Popular Pakistani actor Namra Shahid has shared her views on the challenges female actors face in the television industry. She said that women often have a limited time to establish themselves as lead actors.
Speaking in a recent interview, Namra said that many actresses reach an important stage in their careers by their mid to late thirties.
“You reach your mid-30s or late-30s. By that time, you are either an established lead actor or you just end up doing side characters,” she said.
Looking back on her ten year career, Namra said that success in the industry is not always based on talent alone.
She said some actors work for years to earn leading roles, while others seem to get major opportunities very quickly.
“I have no idea how people suddenly arrive out of nowhere and instantly become the main lead of a serial. I’ve been working for ten years, so for me, it has been a very long journey,” she expressed.
Namra also said that being part of a successful drama does not always help an actor gain recognition.
She said that sometimes a project becomes popular, but an actor’s role may not have enough importance in the story.
She added that a successful career requires more than good acting. Further, she said that actors need proper management, planning, and a strong team to support their work.
“Obviously, you need a team to keep a business running. If the cloth isn’t even being made, what will I do with that factory?” she said.
Despite the difficulties, Namra said that she welcomes criticism and believes reviews help actors improve. She further added that she takes feedback positively and uses it as motivation to work harder.
“I actually like reviews. I didn’t take it personally; I took it very positively,” she added. “It pushes us to put in that extra hard work so that if someone gives a great performance, people absolutely must know the actor’s name.”
