A ‘Happy’ debut | Film

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Interview

Being a star kid is harder than it seems. This honor in Bollywood can offer one a potentially interesting launch pad but it doesn’t really guarantee future success. Case in point: Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra, Esha Deol. The pressure to follow in your parents’ footsteps is often intense. Critics are harsh in their judgment and audiences are judgmental on comparisons. In Momal Shaikh’s case, however, there was no point to begin with. Daughter of veteran Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh, Momal has been working on and off television for the past few years, switching between roles as a lead actress and a talk show host. And while she has been able to prove her mettle as an actress in TV serials like Meeratul and Meeratul Aroos, she has not achieved the star status that many of her contemporaries have. In his own words, “It’s not an easy journey” and it seems that the Pakistani entertainment industry is a tough place where there are no free rides and the only way to get there is through hard work.

It’s no surprise then that Momal, who recently made a confident and commendable Bollywood debut in Anand L Roy’s Happy Bhag Jaye Gi, feels that B-town is relatively “warm and kind”. It’s a comment that landed him in hot water back home, ruffling more than a handful of sensitive feathers.

“The people were really nice and warm; I had a great experience working with all of them but I never said they were better than the people here in Pakistan. I was misrepresented and misrepresented.” Momal explained in response to the backlash. “When I first went there, I was very nervous; it wasn’t my home ground and they weren’t my people. But everyone was very supportive, even my co-stars if I needed anything. So were there to help me being a good host and they all came as my own people so I didn’t feel any difference and that’s what I meant by that statement.

Momal has also worn the producer’s hat for many years and was not very enthusiastic about acting until she landed a prominent role in the TV sitcom Frequency, which marked her acting debut. In Happy Bhag Jaye Gi, a rom-com that revolves around a runaway bride, Momal plays Zoya, a “confident, self-possessed woman” who is full of emotions and completely in love with her fiance. .

The actress said that the character has shades of my own personality so it was easy for me to portray the character. I didn’t have to work hard for it. “I felt that I could create my character within a script that revolves around the lives of many people and I am one of them. The biggest attraction for me in going for the role was that I Playing the role of a Pakistani girl, I am happy that I will be representing my country at the international level only.

Unfortunately for Momal, the Censor Board of Pakistan did not feel the same way and the film was not cleared for release and no official reason was given for the ban.

“They’re still not making any official reference to the ban, which means they’re still wondering what the problem is,” claims Momal, who is justifiably worried about the issue. He said that I have not seen the entire film so I am not in a position to comment on it but I think if there is an insulting comment from an Indian character in the film then it is wrong but if the character is Pakistani. So that Bilal Ahmed (Abhay Deol) so it is not that we also comment on our country but still we like it.

The actress says that if the ban has been imposed in the country’s interest, then she is not happy about it and her film is very small in front of the country’s prestige. But if it is done for some internal (questionable) reasons, then it is not right and he is “upset” about it.

“You don’t have to bring a political angle to every issue; it’s just an art form so it should be taken lightly. I don’t think there’s as much hatred between the two countries as we get to see through the media.” Maintains wax.

Hate it or not, a mother’s performance in India is simply appreciated. Critics have praised Momal’s performance in Happy Bhag Jaye Gi. “Momal Shaikh, in her first big screen release, is a welcome addition to the growing clan of Pakistani actresses trying their luck in Mumbai films,” commented an Indian publication.

Momal does not have a lead role but is happy with her decision to choose this film as her launch pad in Bollywood. The HBJ actress believes that “there was enough margin for me to perform. “Bollywood is huge. Happy Bhag Jaye Gi has a star-studded cast and being seen amongst all of them is a big deal. I took it as a challenge and I believe I have done justice to my character and the film.”

Although she is the second lead, she managed to impress the audience and critics with her strong presence in the film. Deccan Chronicle reviewed that “Momal Shaikh has a few scenes in the film but is watchable as an excellent fiancee.”

Here are some excerpts from our conversation…

Instep: Was working in Bollywood always a dream for you?

Momal Shaikh (MS): Not at all. Actually, I never thought I would ever get the chance. If it was a dream, I would go there, struggle for it or ask Baba (Javed Shaikh) to help me. It was pure luck that I was offered this film and got a chance to prove myself.

Instep: How do you think this will affect your career?

MS: I have matured as an actor; The experience of working in Bollywood will be very useful in my career. I am sure that now when I return to the silver screen in Pakistan, my acting style will be different.

Instep: Was this the first Bollywood film you were offered?

MS: No, I was offered a few other films, one of which is Welcome Back. But I could not accept because I was pregnant. Then when I was shooting for HBJ, I was offered two films but I thought let this film come out first and see how it fares. Also, I have a lot of restrictions so in the next offer I have to see what I can and can’t do. Of course, the banner should be good and the script should also be good. I need to see if I’m lucky enough to get something like this. I have not been offered any film yet.

Instep: Have you been offered any Pakistani film so far?

MS: No, I haven’t been offered a Pakistani film yet and I don’t know why (laughs). On second thought, I got an offer in February in which Danish was opposite Taimur and Baba was part of it but I couldn’t accept it because I was shooting for HBJ. I would love to work in a Pakistani film and I think that should be my next goal.

Instep: How do you manage family with work?

MS: I have a very supportive family, my mother as well as my in-laws, including my husband. I don’t stay away from home for more than 10-12 days and once I come back I make sure I spend a lot of time with my baby and my family.

Instep: What other projects are you currently working on?

MS: I wanted to take a break so I don’t plan on doing much. I am mulling over a script for a drama that I have been offered recently and I have to finish shooting for my drama Khuda Guhva which is already on air.