Sonya Hussyn has attained quite the celebrity status in the industry with her risqué choice of characters and bold demeanor. The sultry Aisi Hai Tanhai starlet is known for her spunky and outspoken nature so little wonder she is controversy’s favorite child. Recently in an interview with former model turned host Iffat Omar, the actress made some shocking revelations about her experiences in the showbiz fraternity and notably, about rejecting Humayun Saeed’s blockbuster drama serial, Meray Paas Tum Ho. All of this had our radars on high alert, and here we present the story as Sonya made it happen.

On escaping sexual harassment 

Sonya revealed that she was recently approached for a prestigious brand’s campaign, which she agreed to. However, the night before the advertisement’s shoot, the advertising agency head allegedly called her at wee hours of the night and asked her to go out on a late-night drive with him in Karachi. The actress told him off, to which the man in question responded by saying: “You are an actress, so don’t act like a saint as it’s all part of the game.” Sonya says she ignored that comment and ended the conversation right then and there.

The next morning as she was waiting to depart for the said shoot, she learned that she had been replaced at the eleventh hour. Sonya confessed that this industry has its share of predators who don’t just harass physically but also leave one emotionally scarred.

Alleged scolding by a senior actor

When asked about her on-set experiences with fellow actors, Sonya narrated an incident from the first day of her career, where she was at the receiving end of some scolding by the veteran performer Bahroz Sabzwari. Sonya says that she felt discouraged by the star as she was attempting to enact her scene, which eventually put her to tears. Recalling the incident, she mentioned that she eventually decided to leave that shoot. Sonya claimed that some seniors are not supportive and don’t take you seriously unless you become a star. 

Rejecting Mere Paas Tum Ho

Sonya dropped the big bombshell when she claimed that she had rejected the role that eventually went to Ayeza Khan in the super successful drama serial. The reason, according to the Azaadi star was that she didn’t endorse the character of Mehwish in the narrative, especially since she felt it was depicting women in a negative manner — and that she also had strong issues with the way it was written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar.

Sonya emphasized that she didn’t want to provide more fodder to people in the society who already have issues with accepting modern women, plus the aspect of the character related to marital infidelity was a little too much for her. Concluding her comments on the serial, Sonya said she was quite happy with the way Ayeza Khan has handled the character.

Fashion Fizzles 

The actress is known for her bold and unique fashion sense and discussed at length the presence of western culture through gowns at local award shows. She candidly mentioned wanting to wear Shalwar Kamiz over the extravagant gowns. Sonya rated Mahira Khan and Ayesha Omar as her fashion (statement) favorites, with Sajjal Ali and Ayeza Khan being her least favorites as far as fashion choices are to go by. 

Final word

Whether it is sexual harassment, seniors with attitude, rejecting major roles or those in the industry with style (and those with not), it seems Sonya has quite a story to tell about everything. She will next be seen alongside Feroze Khan and Iman Ali in ARY Films’ Tich Button and Sami Khan starrer Lafangey and we will not be surprised if she sets the screen ablaze, too.