a lot of challenges you have to face every day umm, like proving yourself to be better in every project you sign up for because you now have expectations from your fans and all of that, so yes, there were some challenges, but I think I handled them gracefully, and I believe it’s an endless game. it’s not like it’s gonna stop I still don’t know what more life has to unfold.
∗ Who was your idol, the person you looked up to and desired to emulate?
My parents, particularly my mother, have always been my inspirations and she’s the one I look up to. I want to be like her, and if I can even come close to being 5% of who she was, I’ll consider myself fortunate, as will the others around me!
∗ Is the showbiz industry as glamorous as it appears?
Hehe, it’s a little too far away to be possible. The hard work and hardships that go into making that glitz and glamour are never exposed and are not a hot topic, so it seems to be all glitz and glam. I believe it should be less superficial, and the stigma connected with the entertainment industry, namely glamour and all the other things that lay beneath the bed of glamour, should be reduced to roughly 50%, only then the audiences will know how much glamourous.
∗ Do you have to compete with your co-actresses, or do you think your work speaks for itself?
To begin with, it is not coming from a place of arrogance; rather, it is coming from a place of thankfulness. I’m not in competition with anyone, but whatever work I’m given or project I sign up for, I do it all with my heart and put in every last ounce of effort I have, and that’s my strength! So no competition, the hard work speaks for itself!
∗ When it comes to celebrity couples, there is never a “and they lived happily ever after.” What are your thoughts on this assertion?
I don’t believe it’s just about celebrity couples in these times; I believe the dynamics of relationships and sentiments have changed in general, but it does seem to happen more in the industry. I’m not sure why, and I’m guessing no one does. It’s just that two people who aren’t compatible, whether they’re in the industry or not. My take on it is that whoever decides to commit to this relationship should strive to do it justice, put forth all effort to make it work, and if it still doesn’t, the two of you should mutually split ways.
∗ How does our industry compare to worldwide benchmarks?
Since I’ve only worked in Pakistan, I don’t know how things work in other countries, but based on what I’ve seen and heard, I believe they are far more professional. This applies to everyone involved in the project, regardless of what tier job they are performing; they are all devoted to their work, which is something our entertainment industry lacks. so yeah it’s professionalism.
∗ What do you believe has to be done in order to establish that standard of excellence?
People from all departments, including writers, producers, directors, content heads, and channel owners, should set a goal for themselves to shatter stereotypes and generate relevant and useful material. It’s unfortunate to observe that, even though overseas material is quite bold, we don’t attempt to create our own, and we’re trapped in the same formulaic drama storylines. So let’s educate our audiences and create some worthwhile dramas. Another point to highlight is hard work, which I occasionally believe is lacking, so yeah, working on two of these things is how a higher degree of excellence may be accomplished.
∗ Is the showbiz industry as glamorous as it appears?
Hehe, it’s a little too far away to be possible. The hard work and hardships that go into making that glitz and glamour are never exposed and are not a hot topic, so it seems to be all glitz and glam. I believe it should be less superficial, and the stigma connected with the entertainment industry, namely glamour and all the other things that lay beneath the bed of glamour, should be reduced to roughly 50%, only then the audiences will know how much glamourous.
∗ Do you have to compete with your co-actresses, or do you think your work speaks for itself?
To begin with, it is not coming from a place of arrogance; rather, it is coming from a place of thankfulness. I’m not in competition with anyone, but whatever work I’m given or project I sign up for, I do it all with my heart and put in every last ounce of effort I have, and that’s my strength! So no competition, the hard work speaks for itself!
∗ When it comes to celebrity couples, there is never a “and they lived happily ever after.” What are your thoughts on this assertion?
I don’t believe it’s just about celebrity couples in these times; I believe the dynamics of relationships and sentiments have changed in general, but it does seem to happen more in the industry. I’m not sure why, and I’m guessing no one does. It’s just that two people who aren’t compatible, whether they’re in the industry or not. My take on it is that whoever decides to commit to this relationship should strive to do it justice, put forth all effort to make it work, and if it still doesn’t, the two of you should mutually split ways.
∗ How does our industry compare to worldwide benchmarks?
Since I’ve only worked in Pakistan, I don’t know how things work in other countries, but based on what I’ve seen and heard, I believe they are far more professional. This applies to everyone involved in the project, regardless of what tier job they are performing; they are all devoted to their work, which is something our entertainment industry lacks. so yeah it’s professionalism.
∗ What do you believe has to be done in order to establish that standard of excellence?
People from all departments, including writers, producers, directors, content heads, and channel owners, should set a goal for themselves to shatter stereotypes and generate relevant and useful material. It’s unfortunate to observe that, even though overseas material is quite bold, we don’t attempt to create our own, and we’re trapped in the same formulaic drama storylines. So let’s educate our audiences and create some worthwhile dramas. Another point to highlight is hard work, which I occasionally believe is lacking, so yeah, working on two of these things is how a higher degree of excellence may be accomplished.
∗ Hasn’t it long been said that there’s no such thing as “friendship” in showbiz? Are the rumours of catfights and cold wars on set true? Have you ever been a part of a set battle like this?
I purposefully avoid all drama, and you’ll be astonished to see how I’ve been able to do so since 2015, considering how long I’ve been in the profession! “Place your earplugs in your ears and shut out the rest of the world!” To avoid negativity, all you have to do is work and listen to music all day long. That’s what I do: “mere pass bomb bhi phat jaye mujhay nahi pata hota.” therefore I haven’t been in a catfight, but there have been incidents such as things happening around me, pulling my legs and playing tricks behind my back, but I never care because I know no one can take away what Almighty has written for me in my destiny! Also, I’m confident that I’ll be able to demonstrate my worth through my job, so there’s no need to be concerned.
∗ Do you have any big plans for 2022?
I don’t have anything planned for tomorrow, hahaha, because I am a pretty spontaneous person. I’ll wait and watch how life unfolds for me, hehe. Hopefully nice things, so yeah, if I knew what I was going to do with this year, I’d rather kill myself! Let’s keep our fingers crossed and see what happens!
∗ For this Ramadan, what message would you like to send to your fans?
Make a list of all the good things you desire in life, as well as a list of all the terrible things you want to get rid of and strive toward them. I don’t gossip, and in Ramadan, I promised myself that I wouldn’t even listen to gossip, so I’m working on that, as well as a few other things, so just strive to be a better version of yourself, and there’s no better time than Ramadan to do so, so yes!
I’d also like to wish all of my fans a blessed Ramadan.
→ What would 2022 look like for you?
As an optimist, I think It’ll be great.
→ Your most prized possession?
The relationships I have.
→ The one thing that is a mood killer?
Non Humorous humans.
→ Three things you have with you all the time?
My self-respect, Phone, and AirPods.
→ Your life’s motto?
Make every moment count
→ Desi Wear or Western?
Both Fusion
→ Deepest Fear
Losing my loved ones
→ Biggest Regret
No regrets, I count them as experiences.
→ An Inspiring Role Model
My parents
→ Biggest Strength
My honesty
→ Someone you wish to meet
Myril Streep
→ What people don’t know about you?
That I can paint
→ Top 3 things on your bucket list
6 month long World tour, shops from every corner of the world, Disneyland
→ Your dream destination
Hawaii
→ Your dream destination
Waffles and Crepes with berries
→ The Best thing about your work
Flexible hours, new experiments with looks, and exciting challenges that I face on a daily basic
→ The worst thing about your work
Long hours of waiting
→ A celebrity you would never wanna work again with
I’m not that rigid/stubborn as a person
→ What is the worst tantrum you have seen on set?
So far I have not witnessed any negativity, luckily because I choose to stay in my little world
→ Your best makeup room gossip partner
I don’t gossip and I don’t like gossip
→ Most Difficult Co Actress.
No one can get under your skin unless you let them, by giving them more importance than they deserve. I have always been focusing on my work minding my own business and that has always been my mantra.
