After a successful 2019, the acclaimed actress will be seen in three upcoming drama serials this year.
Yumna Zaidi, extremely versatile and undoubtedly one of the most underrated female actors on television these days, is someone who needs to be celebrated. She’s been part of two prominent, socially relevant projects on television that stood out in the last couple of years; Dar Si Jati Hai (2018) and Inkaar (2019) will be remembered as landmark serials. Directed by Kashif Nisar, they tackled the issue of harassment and Yumna essayed the role of protagonist in both the dramas. She delivered strong performances – a sexually harassed, scarred young woman Sila in the former and a strong and confident Hajra in Inkaar.
Last year Yumna featured in two more dramas in addition to Inkaar. One was Mehreen Jabbar’s Dil Kiya Karay, a relatively light watch whereas she essays a prominent role in Farooq Rind’s Ishq Zah e Naseeb that is presently on-air. All three roles were different from one another and one saw Yumna’s versatility as an actor as she pulled them off with ease.
“Dil Kiya Karay was a very significant project for me overall; it was a wonderful experience working with Mehreen [Jabbar] on a script that had almost everything. She is an amazing director and an even better human. Inkaar, on the other hand, is my finest work till date, I believe, while with Ishq Zah e Naseeb, I explored myself as an actor. My posture, my facial expressions are unique in this one; it was very experimental!” Yumna reflected on her recent roles in an exclusive conversation with Instep.
This year promises to be just as productive for Yumna, who will be seen in three upcoming drama serials, which, according to her, are all poles apart in theme.
The first one features her opposite Bilal Abbas Khan, with whom she worked for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“I think viewers will enjoy my chemistry with Bilal in the drama; the characters we are playing are somewhat unique. He is an excellent performer and I was very impressed after working with him; he has done a great job with his character. The script is beautiful; it is a very light hearted watch with romance, comedy and subtle themes – something I have been wanting to do after Inkaar.”
Yumna essays the role of a very naive young woman, Mahjabeen, who is fortunate to get away with every sort of trouble. Written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and directed by Farooq Rind, the untitled project features Atiqa Odho, Omair Rana and others while it is expected to go on air in the first quarter of 2020.
Another drama serial that Yumna has almost completed shooting for is directed by Siraj-ul-Haque and stars Shahzad Sheikh, Gohar Rasheed and Komal Aziz Khan alongside Yumna, who will be playing the role of a ‘typical’ heroine which, she hopes, will resonate well with viewers at large.
“It is a grey character though; she is neither too submissive nor very sharp and/or evil,” Yumna shared about the role, adding that it is a family story, which is also likely to go on air in the coming months. “Gohar is an exceptional actor while Shahzad Sheikh really amazed me; he has the urge to learn and grow and he has come a long way.”
The third project that Yumna recently started shooting for is being made in collaboration with Kashf Foundation. “It is a cause-based project, written by Amna Mufti while Kashif Nisar is directing it,” informed Yumna, refraining to reveal more at the moment. However, she shared that the project has an ensemble cast including Noman Ijaz, Samiya Mumtaz, Navid Shahzad and Wahaj Ali.
Yumna, who moved to Karachi last year, was recently in Lahore to begin shooting for the project with Kashf Foundation that has three different storylines, working simultaneously. Given Yumna’s range as an actor, her will and drive to take on diverse and difficult roles, one is sure that all three of her upcoming projects, untitled for now, will be worth watching.
