In an industry where faces come and go, Tv Legend Samina Ahmad stands as a testament to timeless talent and resilience. Social Diary Magazine is thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with this legendary actress, whose career has shaped the landscape of Pakistani television and continues to inspire. From her unforgettable roles in classic Pakistani dramas to her recent breakthrough in Hollywood’s Ms. Marvel, Samina has proven her versatility and passion for storytelling. Dive into this conversation to explore the life of an artist who has made a remarkable impact, both locally and internationally, and who remains as committed as ever to bringing authenticity and depth to the screen.
SD: Family Front was a classic, a favorite among families, and came from your own production house. Was it risky to dive into this genre rather than the more mainstream, ever-popular “saas-bahu” dramas?
Samina: There weren’t those concerns back then. At that time, private channels didn’t exist. PTV had just started channels like PTV World They would approve content after reviewing it, and that’s when I became a content provider and produced Family Front.
SD: What inspired you to begin with comedy?
Samina: I like comedy. And considering there was hardly any one producing this genre, I found myself considering producing comedy for the new PTV channel PTV World. I spoke with a few writers , worked on some scripts, and eventually decided on a script with Dr. Younis Butt, I produced a pilot episode, sent it to PTV, world, and they liked it. There was no looking back from there.
SD: Waris made a lasting impact, and Aahat was defining. With decades of experience, how do you feel about the progress of Pakistani dramas? Are we moving in the right direction, or is quality being compromised for ratings?
Samina: Nowadays many channels produce so much content . There are many serials every day on a range of channels, This means that we have a mix of both good and not-so-good productions. There are also exceptional dramas like Parizaad, Kabli Pulao, Man Jogi, Sang-e-Mah and the recent hit Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum showcasing strong content. Production quality has also evolved, with people putting their expertise into creating beautiful productions.. I recently watched Duniya Pur, which was visually stunning.
SD: What do you think would bring even more substance to our dramas?
Samina: The creators i.e. the channel and the writers need to work together and create scripts with more depth .Give actors more background depth. Ask questions like, “What’s their backstory?” or “What struggles have shaped them?” Adding layers helps show these dimensions, making their stories more compelling.
SD: Ms. Marvel was such a game changer! Your role was both defining and significant. Was it a proud moment, especially knowing children were watching? How were you selected?
Samina: Well, the producers approached me, and I sent in my audition tape. They liked it, and after a series of meetings and several rounds of auditions with director and producer they confirmed me for the role. It was a lengthy process, but an exciting one. I was very happy and excited and of course proud to be acting in Ms.Marvel as Kamala’s grand mother.
SD: How was your experience working in Hollywood?
Samina: Very exciting. We had many rehearsals, readings, and meetings with the director. The atmosphere was collaborative—everyone focused on their work without intruding on anyone else’s space. I felt genuinely proud to be part of that process.
SD: How did you enjoy the public response to it?
Samina: I knew it would be loved but the kind of response I got from the younger audience was incredible. I must share this interesting episode, I was shooting for a serial here in Karachi and a couple of young actor told me they loved me in Ms. Marvel. I was surprised as I hadn’t seen it myself yet since we don’t have Disney+ here. They had seen the Ms.Marvel series on the internet somehow and even told me how I could watch it. It was wonderful to be appreciated by the younger audience. My grand children loved the series.
SD: After Ms. Marvel, are you open to more roles and opportunities in Hollywood?
Samina: Absolutely. It’s wonderful to be recognized and have the opportunity to work internationally. I feel great to be working here in Pakistan but would love to represent our country on a global scale.
SD: Your marriage to Manzar Sahab was a bold decision during COVID—a time when people were cautious. How did you decide to go forward with it?
Samina: Love can happen at any time. And we wanted to share our life together.
SD: Manzar Sahab is expressive and open with his emotions. How did you realize he was the ideal partner for you?
Samina: We had been talking and meeting, and then COVID struck. Conversations moved to phone calls, and we decided to live together. Not knowing how long COVID would last, we opted for a simple nikkah to be together during those uncertain times.
SD: In your view, what’s the most important quality to consider when choosing a life partner?
Samina: You must genuinely like the person and accept them as a whole. Always focus on understanding one another’s perspective. Small issues will arise, but talking and finding solutions helps. Egos can be harmful—having your viewpoint is natural, but it’s vital to respect differences without letting them grow into bigger problems.
SD: You and your husband are both established actors. Does he influence the kind of roles you choose?
Samina: Not at all. We have agreed that I’d make my own career choices, and he would make his. Of course, if he asks for my opinion, I will gladly give it. 
