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 Whether
you know her as Nida Pasha or Nida Yasir, there is no denying that this young
starlet has made a name for herself not because of her illustrious show biz
background but by dint of her own talent and hard work. Funwithwebsite.com chats with
her about her transition from a budding TV artiste during her carefree days as
a single woman to her present position of celebrity married to a colleague.
Do you feel being Kazim Pasha's daughter facilitated you
in joining the acting profession?
I hardly think so. I had never thought of acting, but
my friends were after me that I am photogenic and should try my luck in plays.
So, I finally took part in one directed by my father, in which I had just two
scenes where all I was expected to do was cry. My father was quite impressed
with my crying abilities, but didn't want me to pursue a career at that point
as I was still studying. After I graduated he caste me in another play, ‘Daji'
but after that he gave me no more breaks as he felt people would think he was
promoting me. He wanted me to make a name for myself on my own merit, without
his support. It did bother me initially, especially because I know he gives
other girls such opportunities that they become famous after a serial, where
as I had to make it on my own. So it was more a disadvantage having parents in
showbiz. It was only after I worked with Yasir Akhter in ‘Mera ghar aik
whirlpool' that I gained recognition and after that got a lot of offers for
commercials and dramas. I started compering and modeling too, after that.
Did you catwalk modeling as well?
I did a few shows-nothing spectacular-but frankly am
not fond of modeling. I feel you do nothing in it except expose yourself. I
was given a lot of offers by English magazines for shoots but since my father
wouldn't allow me to wear sleeveless, there were hardly any outfits that I
could model. So, I only modeled for those magazines in which I was allowed to
dress respectably, without exposing any part of any anatomy.
Had a secret romance been brewing while you and Yasir
starred together in plays?
Actually, no. Yasir and I had never worked together
almost till the time he proposed to me, and the one serial in which we had
both starred, our entries were such that when I would be on location he was
not required, and when he was on location, I was not in the scene. Then, prior
to our engagement, we worked together in one play, which was funnily enough,
called ‘Mohabbat', and Yasir apparently felt I'd be the right wife for him, so
proposed. I had never thought of him as a prospective husband, though, and had
left decisions about my marriage on my parents.
How did Yasir propose to you?
It was highly unromantic! There was no ambience or
formalities. He was dropping me home one day after work, and very casually
mentioned that he'd be sending his parents over. I was puzzled, and when I
asked why, he informed me that they'd be bringing a ‘rishta'. I had no whiff
of it and was really shocked.
 What
was your family's reaction?
My parents are very cool and I have a relaxed
relationship with them. But, I refused Yasir initially, because I felt we
hailed from two different cultural backgrounds-my father is Urdu speaking and
Yasir's family is Sindhi. I had been brought up in a liberal atmosphere and
thought I might not be able to adjust to their family. So, I told Yasir we'd
continue to be colleagues and friends, but he should forget about anything
beyond that. However, Yasir was not comfortable acting with me after that and
strangely enough, I began to develop feelings for him. Also, Yasir's mother
called and assured my family that we didn't need to fear about cultural
differences, as they were more similar in their ways than we thought.
My father made enquiries about them and after satisfying himself, agreed to
the engagement. We got married after two years.
How come the long gap?
Yasir's brother got married first, and in any case we
wanted to get to know each other and our families better, so had decided to
wait for a year. But later, Yasir's father passed away so we extended the date
further.
Do you feel there's any change in your relationship
since you got married?
Isn't there always? I was mentally prepared that he
would change once we were married. All men do. During the days we were
engaged, if I'd call him up to tell him that I was free and ask him where he
was, even if he was at the other end of the earth, he'd come to pick me up.
Now, I wouldn't dare call, for I know he'll never have the time! It's nothing
unusual-men become more relaxed after marriage and invariably begin to take
their wives for granted.
Why is it that you aren't acting opposite each other any
more?
Well, from the time we got engaged, directors started
taking it for granted that we would work together so would cast us together in
their plays. But after we got married, Yasir got fed-up of the monotony and
was irritated by the fact that he had to land up with me in every play,
although I was quite happy to be working with my husband. He told everyone
that that if they want to cast either of us it would have to be without the
other.
Doesn't he mind you acting with other heroes?
He doesn't say anything, but one thing is for sure- he
doesn't watch my plays with other heroes these days. Previously, he used to
watch them and offer criticism, but not any more. He would be only too happy
if I quit work, and he could take care of me! But, I feel it is essential for
a woman to work – it gives them an incentive to be groomed and well
maintained. I do feel though, that I got married at a time when my career was
just growing and I had made a name for myself and could have gone places.
Marriage, however, restricts you because you become time bound and can't avail
of all the opportunities that come your way to prove your mettle.
So how are you coping with maintaining a career and yet
not setting your husband's backup?
I've taken to compering shows. It's less time consuming and brings you
recognition. You remain in the loop, and I feel people become more familiar
with your name than when you are acting, for people remember you more by the
name of the character you are portraying than by your own.
 But,
acting is my first love, and my son is a little older and my
responsibilities become less, I'll go back to plays.
What are you compering currently?
It's an interesting programme for Hum TV, called ‘Angan'.
It's a home show designed for women in which there are four segments,
including one in which household tips are provided.
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