Huma Qureshi's Interview on 'Mithya'

“I don’t know the walk until the day of"

Huma Qureshi

INTERVIEW

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Exclusive Inte

INTERVIEW

Huma Qureshi always gives us some phenomenal female characters to digest. With her latest outing, ZEE5’s

'Mithya', she plays a complex character who makes some good decisions and some bad ones, which she likes as an actor. I delve into the importance of real women depicted on screen and more with Huma. Here’s some excerpts of our interview as we caught up with her on Zoom.

Interview By Armin S.

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INTERVIEW

"When I was growing up, I always had a problem with the representation of women"

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INTERVIEW

IT’S SO GREAT TO SEE WOMEN KICK SOME BUTT ON SCREEN AND GET THE SCREEN SPACE THEY DESERVE. TELL ME ABOUT THE WOMAN YOU PLAY IN ‘MITHYA’ AND WHY YOU BELIEVE SHE WILL RESONATE WITH US.

Well, she’s strong and like us, sometimes she makes good decisions and sometimes she makes bad decisions. That makes her so much more real and human, and like everybody else. When I was growing up, I always had a problem with the representation of women and how they were always put in boxes. Either you are being rescued, or playing a damsel in distress, or you are the vamp. What about just actual real representation of women who are not good or bad but women who make good choices or bad choices? I feel it’s nice as an actor to play characters which allow me the flexibility and range to honour and play women the way they are supposed to be.

MAYBE THAT’S THE SECRET TO RELATEABILITY. THERE IS A LOT OF WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE IS NOT WHAT IS ON THE OUTSIDE. WHAT’S THE CHALLENGE OF DOING THAT THROUGH A SIX PART SERIES – BEING PORTRAYED A CERTAIN WAY, BUT THERE’S SO MUCH MORE UNDERNEATH THAT WE DO NOT KNOW RIGHT AWAY?

It's very challenging. It’s hard work – what we do. When we are doing something, it starts off with an idea that exists – a glimmer of an idea that exists. Somebody wrote something about who my character is, the direction has a vision for her, and I have a vision for her. Then the ideas come together to create somebody who people can relate to. It’s also really rewarding work – especially when someone reaches out to you and says that the character is one that they relate to.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR CHARACTER – SOME- THING THAT APPEALED TO YOU RIGHT AWAY?

Her strength, her vulnerability. She has seemingly outwardly perfection, which is not true at all. Some people like the idea of perfection and we have all been guilty of that. If that wasn’t true, there wouldn’t be so many Instagram filters.

I LIKE THAT – THE PORTRAYAL OF STRENGTH AND VULNERABILITY TOGETHER.

I don’t know any woman who is not strong and vulnerable together.

WHICH IS THE BEAUTY OF IT. WE ARE FINALLY UNDERSTANDING THAT OR AT LEAST, WE UNDERSTOOD IT BUT NOW…WE’RE SHOW- ING IT.

I think we always understood that but we did not represent that in our films, series, songs. We always knew that because we all have mothers – we know how strong our mom is, we always knew how weak she could get.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE HOW SHE MOVES – YOUR CHARACTER?

Can I tell you a secret? I don’t know until the first day of shoot. I know her lines, I know her gestures, and general body language. I would know speech. But walk – walk is a tricky one, my friend. I don’t know the walk until the day of. I put on my outfit and wear her shoes and walk on set – somehow, you get it.

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