Bits & Pieces on life of Maria Wasti

A name that needs no introduction, she is extra ordinary, talented and simply amazing at what she does. Social Diary got a chance to speak to Maria Wasti in detail about a lot of aspects on her life, let’s see what she had to say to us…

Tell readers of the Social Diary a little about yourself, how you stepped into acting?

I have been in the industry for more than 15 years now. I was born in Africa, Tanzania and we came to Pakistan when I was 7 or 8 years old maybe, since then we have been in Pakistan and I am from Lahore. Coming into the field was by chance because my family was already in the industry Tahira Wasti & Rizwan Wasti- my Khala & Khalu and then my Mother also worked from Lahore station of PTV, an offer came to me and my Mother said if you want to try then go ahead and that was a single play I went for directed by Bakhtiar Ahmed who was the program manager of PTV Lahore at that time. I did tele-films as well and that’s how it all started.

Share something interesting about yourself which no one really knows?

I don’t know how to cook and am not even interested. If I start cooking I might learn but only if I am interested in it. The other thing is that I have a problem with wasting, if someone is wasting electricity and there is one light that’s on unnecessarily that would cause a problem to me. That’s another thing if I want 40 lights in a place and they are being used then that won’t be an issue. In my room I have about 14 to 15 lights but I only use them when I have to but if it’s being wasted then I’ll have a problem.

What’s you favorite genre when it comes to acting?

Personally, I have done serious drama’s but I am very fond of comedy and since Lahoris have a very good sense of humour and timing and being a Lahori I do have it. Dark humour is something I like. I like acting that’s based on reality. Stage is interesting too, As they say “stage is an actor’s medium” and film or TV is director’s and radio is a medium for a writer. For an actor it’s essential to maintain all these mediums like stage, radio (voice training), and other mediums of acting and performances.

What type of role would excite you the most and you would take it in a blink of an eye?

It’s the way the role is written. There are some scripts where the roles are written in a very linear way and a human being is a very complex thing, you have your own experiences, likes and dislikes so our writers don’t create such layers in the characters which never makes a character interesting. You see a girl who goes to college or is a doctor or a housewife but other than that she has a personality that’s what that brings color to any story so the personalities character can be prominent enough. The layers which can be explored psychologically or otherwise are really important for a character. Something of that sort gets me excited which has been written in an intricate manner. The tiny details which show complexities, insecurities & different shades. A character that has transparency gets me excited about it. Our writers unfortunately don’t write such characters.

How did the opportunity of doing Sunrise from Istanbul come to you?

It was a new idea, I wanted to explore another country and the best part was that I was never asked to do shadi, jadoo, talakein, that was something that got me to do it. I had the power to speak to a person, explore the person and give a proper attention to them. It came to me through a friend, a lot of other people were lined up as well but somehow my dates and everything matched up and I got the chance. It was great working with Khurram Rana & Sadia. Everybody who came on the set had a great time and had a vacation along with that. My show was focused on the guests and they loved it too.

You stayed in Turkey for the show, what was it that you loved about Turkey?

Turkey is an amazing place. What I loved the most was the beautiful combination of East and West. If there is a church then there is a mosque next to it. Tolerance is the biggest virtue which you see in a Muslim country and how it’s practiced. They have tolerance for everything, for people & religions, it just felt free and that made me happy which is rare.

Any celebrity you loved interviewing and why?

I had a great time interviewing everyone because everybody is different and I got to know the different sides of them so that was interesting. Each of it was different and interesting. All their questions were designed according to the personality. It was more of a conversation. I am being very honest that I had fun interviewing all of them and hope they had the same.

Do you remember what you did with your first pay cheque?

I think I had given it to my mother and then she got my account opened.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

Fashion for me is you see what’s happening and you like it, then you follow it. Fashion only looks good when you are comfortable in it. I am very casual because we are dressed up all the time as the field demands that. Something that you can carry comfortably is my rule, don’t follow the steps of others and dressing up according to the situation counts a lot.

If you had an extra hour every day, how would you spend it?

I would spend it with myself. I like my time. I love being alone and spending time with myself at home. If I had the power I would never leave home for weeks. Sometimes I take travel trips alone.

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be?

Oh my God there are so many. I want to paint and be able to draw and wish I had a voice to sing which I crave.

If you had a chance to create your own TV show, what would it be about?

It would something on the lines of opera maybe a little different.

Is there any project you are currently working on?

It’s a mystery series which I am producing myself about a woman who is a medium between the dead and alive people. They talk through her. Muhammad Ahmad has written it and Farrukh is directing it, it’s called “Dhundh” which will be aired on TV1.

Do you get along with your co-stars easily?

Oh yes, I get along with everyone famously, hardly there will be someone. When you are working on sets there are certain etiquettes whether you like somebody or not, there is a protocol and etiquette to work with people and you follow that. But I have a lot of friends, it’s more like a family as we have been working in the industry for so long.

How do you stay fit, do you follow any diet regime?

My weight keeps on fluctuating, it’s what you eat mainly. I don’t drink any beverages, any fried food or food from outside. I prefer homemade food which is cooked in coconut and olive oil. It’s organic. I avoid all sorts of processed food. I am careful with my food choices but I don’t diet, if I want to have nihari or biryani I will have it but I look at the portions. Treadmill is the max I can do as I am not a gym person. I skip tea at times and take lemon and warm water. Fresh vegetable and fruit juices are something I am regular about. All I can say is avoid oil & your ingredients matter a lot.

Any character played by you so far which you think is close to your personality?

You have to humanize your scripts and characters. You have to find a connection to relate it to the audience. To every character I have given some part of me or have taken something from that character. It is interlinked and connected, they somehow become part of you. Acting itself is creative and an exciting experience. I have to relate to all my characters to do it.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

I don’t know what I will be doing, maybe acting producing or something else I have no idea but I don’t see myself in Pakistan in 5 years.

A few words for your fans out there….

I just want to thank them for all the criticism, praise respect, love and support. Hopefully I have entertained you in some way, made you think or become better in some way. Thank you for watching me and making me who I am and for that I am grateful to all of you.

Quick Bits:

Your BFF? My little puppy dog, his name is Boy. He listens to all my blabber and unconditionally remains there.
Who was the last person you got a text from? My Mother.
Last book you read? Mere Anarchy by Woody Allen.
Your all time celebrity crush? Richard Gere.
You favorite TV series of all time? R.I.E.N.D.S
You biggest fear? Losing somebody who is close to me.
Biggest wish? That all my wishes come true.
You spend most of your money on? Mostly on household stuff.
Favorite perfume? Dahlia Divin- Givenchy.
Favorite pizza topping? Anything & Everything spicy, whatever pizza I get I spice it up.
Acting for you is?
One beauty product you always need?
Morning person or a night owl? Not a morning person at all. I don’t like early mornings.
Your favorite city in Pakistan? I got the best and worst of all cities (Lahore, Karachi & Islamabad), I love and hate these cities at the same time.
Ideal breakfast menu? On Sunday occasionally Halwa Puri but I usually skip breakfast. A healthy breakfast can be juice, eggs, slice, butter and mushroom omelette.