Turning regrets into lessons of life, Nida Butt is not just a pretty girl. With a do-or-die attitude, she comes across strongly about her work and life challenges. She is professional to the core and has big plans up her sleeves.
With tall claims to her fame including ‘Chicago’, ‘Mama Mia’, ‘Greese’ and ‘Karachi – the musical’, Butt has an inherent inclination towards dance and music, hence the career of a music director. Associated with the MAD school – a music, art and dance institute, Butt is nothing short of energy that resonates and charges the atmosphere around her. In this exclusive interview with Fashion Collection, Butt talks about the bravest side of her personality.
Fashion Collection: Let us begin with your latest work. What are you currently involved in?
Nida Butt: Currently we have a few projects in the pipeline, which are being worked on but nothing we can reveal as yet! It should be exciting when it hits the public eye.
Fashion Collection: What do you feel about Pakistani actors going to India for acting or modeling?
Nida Butt: Arts has always been a vehicle that bridges divide and ends strife. It doesn’t need to be politicised to create further animosity. The Indian industry is more developed than ours and we have tremendous talent here that deserves to rise and shine beyond our own borders. Enough hatred and fear exists in the world today, so the more we feed it the more we all become victims to it.Â
Fashion Collection: What was your first debut role or work?
Nida Butt: I would say a play I acted in when I was hardly 22. I acted in that, and soon after realised that, hey I could do my very own production, so I did.
Fashion Collection: What has been your most challenging work so far?
Nida Butt: The project doesn’t bring as many challenges as I try to challenge myself each time by pushing the boundaries of what is possible. I consider myself my own biggest competition, because I am determined to top my own work.
Fashion Collection: If you were to choose between Film, TV or Theatre, what would you choose?
Nida Butt: Isn’t the choice obvious? But, seriously, I have now started developing the story I would like to see told through film. Despite having several offers for this medium, I have chosen to delve into it at my own pace and put forward the story I absolutely fell in love with. If it doesn’t excite me, how will it excite another. One day, I plan to make a film that gives me goose bumps. Right now, I am dreaming that up.
Fashion Collection: What do you feel about the quality of Pakistani films? What are the shortcomings you can identify?
Nida Butt: Who am I to judge having never made a film? As a layperson however, I could say that the story line, character development and overall sensibilities have a long way to go. The Story telling and script factors remain weak and leave much to be desired. Serious attention needs to be given to these areas.Â
Fashion Collection: What have you learnt about yourself since you became a celebrity?
Nida Butt: That my work is more important than I am. That the label of celebrity is rather dangerous and that I choose my Art to be greater than me.
Fashion Collection: What is the motto you live by?
Nida Butt: We are all powerful beings so do what you can to change this world, one small step at a time. Â
Fashion Collection: What has been your biggest success in life so far?
Nida Butt: It would be the ability to make people happy through my work.Â
Fashion Collection: What would you call your prized possession?
Nida Butt: My grandmother’s jewelry. She was a second mother to me.Â
Fashion Collection: What do you consider your biggest strength?
Nida Butt: Perseverance and persistence. Keep fighting whatever challenges life and work throws at you. Keep the faith and everything will fall into place.
Fashion Collection: Describe yourself in three words.
Nida Butt: Brave, vivacious and caring.
Fashion Collection: If you could change three things about yourself, what would they be?
Nida Butt: Ummm….my shoe size?Â
Fashion Collection: Any regrets so far?
Nida Butt: I turned those into lessons, so no.
Fashion Collection: What are some of the challenges you face in your profession?
Nida Butt: Lack of professionalism and laziness. Being an artist doesn’t make you entitled to anything. It defies the very essence of an artist so give yourself to the Arts and don’t expect anything in return.
Fashion Collection: One childhood memory that would make you nostalgic.
Nida Butt: Running through green fields with a picnic basket in Rawalpindi next to my maternal grandparents’ home. Or the tennis court!Â
Fashion Collection: How do you usually spend your Sundays?
Nida Butt: With my husband and family of canines, at home or with nature if I can manage.Â
Fashion Collection: What would be your dream project?
Nida Butt: Every project has been my dream project. The dream just keeps getting bigger with time …. hello Broadway!
