Following the release of her new film, which also marks her debut as a producer, Ayesha Omar discusses Taxali Gate and reflects on her journey in cinema thus far.
Ayesha Omar’s journey in the entertainment industry is nothing short of remarkable. With an unfaltering commitment to excellence and a relentless drive to succeed, she has left a lasting mark on the hearts of audiences.
A Fine Art graduate from the National College of Arts (NCA), Ayesha’s passion for painting and singing preceded her foray into acting and modeling. From her maiden vehicle, Kollege Jeans to her standout performance in Geo TV’s Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat, where she shared the screen with industry stalwarts, Ayesha has consistently delivered stellar performances.
However, it was her portrayal of the endearing character Khoobsurat in the uproarious sitcom Bulbulay that truly skyrocketed her to national recognition and stardom, turning the show into a household favorite across Pakistan.
Venturing onto the silver screen, Ayesha made waves with her debut in Karachi Se Lahore, a role that showcased her versatility and charm. Subsequent ventures in films like Yalghaar and Dhai Chaal cemented her status as a force to be reckoned with in the cinema world.
In 2024, Ayesha embarked on a new chapter with the release of Taxali Gate, a project close to her heart, as she not only graces the screen but also takes on the role of a producer. Directed by Abu Aleeha, the film delves deep into the lives of Taxali Gate’s inhabitants, weaving a tale of justice and societal complexities. Ayesha’s portrayal of Muskan, a strong-willed sex worker, showcases her range and commitment to challenging roles.
In a candid conversation, Ayesha Omar shares her insight into her film Taxali Gate and her evolving acting career.
Reflecting on her journey with the film, Ayesha shares, “the story itself and the central character Muskan attracted me to do this film.” Delving deeper into Muskan’s persona, she elaborates, “Muskan’a character is very feisty and independent. She is very self-sufficient and strong, and has to care of a lot of people.”
As Ayesha talked about the role of Muskan in the film, who lives in the red-light area, there is a hint of pride in Ayesha’s voice, signifying that she truly embraced her character and owns it completely.
Muskan’s resilience and determination resonate deeply with Ayesha, who recognizes the character’s unrelenting spirit in the face of adversity. “She had to take responsibility at a very young age,” Omar reflects, empathizing with Muskan’s journey. “She was shoved into a situation because of her circumstances and didn’t choose her life, but she did choose how to navigate through all of that.”
As the movie progresses, Muskaan’s character evolves into a representation of bravery as she advocates for justice on behalf of a girl who has experienced sexual assault.
Recognizing the pivotal nature of her role, Ayesha discusses her approach to preparing for the character, aiming to do full justice to it by portraying it in a way never seen before.
“I have never played such a character so I wanted to see how I would put my own essence into it. I didn’t want the character to resemble anything I have ever done before, and I wanted to put in effort to design the looks of the character. I knew this would be a visually rich character.”
Ayesha added, “I wanted the character to look authentic, so I did a lot of research. I did some mental workshops with myself about how not to feel self-conscious. I was lucky that I had such an environment on set that I felt safe and could portray the character as best as I could.”
Collaboration proved instrumental in shaping Omar’s portrayal of Muskan, with the actress acknowledging the invaluable support of her colleagues. “I was very lucky to have people around me who helped me build this character,” she acknowledges gratefully, highlighting the contributions of makeup artist and dialect coach Qasim Liaqat and actor Nayyar Ijaz.
Ayesha also dived deeper into the struggles it took during the shooting. She described the process as “challenging,” and added, “we were shooting in very narrow streets, and we were surrounded by a lot of people all the time. I got injured during the shoot, so I was on painkillers the entire time and even had to get physiotherapy done.”
Despite the challenges posed by the shoot, including physical injuries and logistical constraints, Ayesha appreciated the environment of the set and how she found solace in the creative vision of director Abu Aleeha. “I am very impressed with the way Abu Aleeha works and knows what he wants from the shot and his actors,” she praises, underscoring the director’s passion and efficiency.
Ayesha was also all praises for her co-actor Yasir Hussain, with whom she has previously worked in Kara-chi Se Lahore and Javed Iqbal. “Yasir is a great co-actor,” she remarks. “It is a lot of fun working with him - and Abu Aleeha - since they both are so passionate and driven.”
As the film discusses social issues and important themes, Ayesha echoed this sentiment and elaborated on how the film achieves this. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in fostering dialogue and social change. “The conversation in this film, Taxali Gate, is a really important one,” reflects Ayesha.
“It is about rape, consent, the justice system, and the need for boundaries.” She further added, “It is a story about people who are not privileged and don’t have access to connections and how they navigate through situations and deal with whatever unfolds in their lives.”
“I think Taxali Gate will contribute to starting conversations about important social issues,” she predicts optimistically. “I think it is very, very important to start such conversations. We don’t aim to give people a lecture or tell them what to do.”
Ayesha reflects on her career as an actor, emphasizing the paramount importance of script and character when choosing projects. “When it comes to choosing a film, the factor that takes the highest priority will always be the script,” she asserts. “If the script is not good, then your film is gone.” She acknowledges the significance of various elements like screenplay, dialogues, cast, producer, and director, highlighting their impact on the overall project.
Transitioning from cinema to television, Ayesha values the opportunity to explore her craft thoroughly. “Every actor wants to practice their craft on different platforms,” she explains. Regarding her role in Taxali Gate, she appreciates the challenge it presented, noting her inclination towards unconventional characters.
“The character was challenging, but I like doing things that are offbeat,” she shares. “Every actor wants to do a character that is challenging and allows them to explore and play with different moods and layers in a person.”
Ayesha underscores the transformative effect of each role on her as an actor, recognizing the emotional impact and the need for proper coaching to navigate through it. “Every role helps you diversify as an actor and helps you understand your own range and skills,” she reflects.
“Some characters take away something from you while some add something. Some characters can even destabilize your emotions and your nervous system.” She emphasizes the importance of learning to separate from characters once the role is completed and managing the emotional aftermath effectively.
With Ayesha Omar’s talent and dedication taking the entertainment industry by storm, we eagerly await her next steps, and are excited for what she brings to the table next.
Ayesha underscores the transformative effect of each role on her as an actor, recognizing the emotional impact and the need for proper coaching to navigate through it. “Every role helps you diversify as an actor and helps you understand your own range and skills,” she reflects. “Some characters take away something from you while some add something. Some characters can even destabilize your emotions and your nervous system.” She
emphasizes the importance of learning to separate from characters once the role is completed and managing the emotional
aftermath effectively.
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