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Hareem Farooq on her comeback to television

By Maria Shirazi
Tue, 07, 18

The actor and producer spoke to Instep about her ongoing play, Mein Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka, upcoming projects and her recent meeting with Justin Trudeau.

Having started her career with theatre, actor-producer Hareem Farooq ventured into television and film almost five years ago. Some of her notable projects include TV serials Mausam, Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Diyar-e-Dil and Sanam and big screen projects like Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se (2016) and Parchi (2018). In the latter, she essayed the role of a gangster aside from co-producing it with Imran Raza Khan.

As Hareem returned to television after a small gap with drama serial Mein Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka alongside Ali Rehman Khan and debutante Alamdar Hussain, Instep got in touch with the actor to learn more about her ongoing as well as upcoming projects and her meeting with Canada’s PM, Justin Trudeau.

“I was never away from television,” she told Instep while discussing the medium. “I was the judge on Miss Veet Pakistan 2018 that concluded earlier this year. So, I have been on TV between my films Dobara Phir Se and Parchi. But I didn’t work in a drama as I was really busy.”

In Mein Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka that is currently on air, Hareem essays the role of Dania, a modern-day, educated woman who surrenders to family and societal pressures and loses the love of her life. Married to her love interest’s brother, she is torn between her emotions and forced relationships.

Speaking of the play, Hareem shared that the response has been “phenomenal” and that she tries to do better with every character she plays. “Every role I have played has ended up becoming very close to me because that character leaves a bit of itself in me.”

Hareem, who has co-produced two films (Janaan and Parchi) so far, feels that being a producer has grounded her as an actor to the hardships that go into putting together a project. “I feel I have become more patient and understanding in general,” she added.

Moving on, the Parchi actor recently met Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau while she was in Canada. Talking about the meeting, the actor revealed, “Canada has a huge desi population, and our partner in IHA Entertainment, Arif Lakhani, is also based in Canada. We are basically looking at building a market for Pakistani entertainment and our celebrities there, since there is already a huge following for our dramas and very soon for our films as well. This meeting was to explore some of those ideas and more details will follow with time.”

When asked whether she prefers to be on the big screen or television, Hareem said, “Cinema is a different platform, larger, grander and more critical. But it’s the challenge that makes it more exciting and fun as well.”

However, the actor clarified that she just loves acting and that every medium has its own charm. “Sorry, but I will not pick sides,” she asserted.

On getting mixed reviews for her character of a gangster in Parchi, Hareem responded, “Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. But to me what matters is the opinion of the ticket purchasing public and their constructive criticism. And with Parchi, being the first Pakistani box office hit of 2018, crossing over 14 crore in revenue worldwide, it gives me the faith and confidence that while not everyone is going to love or accept everything I do but if the majority has my back I will keep going.”

As for her upcoming projects, Hareem shared on a parting note that she is busy completing Mein Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka, which is the first drama produced under IRK Films. “Apart from this, IRK Films’ next film script is almost ready, which I will once again be acting in along with producing. From August onwards, we are going into pre-production, with shoot planned for winters 2018/19. It will hopefully be released in 2019. But for now, Imran (Raza Kazmi) and I are just hoping to see it getting all the love it deserves,” she concluded.