Over the years, time and need, I would stress, has pushed showbiz to evolve and some new entrants have dazzled not just with their acting or modeling, but their speech. I get the same vibe from Bakhtawar Anjum, as she speaks to me – a woman who knows who she is and where she wants to be. I smiled when she said “not being on time is apparently the new black these days,” I share her annoyance with unpunctuality and more so, of celebrities that keep you waiting. Anjum and I engage in a light hearted chat – her passion fiery and perspective progressive – and she’s one to look out for.

Who is Bakhtawar – on the camera and behind the camera?

Patient, passionate and punctual on the screen, always on my toes to learn and unlearn things. Behind the camera, I consider myself an ordinary girl next door who likes spending time with her family and friends, is a shopaholic and can binge watch an entire Netflix series. Last but not the least, I love talking and sharing my experiences with people around me, both in and out of work.

Tell me something about you that no one knows?

Well I am a foodie, I just can't stop eating!

How did you realise that this was the career choice for you?

I always had what you call an 'intuition' that deep down there is an artist hidden and I would stand in front of the mirror and act with memorised dialogues and mimic expressions and poses from my favourite flicks since early childhood. The only thing I have ever been so sure about is the fact that I wanted to be on the screen.

What is the one thing you absolutely love about your job and one thing you hate?

Ah! The thing that I really adore about my job is that it's a very happening field and never lets you reconsider choosing it. One thing that I really hate is unpunctuality and ironically 'not being on time' is apparently the new black these days.

Your ramp inspiration from the industry?

Veneeza Ahmed, no second thoughts. Such a graceful lady!

Were you ever camera-shy? How did you get over it?

I was never camera shy, I always wanted to be on the camera. In fact I always used to make my sisters and mother film me while I would act or dance, not only that, I would even make them watch with me afterwards.

What are some super creative looks you’d love to bring to life?

I'd love to bring imagination into life. May be some pop up colour dressing with an unusual hair colour.

How would you describe your style sense?

Simple yet elegant and to the point! No accessories or makeovers on regular days. I prefer staying natural when I am not working.

Eastern or western – which kind of shoots do you prefer and why?

I love diversity and equally enjoy doing both but eastern is always a step ahead for me. I am a hardcore fan of how our designers put their hearts in their designs, specially bridal with some seriously jaw-dropping detailing.

Share an embarrassing story with us?

In my early days when I started working in showbiz I had issues managing my shoots and schedule, so this one time I booked three shoots unknowingly on the same date. What can be more embarrassing than making excuses at the 11th hour.

These days there’s a race for Instagram followers within the industry. What is your opinion on that?

Perfect social life scares me. It really saddens me that the gold standard to taking someone's talent seriously is through the number of followers. By doing so we are ignoring the quality of work and effort of talented people out there, if they don’t have the ticket to make it to the limelight (which is the number of followers). Its distorting our sense of good judgments I would say and I categorically condemn that.

What is an absolute bad habit that you’d like to break?

Dark chocolates are my biggest weakness, I wake up in the middle of the night just to have a bite or two. I need a totka on how to stall my eminent death by chocolate.

If you had a chance for a do-over, what would you do differently?

That's a long list, but I would like to be someone selfless like a doctor for instance, I have always wanted to help people around me. Whenever, I get sick I just feel so much respect and love for the doctors selflessly looking after us.

Sneak peek into your future plans?

A director – behind the camera.

What’s THE dream?

The dream is to fly high and to live a happy, healthy life with my loved ones.