Pakistani actress Nadia Jamil is happy with the “wonderful stir” created by TV shows from her country in India, but she is not excited about watching Indian soaps. However she loves Indian movies.
Many Pakistani shows, which are being aired on Hindi entertainment channel Zindagi, have been praised by Indian viewers and her show “Dhoop Chhaon” is one of them. She is naturally delighted.
“I knew people would like the plays, because I know the themes across both our borders, our stories, our relationships inside the family network are similar,” Nadia told IANS in an email interaction from Lahore.
“I didn’t realise they would create such a wonderful stir. Feel blessed we can share our talent across the border,” she added.
But her opinion on Indian soaps is completely different.
Asked about Indian shows, she said: “I find them very boring. It’s surprising that in a country as diverse and exciting as India, TV soaps remain trapped in the same formula of tacky glamour and stock shots.”
“They don’t express or explore the textures, light, locations, incredible strong women and dynamic of today’s India. I can’t watch it. I fall asleep. No offence please, it’s probably just a matter of different tastes,” she added.
But the “romance addict” is in awe of Bollywood films and stars.
She loves the work of Guru Dutt, Satyajit Ray, David Dhawan and Vishal Bhardwaj.
Among actors, she likes Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Deepika Padukone, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher.
“I’m very fond of many Indian films! A film I can watch a 100 times… ‘Abhimaan’, ‘Wake Up Sid’, ‘Silsila’ and ‘Kabhie Kabhie’,” she shared.
But she has no interest in joining the Hindi film industry.
Asked if she would like to try her hand at Bollywood, she said: “Nope. I’m hoping to become a better actor. However, whenever, wherever.”
Married for 14 years in real life, she is currently seen as Shandana, a working woman who is not happy in her marriage, in “Dhoop Chhaon”. She says she “felt sorry for my poor struggling character”.
“I wished I could give her some tips, but she had to take her own path and find her own truth,” said Nadia, who started acting at the age of 13.
She enjoys acting, but selecting projects isn’t easy for her.
“I guess choosing the project is the scariest part. It’s like choosing a life partner! I’m never really sure if I want to commit,” she said.