No bold roles for me - Mahira Khan

Mesmerizing is one word that fits Mahira Khan perfectly well. The Pakistani actress who is today a household name in India courtesy her hit serial <em>Humsafar</em> (aired on Zindagi) is on a visit to India to interact with her legion of fans that she has accumulated in the wake of her uber popular serial. We caught up with the pretty actress for a heart-to-heart conversation.

You and Fawad have become extremely popular in India today. Did you expect to receive such a huge response here?

I am extremely touched and overwhelmed at the love and affection I have received here. We had shot Humsafar three years ago and to be honest I had never anticipated to receive such a large response after its release in India. It is yet to sink in. 

Have you seen any Hindi serials yourself?

Not many. I have grown more on Bollywood films. Hindi songs are played at all our weddings, parties, cars and many other places. 

Which was the first Hindi movie that really caught your attention? 

I would say Ram Lakhan. This one movie really captured my attention. Indian movies were banned in Pakistan earlier. We used to watch it secretly. When I saw it I said to myself that I want to do this kind of movies after growing up. I had a lot of interest in movies since early childhood.

So would it be right to say that the acting bug did bit you early in life?

Oh yes! It bit me quite early. I was the Vice-Chairperson of the drama department in my school. But I also used to be a good student. So there emerged a dilemma in the minds of my parents when I expressed my desire to become an actor. They were like you are good in studies too so why acting. When I went to America for my studies, my desire to be an actor became stronger. I remember calling my father one day and telling him that I wanted to study acting in an acting school in India. My father was quite cool and he had no problems. But somehow I changed my decision and decided to pursue my education first and then start acting.  

Lots of rumours about you wanting to work with Ranveer Singh were floated...

(Cuts in) I didn't know where that came from. I never said anything of that sort.

So who would you like to romance on screen?

Among the younger lot I would say Ranbir Kapoor. He is a brilliant actor. Of course, my all time favourite is Shah Rukh Khan. I have had a crush on him since I was in 6th grade. DDLJ is my all-time favourite. Infact, when we were small I used to fight my friends some of whom were hardcore Salman fans. I used to say SRK is the best and my friends used to say Salman is the best. 

What is about SRK that you like the most?

When I say I like him it is the characters that he plays that I like the most. If I were to just meet him, it would be a normal, 'Hey what's up?" kind of a meeting. But it is his character that we all ultimately fall in love with. When he played that mandolin, I just went crazy. It's the character that enchants you and that is the power of cinema. 

Which directors do you have on your wish list?

Imtiaz Ali and Vishal Bhardwaj. They are class apart. 

Have you seen Haider?

No. because it was not being screened there and we were protesting as to why the movie is not being screened. 

The Bhatts are known for launching maximum Pakistani talent in India. Have you heard anything from them yet?

I would love to work with Mahesh Bhatt if he directs me in a movie.  I admire his work and he has made such phenomenal films in Bollywood. I can't believe that he has given up direction. 

Are you looking for lead roles only?

I am not looking at a specific kind of role. I like good roles. So if it has to be Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani which is an out and out commercial or if it is a Highway, I would be interested in both.

What about bold roles? Would you be open to doing one?

(Shakes her head vigorously) No. 

Why are Indian films such big hits in Pakistan more than your own movies?

Our cinema is still growing and reemerging. So we have only Indian films to watch. We have grown up on Hindi films which is the truth. That genre of Indian films of getting entertained for 2 hours with song dance has become standard entertainment for us. 

Is your husband a movie buff too?

Oh no! He likes American films. He is not much into Indian or Pakistani films or serials. 

Finally, why are Pakistani women so beautiful?

(Blushes) It's a tough question. I have no answer to that. Indian women like Deepika Padukone and Aishwarya Rai are also beautiful.