COVER STORY

Fatima Sohail is a charismatic actress, model, news anchor and host who has made great progress in a very short time. Fatima speaks to Us about her journey...

What does success mean to you?

For me, success is not fame or money or the power that comes with it. It is actually how fondly people remember you after you have died. I believe there is no point in running after materialistic gains.

What do you like the most about acting?

One thing I really like about my profession is the respect I get from the people around me. To know everybody adores you is the best feeling, ever.

Another thing that I enjoy is forgetting everything that’s going on in the world and just transitioning into my character’s world when the red light of the camera is turned on.

One thing you learned early in your career?

In the industry, no one is really your friend! You come here to work, earn money and run a household.

Memorable audition, if any?

I started as a news anchor initially. When I had my first audition, I couldn’t read a single line in Urdu. Actually, I was weak at Urdu! It was a very embarrassing at the audition.

Did you get any formal education for this career?

I received no education related to this career. I went to the US and studied Business Administrative Services and did my bachelors. My studies were completely different, but I was passionate about a career in acting.

The entertainment industry wasn’t flourishing in Lahore at that time and I wasn’t allowed to move to Karachi. So, I thought I would read news in order to get into the industry.

Do you believe that good looks and connections are the only things that make a star?

I think connections do matter in the industry.

What is the toughest part of your work?

The toughest part of my job is when I have to host a show and act at the same time. You don’t even get time to sleep.

Which of your roles do you like the most?

I liked them all but I guess Angnaa was my favourite, where I had to be a bossy wife. I had a lot of fun playing that role.

The funniest thing/gossip you have heard about yourself?

So, there was this one time when I learned on Google that my age was 33! I was shocked! But people do talk about where I live, how much I make and other stuff like this and it makes me laugh because I am like “oh really”!

Any tips for aspiring actors?

- Stay humble and Allah will elevate you.

- Concentrate on your work and don’t spend all your free time on your phones.

- Memorize your lines thoroughly before acting out scenes.

How do you deal with self-doubt?

I read a beautiful quote “Whatever happens, won’t matter in the long run’’. Now, whenever something bad happens, I remember this and remind myself that Allah brought me this far and will take me further. With this mindset, I just don’t overthink about what’s stressing me out.

MY TEENAGE YEARS

The best thing about being a teenager was

The best part was not gaining any weight. You could eat burgers, pizzas and whatever you wanted without any fear. Being a teenager during the 90s was the best. I got to experience the world without technology.

The worst thing about being a teenager was

When you weren’t given permission to do your favourite things! Elder siblings and parents would restrict us from traveling, going out with friends, staying out late. So, we couldn’t go out as much as we would have liked; the worst part was certainly not having freedom.

I was always listening to

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Bollywood songs

My favourite actor

Shah Rukh Khan

My favourite singer

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

My favourite superhero

At that time, I’d only watch Spiderman. I liked him so much that literally I had a crush on him.

My favourite movie

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai – I loved it because it was a Shah Rukh Khan movie.

My closet was full of

I had bags and shoes more than I had clothes. My mom used to say I could open a store with all the bags and shoes I had.

My friends were

I didn’t make many friends. As of now I have only one good friend! I’m not very good at making friends - I’m not very social.

What hurt me the most was

When I treated someone like a close friend and had high expectations from them, but then I found out they just think of me as a stranger. That left me heartbroken.

My dream was to become

I wanted to become a model and I constantly watched fashions shows on TV.

Relations with family were

They were fine but we lived quite far away from each other. Sometimes away from my mom; sometimes my dad would travel, then I went to the US with my mom, away from my siblings and my dad.

Our relationship was fine and normal. We didn’t have many emotional moments but when we did, it was just me and my dad.

My school was

As a child I was constantly changing schools, then I went to New York High School in Delaware where I had a lot of fun and had a great time there.

My favourite subject was

Home Economics

My favourite food was

I really liked pizza! Even today when I see pizza, I go crazy.

My favourite hangout was

I just enjoy my own company. And yeah, I love to spend time with friends, too.

My favourite sport was

I played basketball in grades IX and X.

Things I couldn’t live without

That would be my son, my cellphone, charger, money and other than that I can’t think of anything else.