"I realise how powerful artists are, not those in power."Â Â
Mahira Khan has opened up about the fact that she swept floors and cleaned toilets before making it in the film industry.
The Pakistani superstar spoke about her personal and professional struggles during an interview with Fuschia Magazine.
Speaking to host Rabia Mughni on ‘Gup Shup with FUCHSIA,’ the actress explained:
“You do fall, yeah. Sometimes it’s an apparent fall, in front of public.
“The world was waiting for Mahira Khan in Shoaib Mansoor’s Verna, but it all went bomb…
“And then there are very personal falls, that ones you cannot talk about.
“Even if I want to share, I think to myself what good would it be if I talk about very serious, personal issues that I’ve gone through.
“Maybe one day in a book I can write it. But right now, I’m not so brave.”
Pakistan’s Central Board of Film Censors had objected to Verna (2017), which also starred Haroon Shahid and Zarrar Khan.
They had said at the time: “It shows a governor’s son involved in a rape case – which was the biggest objection.
“Secondly, it includes many bold dialogues and scenes. The general plot of the movie revolves around rape, which we consider to be unacceptable.”
Khan had tweeted on the censorship at the time, writing:
“Tonight I realise how powerful artists are, not those in power.”
Tonight I realize how powerful artists are, not those in power. We are. Why else do we get banned? Why else do our films pose a threat to them? In this game of power – we will always win. Art/love/truth always does! #PowerDiGame #verna
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) November 16, 2017
However, she did also go on to touch upon some of the personal struggles which she had dealt with in the past, before making it big.
Khan continued: “I’ve also sweeped floors, cleaned toilets during my time in LA.
“This is a journey that has not been easy but it’s a great thing that has happened.”
“You guys keep calling me humble, but how can I not be when I’ve experienced this time where we used to go to restaurants and share a $1 meal between me and my brother.”
Khan began her career in radio in 2006 before going on to host the live show, Most Wanted (2006-2008), on MTV Pakistan.
Following this, she was given her own show on AAG TV called Weekends with Mahira in 2008 before making her acting debut.
The actress first appeared in a supporting role in Shoaib Mansoor’s drama thriller Bol (2011), which starred Humaima Malick.
The movie became both a major critical and commercial success as well as one of the highest-grossing Pakistani films of all time.
In 2011, Khan also made her television debut in the New-York based serial, Neeyat, which established her as a household name.
She has since gone on to star in various television shows and movies and is now one of the highest-paid actresses in Pakistan.
Mahira Khan recently came under fire after women rights activist Kanwal Ahmed said she was glorifying abusive relationships by playing regressive roles.
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