Dawn Images

Working alongside veteran names such as Nauman Ejaz and Sania Saeed as well as rising stars like Iqra Aziz and Faryal Mehmood, Hadiqa Kiani is all set to make her acting debut with upcoming serial, Raqeeb Se, — a passion project to indulge her artistic expression.

"I had a wonderful experience working with such great actors," said Kiani in a conversation with Images, revealing how her first time in front of the screen was obviously very different from what she had done before.

"It was a totally new world for me but Nauman told me one thing — 'You will have to negate your thoughts, yourself and your personality, and you have to become that character. Once you do that, you will be true to your character.' I think this advice of his is going to stay with me for the rest of my life," she said.

Even when the camera wasn't rolling, Hadiqa spoke about the friendship flourishing between Sania and her, specifically.

"There was a great amount of chemistry. When we were on the sets chatting about our lives, experiences, whatever we go through, it was just so bonded and well-knitted. Like a different world. I would always tell them all, it's a different world that I never thought I would be this comfortable in."

She also went on to describe how it was something very unlike what she had done previously.

"In the music industry, we make music, interact with each other on a different level, go on stage, on the spotlight, see the audience, roar and come back. But this was teamwork. Living in one house, day and night. Being on the same set for 12 hours, eating together, chatting. It was completely unique. We were like one family," she said, adding that these will be memories she will cherish forever.

Speaking about her character, Hadiqa also mentioned how she felt very strongly about it.

"In the first glance, you'll see Sakina contrary to Hadiqa Kiani who is supposed to be a strong, vibrant, fearless, bold woman. But deep down, I feel there's a Sakina inside me, embedded in my soul. I felt her from the very first lines I spoke in the play, and till the end, Sakina very much lives in me. I lived with that character and I am deeply fond of her."

She also added how the whole acting experience was more like a self-exploration process.

"There are so many Sakinas in this world, so I can feel them more now. It gave me an opportunity to find a new me."

The opportunity was presented to the Hona Tha Pyar singer by Momina Duraid herself, the former feeling it was initially 'too good to be true' given the ensemble cast, director and script.

“It was like a challenge that came in my life and I honestly like to challenge myself. I thought this is the time, it's a difficult art form and I need to explore myself."

The OST of Raqeeb Se was composed by Hadiqa herself, written by her mother Khawar Kiani and produced by Ustad Baqir Abbas.

"I found a poem by my mother which was very special and completely gelling with the theme of the drama. So I wrote the melody, spoke to Ustad, who is a fine musician and it became something completely divine. When I sent it to Kashif, he loved it and that's how the OST came about."

"My mother is obviously really happy because these are her beautiful words," Kiani added.

The play has been written by Bee Gul, directed by Kashif Nisan, and is a Momina Duraid production for HUM TV. No release date has been announced yet.