Ah, 22 Qadam has got us hooked every Sunday evening! Liza’s character, brilliantly portrayed by Dure Nayab and brought to life through Zeeshan Ilyas’s writing and Anjum Shehzad’s direction, has us on the edge of our seats. She’s not just black or white; she’s a tapestry of intriguing shades of grey.
We can’t help but develop a soft spot for Liza, despite her scheming ways. There’s something about her determination and intense passion that keeps us invested. We’re actually rooting for her, can you believe it? We really want her to get over the “Junaid” phase in her life and make Team Liza/Fari a force to be reckoned with.
So, we’ve decided to dive into Liza’s journey, to uncover what’s really driving her plans for Fari. Is it genuine love for Junaid, or is it her father’s influence playing tricks on her? We’re eagerly waiting to find out if she’ll take a turn towards becoming a promising force for the cricket team, and whether they’ll play together like a true dream team.
So here goes. Liza aka Dure Nayab in the hotseat with our 9 questions for 22 Qadam!
1. What would you advise Liza?
“Liza needs to learn from the times she fails.” Quips Dure philosophically. Don’t we all? But if this is an insight into her 22 Qadam journey, we’re all ears! Bring it on Liza!
Dure continues to explain that Liza must learn that: The most important thing a human being needs to learn is how to be okay with losing, …with not getting what she wants. Sometimes we win, sometimes we learn…”
Dure does not attempt to defend Liza’s negativity and simply states the obvious, quite humbly, if we may say so, that ‘Yeah, Liza needs to learn.”
It is interesting that Liza’s finally seen beyond her dad’s evil plans and doesn’t plan to fall in line with him. Yes, she’s definitely learning there, but we are intrigued to know how she’ll flip this! Well, as they say, keep watching!
2. What sport is Dure Nayab passionate about?
Dure Nayab loves dancing & validates that it IS in fact, an official sport! Two thumbs up Dure. We hear you!
Dure’s answer is instant and laced with passion – “Dancing. Yeah, definitely dancing. If there is one thing that I would be able to do all my life, it would be dancing. I love to dance. “
She goes on to add an extra punch to her passion, “And just by the way, according to the International Olympics Committee, dancing is a sport.” We didn’t ask, but now we know and if any of you guys are considering taking it up, now you know that The Olympics Committee has your back!”
On another note, We hope that ahem…some of the melody rubs off on Liza too, might help her cut loose, and hit a few more cover drives, (on the field, not off it)!
3. What is it about Liza that you loved the most when you read the script?
Dure Nayab is quick on the uptake here: “Liza’s character has every emotion.” Dure elaborates. “Liza is a layered character … you see the character development so it’s very interesting.”
But that’s not all, Dure explains why Liza is so much more: “Liza is not afraid to go after what she wants and she’s very focused so yeah, it’s what I really loved about Liza.” Dure speaks with passion, she owns her character and goes on to explain: “Also, Liza doesn’t give up on people she loves. So yeah, that was a very, very beautiful thing.” And there we have it. If we weren’t already in love with Liza, we sure are now.
There is something imperfectly appealing in all her flaws that makes Liza super relatable to the competitive, yet human spirit in us. We see her drive, her desperation to win and yet, her pain when she doesn’t quite get the trophy she feels she’s entitled to. And Dure has been able to evoke that shade in her character.
Want more?
Dure goes on to say that: “Liza doesn’t give up on people.” Hmm, we ponder over that one. Does that mean she’ll finally be there for Junaid? Most importantly, we don’t want to see Liza giving up on herself! She has too much going for her to do that. Don’t you agree?
4. How did you land the project?
The story behind the story… Dure explains that she got the break in Covid as theatre (her first love) was on a covid break. Hence, news of auditions sparked her curiosity and then too, she was a bit reluctant. :”I’m not sure you know about TV acting, I don’t know.” thought Dure to herself.
But she still went for the audition and … surprise, surprise … Dure Nayab prepared for the role of Sammy for two months till … there was a sudden change in plans and she was told she’d be taking on Liza . Just like that!
“You’re doing Liza. I was like, what? They were like, yeah, from tomorrow, you’re Liza. …I literally just auditioned for it, and I got it.” Oh well, they say big things come in small boxes and although Liza is no small role, Dure’s journey from theatre to TV auditions was certainly a dream in the making. One she hadn’t planned perhaps?
5. Which part of Dure relates most to Liza?
“That’s easy. I’m a perfectionist just like Liza. And also, just like Liza, I always follow my heart.” And that’s the heart we see onscreen. Dure or Liza, they both end up doing what their hearts tell them, explains Liza, and that’s a hint for us in coming episodes for 22 Qadam … make what you will of it!
And the million dollar question….
6. How Was It Working With Wahaj Ali & Hareem Farooq?
Dure Nayab was nervous, first time on the sets (no surprises there, we would be too) & then, how the ice melted once the conversations began and the camera started rolling! Find out more.
“It was actually very, very fun to work with Wahaj and Hareem.”
Dure Nayab aka Liza in 22 Qadam
“Hareem would stand somewhere, and I would go and scare her by saying something or by making some noise. She was like, “Dure, don’t do this. I will get a heart attack. Don’t do this.” Reveals Dure, chuckling now, in memory of the fun moments they shared on the sets of 22 Qadam
Liza goes on to ezplain about Wahaj Ali:
“The first shot was with Wahaj and I was a little nervous because I had prepared for Sammy’s character and then it was Liza, so… a personality shift. I was a little nervous about that, but then he (Wahaj Ali) just came and started talking to me. We talked about our characters or what kind of chemistry should they have and he actually told me one or two things about it which I should keep in my mind.”
Dure Nayab gives a shout out to Hareem & Wahaj for being super supportive co stars on 22 Qadam!
If there was a person who helped, I think it was Wahaj. And the scenes with Hareem, we used to discuss it. They both were very supportive
Dure Nayab aka Liza from 22 Qadam
She further added: “When I was acting, my senior actors told me a few things to watch out for. He (Wahaj) was very sweet about it. So, he told me how to express myself more with my eyes and that there should be more detailing in my eyes. So yeah, they were very supportive, not once did they say anything to me. And honestly, it was very easy to shoot with them.”
Dure went on to reveal what a great support the two co-actors extended to her debut performance. “I myself didn’t feel like it was my first time or anything, they were like amazing! And I’m so grateful and I’m lucky that they are the two people with whom I worked for the first time I have learned a lot from them. And they used to appreciate me after every shot that, “very good Dure, it was amazing, keep it up, just to motivate me and keep me going. So yeah, I’m grateful.”
7. People Are sympathizing With Liza Because Of Toxic Parenting In her House. What do you think about it?
Dure Nayab agrees: “I think Liza’s character is very close to reality and a normal human being. You know, people can relate to her,…”
Ever had a toxic parent? People can relate to Liza, responds Dure Nayab. And this is why…
“Yeah, people are sympathizing with Liza because of a toxic parent, her father. So, there are two important people in her life, her father and Junaid. I think people can relate to what it’s like having a toxic parent. It’s very hard and also because when you’re hurt, you do things that are not nice … We are sometimes a hero, sometimes a villain. No one is a hero all the time or a villain all the time.” Yes, the shades of grey in Liza are surely well defined, and that’s why she isn’t getting the hate despite some of her negative tactics! Well played Liza, we spotted that and we’re with you!
8. The moment when Fari pushed you and you fell to the ground…What was your mind telling you? Stay in the role or…?
Dure responded nonchalantly: “It was really no big deal. Hareem asked after the scene if I was okay, but I think we were all ready for it.”
BTW, that was the FIRST day of the shoot! Reveals Dure Nayab. And what a way to kick off the show!
Well, that was actually the first day of Liza on the set. I think it was actually the essence of the scene and not even for a second, was I out of the character. I didn’t even think about it, and I didn’t even feel the impact at that time. But when the scene was over, Hareem was like, Dure, are you okay? I was like, yeah, I’m fine. It’s okay. So yeah, it was normal.
Dure Nayab
Dure goes on to elaborate: “We knew the level of hard work was needed. So yeah, we all were always ready for that. So, it was really no big deal. But Hareem was very, very, very sweet about it.”
9. The idea of being under the sun, tanned, and without makeup on screen. What would you tell others who are scared to do it? Was it scary for you?
“It was actually very liberating”, quips Dure Nayab. “Everyone should try that!” Hmm, guess we ought to try it too?
Dure goes to validate her experience convincingly:
I’ve become more confident and comfortable in my skin and my body. After that, it’s actually very fun when you don’t have to worry about how you look. It’s all about what you’re capable of, you know. So, I think it’s the best feeling ever.
Dure Nayab
And that’s all folks. Dure Nayab has certainly made a mark in her 22 Qadam. We look forward to some master strokes on the field from her, and some relief off the field too. Liza’s having a tough time no doubt, and we’re rooting for her, with or without Junaid!
And that, dear folks, is the magic of a convincing character portrayal.
What do you think about Liza’s journey in 22 Qadam? Did we miss something? If you could ask her one question, what would it be? Let us know!
Liza played cricket like a pro. Iam sure she was in the cricket team.