Beauty & brains Rabab Hashim

04 Apr - 10 Apr, 2020
Alina Qamar
Interview

Who knew that the girl whose career started with hosting kid’s shows at just 10 years of age would eventually end up playing challenging roles in TV dramas. Rabab Hashim is one of the top-notch artists of our entertainment industry. She is known for her leading roles in Piya Mann Bhaye, Anaya Tumhari Hui, Ishqaaway, Mannat, Marzi, Aik Thi Misaal, Kam Zarf and Meray Mohsin. The quick-witted and equally alluring starlet gets up close and personal with MAG on her personality, her career and her growth as an actor. Excerpts follow:

Introduce us to Rabab Hashim. Tell us three things that people don’t know about you.

I am a very complexed person to understand, I am an introvert too. There are quite a few things that people don’t know about me. I am big on reading. I am a bookworm, I really love to read. That’s what I do on my days off; just curl up in bed with a good book and disappear for a couple of hours. I like trying different adventure sports like skydiving, bungee jumping. I am also a huge foodie. If I am travelling or even in Pakistan, I love to try different cuisines.

What attracted you to the field of acting? When and how were you disc overed?

I started hosting at the age of 10 for a kids’ show on Geo TV. I was quite shy back then. Since that very first show there was no turning back. I kept doing one thing after the other all through my school and college years.

You made your television debut at the age of just 10 as a child reporter on Geo TV, did you ever think of making a career out of journalism?

I debuted because my parents wanted me audition for it, but I always had an inclination towards performing arts. I never had trouble with the camera so I did whatever felt right.

What’s your filtering process; how do you choose your scripts?

When I am offered a project or I consider a script, the first question I ask myself is, “Am I going to enjoy this? Will this be worth my while? Will it be exciting?” Of course, you don’t always get to make decisions like that. But every once in a while you get to do something exciting.

Celebrities influence everyday decisions of their fans, from what makeup brands to use to what restaurants to frequently visit. How much responsibility do you think celebrities hold in shaping public opinion?

Definitely a lot. I believe not just celebrities, but all creative mediums like films and televisions have a responsibility to create awareness. I’m glad we’ve started raising social issues and that it has been well-received. We should also focus on showing a brave and wonderful side of women instead of portraying them just as damsels in serious distress at all times.

What is the project you had the steepest learning curve in?

Ishqaaway. It aired on Geo last year.

One character you resonate the most with and why?

Safina from Ishqaaway. I think that’s the closest a character has ever gotten to me as a person. I loved playing her because everything she felt or did or believed made so much sense to me in every way.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I am happy now and that is what I plan to achieve in the next 10 years, I want to be happy.

Which actor or actress would you rate as a perfect 10?

Mahira Khan, I think she is above the 10.

What’s the weirdest thing you have heard about yourself?

I don’t know, there are a lot of weird things we hear on a daily basis but I always take them very positively and I try not to let them affect me negatively.

If you weren't famous, what would you be up to right now?

Acting is my first love. No matter how late I have discovered it, but this is what I want, and this is my thing.

Lastly, tell us something about your upcoming projects.

There are a few scripts that I am considering but the focus is on doing something different. I’m not rushing into anything because I’m looking for the perfect script. •