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Interview of Sania Saeed
KalPoint: How did u get into showbiz?
Sania Saeed: When I was 10 years old, I started theatre with my parents. The group with which I started working was called "Dastak Theatre". They were doing plays on democracy, anti dictator ship, fundamentalism and plays on such like themes. I won't say that I went into it voluntary but I became part of it unknowingly. There were discussions at my home about plays, dramas, political movements, theatre role in society, civilization, arts and thousands of other things, so in this way I became part of that unknowingly. But as I grew up I learnt that this is what I enjoyed most. I enjoy working with people, I love working in theatre because it leads you towards creativity where you derive utmost self-satisfaction.
I am not just an actor. I was working with children and women folk. I have my own concerns and I don't like to see my personality without these involvements. They made me who I am. I don't just act but I always had some thing in my mind when I am doing any character, like there is somebody out there in real life whose character I am portraying. I enjoy the energy that is generated when so many young people work together. I believe in teamwork. Lots of people accused that I work with few selected people and I confess it because I believe in quality. I had been performing in my school in almost all types of functions. I was into every thing, which is related to Arts. I was not good at academics records. Reason having didn't enjoy the studies at schools. But on the other hand I enjoyed in University too much, because, I love freedom. I love to explore things and working with freedom. I was the most creative student in my class that's why my teachers were really fond of me. I owe a lot to my teachers. I really love my teachers of Psychology department.
KalPoint: How was your experience working with Junoon?
Sania Saeed: I worked with Salman Ahmed in a drama serial "Aahat" and with Ali Azmat in "Talaash". Salman is my good friend. He is a thinking person. Discussions are lots of fun between us. I don't agree with him all the time, we argue on politics, music, art, drama etc. and it's really a fun. We became very good friend when we were doing "Aahat" and still we are. He is among few persons whose company I would prefer specially in showbiz About Ali Azmat, to me he is a complete mad guy. We love him for his madness. Due to the same hair style people use to call me and Ali "Twins". We use to say that if we will have a chance to work as twin brother and sister in a play, we will definitely do that. It was a great fun working with both of them.
Kalpoint: Which is your most memorable performance?
Sania Saeed: My most memorable performance is in "Aahat" and "Ab tum ja saktay hoo".
KalPoint: How do people react when they recognize you on road?
Sania Saeed: I am very lucky in terms of public response. People have always responded me with lots of affection and respect. I feel that they have been very nice to me. Some celebrities say that their fans tease them on streets but I have never experienced any problem with people. I go to city all alone & I do all my work by my self but I have never had any problem; May be people are so good because what I have performed is a reality & near to our culture. People know how to keep distance and how to respect. I have traveled throughout the country; they were so excited to see us.
KalPoint: Don't you think is it due to the grace that is created by the personality you posses?
Sania Saeed: I agree with you. It does matter that how you project your personality. Lots of people come and say to me that when we see your play, we think that the character of yours in that play is just like my cousin. I think they can relate to their relatives. Credit also goes to the director. I admire Saira Kazmi for her dedication and honesty that she puts in her work. I admire three people a lot, one is Saira Kazmi, second is Seemi Pasha and the third is Mehreen Jabbar. I also admire Marina Khan, although I haven't work with her in any play but have worked with her in "Dalda Ka Dastarkhuan". These people know their job, they are educated, graceful and they have done good constructive work.
Kalpoint: What else are your activities?
Sania Saeed: We started our theatre "Katha" on community basis. We did projects with children and brought it to NTM to develop into plays. It was for the first time when working children performed at PACC, the hub of theatre in Karachi. We also had some workshops with special children. What a contrast & experience when a child talk with hands other couldn't see it & Vice-versa. My husband developed a peculiar language by which they could communicate, a code by which they could act and it became a standard form at amongst the special children. Therefore, I would say that it was a great achievement of our theatre "Katha".
KalPoint: Are you in Social work?
Sania Saeed: I don't believe in social work on charity. This is only to satisfy the ego of one if he says that I do social work. What ever I do I do it for my country as they are my people any happening in the country it will definitely affect me. Every one has its own interests. My interest is towards literacy growth, respect and recognition of women. Definitely its going to move me & have affects on me. I don't want to leave vacuum at a place where I am working now. I believe in continuity & take over. I am not a person who does something for the results, rather I will keep struggling for the betterment of the women folk of our country. I want equal rights for the women like men. I don't know whether my efforts will be fruitful or not but I will keep struggling and will keep on playing my role in the society.
I have also done talk shows like "Sehar Honay Ko hai", "Hawwa Kay Naam" and currently "Maa". If we talk about the issues related to women, one can feel that they are not just the issues of women, they are the issues of men as well, and even they are the issues of society. If we talk about labour laws, we prefer women to focus on them. Why because they are the most exploited faction of our society. Similarly the issues of children are important as well. There are issues like child labour, child abuse, and violence. Even we don't consider beating of a child by his father or mother an issue but to me it is an issue. It is creating violence in the society. I think all these issues are interlinked & therefore, be eliminated to have an amicable society.
KalPoint: Please tell us about any interesting incidents.
Sania Saeed: There are lots of incidents. One interesting incident was during making of "Aahat". It was being shot on weekly episode basis. I was a student at that time and I used to travel in a bus. Once I was going for shooting in a bus& an old lady was sitting opposite to me. She was constantly staring at me. Suddenly, she asked me, " Are you Rabia"? (My name in Aahat). I said yes, and then she said why don't you get your husband out of the house? He is so harsh and why are you bearing that guy?. Gradually all the people in the bus and even those people, who hadn't recognized me, started laughing. She was so involved in Rabia's affair that she started believing me. Another interesting incident in about the children who were working with me in "Aahat". They used to call me "ammi" and they had become fond of me. They used to eat, sleep and play with me. Once the mother of little girl was running here and there after the girl to give her the bottle of milk but she was not coming to terms. I called the girl, ' come here and she straightaway placed herself in to my laps & took the bottle & started drinking. Her mother was amazed that how did i do it?
KalPoint: What should be done to groom the talent in the absence of talent making institutes?
Sania Saeed: There is no culture of institutions in our country. Institutions are made here which gives tangible profit. I know there is no institute of Arts here because we don't even consider it a work; there is no priority for creativity, we don't consider entertainment a service. If you go home and sit in front of TV and there is no entertaining program coming, you get irritated. Recreation is very important because it revitalize your system for the work next day. It is the responsibility of the State to establish these types of institutions. Yes in private sector this is being done. Like Kalia Group has taken initiatives for the promotion of Information Technology in Pakistan.
KalPoint: Have you any plan to work in movies?
Sania Saeed: I would love to. But the movies that are being made these days don't have room for the artist like me.
KalPoint: What is the role of censor board in our films?
Sania Saeed: Censor Board doesn't have any policy as such. They criticize on scenes like keeping hand on the shoulder of sister by her brother and hugging of father with his daughter but they don't criticize on scenes in which a soldier kills 20 people for no reason. If a program is passed by the Censor Board it can't be altered or challenged. Censor board needs check, it should be challenged. They must also make sure that the people in the censor board belong to a class like writing, direction and other related fields. I was also offered to be a member of censor board but I was too busy & wouldn't have justified.
KalPoint: You have visited the entire site of KalPoint.com. Which category did you like most?
Sania Saeed: I specially liked Employment & Real Estate category. To me the entire site is very creative, interesting & offers useful services to Netizens. It's a commendable effort you all have put in to create an IT Culture in Pakistan. I appreciate the right steps taken by the Kalia Group in this direction.
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