Kubra Khan – The rising Star

She came, they saw and Kubra Khan conquered. The British-Pakistani actress is one of the most sought after talents to surface in the last two years, and recently completed a very successful 2017 where whatever she touched turned to gold. Not only is she part of two upcoming films, she is also quite active on TV churning out hit after hit. But how did Kubra Khan venture into showbiz. The beautiful actress obliged us to peek into her life and budding career.

On how she entered showbiz
I was born near Multan on June 16, 1993, but do not remember much of Pakistan as we migrated to England when I was just six months old. We did visit regularly until I was six, after which there was no connection with the homeland for another 12 years. During that time I had worked with Fatima Khan in a lifestyle shoot and that is when we became good friends. When she and Ahmed Ali butt got married in Lahore, I decided to attend the wedding and it was there that Ahmed’s brother ‘Cookie’ asked me to do a fashion shoot with him which became the cover of SHE magazine. Then I did a couple of commercials with Ahsan Rahim which helped my portfolio, and I was advised to try my hand at acting.

How did Na Maloom Afraad come her way?
After doing the ads, I went back to England, and one day a youngster contacted me for a film. I hadn’t heard of Nabeel Qureshi then but when he gave me the reference of Ahsan Rahim, I decided to listen to his story and send him a screen test. Thankfully, he liked it and I was selected for Na Maloom Afraad that went on to become a huge hit in Pakistan. That role was quite close to my personality, as all I had to do was look good – it was through that film that other offers (one from Bollywood, one from Geo Films) came my way and that’s why MNA stays close to my heart.

On a Bollywood and debut that never happened
Welcome to Karachi was the first Bollywood film that I signed after Na Maloom Afraad, but I strictly told them that I would not do an item number, would not under dress and would not do or say anything that was anti-Pakistan. However, halfway through the film, they shifted from comedy to anti-Pakistan stance and I objected and left the film. Then came the item song Karachi ki Shakira which was a big no-no. When they started dissing Pakistan, I told them that this wasn’t not what I had signed for and that’s where I left the film despite shooting for more than half of it. They had threatened to replace me and I chose not to continue the end result was that they cast another actress for the closed shots and used me in the long shots. I am satisfied that I did not against Pakistan and my morals, which is more than my film offer from anywhere in the world.

On not being part of the London industry
I started quite young in England and like all those living abroad had to do multiple jobs to keep myself busy. I worked as a graphic designer before finally becoming a model. Since the Asian industry in London isn’t that huge in England, I decided to try my hand at acting in Pakistan and thankfully, after a couple of projects I realised that it was my true calling.

How she became part of Sang-e-Mar Mar
I was working as a model and a graphic designer when out of the blue Mahesh Waswani from HUM TV called me up and asked me if I was interested in a project titled Dhaasi. I fell in love with the story that was narrated to me and agreed to be part of the serial. I did not know at that time that Mikaal Zulfiqar would be my love interest, Sania Saeed would be my mother-in-law and Noman Ijaz would be my father-in-law in the play. That was a bonus for agreeing to do something that I had not done before, and also for agreeing to visit Swat from London. At first my confidence was an all-time low as I couldn’t read Urdu and was working with the biggest names in the industry but after a few days, I got a morale boost when I interacted with the cast and the fabulous writer and director duo of Mustafa Afridi and Saife Hasan. In fact, Saife bhai is one of the best mentors one could have since he played my father in Muqabil and is always there when I went to ask him for advice.

On working with the best actors
I consider myself blessed when it comes to sharing space with actors – it was the fabulous Asif Raza Mir and the multi-talented Mohsin Abbas Haider in Muqabil where I played a rape victim, while Imran Abbas in Khuda Aur Mohabbat Season 2 was amazing to work with. Then came Andaaz-e-Sitam where I played victim of marital rape, followed by Alif Allah aur Insaan where I got a chance to be paired with Mikaal Zulfiqar and Shehzad Sheikh. Then there was Shaadi from other roles as possible. In fact, it surprised many of my fans who did not expect me to tackle comedy and dance at the same time.

On choosing difficult roles on TV
Accepting the challenging role in Muqabil was a career-defining move since I was to play a rape victim who gets married to the rapist’s son. People told me that it was a bad career move since the audience would not accept it and the critics would blast it but thankfully, nothing of the sort happened. For me, it is very important to do a drama that enlightens the public rather than entertain them without leaving a mark. My character was abused in the drama and she recovered and fell in love during the course of the play. It tackled many issues including child abuse depression etc. and I am thankful to all who supported me in being Parisa. With the help of director Ali Hasan, we brought some innovations in the role such as ‘not blinking’ and ‘hand movements’ which some noticed and some didn’t. In Daldal, I play a hilarious Sikhni who speaks the Haryana wali Punjabi that is something alien to us Pakistanis as our Punjabi is simple; my interaction with Zahid Ahmed was loved by all and I am glad to have been part of the project.

On improving her spoken and written Urdu
For an actor, it is very important to understand the language they act in because it helps in the dialogue delivery and overall acting. It was only after Na Maloom Afraad that I realized and decided to improve my accent which was quite angrez. During Sang-Mar Mar I memorized the lines to overcome my shortcomings and that helped me a great deal. In addition, Saife bhai and Sania Saeed went out of the way to help me in every way, which is why I managed to do well. Yes, I still read in Roman but that will change as I am trying to improve my written Urdu and bring it as per with my spoken one.

On choosing TV over Films
I choose roles on merit be it in films or TV, but TV has given me a connection with the audience that isn’t yet hampering in films. I was advised to stick with films by many, but after Sang-e-Mar Mar I opted to stay with TV and enjoy the connection with my fans. Furthermore, I get to work with great actors like Mikaal Zulfiqar, Imran Abbas, Asif Raza Mir and Noman Ijaz on TV, while I would love to work with Bilal Abbas and Ahmed Ali Akbar who are doing well on TV. Then there is Iqra Aziz and Sajjal Ali who are doing well – however, it would be a dream come true to work with Saba Qamar. I don’t know why people compare me with her because I am hardly a year old, whereas she is easily the best actress around.

On her upcoming films
I am the main lead in Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 which is the kind of role I was hoping would fall into my lap. As a fan of Hollywood actress Scarlett Johannsson and a person who grew up watching Tomb Raider, I wanted to play an adrenaline junkie in the film opposite Humayun Saeed which will surely be a different role for my fans. In Parwaz Hai Junoon I play Shaz Khan’s wife who stays at home – Shaz plays one of the Air Force pilots in the flick.

On missing Verna to Mahira Khan
After Mahira Khan allegedly refused Verna due to some date issue, Shoaib Mansoor approached me and I accepted the role only to find out later that Mahira Khan was somehow back and doing the film. I don’t regret NOT doing the film because I believe everything happens for a reason and that Mahira Khan did an incredible job; whatever I got while I wasn’t doing Verna added a lot to my experience. However, I had a standing offer from Showman who had told me that he can ‘take a singer out of me.’

On being part of educating dramas
I am so glad that I have been part of TV dramas that have changed the trend in Pakistan. We must understand that society is influenced by the media and copy the styles and movements of actors. With plays like Muqabil, Udari and Khuda Mera Bhi Hai, the TV industry is moving in the right direction; I would love to contribute on my part whenever I get the chance.

On winning awards and getting mobbed
I love being rewarded and awarded – when I won the HUM TV Award last year, I was over the moon as I didn’t expect it. Here I was – a girl from England who came to Pakistan to attend a wedding and ended up playing a Pathan in a TV play, delivering dialogues in a language she didn’t know. Phew! As for being the Centre of attention, that’s something I cherish because I am whatever I am because of these people. I can’t refuse to take a selfie with them or not greeting them because as an actor I must respect them, as much as they love me.

On the possibility of going to Hollywood
I have been part of a Bollywood film and also I had an offer from India for a web series but since the role was that of an Indian Army officer in 1947, I was hesitant since it might be Welcome to Karachi over again. As for Hollywood, you never know (smiles).