Nothing can stop you if you have the spark, confidence and focus: Saheefa Jabbar Khattak

I first started following Saheefa Jabbar Khattak during her wedding festivities. Her wedding had generated a lot of hype on social media and she became the subject of a lot of trolls. However, the way she handled everything really blew me away and I mentally added her to my list of people to interview. Saheefa’s mature and dignified approach to feminism and equality is what puts her apart and in this interview with Pakistan Today, the model-actor gets candid about her thoughts and passions.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in a lot of places: Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahrain and Muscat. Growing up in such diverse settings gave me a lifetime of experiences which have shaped me into the person I am today. I completed my formal education from the Beaconhouse National University in Lahore.

When did you decide you wanted to pursue modelling, acting? Did you face any opposition or hindrances from family/friends etc? Who is your biggest support?

In May 2015, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in the fashion industry so I pushed my education to the backseat and left university. Hamza Bukhari was the first one who hired me for his shoot and since then there has been no looking back.

Unfortunately, I did face a lot of opposition. From the industry, there were a few people who were accepting.
My parents weren’t very happy and were worried that this profession is not only ruthless but also about my marriage and future.

Who/what inspires you?

I wouldn’t take one name – for me, sometimes my Mom inspires me, sometimes a makeup artist, sometimes a beggar. However, recently Guddu Shani are one of my biggest inspirations, apart from my parents of course.

What was your first project? Who helped you the most in the industry?

Hamza Bukhari; I did my first project with him. He helped me the most in the industry. However, at the same time, I don’t want to take one name but Guddu Shaani was my first platform and I have been working with them since 2015. They have been my biggest support – morally, emotionally and just the fact that they are always there and I can always count on them.

You are very vocal about your thoughts. What gives you the confidence to speak your mind and make bold comments?

Everybody faces their shit; I did too. And that made me a better and more confident person. After facing that I realised that life can’t stay the same and if I let people get the better of me, I’ll head nowhere. I always knew that I have to speak for myself because if I don’t, someone else will.

Recently, I spoke about depression and anxiety on social media and I received countless messages from beautiful wives, mothers, daughters who told me how they feel suicidal and are internally unhappy and how their spouse, their mothers or siblings don’t understand the way they feel. I had literally nothing to say to them.

All I could do was confess for the first time publically that I have anxiety, I feel suicidal and many times I want to die too. I am blessed with the best parents, husband, in-laws and am doing great in my professional and personal life, but still, there is one side of me which feels incomplete. I just want to tell out to all those beautiful people who feel the same that it’s okay! One fine day everything will be fine. We’ll do great in our lives and there won’t be any sleepless night and we wouldn’t want to have an intentional accident while driving. So everyone be patient, pray, be happy and repeat! And I believe it’s high time we accept that depression, anxiety exists in our society and we should discuss and talk about it.

Do you believe in the ‘casting couch’? Is it prevalent in Pakistan?

I don’t think so. I knew no one in the industry, I had no backup. My work spoke for myself and people liked me for who I was and that’s what I believe: that your work speaks for you. If you are confident and focused, everything works out in the end. I believe that if somebody doesn’t have that spark, they won’t reach those heights and blaming the casting couch for your failures is wrong.

Is there a cult in Lollywood or are people welcoming towards new faces?

Again I would say that, if you have the spark, confidence and focus people will always welcome you and support you.

What are your thoughts on the international #MeToo movement?

Such movements should have happened way before, however, things back then were limited. Nowadays due to social media, such things are highlighted and brought forward more. I wholly support the movement and I am very proud of Frieha [Altaf] for initiating the movement locally with #MeinBhi.

What do you think is the definition of a modern woman?

There is no such thing as a “modern woman”. For me, a woman who knows her rights and what exactly she wants in life is a modern woman. Modernisation can’t come with education. Your brain has to be open to new ideas and thoughts. Limits should not exist in the mind.

Would you put yourself in that category?

Yes

You recently got married in a ceremony that received a lot of media coverage and invited a lot of speculation. Did that affect your personal relationships?

No, no, not at all. Both my husband and I were mentally prepared for that and we knew people will talk because where there is love, there is hate. But at the end of the day, we both don’t care as long as we both are happy, and we are mashAllah.

Did marriage change anything for you?

Nothing changed; it’s pretty much the same. The only thing different is that I’m married to my best friend and he’s always there to encourage and support me and hold my hand through every up and down. My mother-in-law also pampers me to no end, so I’m enjoying every minute.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhL6V4ElNlA/?hl=en&taken-by=saheefajabbarkhattak

What message would you give young girls in all walks of life?

Focus on getting an education and being independent. Always keep learning and keep doing. Don’t limit yourself, life has lots to offer.