I N T E RV I EW
Cinema’s new darling:
Armeena Khan
A
rmeena Rana Khan is set to be Pakistani cinema's newest darling.
A newcomer even in the TV industry, she has
a fan following that tells us that she's clicked with the
crowd. It helps that she has the face of an angel and is
cast in roles that match.
In her debut film, Bin Roye that opened this Eid, her role
is a small one, but she's enjoying the spotlight all the
same. We'll also soon see her shine in the ensemble
cast of Yalghaar and play the female lead in Jaanan.
BOOM talks to Armeena Rana
Khan about Bin Roye and other
dramas, Bollywood and the future.
BOOM: Tell us a little bit about
Armeena Khan pre-stardom. You
were studying business in Manchester when you stumbled into
modeling/acting. Could you tell us
more about how you broke into the
entertainment industry?
Armeena Khan: Yes, I was studying for my honours degree in Business at Manchester when I was offered to do some modeling on the
side.
I always had an inner regard for
acting and the creative industries
but at the time I was more focused
on completing my studies. But
when my work began to encompass music videos and short films,
I discovered my passion for acting
and was lucky to be offered a Bollywood art house film, some short
films in the UK and also a couple
of dramas in Pakistan. My initial
results were mixed as I learnt my
craft. Since then I have been fortunate enough to have a couple
of my short films screened at Cannes and I went on to
study acting at Pinewood and Ealing in London.
BOOM: You've lived in Canada, the UK and Pakistan...
where are you based now, and where do you think your
ventures will take you in the near future?
Armeena: I am based in the UK because it is such a
great travel hub and makes it easy to visit my family in
Canada or travel for work to the States and South Asia.
In terms of the future, I am planning on furthering my
work in the UK and the US by pursuing more Englishspeaking roles and exploring ideas that will help me
grow as a professional.
BOOM: You've acted in music videos, TV dramas and
films, as well as modelled on the runway and for print.
Do you want to keep your portfolio this diverse or do you
plan to focus on one of these mediums in the future?
Armeena: As an actor, you try to avail interesting opportunities as they arise. So you accept sensible roles as
well as projects that take you out of your comfort zone.
But make no mistake, I am first and foremost an actor.
I pursue other avenues because deep down I am an
explorer and am intrigued by interesting ideas and the
people behind them. This is the reason behind the diversity in my work and I will keep on exploring.
BOOM: Few people know this but you've already made
your film debut in a little-known Bollywood rom-com
called It's Too Much. How was that for a learning experi-
14 | BOOM