Yumna Zaidi on ‘Nayab’, Marriage, and Women’s Privileges

In an exclusive interview with Fuchsia Magazine, Yumna Zaidi, Usama Khan, and Fawad Khan from the cast of Nayab delved into the intricacies of their roles, the dynamics on set, and the empowering themes woven into the storyline.

In revealing the secret to their natural on-screen chemistry as Nayab and Akber, Yumna and Fawad attributed it to Fawad’s excellent theatre acting skills and dedicated character immersion from day one, making it easy for Yumna to catch up and create authentic chemistry during reading sessions.

Yumna Zaidi and Fawad Khan – Two Confortable Co-Workers

She added, “I was so comfortable working with him. The bond between Nayab and Akber relied on that.” Fawad added, “The shoot was very positive for everyone. From her side, being a star, she was not a star on set. Very much there, down-to-earth.”

Usama discussed the role reversal in the storyline where he becomes the “eye candy,” stating, “I’ve seen it while dubbing, and it was good.” He revealed his motivation for accepting the role, citing Yumna as the main reason and praising the story for its focus on women’s empowerment, realistic portrayal of hard work, and showcasing the financially and emotionally supportive factors.

Yumna as a Cricketer

Yumna’s portrayal of a cricketer in the drama required intense physical training. Usama shared humorous anecdotes from the set, recounting Yumna showcasing her newly acquired cricket skills. “For me, [the training] was extreme, because I’m not attuned to physical fitness and this sport is quite challenging,” Yumna remarked, opening up. “[It demands a balance in] your body, diet, sleep, mental peace. I learned a lot during that two-month training period, and I began respecting female and male cricketers a lot more.”

She acknowledged the challenges faced by street cricket players, including limited resources, diverse economic backgrounds, and difficulties maintaining an ideal diet. Despite these obstacles, she commended their dedication to pursuing their dreams.

The star laughed, “It was quite challenging for me because I used muscles I’ve never used before…After training, I’d be doing breakfast and while holding the fork, my hand would keep shaking…I couldn’t hold my mobile phone properly. But you learn through your struggles.” She praised her team, saying, “I feel privileged to work with this team, production house, director, and the entire cast. The script is definitely a big thing for me because we have great talent in Pakistan. If that comes to you, you must proceed with caution and care.”

Importance of Support Athletes

Yumna passionately encourages unwavering support for Pakistani athletes on the international stage, acknowledging the challenges and limited resources they face. Emphasizing people’s emotional connection with such endeavours, she urges all sportsmen to give their everything, emphasizing that representing Pakistan internationally is a unique and emotionally resonant opportunity that should not be missed.

Lastly, the team also discussed how the patriarchy harms men, with Fawad shedding light on how patriarchal structures are oppressive for both men and women, thereby preventing them from reaching their full potential. Usama spoke about how many actors in Karachi aren’t from the city. He narrated his tale, where he’d come to Karachi and had nothing to do. His family would keep calling him back.

Also Read: Yumna Zaidi Promises to Win Against India in ‘Nayab’ Trailer