Iffat Omar, a seasoned Pakistani actress, has made news in the past for voicing her thoughts. The actress is renowned for her outspokenness, whether it’s in her criticism of the present administration, calling out acclaimed collaborators, or retaliating against detractors. Omar has gotten herself into a lot of trouble by being her unapologetic self, and she recently said she has no regrets in a chat with fellow actress Nauman Ijaz.
The actress, who has been a vocal opponent of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the governing party, said that she has been in excruciating suffering since the former cricketer-turned-politician drove the nation to its knees. However, Omar clarified that pointing out shortcomings in the present administration does not imply that she favours any other political party in the nation.
“I don’t support the opposition just because I criticise the present administration. If I criticise Imran Khan for his flaws, it does not imply that I am affiliated with any other political party “Omar said.
Omar bemoaned the fact that Pakistan does not seem to be moving in the right path “We can never achieve success if relevant departments continue to interfere in other departments. We need pro-peace, pro-education, and pro-science efforts. Technology will take control in the next 30 years. The next revolution is artificial intelligence.”
The messed-up past
Ijaz then spoke out, asking how the government promotes Islamic heritage by showing popular Turkish programmes. Omar responded by folding her hands and said, “We were invaded by them [Turks]. Recognize this. We don’t need fictitious people; we need science fiction tales. There isn’t a single world-renowned mathematician or scientist in Pakistan.”
Ijaz then inquired about the impending Pak-Turk partnership on a Salauddin Ayyubi series. She claimed, “He [Salauddin Ayyubi] is not our hero.” “This has been instilled in Pakistanis from the country’s inception. We consider ourselves to be superiors. Our past is rooted in the subcontinent, and we must embrace it. Our past does not include Turkey.”
The actor of Sang-e-Mar Mar then inquired about Omar’s intentions in entering politics. The actor chuckled and said, “I can’t do that.” “Never. It is not a position for which I am qualified. I’m an actress; it’s what I do for a living and what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
The break from acting
Omar said, “I’m taking a vacation from acting,” when asked about taking a break from performing “Everyone has his or her own set of priorities. You [Naumaan] and I have known each other since we were children. I’ve always wanted to get married and have a family. I met my husband, Umar, when I was nearly 24 years old, and we married at the age of 26. I had to prove to myself that I could be a typical housewife once I married. It was a top priority for me.”
She went on to say, “Then I became pregnant, but the child was much too young. During my prime years, I took a hiatus from acting and returned to the role of moms in drama serials. When I returned, though, I didn’t have the same enthusiasm for work as I had before. I believe I have officially retired from the entertainment industry.”
In our dramas, there is a flaw.
The performer then gave her opinion on the material that is displayed in today’s plays. “I’m not a fan of the dramas that are being produced these days. For a single second, I can’t bear these tragedies. Sorry, call me anything you want, but the kinds of dramas I like aren’t being made “she said emphatically. “I watch international programmes and browse the internet; there’s a lot more interesting material online.”
Ijaz then inquired, “When you’re seeing the same stuff as a Pakistani audience. Why do you believe we can’t adjust the tempo or pace of our plays when Pakistani broadcasters and producers are viewing it as well?” It’s all about the ratings game, according to Omar. “Heroes are supposed to look like this,” she said. “We’ve been brainwashed into believing [that this is the case]. This is the priority that you continue to deceive the people about, while the institutions continue to operate as they choose.”
Deal with Hatred
Omar, on the other hand, believes that the imminent transformation will occur shortly. “Evolution must take place,” she said. The performer went on to say how essential it is for her to express herself. “I speak what no one else can.” Ijaz then questioned Omar about dealing with criticism and the backlash she must have had as a result of it.
“Did Omar ever tell you not to be so outspoken about issues? Didn’t he ever tell you to get off the programme before you irritate someone?” Omar’s response was, “He made every effort to get me to quit the programme. We had a few squabbles over it. But, in the end, I was able to persuade him to change his mind. I informed him that if he took away my right to voice my thoughts, I would be extremely sad.”
As a consequence for calling a spade a spade, the former supermodel then disclosed the threats she has suffered over the years. “I had received several threats over the years; rape threats are common among women. Those are rather terrifying. I was trending on Twitter many times, and the backlash was horrifying. But then I made the decision to react to everyone. They finally stopped hating me when I began doing it because they had no reason to.”
When it comes to salary parity and spouses earning more than the other, Omar says it all comes down to personal preferences. She went on to say, “A lot has changed.” “These young women, including my own daughter, are focused on pursuing a job. When I was younger, I want a partner who could provide adequately for me. Everyone has his or her own set of priorities.
