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Did Mahira Khan nail her Hardtalk interview or not?

Did Mahira Khan nail her Hardtalk interview or not?

We rate Mahira's responses to Stephen Sackur as he quizzes her on cultural conservationism in Pakistan and more
27 Mar, 2018

Last weekend, Mahira Khan appeared on BBC's HARDtalk and of course, fans of the superstar and Pakistani cinema were glued to their screens.

Her appearance on the show signified Pakistani cinema's growing prominence and she fielded questions on not only her own work, but also issues like censorship and Pakistan's complicated relationship with India.

Did Mahira hold her own against a tough interviewer like HARDtalk's Stephen Sackur? We rate some of her answers:

1) Stephen Sackur asks: I wonder whether the Pakistani movie industry, the culture is ready to recognise different ways in which women live their lives. for e.g.you're a divorcee, you've raised a son single-handedly. Do you believe that recognition of the strength, the independence, the resilience of modern Pakistani woman is properly represented in the culture of your country?

Mahira Khan says: I am a single mother, I am a divorcee, I am a reflection of my country - also a reflection. I'm sure I appeal to the classes as well, but I believe I appeal to the masses of my country. How is it possible that I appeal to the masses if I'm so different from them?

Did the answer cut it? Mahira makes a valid point because she is popular in a culturally conservative country despite being a divorcee and a single mother.

While we do feel this is a good answer, we also feel that she should've admitted that she initially gained this recognition by playing likable characters on-screen like Khirad from Humsafar. While this has slowly changed, Mahira's following in Pakistan couldn't initially separate her image from that fictional character. And since Mahira keeps a low profile, there was no evidence to challenge her docile image. So Mahira also greatly owes people's reverence of her to the conformative characters written for her.

Rating: 3.5/5



2) Stephen Sackur asks: Somebody got a hold of a picture of you sharing a moment, a cigarette with an Indian actor off set. In Pakistan social media went nuts; so many people were hugely critical of you. 'How dare she?' And 'why is she hanging out with an Indian?' How much pressure do you feel?

Mahira Khan says: That was the first time in my entire career that I was caught up in a so-called controversy. It was strange because there were so many things in that. One, obviously you feel violated, you are in a personal downtime moment and someone has photographed you. Two, obviously there was an uproar, because here I was someone who was extremely loved in Pakistan and they keep me up on this pedestal; they treat me with a lot of love and a lot of respect and there were certain things which I didn't realise that they don't want to see me do. At that point, yes, it was crazy, because it lasted for a while, it became a national topic, a national debate, every channel. It was ridiculous but what has happened post that is even better.

Did the answer cut it? Mahira rightly points out how much she is valued in Pakistan; however, it was a very diplomatic take on the issue. We would've preferred if she had not almost justified people's reaction to her photo with Ranbir Kapoor.

Rather, she should've said what she previously spoke about at the L'Oreal fashion show, "Through life's ups and downs, and the few mistakes we make and all the successes that we get, let nobody, nobody's opinion define who you are. And if anybody defines who you are, let it be yourself. Because including me and all the women out there."

Her concern should've stemmed from being allowed to be who she is in her personal capacity without being at fault. It's a bit disappointing.

Rating: 2/5



3) Stephen Sackur asks: How do you make [depictions of] rape accessible in a country which has a problem with sexual violence. It's endemic, it's domestic, it's pervasive and groups in Pakistan like the HRCP talk about the reality that a women is raped in Pakistan every 2 or 3 hours. How do you take that and respect how deep and ingrained the problem is in the country?

Mahira Khan says: I have not been through something as bad and cruel as rape, so I was very worried because there were going to so be so many people who were going to watch it, for me as an actor I really did not know how I could bring justice to what was written like that, there wasn't a scene of the rape. so there was no visual representation of the rape. Shoaib saab did not want me to cry. There were times he'd be like 'No, no, no, no that's too much, I don't want you to cry I want you to be angry,' so I played it angry, almost how he wanted me to play it, almost how he looked at rape.

Did the answer cut it? Mahira's concerns about representing a rape victim onscreen were justified, but Shoaib Mansoor's response to it isn't. It's disappointing that Mahira was dictated to by a male director on how to play a rape victim when that male director would have even less of an understanding of a rape victim as compared to Mahira. This isn't to say that Mahira's understanding of it would've been completely accurate, but she would have had a more sensitive understanding of the issue than Shoaib Mansoor, but he stopped her from expressing those sensitivities.

Verna is one-dimensional because it shows a lack of emotional trauma and the host of sentiments one goes through post the incident. Rape from the point of view of someone who hasn't been through it, invalidates the trauma of a serious issue, especially when no outside help has been taken in writing the script of a film that deals with the issue.

Rating: 1/5



4) Stephen Sackur: Pakistan has been swept by a cultural conservatism that has militated against free expression in the cinema, and that's really a problem for people like you.

Mahira Khan: That's exactly what the generation before me went through. By the time I came around, or in fact while I was working, my debut was probably one of two or three or maybe five films that released that year... Right after that, because again of the political climate, it changed. People were coming in, people were trying to invest in films and today, we are on the path on a huge revival as far as cinema is concerned.

Did the answer cut it? Mahira's answer seems to come from an awareness of the debilitating effects of General Zia's Islamisation policy on the entertainment industry; however, her attempt to sweep the charge of cultural conservatism under the rug by talking about the resurgence of Pakistan's once-dormant film industry was both inaccurate and unnecessary.

Pakistani cinema and its current crop of filmmakers and actors continue to suffer due to cultural conservatism and a prime example of this, ironically, is the almost-ban on Mahira's Verna after "unanimous objections" to its content by members of Pakistan's censor boards. (Verna is a film about a rape survivor's quest for justice.)

It would have been better if Mahira took the opportunity to talk about how conservatism affects her work as an artist. She was not under obligation to defend the worst impulses of the forces operating around the entertainment industry.

Rating: 2/5



5) Stephen Sackur: How difficult was it to make a film like Verna in Pakistan and to believe that it will find an audience in Pakistan?

Mahira: It wasn't difficult to make it. The man who made it, he's made two previous films, Khuda Ke Liye, which again was a brilliant film but touched on very sensitive topics, whether it was religion or politics or how we treat women in our society. All of that was touched upon in KKL. Then he came out with Bol, which touched on even more sensitive issues. And now he's made Verna. The making of it with a man like Shoaib Mansoor was not difficult because that's what he does.

Did the answer cut it? The question was simple: was Verna a simple film to make and did she think there was an audience for films like it? Mahira should have resisted the impulse to lavish praise on Shoaib Mansoor and instead speak about the ease or difficulty of her work in the film and comment on whether audiences take well to taboo subjects like rape. She could have pointed out, for instance, that TV serials with themes of child sexual abuse or honour killings have enjoyed high ratings, which indicates an appetite for serious subject matter.

Rating: 1/5



6) Stephen Sackur: Do you feel so bleak about Pakistan today that women who have undergone these terrible experiences have no sort of resolution or justice or serious accountability from the political system, from the community? Because your character has to take revenge herself and it's violent and horrible. Is that the message you're telling me about Pakistan today?

Mahira Khan: No, that's not the message I'm telling you. And I'm not sitting here... and telling you that it doesn't happen. Of course, that happens. You have the statistics here in front of you. But, right after Verna, the Zainab case just happened, everyone came out, everyone talked about it...

Stephen: But it doesn't stop it from happening.

Mahira: It eventually does. See, this is the problem. There are two things and I keep talking about this: This is not a Pakistan-centric epidemic, it's a world over problem and how do we stop it. I mean, look at us. We have the best... we have the correct judiciary sitting there, we have the police, we have everything and still, we are not able to stop it. So somewhere I feel we're failing on two levels. We do not have grassroots level education and awareness about this. If you read up more about this, so many of these cases, whether it's abuse or rape, takes place inside their own homes, and then there is shame attached to it. And these things don't get over in one day. Even in Hollywood, they keep talking about how real change is coming out. I think real conversation is what's happening right now.

Did the answer cut it? This was a pretty key question, considering that Verna received criticism locally as well for its promotion of vigilante justice. And it was Mahira's opportunity to respond to that criticism.

But Mahira digresses from the core point of the question completely, choosing to bring up the Zainab rape/murder to highlight how Pakistani society came together to call for action. Did this mean Mahira feels there is some hope, some semblance of support for rape victims in Pakistan? ↵

That's never clear, because after Sackur's brief interruption, she goes off on a tangent, touching on disparate points ranging from the global prevalence of rape to threats within the home to Pakistani women.

However, Mahira does makes a pertinent point when she makes a distinction between conversations and real change. She points out that her film is important for initiating conversations, which leads Sackur to probe her further about Pakistan's #MeToo movements.

Rating: 2.5/5


Comments

carpo Mar 27, 2018 05:09pm
I think her answers were brilliant. She's a very intelligent actress, more than any of her female colleagues. Rating her answers? Seriously? I think that was a bit much. Mahira khan is an inspiration. Pakistanis all over the world are proud of her!
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Basic Mar 27, 2018 05:21pm
Seriously Pakistanis, can you not be appreciative and proud of people like her? Her answers were fine. She’s an actress after all. She even speaks better than many people in your govt.
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Muffy Mar 27, 2018 05:30pm
Can someone share the video link ???
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Qwells Mar 27, 2018 05:34pm
Many a times in interviews you see her struggling, not the way being said but what was being said. Keep it honest.
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Ehsan Mar 27, 2018 06:33pm
You guys are too picky
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Disha Mar 27, 2018 06:43pm
As an Indian watches your dramas avidly, I can say that you guys give her far too much credit . Her acting skills are very average as compared to some others in ur country like Saba Qamar. Just because she speaks above average English, she has been turned into this national torch bearer of urs. I really feel you guys should be more appreciative of other far better actresses in business.
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A guy Mar 27, 2018 06:54pm
The rating was unnecessary. Give her credit. She spoke well...even better than many Pakistani male celebrities. I don’t understand the criticism towards her.
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ahamed Mar 27, 2018 06:59pm
Mahira did very well. She is an image of Pakistan and inspiration to women who must wake up. A single mother with great character, Help her gain greater success and raise her child to be successful. May God always be with you and protect you.
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MUHAMMAD BILAL SHAHEEN Mar 27, 2018 07:22pm
I saw her interview and to me her answers were absolutely spot on particularly when some questions were directed to her personal life. I don't think rating her answers is sensible idea because you can't become a judge. You may have difference of opinion but she said what she felt. She is the only sensible lady from your showbiz who can handle such an interview with aplomb. I don't think many of your so called showbiz actresses can even think of talking at that level. So appreciate if someone able to do so rather than criticism.
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Wonder Mar 27, 2018 07:29pm
I felt her answers were lacking. Mahira promoted the idea of ownership and strength at L’Oréal! During this interview she’s singlehandedly gone the opposite end & massacred those values! Was her L’Oréal speech written for her? Because her HardTalk interview needs to be flushed! Stephen Sackur got her. Sad because I really liked her.
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Ordinary_citizen Mar 27, 2018 07:35pm
Mahira Khan has a right to live her own life but she is not an icon or example which Pakistani women need to follow. I would definitely not wish that for any females in my family.
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Isha Mar 27, 2018 07:47pm
I have never seen any Pakistani man's appearance on hard talk rated why this bias towards woman why are you grading her answers it uncalled for. also for the first time she replied farily well.
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Ali Mar 27, 2018 09:55pm
I find her to be a bit rough around the edges.
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LOYAL Mar 28, 2018 01:05am
She did very well and her answers were very well rounded
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Fatima Mar 28, 2018 03:43am
It's our habit to criticize on everything it's her choice what to speak ...she is reknown acteress.
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khan Mar 28, 2018 04:50am
She needs to take IELTS test before her next interview.
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Jay Mar 28, 2018 05:58am
@Disha Excellent assessment!
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Jay Mar 28, 2018 05:59am
@Isha Good point!
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JJ from Hyderabad Deccan Mar 28, 2018 05:59am
@Ordinary_citizen Right on the money!
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N abidi Mar 28, 2018 06:14am
Any one can be a Monday mornging quarter back! Mahira was brilliant on this BBC hard talk interview! Her English was fluent! She was confident, graceful,and impressive! None of other male or female actresses in Pakistan are that fluent in English or able to give responses to thought provoking questions! Pakistani needs to give their actresses respect,and give priase to Mahira khan to handle herself so well,showed the world an educated ,confident and beautiful face of today's pak artist,on a international forum! 10/10, Mahira khan making Pakistani proud every where!
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N abidi Mar 28, 2018 06:20am
@Disha your jealosy of Mahira is transparent! First you can cast talented actress other then Katrina, annuksha, and deepika, work on that! Mahira is a going from strength to strength ! She takes acting seriously, and does challenging roles! Priase worthy,after working with srk, she choose social message film, like Verna , with all new artists! Courageous actresses is who Mahira khan is! Thus envy of many!
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Surya Mar 28, 2018 06:20am
Her responses are animated!
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N abidi Mar 28, 2018 07:35am
I think the writer for this article is biased, aganist Mahira,! The most shinning star of Pakistan! Why do you not rates Shann or other artists interviews ,oh, hard talk only interview the two khan,imran khan and Mahira khan, by this tough interviewer! He had not interview any BW actresses either! The interviewer himself said ,it was a terrific interview! In USA ,we are very impressed with Mahira khan interview on hard talk!
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Rohit Mar 28, 2018 07:52am
I saw the interview. Mahira was excellent. Many Mahiras are required to build new Brand Pakistan. Well done Mahira.
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Yerra Burra Mar 28, 2018 07:58am
Got to admit she spoke well. But her answers were horrible, dishonest and defensive.
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Moin Kamal Mar 28, 2018 08:04am
I am regular listener of Hard Talk. She did an excellent job. Mr.Sackar is tough guy.
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Always Learning Mar 28, 2018 08:27am
I am not sure why her answers should be judged and dissected by someone of clearly modest understanding of mass media. She was very balanced and judicious in her answers. She could not be expected to answer according to the wishes of a reviewer.
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From bengaluru Mar 28, 2018 08:49am
@Disha It happens everywhere I guess...When our own Aishwarya Rai with average acting skills gets more attention, fame and money both inside and outside our country than a lot of other actors and actresses who are very good at their art. ..Same goes with our male superstars who dont have any acting chops in them, apart from Amir Khan..I am sure, a lot may not agree...
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Jawaid Islam Mar 28, 2018 09:15am
Not seen the interview, but the responses shown here seem out of sync with the questions asked.
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S.AHMAD Mar 28, 2018 09:34am
It was like inquisition, but she appeared from it in flying colours!
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Jade Mar 28, 2018 09:42am
Mahira is being judged for her "success" in the litmus test of western values (BBC hardtalk)! It is about time that the emerging societies ditch the yardstick of the west to measure their progress. Conforming to or adopting the western values does not mean that the society is moving forward. We can have our own values and still make progress.
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Jawad Asif Mar 28, 2018 09:51am
Brilliant and intelligent Actress!!
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fika77 Mar 28, 2018 09:56am
Looks like hardtalk was all about 'Verna'. The lady also did some brilliant work other than the said film. It is a shame that host didn't even try to engage in lighter conversation. It felt like she is on trial rather than in an interview.
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Malik Mar 28, 2018 10:09am
Her answers were composed and made the point she wanted to put forward.
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wasim Mar 28, 2018 10:31am
Thank you Mahira at least portraying the picture of Pakistan with pragmatic way of thinking. As an actor you are real ambassador of Pakistan.
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A Pakistani Mar 28, 2018 10:31am
Yes a true worrier of women rights and empowerment in media minus that Bollywood stuff.
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Ordinary_Citizen Mar 28, 2018 11:22am
@Rohit I beg to differ sir. Our ordinary mothers, sisters, wives and daughters are completely capable of building up a modern, equitable and educated Pakistan.
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Fatima Mar 28, 2018 12:02pm
I am very disappointed with her interview answers. I personally feel with her probably being a millionaire, she is one of the most priviliged women in Pakistan and she does not have a clue what a underprivileged woman goes through on day to day basis. She touched the social issues pertaining violence against women in Pakistan just on the surface like scratched it and most of that she made it another interview about herself and her performance and her producer. I like Shoib Mansoor a lot but she did not have to promote him On that platform. BBC is a big platform, she could have brought world's attention towards lack of resources for women and young girls in Pakistan, women poverty and overall patriarchy affecting women at all the levels. I liked her so much as an brilliant actress but she is not someone who can be women ambassador representing common women of Pakistan. I hope next time when she takes a role of social justice advocate, women 's rights advocate and as an egalitarian person.
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Fatima Mar 28, 2018 12:07pm
@Disha I agree with you. She is celebrity in Pakistan who is celebrated. That also shows how people rate her for her beauty and money she has. She is an OK actress but obviously famous. She does not fully represent the acting talent we have in Pakistan.
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Fatima Mar 28, 2018 12:11pm
@Basic really Basic!! My 7 year old speaks better English than Mahira...it does not mean that she is better speaker than Mahira. Mahira wasted that platform while making is her own performance/justification platform. That is egocentric. She is not a true representation of common women in Pakistan.
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Sara Mar 28, 2018 10:47pm
Looking forward to you doing a similar rating of Mohsin Hamid on Hardtalk.....or is this special treatment reserved for actresses who are already being shamed on social media
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MARIA S. Mar 29, 2018 02:49pm
Half way through i lost interest in this article. I wish the writer has 'marked' the questions as well because in all honesty these are real tough questions.
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N abidi Mar 30, 2018 03:07am
The pic used as the first pic,showed the mind set that wrote this article! Mahira khan is beautiful and talented actress of Pakistan! MK star power is shinning beyond Pakistan, it is bothering ,envious ,and jealous mind sets! Hard talk interview was serious,and questions are never shown to guest! MK handle the tough questions.gave brilliant replies! MK was confident ,poise,and her English was priase worthy! Mahira khan makes Pakistani proud ,every where! Remember that sad people throw stones on things that shine the most!
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Faiz Akbar Apr 01, 2018 02:28pm
Her answers were great and to the point. This write up is critically judgemental and seeks to enforce writers own subjectivity. Mahira is her own person, she is entiltled to her views, so let her be.
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Maria Apr 01, 2018 05:41pm
She killed it! Her answers were amazing don’t be too hard on her it’s unfair.
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Maria Apr 01, 2018 05:41pm
@Muffy go on to YouTube type hardtalk interview with mahira
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