Theatre, TV and film actor Hajra Yamin, who is currently starring in drama serial Baandi, is one of the protagonists in Shazia Ali Khan’s debut film Pinky Memsaab that released in December last year. She has been performing in stage plays and working in television simultaneously, with some versatile roles to her name. Hajra is one of the few young, relatively newer actors who don’t shy away from speaking their minds on subjects that matter to them; for instance, the issue of sexual harassment and assault that has hit the industry, yet again.
Earlier this month, she lent support to Jami Mehmood, who is calling out sexual predators in the industry and has announced that his production house will not work with anyone supporting the culprits, by spreading the word.
Recently, she took to social media and shared why the local industry doesn’t progress, with reference to Meera Jee’s statement about Reema Khan in a recent interview. Meera Jee had said, “Reema is jealous due to my popularity and professional work. She started propaganda against me, along with singer Waris Baig. She lets other people speak ill of me and purposely damages my reputation.”
Sharing the link to the interview, Hajra posted, “Women hating women, one of the major reasons we don’t progress; including predators, people with position who manipulate you and your talent (financially and otherwise). Yet we choose to focus on issues that are of less importance. *slow clap*”
An industry that is already striving to make a mark, particularly the film industry, issues such as these trivialize what’s more important and divert attention from areas that we actually need to work on.
We hope the future holds positivity and peace among the artist community within Pakistan so that we can grow and prosper together as one.
