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Mahira Khan has hinted that she’s working on what she calls a “once in a lifetime kind of character”, offering fans a glimpse of life on set through a reflective Instagram carousel titled “Tender Mercies”.

In the post shared yesterday, Khan included a photograph of a script with a rose resting on it, captioned, “Playing a once in a lifetime kind of character InshaAllah.”

While she did not reveal which project the role belongs to, one can spot the names Bilquis and Nazir. If the glimpse is anything to go by, Bilquis could be the character Khan is playing, while Nazir may be the story’s male lead.

For now, the post suggests she is currently filming, and documenting the quiet moments that fill the time between scenes.

The actor stitched together small snapshots from her days away from home, lying on the grass during scenes, journalling when alone, and receiving flowers from friends, fans and colleagues.

Together, the images read like a catalogue of the “tender mercies” Khan says are carrying her through her journey.

One photograph shows the actor stretched out on grass with the caption “Time in between scenes”, hinting at the slower, quieter pauses that punctuate long shooting schedules.

Another image captures a plate of rice served alongside bowls of daal, chicken and green chillies with onions — the kind of home-style meal that becomes particularly precious when one is travelling for work. Khan explained that the food is sent to her by different people every day “because you miss home food”, adding that it arrives “generously and lovingly”.

The carousel also features a photograph of Khan dressed in white shalwar kameez with a dupatta draped over her head. In the caption, she notes the outfit is from her clothing brand, M by Mahira, joking that she gets “first dibs” on the pieces.

Also in the post are glimpses of flowers sent by friends, candles she travels with and bouquets from fans and people she works with.

Khan also shared a photograph of journals and a pen, captioned “My alone time”, suggesting that writing remains part of how she spends the quieter hours between work.

In another slide, the actor posted an old childhood photograph she said she had recently rediscovered. It’s incredibly cute, might we add.

And in perhaps the most introspective moment in the carousel, she shared a close-up of her face dappled with sunlight and shadows.

“Lines showing years on my face. A lot of living. Grateful,” she wrote. Ageism? We don’t know her. She also added a practical reminder to herself, “Note to self, drink more water.”

The carousel ends on a photograph of the sky accompanied by a verse from the Holy Quran: “Then which of your Lord’s favours will you deny?”

The actor will next be seen on the big screen opposite Fahad Mustafa in Aag Lagay Basti Mein, set to release this Eidul Fitr. The trailer for the film promises crisis, confusion and chaos, with Mustafa returning to the brand of cinematic comedy he honed in hits like Na Maloom Afraad and Actor in Law.

Led by two of the country’s biggest stars, the film also features veteran actor Javed Sheikh and comedian Tabish Hashmi, who appears to step into a potential antagonist role — a combination that, if the trailer is anything to go by, could deliver plenty of laughs.

For now, though, Khan seems content marking the smaller moments along the way.