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The Aalmi Urdu Conference, held annually in Karachi, witnessed a vibrant and heartfelt interaction as Mahira Khan took the stage as a guest this year.

In a candid session moderated by Waseem Badami, Khan eloquently spoke about her love for Karachi, her roots in the city, and her deep admiration for its tolerance and inclusivity.

When asked about her relationship with Karachi, the beloved superstar began by sharing her very personal relationship with the city. “I was born at the Lady Dufferin Hospital in 1984 in Karachi,” she said.

“My dada built our house, what used to be our house here, when my grandparents migrated here from India. At Khalid Bin Waleed Road, PECHS, that’s where our house used to be. There used to be a time when that place had only showrooms and one house, which used to be my house, 151-C, Block 2,” she recounted with a smile.

Khan fondly reminisced about her childhood in the metropolitan city, visiting Zainab Market, and indulging in street food like gol gappay and bun kebab. “Even today when I have bun kebab, it is nostalgic. I am somehow transported to my childhood,” she said, eliciting laughter from the audience.

She also confessed her failed attempts to roam the bazaars incognito. “My favourite pastime in Karachi used to be roaming around in Zainab Market. I used to have so much fun. I didn’t get a lot of pocket money but I could buy silver jewellery and bangles, I always loved bangles. I keep complaining to my managers, telling them to take me, but they don’t. I’ll wear a burka and go. The problem is that as soon as I start speaking, people recognise me.”

The Legend of Maula Jatt actor went on to hail Karachi as the most tolerant city in Pakistan. “Karachi doesn’t judge you,” she said. “This city doesn’t ask you where you’re from, it doesn’t ask who you are. I don’t think I have seen this kind of tolerance in a city with so much strength,” she remarked.

She also explained how Karachi’s diversity shaped her upbringing and said, “Growing up here, I made friends with Hindus, Christians, Bohris, and Agha Khanis. But whenever I’d go to any other city, people would be shocked by this. What was strange for them was a norm for me. Any port city in the world functions like this.”

While Khan expressed immense love for her hometown, she didn’t shy away from calling out its residents for neglecting it. “This city gives and gives, with its arms wide open, welcoming everyone. But we don’t take care of it the way we should,” she lamented.

Adding a lighter touch to the session, Khan also participated in a rapid-fire round. She was asked to quickly say the first thing that came to her mind when asked about a person, place or thing. About Karachi, she said “home”, about Lahore, she said “Mauala Jatt”, about Imran Khan, she noted, “brave”, and as for Shah Rukh Khan, she said “childhood love”.

Khan was also asked about writer Khalilur Rehman Qamar and veteran actor Firdous Jamal, both of whom have criticised Mahira in a derogatory manner during interviews. When asked about the prior, she said “good writer” and when asked about the latter she said, “I don’t know him but very experienced actor.”