KARACHI: Marking her debut, Ramsha Khan took over our screens as Misha in the 2017 feature film Thora Jee Le. Just recently, the actor won hearts as Samia in hit drama serial Ghisi Pitti Mohabbat. Previously, she had done a role in Ishqiya but was unfortunately not appreciated for that. Showbiz in Pakistan has progressed quite fast, especially since dramas started depicting every day social issues more. When asked about this, and where she sees the local entertainment industry at in the next five years, the Kaisa Hai Naseeban star told, “As an actor, I see myself doing better projects in the near future. I also see myself improving with time as our drama industry keeps on changing and evolving. I have nothing but high hopes from the industry I belong to.”
As Samia, Khan has experienced the harsh reality of life, especially marriage. The dark comedy serial is a pool of different stories revolving around Samia and her family. In doing so, the show highlights many different social issues. “Samia has raised many issues that have always been undermined by many of us. I have always felt connected with the character I portrayed because as a kid, I’ve seen my mother go through all of what Samia did,” Khan said. “Because of the way my mother raised me, when I entered this industry three or four years ago, I had this demeanor of a head-strong woman. Perhaps because of that, I personally have never faced what you saw in Ghisi Pitti Mohabbat.”
All that being said, one can argue that too many drama serials of the same type can begin to feel tedious. There are many more genres, such as thrillers, sci-fi, politics, mysteries, fantasies, history, action and crime that Pakistani showbiz can explore. “If I could write a script, I would immediately pen down something related to politics and crime – a political thriller. We should bring more genres in, we should explore,” Khan shared. “I do not have any regrets whatsoever with the dramas I have chosen and the characters I have done. It sort of helped me with my craft and I learned a lot from every actor I worked with. So one way or another, I did what worked out for me.”
While it is debatable if our industry needs to rebrand itself or not, netizens have often pin-pointed love triangles and domestic abuse (verbal and physical) being shown in almost every serial. “I’m anti-violence but domestic abuse is a reality of this world and our society. How do you expect it to be shown on media and highlighted without showing an actual slap, though? If a story or narrative requires a slap, as an actor, it’s your job to give it the best way possible,” said Khan. “Generally, as a person in this industry, I believe all stories need to be narrated. If we show good and bad on our television, I’m sure the audience will know what is good and what isn’t.”
