While working with Swaarangi team for promotion of the film, I once went to attend a press meeting in the press club Lahore. For the promotions of the film I had to meet Pakistani film actress Resham.
I was told that Resham with some staff and media persons, was in the waiting lounge. When I opened the door, Resham was sitting on the first seat. I can say that she made her mark just by the way she replied to my greetings. She shook my hand, and invited me in the room.
My first observation about Resham as a person was the warmth she has, her good manners, a very down to earth and a very charming personality. Since Swaarangi, I have worked with her on many projects and came to know her better. I appreciate her for her honesty, her friendly nature and her focus on her work. Her professionalism has always inspired many.
Let’s now read Resham’s interview.
Q1. What is your qualification?
A: I finished my matriculation from Faisalabad. I never went to college. This is because I started working in a very early age. As I have been continuously working after that, I couldn’t continue further studies, but life taught me many things.
Q2. Why did you choose showbiz?
A: I loved acting, since my childhood. I just knew this is what I have to do. I wanted to be an actress. I have always loved working in showbiz. I wanted to work on Television, but I was afraid to work in films because I didn’t know the environment. Acting was my passion and I was very much inspired by PTV. Films happened for me just as something nature has picked for me.
Q3. You’ve done some excellent work with Syed Noor sahab, but now we don’t see much of you two, why is so?
A: “All is fair in love and war” is the phrase! When he got involved with Pakistani actress Saima, he focused on working with her only. They were married soon. I am happy for them. But it turned out to be a loss for the film industry because he was good and different from the other directors of the industry. I had a habit of working with him and he’s like my mentor. He has taught me a lot. I don’t have any hard feelings, but he should have cared for the plants he had sown the seeds for. He’s a very well-known and great director and sometimes I feel that we should have worked on some more projects.
Q4. You’ve worked with Samina Peerzada in “Inteha”. What would you like to say about it?
A: I had a very small character in “Inteha”, but it was quality work. Samina Peerzada worked really hard on her film.
Q5. People like you and Syed Noor sahab took the risk in 1990’s and brought a new wave of cinema and released films like “Jeeva” by breaking the stereotypical Punjabi language films. What are your comments?
A: The main loss at that time was that we didn’t have good cinemas back then. Many families avoided watching films in cinema due to this reason. There were many good films made in that time, but the wave slowly went away. Despite the quality of cinemas, films like Jeeva, Mushkil, Sangam, Sargam, Ghunghat, Dupatta jal raha hai, Tere Payar Mein and Nikah did good business in the industry because they had very good content. Music of those films was also very good. I am sure you can recall many of the songs from these films I have mentioned. All the films of 1990’s were a new wave in cinematic history of Lollywood, but we weren’t technically advanced at that time as compared to Bollywood. Now, we have improved and have advanced technology and if needed, we can always go to India or abroad to learn.
Q6. What are your three plus points?
A: 1. I always speak the truth.
2. I’m good at time management.
3. I’m sensitive.
Q7. What are your negative points?
A: These three plus points are my negative points as well because I’m not only sensitive I’m over sensitive. I care about people too much. I reach everywhere on time because of which I have to wait for others usually, and I speak too much truth and that gets people angry with me.
Q8. What do you regret most in life?
A: I have the regret that people are not sincere no matter how much you love them and care about them. When you’re in time of need or you’re having a difficult time dealing with stuff, they are never with you.
Q9. What do you do when you’re upset?
A: I listen to music specially Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Saahib and Noor Jahan. I recite Darood and Qul. I’m very much close to my Creator “Allah”. I regularly fast and pray.
Q10. What are the benefits and losses of Indian movies being released in Pakistan?
A: Pakistan is dealing with some difficult situation like terrorism so people are getting something to get them entertained. In this regard, I believe releasing Indian films in Pakistan is a good idea. Our industry is getting challenged as well, and as we can already see, the result is good as our own people are now working towards making new films. People are making good films due to improved technology, and the viewers are interested as cinema halls are in better working condition now.
Q11. What do you think about Pakistan’s showbiz and performing arts creativity?
A: Pakistani dramas are the best, but Indian films are better than us. India has launched a channel Zindagi that shows Pakistani dramas. The change has not only been in our industry, but also in India’s. I would quote my own example. Man-o-Salwa in which I played the protagonist is an example which has been aired in Indian through Zindagi channel. It has been aired five times on the channel and as a result, now many people from India contact me and appreciate my work.
Q12. Who would you like to work with in India?
A: I have not made up my mind yet to work in India, or not to work there. As an artist, our boundaries can never be that strict. However, if I work in India, I would love to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I would have loved to work with Yash Chopra ji if he was still alive. This is because Sanjay’s framing is extra ordinary and a few can do that. In a romantic film, no one can portray a lead actress in a more beautiful manner than Yash Chopra.
Q13. Would you like to be a director?
A: No, I just want to act for now.
Q14. If you ever get to it, what would you direct?
A: I’d direct either Family or Social drama based film.
Q15. You’ve done some experimental roles like Dupatta jal raha hai, and Swaarangi. Why is that?
A: I always wanted to be a versatile actress. Some characters are repetitive and this is what I wanted to avoid. Priyanka did Barfi and proved she can act well without glamour. If she keeps on repeating the same role, it would be a waste. If you look at any actor or actress with a class, you would see they always prefer to work on different roles all the time. Versatility in my view is one of the biggest qualities an actor should have.
Rapid Fire Round
Q1: What is your favorite food?
A: I like spicy food.
Q2: What would be the piece of jewelry you never step out without?
A: I love my pearl tops, diamond ring and Rolex. I feel incomplete without these three things. These are my most favorite possessions.
Q3: What is your favorite color?
A: My favorite colors are black and white.
Q4: Who are your favorite actors?
A: Waheed Murad and Nadeem are my favorite actors.
Q5: Who are your favorite actresses?
A: Babra Sharif is my most favorite actress. Beside her, Shameem Ara, Anjuman, Rani, Sabiha, Shabana Azmi, Kajol, Samita Patel and all exceptional in my view. Zeba ji was usually spot on in all the songs.
Q6: Who are your favorite singers?
A: The ever green Madam Noor Jahan and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are my favorite singers.
Q7: Who are your favorite dancers?
A: My favorite dancer would be from across the border, and that is Madhuri Dixit. Beside these, I like how Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan carry themselves in movies. Their versatility inspires me.
After these questions, the interview was over. We spent some more time together having tea. Afterwards, Resham came out to see me off. It was a memorable meeting. I wish all the best to Resham for her future work
