From the dance floor to the big screen, Komal Jamil has carved a unique space for herself in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. A celebrated choreographer and actor, she seamlessly blends movement with storytelling, bringing depth and authenticity to every role she takes on. Best known for portraying Nazaneen Mehta in the highly anticipated series Fatima Jinnah, Komal’s journey has been anything but conventional. Speaking to Social Diary Magazine, she opens up about her artistic evolution, the challenges of playing a historical character, and how her background in choreography shapes her performances. With a career spanning over a decade, Komal shares her insights on Islamabad’s growing creative scene, the impact of social media on the arts, and her aspirations for the future.
SD: You have a unique combination of skills as both a choreographer and an actor. How did your journey in the arts begin?
Komal: I was always very fond of acting and dancing, and thankfully, my school encouraged all students to participate in multiple extracurricular activities, some of which included dancing, acting, cooking, spoken and written French, and music. I got lucky in that regard and also because my parents always encouraged me and my siblings to participate in extracurriculars. After my O-Levels, I auditioned for my first theater play and performed on stage at the age of 15. And then, after A-Levels, I started giving dance lessons at a studio. It’s been almost 14 years since.
SD: What inspired you to transition into acting, and how does your experience as a choreographer influence your performances on screen?
Komal: Funny thing is, it started with acting for me, which turned into dancing, which turned into choreography for more than a decade, and then, in recent times, I took up acting again. Performing or teaching dance really helped with my confidence, and that, in turn, helped me step into character for the different roles I’ve played over these last years. Thankfully, all of them have been unconventional and not your typical saas-bahu stuff.
SD: The role of Nazaneen Mehta in Fatima Jinnah is a significant one. How did you prepare for this character, and what aspects of her personality resonated with you the most?
Komal: I got lucky here too. The director told me that the character is a rich, influential granddaughter of a famous politician. She dresses well, is sarcastic and bubbly, and has a lot of sass. When I heard that, it really resonated with me because it was like he was describing half my personality. So I took a few days to get into character, and the first time I stepped onto set with all these veteran actors, with 30 lights and cameras pointing at me, I was really, really nervous. But I kind of did well and got a lot of applause for my portrayal of Nazaneen. It’s two years later, and we’re still shooting. Now I feel fully immersed and connected with my role and confident stepping onto set each time.
SD: Portraying a historical character often comes with challenges. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while playing Nazaneen Mehta?
Komal: The biggest challenge has to be the correct use of English and Urdu according to that time period. The lingo was different, and so were the accents, so I tried my best to get that right. Hopefully, it turns out well! I used to think that with an ensemble cast or a large cast, there would be politics and drama, but that really wasn’t the case. Everyone has been super kind and fun to work with. I get to learn so much from all the actors, and it’s always great fun to be on set.
SD: The series Fatima Jinnah sheds light on important moments in history. How do you think your role contributes to the narrative of Pakistan’s past?
Komal: Because I play a female Parsi who’s born into a political family, I think my character holds a lot of weight. And obviously, there is a certain pressure to get it right, as Zoroastrianism is still practiced, though they are a minority. I want to do justice to the role from both a religious and historical perspective because Parsis played a huge role in the creation and development of the ideology. Mr. Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah had personal connections with many of them.
SD: As a choreographer, movement and expression are central to your craft. Did your dance background help you bring depth to your acting in this role?
Komal: My dance background has given me the confidence to experiment with different characters. Dance also helps me with expressions and body language, but that applies to all the characters I’ve played, not just Nazaneen.
SD: What was it like working with the cast and crew of Fatima Jinnah? Any memorable experiences from the set?
Komal: We’re still shooting, so the experience has been wonderful. Every workplace has its ups and downs, and we’ve had our share of those too, but overall, it’s been lovely. I love being on set, wearing all those beautiful sarees, and watching some of the senior actors in action. It’s just wonderful.
SD: Islamabad’s creative scene is growing rapidly. How do you see the performing arts evolving in the city, and what role do you play in that development?
Komal: I was one of the first few choreographers who started teaching wedding dance all those years ago. Back then, it felt like the world was my oyster. Now we have creatives in every field, and more of them are female. It is still a male-dominated field, but I was one of the first to lay the groundwork for the women present in this field now. Especially in a small city like Islamabad, I’m proud to say I still have a monopoly over wedding choreography. But it’s always wonderful to see the younger crowd doing so much and doing it well! Plus, we didn’t have all this social media craze back then, so it was harder for us to advertise or market. I really got most of my work initially through word of mouth. But I still have clients—families, really—that I have been doing wedding choreographies for over a decade. So whether my role was big or small, I’m proud that it led to where we are now. More female choreographers and dancers—it’s very heartwarming.
SD: As someone who straddles multiple artistic disciplines, how do you balance your work in choreography and acting?
Komal: It’s all about scheduling, really, not much balance to be created. They’re both beautiful art forms for me, and now they go hand in hand. Although I’m really looking forward to just acting now, I think I’ll be ready to retire from dancing in the next few years. Maybe!
SD: What kind of projects excite you the most, and are there any upcoming ventures you can share with us?
Komal: I recently did a theater play that got a lot of recognition and was a major success, so I really just want to do theater and more experimental roles. I’d love to do something dark and disturbing and very, very method. Let’s see—fingers crossed!
SD: What advice would you give to young artists in Pakistan who wish to pursue careers in both dance and acting?
Komal: The first and maybe the only thing I will say to the young ones is that negative public opinion doesn’t matter. These keyboard warriors are sent from hell to try to deviate us from our plans—don’t listen to them. Just be you—be big, loud, and creative—but also be very mindful not to be aggressive or offensive. What matters is that you put your art out there and express yourself. 
