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Dangal star Zaira Wasim announces she's quitting Bollywood
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Dangal star Zaira Wasim announces she's quitting Bollywood

The 18-year-old took to social media to share how her career had interfered with her religious beliefs and faith
Images Staff
30 Jun, 2019

Dangal actor Zaira Wasim who shot to fame with her breakout role and then went on to do the equally popular Secret Superstar has bid adieu to Bollywood already.

Wasim took to social media to share how her choice of career had interfered with her religious beliefs and faith:

She wrote, "As I complete 5 years today, I want to confess that I'm not truly happy with this identity i.e my line of work. For a very long time now it has felt like I have struggled to become someone else. As I had just started to explore and make sense of the things to which I dedicated my time, efforts and emotions and tried to grab hold of a new lifestyle, it was only for me to realise that though I may fit here perfectly, I do not belong here. This field indeed brought a lot of love, support, and applause my way, but what it also did was to lead me to a path of ignorance, as I silently and unconsciously transitioned out of imaan."

"I was constantly battling with my soul to reconcile my thoughts and instincts to fix a static picture of my imaan and I failed miserably, not just once but a hundred times...I continued to put myself in a vulnerable position where it was always so easy to succumb to the environment that damaged my peace, my imaan..."

The 18-year-old continued that the journey has been "exhausting, to battle my soul for so long" and life was too short yet too long to be at war with oneself: "Therefore, today I arrive at this well-grounded decision and I officially declare my disassociation with this field."

You can read her complete post here.

This isn't the last we've seen of Zaira yet though. She's completed filming an upcoming movie already; The Sky Is Pink is based on a true story in which Wasim stars as Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar’s daughter and plays Aisha Chaudhary who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

Comments

Anon Jun 30, 2019 05:06pm
Good for her. Sensible move.
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Newborn Jun 30, 2019 05:06pm
Well she never really started in it. A lucky break with Amir Khan, that is about it.
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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Jun 30, 2019 05:12pm
Good decision to quit Bollywood Zaira, not many people will make such brave decisions - you simply rejected fame for the sake of your moral and religious values. This is compensable!
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J'Lo Jun 30, 2019 05:16pm
Good for her. Best of luck to her on her personal journey.
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Alok Jun 30, 2019 05:19pm
Feel sad for her.. religion, devotion are things that are meant to broaden the mindset rather than narrowing it.. but it's ultimately her choice for her own life which should be respected.
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farooqui Jun 30, 2019 05:45pm
Wishing you all the best in life - InshaAllah
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Deepak Kumar Jun 30, 2019 05:53pm
She will regret her decision over the period of time. Brainwashed !!
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putho madre Jun 30, 2019 05:59pm
Confused young Lady.
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RationalBabu Jun 30, 2019 06:06pm
Whatever makes you happy but it was always your decision as to how much you allow your career to affect your personal beliefs and principles. There are extremely successful people in Bollywood who are very choosey about the roles they would accept and keep away from all the fanfare and limelight and keeping their personal lives private. My guess is your decision has been swayed by social, family and religious pressures and only wish you had stood your ground!
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Ahmad Gul Kainth Jun 30, 2019 06:18pm
I support her. The way she has defined Imaan is totally mind boggling.
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omveer Jun 30, 2019 06:19pm
Bollywood is a tough place. Movie roles are grabbed based on your connection with various groups. She never made it beyond two movies. Maybe the grapes are sour or struggle is not her forte?
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Alam Jun 30, 2019 06:20pm
Great decision Zaira !
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Shahid - Denmark Jun 30, 2019 06:29pm
Good decision. Never do what your conscious and inner beliefs do not allow you to.
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Ayman Gheith Jun 30, 2019 06:33pm
Immature Teenager
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Kaju Jun 30, 2019 06:35pm
Profession should not be linked to religion. This is the reason why only indian Muslims prosper. All other muslim countries are too conservative. She should listen to what Nusrat Jahan told the muslim cleric who told her to change her dress.
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Raju Panapana Jun 30, 2019 06:35pm
what does she do with money she made. $$$ better donate it and free yourself.
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vin Jun 30, 2019 06:36pm
@Alok That is not the aim of religion at all, may be that of Dharmic believes.
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Anon Jun 30, 2019 06:41pm
@Alok She had to broaden her perspectives and level of awareness to reach the conclusion she has. I think she is intelligent, gifted and strong.
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S Jun 30, 2019 06:47pm
Many actresses in the past have left this field because of the same reasons. However, social media has given them a platform to highlight their concerns and equally, online printed media has given them coverage to show their support
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JawAd Jun 30, 2019 07:02pm
Many ways to be in the news and seeking relevance. This surely is a sign of frustration that may have been due to unsustainable momentum af the back of pre mature success . She could have found relegion without becoming a Twitter preacher . She is entitled to her belief but the smell of holier than thou does not work .
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Ashok De, Calgary Jun 30, 2019 07:09pm
@Shahid - Denmark, Its her decision. Good Luck. Hope she will not be pulled back into narrow religious beliefs. Specially she can reform a lot in her society on women's freedom, literacy and life values instead of going for being a MP or MLA. Good Luck. Ashok De, Calgary, Canada
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Manju Jun 30, 2019 07:28pm
Your decision and I strongly believe you know what you need. So thanks for great movie. Take care. By the way you are in India, no need to fear for your life, and you can choose what you need.
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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Jun 30, 2019 07:45pm
@Deepak Kumar Remember, its her decision to quit Bollywood, who are you to criticise her. Be positive, unbiased and don't comment on people's personal matters and decisions. I find Zaira's decision to quit Bollywood very commendable.
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Hasan Jun 30, 2019 07:54pm
Very courageous and brave. Dignity over material gains!!
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Kaju Jun 30, 2019 08:06pm
@Hasan actors dont have dignity? What religion teaches that ?
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Asim jaffery Jun 30, 2019 08:13pm
Need to respect her. Nice girl Wishing her well whatever her decision
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mady Jun 30, 2019 08:20pm
May be Zaira Wasim is tired or overwhelmed by the success and attention she got so quickly. I wish she continues acting in some form since she is so talented. All the best to her.
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Sana Jun 30, 2019 08:45pm
not a great career- nothing great she is leaving behind
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ankit Jun 30, 2019 10:23pm
Leave her alone (from both bad and good judgement), its not our place. You should follow your passion. There are enough passionate boys and girls in India who dream big and willing to work hard for it, people who have that drive should be given the freeway. Rest like most of us can follow their own path as they desire.
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Liberal Jun 30, 2019 10:34pm
Commendable. I salute her courage to stand up in face of unfathomable prospective fame and fortune in favor of her inner solace and faith. She sounds very articulate and thorough. She's done the right thing, which in my humble opinion may be a wake up call for many on this path.
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Zero Jun 30, 2019 11:31pm
Her choice we must respect
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Hyada Jun 30, 2019 11:59pm
@Newborn what if that was a lucky break? she quit that is a decision. life is all about lucky breaks; the respect, values, support and obviously wealth to be granted by the family is a luck break for every person in a life. That is what you already have.... Think about your ugly comment... You should talk about your own luck break if you have, don,t be judgmental.
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cv Jul 01, 2019 12:06am
What an amazingly intelligent, thoughtful and eloquent person ! Hope she finds happiness in whatever she chooses to do next and we get to see her work.
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Anon Jul 01, 2019 12:12am
At around 40 years of age she will realize what blunder she was made to commit and she committed - due to her immaturity.
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Nadeem Jul 01, 2019 12:38am
Actors do become other people. It is the work they do.
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Kulbhushan Yadav Jul 01, 2019 01:28am
Hmm I wonder how Amir Khan, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Katrina Kaif, Tabbu, Farhan Akhtar, etc are maintaining their Iman while working in bollywood. Before these actors, how Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Suraiya, Mumtaz, Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi etc. maintained their Iman. Or may be Ms. Zaira is way too weak in her Iman that working in movies is going to ruin it for her.
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Babaji Jul 01, 2019 02:07am
I wish that every daughter has Zaira’s traits !!! Whatever she does next, wherever she goes, I pray that she finds the kind of happiness and fulfillment that only luckiest few of us find in a lifetime !!! She’s a wonderful daughter and her parents must be proud !!!
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Shahryar Shirazi Jul 01, 2019 02:16am
@Deepak Kumar “She will regret her decision over the period of time. Brainwashed !!” The casting couch environment is very toxic for females regardless of the religion they follow
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Kashif Khan Jul 01, 2019 02:16am
Good on you !!!
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Babaji Jul 01, 2019 02:26am
@Raju Panapana .... get a job, punk!!!
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Indie Guy Jul 01, 2019 02:46am
I liked her in Dangal. It’s her decision to pursue a different career, whatever her reason. Bollywood has a lot of filth in it, especially for female actors. If you want to live a clean life, stay away. There are many other fulfilling careers. And I am not even religious.
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NK Jul 01, 2019 03:38am
Very good move. You go young lady!
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Ahmed Ali Jul 01, 2019 05:44am
@Deepak Kumar , Never
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Pakistani in New Zealand Jul 01, 2019 06:01am
@Alok you would not understand.
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DesiDesi Jul 01, 2019 06:26am
At some point, they all tend to call," grapes are Sour."
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AM Jul 01, 2019 06:29am
Her life, her choice.
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Sunil Jul 01, 2019 06:39am
She needs guidance which will prevent her from these emotional reactions.
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Syed Ahmed Jul 01, 2019 06:44am
She is not getting offer's any way good bye and gr8 luck
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Zak Jul 01, 2019 07:28am
@Kulbhushan Yadav others sold out, and married Hindus. Dilip Kumar was from a bygone days. This lady has substance, others are diluted and regretting.
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point of view Jul 01, 2019 08:24am
Basically she bow down to conservatives thoughts of clerics.
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Ravi Sanku Jul 01, 2019 08:25am
Brave decision, whether we like it or not. Girl with a spine!
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raj Jul 01, 2019 08:26am
How does a religion interferes with someones career. As an actor you entertain the masses. That is a noble career. People are sick, depressed, sad and they go to a movie and forget their hardships and challenges for three hours. Is there a religion that says that is a bad thing? I am somewhat surprised that she is giving religion as a reason. There is more to it.
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Hemant Jul 01, 2019 08:40am
It’s Sad, she was good actor! I would not agree on the argument she has put forward and indicating high moral...this indicate that other great personalities who acted in Bollywood including Shabana Azmi, Sharmila Tagore and many other actors like Deelip Kumar, all Khans etc are not having their soul in right place? If you do. It want to act it is your problem but one should not degrade whole profession in the ignorance.,,
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Karachi Jul 01, 2019 09:15am
Brave decision. Nothing is worth it if you are not happy. All the best for your future. Stronger values prevail.
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Pakistani Jul 01, 2019 09:35am
Honestly you are a true inspiration for Muslim youths. You must be Very noble and very humble smart person to realize what is more important.
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Rana Talukdar, Antarctica Jul 01, 2019 10:42am
If it's her personal decision then nothing to complain against it. But we look in to the social media comments in social media from last 2 years, it's a possibility that she and her family was under continuous threat from the hardliners.
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Fazi Jul 01, 2019 10:55am
A strong lady I must say. Such a brave decision at such a young age is commendable.
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Asif Ali Jul 01, 2019 11:42am
Good decision for your life.
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BK Jul 01, 2019 12:30pm
I am appalled at people who are sounding encouragement that she has taken a wise decision. These are nothing but bigots who never said anything when she was being bullied by hard-line fanatics, for they consider women as sub-human. Pathetic!
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Bollywood bashing Jul 01, 2019 01:57pm
Great Bollywood bashing.
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Alishba Jul 01, 2019 02:12pm
@Shahryar Shirazi Lollywood isnt any different.
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sheema zain Jul 01, 2019 02:49pm
bravo
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Jeet Jul 01, 2019 03:01pm
Thanks for coming and good luck for your future.
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Faisal Salman Jul 01, 2019 03:01pm
Your life, your decision. Be happy!
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Basit Jul 01, 2019 03:16pm
Come on the Largest Democracy in world... It's her right to decide what she wants? Being a citizen of India she has the right to practice her religious and moral values ,no one has right to criticize
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Dr iok Jul 01, 2019 04:28pm
She, no doubt is a born actress, but I respect her decision as her known to and someone who saw her closely. This decision of hers is her own decision and not under any pressure from family or religious preachers. She thought about it, took a decision on her own. And I think that is what matters the most.
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Dr iok Jul 01, 2019 04:30pm
@Deepak Kumar how can you be sure about it? I'm sure you know the stories of people like jiya Khan who eventually took their lives.
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Dr iok Jul 01, 2019 04:31pm
@omveer that is so not true. She did pretty well at so young age. I'm sure you yourself might not have stepped out of your home state
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Abid Jul 01, 2019 04:52pm
She probably got tired of getting passed around on infamous Bollywood casing couches
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Abdul Hameed Jul 01, 2019 06:27pm
No matter how much difficulty you get from your decision. but sister, you will be happy in future Inshallah.
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Faisal Jul 02, 2019 03:58am
Religious indoctrination wins once again.
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