Pakistani drama heroines Ushna Shah the Balaa and Alif Allah Aur Insaan have spilled some beans on the extreme pressures that actresses have to deal with in the industry. Such remarks have elicited many debates among fans and even industry players, with the focus being on the many challenges often faced by women acting troupes in showbiz.
Behind the Glamour: A Grueling Routine
Ushna Shah also spoke recently in an interview about the time and demands that Pakistani heroines have to keep coping with on the glamour circuit. While the glamorous life was often depicted on screen, she gave the audience an insight into the drudgery, long working hours, and stress that is associated with the lifestyle.
“What people get to see are the makeup, designer dressing, and red carpets and they do not see the nights when we do not sleep, hot humid weather shooting in heavy costumes, and pressures of having to look perfect all the time”, said Ushna.
She also found that heroines are bound to look perfect always especially when the work demands are rigorous, including long hours of shooting, stunts, and travels.
Unequal Expectations from Female Actors
Since the inception of celebrity endorsement campaigns, some female actors or personalities have complained that they are expected to perform certain acts that male actors or personalities do not perform.
Ushna made the important argument that there are higher demands that are placed on heroines than on heroes. She also said that while male actors have many scenes to make fun of, heroines are likely to make theirs under pressure.
“From dancing in high heels to shooting naked scenes to giving an emotional scene time and again the pressure is unrelenting,” said Ushna. “And if anything goes wrong, the suffering is mostly borne by the Scheherazade.”
She also briefly discussed the issue of the absence of proper amenities and the pressure that women actors receive from society, on top of other pressures that they have to deal with.
The Mental and Emotional Toll
The actress also explained how all these pressures affect one’s mental health. This pressure to conform to femininity and be professionally productive as well as manage a home puts a great deal of pressure on heroines. Ushna acknowledged these issues and inspired her audience to work on them to change the atmosphere at work for the better for all people in the industry.
A Call for Change
Ushna’s comments have spurred a broader discussion of the roles of women performing artists in Pakistani entertainment. Heroine fans have applauded this because it has opened the lid on difficulties that heroines go through in their daily lives. Everyone wants an improved workplace environment, equal treatment, and a change in attitude toward the industry when it comes to female celebrities.
Final Thoughts
Ushna Shah’s honesty about the effort and struggles that heroines have to go through can wake up the entertainment industry. While fans indulge in the spice and shine of Pakistani dramas it becomes important to appreciate the hard work and efforts behind these television shows.
Her voice is joining other actors insisting on change in the film industry which will no longer discredit talented female performers, but also appreciate their efforts.
