“I am a wanderer at heart”
Rabab Hashim is a woman with an impressive resume. With myriad TV projects to her credit, she is regarded as one of the most promising of the new generation of local actors. Those of us who are fans of Pakistani dramas are familiar with the diverse body of her work – after all, she started out as a child reporter for a television channel and has been working in the media industry since the age of 10. “I always had an inclination towards the performing arts,” she shares candidly. “I never had trouble with the camera.”
Growing up, her fed for the intensity and finesse she brings to the roles she essays; the currently airing GEO production Mannat is garnering good reviews and she has several plum projects slated for release this year.
Charming and straightforward with an affable disposition, Rabab is easy to talk to and it comes as no surprise that this tall and pretty brunette is highly respected in the industry for her professionalism. OK! Pakistan has a rendezvous with the talented actress.
How would you describe yourself?
Rabab Hashim: Rabab Hashim is a dreamer. Everything in my life so far has been a fair combination of fantasy and reality. I am a wanderer at heart. I love travelling, I find it hard to stay in one place. I love reading because I discovered it to be the greatest escape of the mind. I am an actor by profession only because I find it fascinating to live so many different lives. It is liberating in its own way. The world in my head is often quite different from the one I live in and I find that’s never a bad thing.
How did you foray into acting and modelling? When and how were you discovered?
RH: I started hosting at the age of 10 for a kids’ show on GEO TV because my parents decided to get me auditioned for it. I was quite shy back then. Since that very first show there was no turning back. I kept doing one thing after the other all through my school and college years. My parents only kept one condition to allow me to continue work, which was top grades each year in my academics. I was smart so I pulled it off.
In 2014, I graduated with my BBA (H) in Marketing from CBM. Since then I’ve been working full time. So it’s a win-win.
“I think stuff like this always sounds way cooler on the outside than it really is. I still feel the same as I did when I started off my career. Yes, probably more people know me now and I’ve checked off a few goals on my list. But who I am as a person hasn’t really changed.”
From a child star to becoming one of the most bankable actors of the industry today, you have come a long way indeed. Tell us about the journey that has brought you this far.
RH: If you love what you do, the journey is what brings you happiness, not the destination. I learned that a while ago. I’ve been working since a very young age. So my exposure has been way beyond my years. I’ve experimented a lot with work. I did whatever felt right. You make mistakes and you come out of it learning something each time. It’s always trial and error. There are no regrets. I feel lucky to be doing something that I love. It has been fun so far and quite overwhelming and stressful, too, a lot of times. But by the end of the day it’s worth it.
You have made interesting choices over the years, generally giving precedence to issue-based scripts – such as Na Kaho Tum Meray Nahin – even if the character has negative shades. What spurs you on to say ‘yes’ to a role?
RH: I just feel really strongly about one thing. The best part about being an actor is precisely this: you get to experiment. No two days on the job are the same ever. When I am offered a project or I consider a script, the first question I ask myself is, ‘Am I going to enjoy this? Will this be worth my while? Will it be exciting?’ Of course you don’t always get to make decisions like that. But every once in a while you get to do something exciting.
RH: I have done quite a few projects with Sami Khan. We are close friends now which translates into good chemistry on screen for us. Ahsan Khan is also one of my favourite co-actors and a good friend. It’s always fun to work with friends.
Among directors, Ali Faizan is my top favourite. We’ve done a few projects together. He’s one of the few with a strong mind and vision. We are close friends so he knows me inside out. I feel he knows how to get the best out of me and when to get me in and out of my comfort zone which is really awesome as an actor.
What are you doing currently? Tell us about some of your upcoming projects.
RH: I have just finished shooting a project for ARY Digital titled Tumhare Hain directed by Sheherzade Sheikh. Currently I’m working on a serial for HUM TV directed by Asim Ali. There are quite a few exciting things lined up for the coming months.
How do you prepare for a role? It must be a challenging and difficult process to immerse yourself in another personality and adopt their mannerisms…
RH: I start with the script. Once I’ve read through, my mind kind of jumps ahead and starts processing it. It’s a fun process. Figuring out a look for the character and small physical traits that are unlike my own personality really helps. Once you form the outer shell, everything else comes naturally.
What do you think has been the highlight of your career so far?
RH: That’s a tough one. I think my goals keep changing really fast. It’s one milestone after the other. And after each achievement I feel there’s way more to do and a long way to go. So I think the highlight of my career or the biggest milestone to reach is still ahead of me.
Word is that you are a private person who keeps to herself. How true is this?
RH: That is absolutely true. I keep my personal and professional lives totally separate. I have a small circle of really close friends. I like to keep it that way. I’m extremely outgoing and social too, but I don’t completely open up to just anyone.
What kind of impact has success had on your life? How do you deal with the media attention and has it changed your perspective of life?
RH: I think stuff like this always sounds way cooler on the outside than it really is. It also depends on how you define success. I still feel the same as I did when I started off my career. Yes, probably more people know me now and I’ve checked off a few goals on my list. But who I am as a person hasn’t really changed. I’m a private person and I love what I do. Media attention and recognition come as a bonus. It serves as motivation at times but it doesn’t really change anything for me.
We hear that you are quite the avid reader. Tell us about some of your favourite books.
RH: Oh, there are so many! I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and it definitely makes it to my top five. The Fountainhead is another book I love. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy is one of my favourites too. There are plenty more.
What is a typical day like for you? What do you like to do in your spare time?
RH: I am a morning person. My day starts at 7.30am, and I am generally at the gym by 8am. On the days that I’m not shooting (which happens rarely), I have a post-workout breakfast session with my best friend, among other things. I love reading. So it’s mostly either a lot of movies or books curled up in bed, and time with family.
If I get even a few days or a weekend off from work I travel. It’s hard for me to stay in one place. I love travelling and I’m into adventure sports too. So I’m always planning something.
Tell us about your personal style aesthetic. Who are your favourite designers and make-up artists?
RH: I love clothes but mostly I like to keep it casual. We dress up so much at work that when I’m not working it’s mostly a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers for me. I barely ever put on make-up off camera. I don’t stick to any particular designer or make-up artist. I wear what strikes my fancy.
“I am an actor by profession only because I find it fascinating to live so many different lives. It is liberating in its own way. The world in my head is often quite different from the one I live in and I find that’s never a bad thing.”
Would you like to share any health and fitness tips with our readers?
RH: It’s quite simple. Work out. Own your body. Treat it with love. Put the right things in your meals and keep it simple. It took me a while to figure this out. But there are no shortcuts. It’s a healthy lifestyle that you need to adopt, whatever works for you. I love working out and try to eat healthy mostly. But I do have a sweet tooth and I love desserts! So that’s quite the struggle.
Your five must-have beauty products?
RH: Sunblock, lip balm, blush and mascara. Mostly a bright lip colour. That does it for me. I’m not fond of too much make-up. I love bright lip colours, though.
How do you think you will evolve and develop your career in the coming years? Do you see yourself branching out into other creative fields as well?
RH: Yes, I totally see myself doing way more than just acting. There are so many things I want to do. But right now all I know is I love acting, it excites me. So I want to continue with this for now. And when the time is right I plan to try out a number of things that I feel as strongly about.
And finally, how do you see this time in your life? What do you hope to achieve in the next five years?
RH: I am happy now. And that is what I plan to achieve in the next five years, I want to be happy. And it is not as simple as it sounds but eventually that’s what it comes down to. It is the journey and not the destination that matters so much. The process matters to me more than the outcome. So each day counts and it will eventually lead me where I want to be.
“I am happy now. And that is what I plan to achieve in the next five years, I want to be happy. And it is not as simple as it sounds but eventually that’s what it comes down to. It is the journey and not the destination that matters so much.”
RAPID FIRE
Favourite Movies:
RH: The Notebook, 500 Days of Summer, A Walk to Remember, Limitless, Catch Me If You Can, The Company Men, Dear John, The Adjustment Bureau & many others
Favourite co-stars:
RH: Adnan Siddiqui, Ahsan Khan
Favourite Animals:
RH: Dogs
Hobbies:
RH: Reading extensively and traveling
Wishlist:
RH: A rather long and crazy wishlist, sky diving is checked off the list now, a lot to follow
Favourite perfume:
RH: Versace, Kenneth Cole, a couple of others
Things I can’t live without:
RH: A good book at all times, my phone and some amount of excitement and inspiration in life is hard to live without!
INTERVIEW: SARA AMIR TURAB
CONCEPT & STYLING: FIZZA FURQAN
HAIR & MAKE-UP: NABILA SALON
PHOTOGRAPHS: HASEEB SIDDIQUI
