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'I couldn't refuse the role of a national hero,' says Sanam Baloch about film debut

'I couldn't refuse the role of a national hero,' says Sanam Baloch about film debut

Sanam Baloch is playing Mariam Mukhtar, the first female fighter pilot in Pakistan to embrace martyrdom
Updated 25 Jul, 2016

She's taken her time to return to acting but morning show host Sanam Baloch has bagged a role of a lifetime.

Sanam's signed on to play Mariam Mukhtar in a homage to the fighter pilot, who was Pakistan's first female fighter pilot to die in the line of duty. She plays the role in a tele-film titled Aik Thi Mariam directed by Sarmad Khoosat and produced by Urdu 1. Umera Ahmed has written the film.

"Urdu1 along with Mehreen Jabbar directly approached me for the tele-film," says Sanam to Images. "Although Mehreen Jabbar is not directing it, she owns the project. Also when I came to know Umera has written it, I couldn’t refuse it. It is the role of Marium Mukhtar, a national hero. This project is particularly for myself, my satisfaction as an actor - although it is extremely challenging to live her life and go through the entire process of training but I have to live [the] life of someone incredible."

For the role, Sanam's gone through a fair bit of pilot training.

"Before the shoot, I had spent first two days with the cadets so I can adapt to their environment and body language at the Air Force Academy. I have a couple of Air force people and trainers at the shoot (set), who are helping me out with it. I am trying my best to replicate the way they move about," she shares

Doing justice to the role of a national hero has its challenges for sure, but Sanam credits Sarmad Khoosat for making the job easier for her.

"People often call Sarmad a maestro, and he is indeed one of them. He knows what he wants from the actor and the camera. He’s studious about his work and I think that’s what makes him Sarmad Khoosat, he can bring out best from anyone. It is such a strenuous routine; plus, the weather is horrid, But he’s on his feet through all this time – and that’s what revitalizes our energy as a team. The captain of the ship is the leader of an entire vessel and he knows how to keep that vessel well floating successfully."

The film, Sanam elaborates, takes us through Mariam's life, "from her training days since she joined the Air Force to her last flight of mission when she embraced martyrdom."

As she wraps up this project, Sanam keeps mum about her future ventures, though she says she has "a couple of projects particularly directed towards my fans. Due to the tight schedule back in Karachi with the morning show, it gets pretty hard for me to sign any serial though."

Aik Thi Mariam airs on Defence Day, September 6.

Comments

El Cid Jul 25, 2016 09:35am
How does an accidental training death qualifies as Shahdaat/Martyrdom?
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Farhan Jul 25, 2016 10:25am
I hope this movie make an impact on this industry and inspiration for the youth of Pakistan.
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Zak Jul 25, 2016 11:36am
Awesome. Excellent story of a brave pakistani pilot. Can't wait to see it. When is it releasing.
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Harris Jul 25, 2016 11:45am
@El Cid Who's to judge and one shouldn't anyway, but training to defend the country is in the line of duty... she was performing her duties..
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amir Jul 25, 2016 11:57am
@El Cid Done to further the nation's protection, therefore, martyrdom.
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AlooKeema Jul 25, 2016 02:52pm
Great Initiative - lets hope its quality programming, factually correct, and not the continued jahalat inducing TV the innocent citizens of Pakistan are subjected to daily.
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SSG Wazir Jul 25, 2016 03:00pm
Mariam will always remains in our heart. And Good luck Sanam for playing her role.
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Larry Jul 25, 2016 04:13pm
@El Cid Dude why do you Indians hide behind non-Indian names? Be honest and up front about your opinions, not insecure.
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Zealot Jul 25, 2016 04:25pm
@El Cid she turn the nose of her aircraft down to save the children school as the distance between her plane and school was too low and small that she could not turn it either way her trainer ejected but she had no other choice so she turn the nose of plane down to save the school and achieve shahadat
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Belligerent Pacifist Jul 25, 2016 04:58pm
Oh my God! What an startling similarity you have with the martyred pilot. Sanam you are a perfect doppelganger for of Marium Mukhtar. We are waiting to see you in the biopic of Marium as a stunning fighter pilot.
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Libra11 Jul 25, 2016 06:30pm
Could have been more magnificient had it been directed by Shoab Mansoor yet Sanam Baloch is talented hope can do better
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FZee Jul 26, 2016 09:39am
@El Cid She died in the line of duty....this is martyrdom in our religion Islam.
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Akteruzzaman Chowdhury Jul 26, 2016 12:14pm
@Belligerent Pacifist They look like two sisters.
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Awais Ahmad Jul 26, 2016 10:52pm
@ZAK 6th September 2016
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Causal Jul 27, 2016 10:18am
I think instead of glorifying her..if we look into fact that how does this accident occur during training.
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