Iman Ali is known for her candidness, which in an industry that has its ethos rooted in diplomacy and doublespeak, stands out quite a bit. In a recent interview with former model turned host Iffat Omar, the Khuda Kay Liye star – the first bonafide one that Pakistan’s revamped film industry produced — made some stunning revelations regarding her personal and professional life and also offered some lighthearted advice to the current superstars of Pakistani cinema. Here’s what she said:

Late Abid Ali’s funeral rites

Iman started the interview by sharing the harrowing experience of her father’s demise and even the more disturbing funeral ceremony. She revealed that it was traumatic when she and her family were told by Abid Ali’s second wife that they are not allowed to enter her house. As a result, Iman could never attend her father’s last rites and that still hurts her.

On being the ‘most in-demand actress’

On being asked about her choosy nature, Iman went on to say that she has been offered all the films being made in Lollywood since her debut in Khuda Kay Liye. She also added that even during the current phase of cinema she is still being offered 90% of the films being made, one of her famous rejections being Mehwish Hayat’s role in Punjab Nahi Jaungi opposite Humayun Saeed.

Bollywood Fizzle

While most of our actors would give an arm and a leg to land a role in an A-list Bollywood movie, Iman mentioned that she was approached for Shahrukh Khan starrer Raees before Mahira Khan landed the role in Rahul Dholakia’s thriller. However, she said that she asked the makers to send her a script, which according to her rubbed them the wrong way and they got offended since it was a major role opposite Shahrukh Khan.  

Alternate Careers for colleagues

In one of the segments of the show, Iman was asked to decide an alternate career for her colleagues. Throughout, the Tich Button actor chose to give her answers in a lighter vein, often punctuating her responses with laughter.

Shaan Shahid: “Shaan ko Star hi hona chahiye tha, he’s got that star thing going on”

Humayun Saeed: “Actually I don’t know these people, doodh dahi bechne wala” was her response and she made it clear that was a comment not meant to be taken seriously.

Fawad Khan: “A failed stand-up comedian.” She mentioned that she knows him since his Jutt and Bond Days and she has seen a side of him which many hasn’t. She justified her answer by saying that Fawad used to make stupid jokes on the sets of Khuda Kay Liye. 

Mehwish Hayat: “Cosmetologist’s assistant”

Saba Qamar: “She is good for TV”

Mahira Khan: “Usko VJ hi rehna chahiye tha” adding that she liked her as a VJ more. 

Imran Ashraf: “Philanthropist”

Tich Button!

Iman shared that she did the film because of her friendship with Urwa Hocane and Farhan Saeed. There were other reasons as well but Farhan was adamant that she do the part. She added that she had a great time shooting with Farhan and the senior actors in the film. 

Iman also spoke about the importance of education in the entertainment industry. Taking a look back at her career, she underscored the versatile themes of her last three films, Khuda Kay Liye, Bol and Mah-e-Mir, mentioning how she practiced different accents and mannerisms for all her films. 

It sure seems the diva stayed true to herself, and with her unpredictable, tongue in cheek comments also lightened up our evening. Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for more on the star and her upcoming film Tich Button!