Maria Wasti demands better scripts and stories
"It is good to take a break," remarked the Ashk actor as a guest on host Imran Ashraf's Mazaaq Raat. "Also, I've been searching for better scripts and stories that I truly want to do."
Turning her attention to the dramas of today, the actor voiced concern over how rehearsals are now often skipped. "Now, people don't even rehearse," she lamented. "That's something I strongly object to. They say, 'Take one, if it happens, fine. If not, we'll redo it.' But at least rehearse, do the dry run, the camera rehearsal. Get the work solid!"
For Wasti, great acting is never a solo endeavour and requires preparation before shooting begins. "If you're not ready with your lines, your script, your interaction with the other actor, I can't perform well," she explained. Touching upon the importance of a committed co-star, she added, "If the actor opposite me isn't present... then I can't do my best work either. Great acting comes from teamwork. If you're not good, I can't be good either."
However, Wasti acknowledged that with time, actors have to adapt to the changing culture of the industry in order to survive. "Right now, I'm not calling the audience 'consumers', I'm calling the actor a consumer," she explained. "The writer, the producer, we're also part of it. We have to make reels, too, where previously, we only had to act."
Despite such challenges, Wasti does not blame social media for the wave of change. "I don't blame social media or these advancements; these are tools," she said. "They were created for our use. If someone misuses them, that's their choice."
Nevertheless, the actor recognises the toll the pressure of social media can take upon mental health. "People used to take your picturesnow you take your own pictures," she mused. "If you let it consume you so much that you end up needing a psychiatrist because you're constantly taking pictures of yourself and obsessing over how your hair looks."
Since her breakthrough in Kallo, Maria Wasti has starred in over 50 television dramas, including Baandi, Baba Jani, and Moorat. Known for her emotional depth and unflinching professionalism, she remains one of Pakistan's most respected screen actors.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Maria Wasti demands better scripts and stories
Television actor Maria Wasti revealed that she is on the hunt for engaging content as she touched upon her absence from the screens during a recent appearance on a local talk show. "It is good to take a break," remarked the Ashk actor as a guest on host Imran Ashraf's Mazaaq Raat. "Also, I've been searching for better scripts and stories that I truly want to do." Turning her attention to the dramas of today, the actor voiced concern over how rehearsals are now often skipped. "Now, people don't even rehearse," she lamented. "That's something I strongly object to. They say, 'Take one, if it happens, fine. If not, we'll redo it.' But at least rehearse, do the dry run, the camera rehearsal. Get the work solid!" For Wasti, great acting is never a solo endeavour and requires preparation before shooting begins. "If you're not ready with your lines, your script, your interaction with the other actor, I can't perform well," she explained. Touching upon the importance of a committed co-star, she added, "If the actor opposite me isn't present... then I can't do my best work either. Great acting comes from teamwork. If you're not good, I can't be good either." However, Wasti acknowledged that with time, actors have to adapt to the changing culture of the industry in order to survive. "Right now, I'm not calling the audience 'consumers', I'm calling the actor a consumer," she explained. "The writer, the producer, we're also part of it. We have to make reels, too, where previously, we only had to act." Despite such challenges, Wasti does not blame social media for the wave of change. "I don't blame social media or these advancements; these are tools," she said. "They were created for our use. If someone misuses them, that's their choice." Nevertheless, the actor recognises the toll the pressure of social media can take upon mental health. "People used to take your picturesnow you take your own pictures," she mused. "If you let it consume you so much that you end up needing a psychiatrist because you're constantly taking pictures of yourself and obsessing over how your hair looks." Since her breakthrough in Kallo, Maria Wasti has starred in over 50 television dramas, including Baandi, Baba Jani, and Moorat. Known for her emotional depth and unflinching professionalism, she remains one of Pakistan's most respected screen actors.
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Express Tribune
In sync with Samina
"I had to return everyone's money. I ended up in the hospital. Four days in a coma." That's how Samina Peerzada described the cost of her artistic vision during a recent appearance on Mazaaq Raat with host Imran Ashraf. While discussing her directorial debut Inteha (1999), Samina reflected on what a bittersweet experience it had been. The star wasn't just the director of the film; she also produced and co-wrote it. "I made that film with love. It was a super-duper film," she exclaimed. "I put everything into it, but I didn't get my money back. That's why I returned to acting." Discussing the behind-the-scenes politics, she reaffirmed that there is little support in the industry when "educated people" try to make films. Recounting a major betrayal she experienced while producing Inteha, she shared, "The betrayal came from someone I trusted — he used to call me his sister. I became so depressed that I ended up in a hospital and fell into a coma for four days." Inteha was ahead of its time. The film tells the story of Sara (played by Resham), an upper-class, educated young woman in a relationship with her university boyfriend (Zeeshan Sikandar), who is forced into a feudal marriage with her cousin Zafar (Humayun Saeed). The film broke cultural taboos by addressing marital rape, domestic violence, and feudal oppression. It sparked intense debate, prompting both government bans and parliamentary discussions, before eventually returning to screens in cities like Karachi, thanks to Samina's relentless efforts. The film ultimately earned critical acclaim. Foray into horror Speaking about her recent horror film Deemak, starring Faysal Quraishi, Samina emphasised its emotional depth: "I had never done this genre before. This type of cinema was completely new for me. But when I read the story, it was full of emotional layers. It said something deep. That's why I did it." She explained how the film follows the lives of ordinary people and takes unexpected turns. "It beautifully portrays the consequences of wrongdoing and how sometimes one person's sin is paid for by generations to come. That layering of meaning moved me." The horror themes of Deemak even seemed to spill into her real life. Samina recalled an eerie incident while shooting: "I went to turn off the lights in my garden and as I walked back, I swear someone pushed me so hard that I flew across the garden. My knees were scraped, I had injuries on my back, my shoulders, and even my face. And yet, I had to go to the shoot, bandaged and bruised." Even for someone as seasoned as the veteran actor, some scenes in Deemak proved tough. "There were scenes that genuinely scared me. I thought it wouldn't be that hard, but it really was." Her husband, Usman Peerzada, encouraged her by saying, "What could be hard for you?" On love and violence Reminiscing about her relationship with Usman, she recounted their romantic courtship. "He was performing in a play. I was young and full of opinions, so I immediately criticised one of his performances." Samina recalled that on their second meeting he brought her flowers that he had picked himself. Touched by this gesture she decided to make things official. "On our second meeting, I proposed. I said, 'If you're interested, great. If not, take your flowers and leave.'" That was the beginning of a 50-year-long successful marriage. When asked what kept their love alive, she said, "He never disappointed me. The way he cared for my mother, my sisters, my family, that made space in my heart." Speaking about her own efforts, she added, "I stood by him too. When he wanted to make Nazdeekiyan, I became the producer." Samina recounted that even though she was terrified of fish, she shot a fish tray commercial with a big smile, just to help fund costumes for Nazdeekiyan. Despite her storybook romance, the actor warned viewers not to get swept away by idealism. When asked about unrequited love, she said, "It happens to people, but its outcome is rarely good. Thinking about what recently happened to that girl breaks my heart so much, I can't even express it." Samina was referring to the tragic killing of 17-year-old TikTok creator Sana Yousaf, who was fatally shot at her home in Islamabad's G-13 sector on June 2 just hours after her birthday celebration. The alleged killer, Umar Hayat, reportedly acted out of rage after repeated romantic rejections. The case sparked nationwide outrage and protests, with figures like Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari condemning the act and stressing the need to protect young women from violence rooted in entitlement and misogyny. Ashraf echoed Samina's sentiment, repeating, "No means no!" as they discussed how one-sided love can curdle into cruelty. However, they also acknowledged that things do not have to take such a dark turn. If people know how to regulate their emotions and take their rejections gracefully, they turn into poets, writers and artists. He continued to praise Samina throughout the show, calling her a monumental force in the entertainment industry. Talking about her own chat show Rewind with Samina Peerzada, Ashraf noted, "It's not just hosting. It's like you step into people's hearts through their eyes. You understand what someone's thinking or feeling. What is your secret?" In her poetic way, Samina responded, "It's all a matter of rhythm." She compared conversation to music, saying one must listen carefully to sense its rhythm before leading it. "When the rhythm is right, the conversation lands on the sam (the first beat in classical music). But if you're bey-taal (offbeat), then nothing works."
Express Tribune
24-01-2025
- Express Tribune
Watch: Imran Ashraf's Wholesome Interaction with Transgender Fan
A recent episode of Mazaaq Raat captured a heartfelt moment between actor Imran Ashraf and a fan from Pakistan's Khwaja Sira community. The actor, renowned for his roles in hit dramas like Ranjha Ranjha Kardi and Raqs-e-Bismil , was visibly moved by the interaction, which left the audience and fans applauding his kindness and humility. The fan, part of Pakistan's Khwaja Sira community, expressed immense gratitude to Imran Ashraf for his respectful portrayal of a trans character, Shammo, in the 2017 drama Alif Allah aur Insaan . During their moment on the show, the fan expressed how Ashraf is one of the few mainstream actors who treat everyone with respect, regardless of their community or walk of life. The fan also revealed they had traveled a long distance to personally thank Ashraf for the positive representation of their community in his performance as Shammo. With emotions running high, they spoke of the profound impact of Shammo and how they will never forget how gracefully he portrayed Shammo. "This is the first talk show where I have felt respected.' The exchange took a touching turn when the fan began to choke up while speaking. Imran Ashraf, ever the gracious host, quickly comforted the fan and urged them not to get emotional. In a lighthearted yet heartwarming gesture, he even reenacted a scene from his portrayal of Shammo, which brought smiles and laughter to everyone present. Ashraf's kind and respectful demeanor won the hearts of many, with social media flooded with praise for the actor. Fans hailed his consistent humility and empathy, calling him 'a true gem of Pakistan's entertainment industry.' While moments like this highlight positivity, the Khwaja Sira community continues to face immense challenges in Pakistan. According to a 2019 study conducted by TransAction Pakistan , over 80% of transgender individuals in the country face harassment, discrimination, or violence in their daily lives. Additionally, a report by Amnesty International revealed that many transgender individuals are denied basic rights, such as access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Despite constitutional recognition under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act of 2018, societal acceptance remains a struggle. Instances of public respect, like the one displayed on Mazaaq Raat , are still rare but vital for fostering inclusivity. The fan's emotional words and Imran Ashraf's warm response serve as a reminder of the power of representation and respect. By bringing characters like Shammo to life with empathy, Ashraf has set a benchmark in the industry for meaningful representation. This touching interaction not only highlights the importance of respectful portrayals in media but also underscores how kindness and acknowledgment can have a profound impact on marginalized communities. Imran Ashraf, through his actions and performances, proves once again that his artistry extends far beyond the screen.
