C H I T C HAT
head on. Much like the real her.
“The artist inside me was dying,” she says. “I was craving a solid role and when this came along I was delighted. My fans have been writing to me, asking me to
comeback on television and now that I had time between
films, I decided to take up a TV project.” She adds that
the next movie she has signed up for goes on floors next
summer and by that time Dillagi will be on air.
Ironically, while it is the two films – casting her as nothing more than eye candy – that have propelled her to
stardom, it is indeed television that has established her
as an artiste. People may have watched and loved her
as Billi in Na MaloomAfraad or Marina in JPNA but it
was three of her plays, telecast in India,which piqued
peoples’ interest across the border. Kabhi Kabhi, Meray
Katil Meray Dildar and Mirat-ul-Uroos were aired to
amazing feedback. She got calls from various producers who loved her work and she was supposed to go to
Mumbai in November but could not because of political
circumstances. There are no regrets, she dismisses.
“There was a time when movies weren’t being made in
Pakistan,” she says, “and artistes needed to go to India
for work. But that has changed now that we are making
great movies. Ten released this year. Next year there
will be thirty. Now I would only agree to go to India if
the role were strong enough.” She has heard rumours of
Shoaib Mansoor casting Kareena Kapoor in his next film
and she solemnly reflects that she would be very disappointed if it turned out to be true.
Meanwhile, Mehwish has been practicing her dance
steps and vocal chords for her first popular track, which
should be releasing anytime soon. She did sing the title track for Manjali three years ago but this is her first
pop single that will release with a video. ‘Karachi, Bang
Bang’ is an ode to the city. And the racy track does remind one of Priyanka Chopra’s ‘In My City’, people are
sure to notice.
“No one can say that I’m copying her,” she insists passionately. “I started way before her. I sang for serials and
for television three years ago. People who have known
me will confirm that I have been singing before her.”
But Mehwish’s career is reflective of the Indian superstar
who has gone to become a global sensation. There’s an
ambitious urge to do it all, rise above everyone else and
be everywhere.
“I am committed to my work, I am married to work,” she
states, dispelling all rumours or curiosity regarding her
relationship status, which is restricted to her family, two
dogs and two birds. “My work is not a 9 to 5 job. I’m trying to adjust in my roles; it takes a lot of time and effort
to be a hardcore artist and is not an easy job. I feel work
is my first priority and falling in love is not on the cards.
Plus, I feel self love is the best love. I probably sound
very selfish and self-centred but honestly, my life has
a lot of ups and downs and I don’t think I can afford to
be in a relationship right now. My life is very stressful
already; when I get done from work after 12 hours, I am
exhausted. A relationship would drive me crazy.”
“Plus, I am happy being with myself,” she continues, unknowingly offering herself as an example for young girls
who are made to feel incomplete without a man in their
lives. “I like to go out alone. I travel a lot and hang out
with friends… that’s a break I take twice a year. I enjoy
that freedom. If love is meant to be then I will eventually
fall in love. But there’s no time for it now.”
Mehwish is still on the path of self-discovery, throwing herself into what her current role requires. A dance
means endless hours at the gym. A performance means
research and devotion to get under the skin of her character. She’s ambitious and wants to do it all; she wants
to excel at it all.
“I have just started recognizing how powerful a woman
can be,” she smiles conclusively. “I am still trying to discover myse