As the cast of Nayab joined us for an exclusive interview after some street cricket, Yumna Zaidi spoke about what she wants to convey the audiences, her extreme training process, the impact the movie left and much more!
Yumna Zaidi is finally making her cinematic debut with Nayab and it has the internet celebrating the trailer even weeks later, here’s what it is promising…“Dive into the heartwarming bond between Nayab and Akber, set against the vibrant backdrop of Karachi, where cricket is more than just a game—it’s a lifeline; Get ready to be swept away by the dreams, drama, and unbreakable bonds of family in the heart of Karachi.”
The creative force behind Nayab is led by director Umair Nasir Ali, supported by executive producers David Kenney and Agnes Kenney. The screenplay is penned by Ali Abbas Naqvi and Basit Naqvi, who also wrote Laal Kabootar, featuring Mansha Pasha and Ahmed Ali Akbar. The production is in capable hands with producers Rumina Umair and Umair Irfani at the helm, bringing their expertise to the forefront. The collaboration involves Kenneyz Films and Num Films, showcasing a synergy of talent and vision. The star-studded cast includes Yumna Zaidi, Javed Sheikh, M Fawad Khan, Usama Khan, Huma Nawab, Noreen Gulwani, Adnan Siddiqui, Ehtishamuddin, and Faryal Mehmood, promising a dynamic and compelling cinematic experience. Together, this team of skilled professionals and renowned actors is poised to deliver a captivating production that resonates with audiences.
After indulging in street cricket and battling with Team FUCHSIA, the cast of Nayab sat down for an exclusive interview with editor, Rabia Mughni. What followed was casts’ revelations, personal stories and some profound thoughts and opinions. Also, jbtw we never realized Yumna is a legit, loyal FRIENDS fan! As the interview was about to begin, we noticed she was casually humming to the iconic show’s title song. Who doesn’t like FRIENDS, right? Anyhow, let’s move onto the many conversations that were stirred and sparked!
The Experience Of Shooting Nayab For Fawad
Starting off the conversation Fawad shared some bits about the sets of Nayab, the shooting environment and how Yumna isn’t your average star.
Fawad revealed: “the overall environment at the shoot was very positive for everybody, and from Yumna’s side being a star she was very much not a star on the set. She is down to earth!”
3 Reasons Usama Khan Said Yes To Nayab, The Movie
Usama Khan, the charmer will be seen as Nayab’s love interest. Rabia asked, what were the reasons he said yes to the movie?
“The script, the main reason I openly say is Yumna, secondly the story is really good based on women empowerment. I feel such stories should be made more often and the best part is the the pillars that support a girls journey are shown, which are so important. If a girl is working hard, usko emotional and financially kya kya support hai is a factor to be considered. It’s a very realistic attempt!”
Usama Khan
Yumna’s Process Of Extreme Training
Yumna reveals she went through a process of extreme training “for me it was extreme because I wasn’t really into physical fitness and this sport demands a challenge, your body has to be balanced, diet balanced, mental peace balanced, a sleep balance. My 2 months of training taught me alot, I gained a lot of respect for my female and male cricketers, because many dont have enough resources – to perfect their diet to run fast enough, maintain their energies, girls coming on bikes and buses. Some cricketers I spoke to shared, they would just have one meal during the whole day, because of less resources. So even if they are reaching somewhere to achieve your dreams then hats off to them.
“Aisa aisa muscle istimal hua hai jo zindagi mai kabhi nae hua!” Yumna quipped.
“I feel I am privileged to work with this team, production house, the director and the entire cast. To get this script is definitely a big thing for me because we have great talent in Pakistan.”
Yumna Zaidi
What Is The Movie, Nayab All About?
Yumna says:
“It’s not only cricket, its family, the connections, bonds, support system, Karachi, passion, dreams and struggles. Entertaining bhi bohat hai waisay, log hansay gay bhi.”
Yumna Zaidi
What Impact Did The Movie Leave On The Actor’s Personal Lives, If Any?
Rabia asked if the movie touched the actors’ hearts and leave an impact on all of them, in some specific way?
Fawad thinks, “the film is a very moving film”
Usama: “Mujhay lagta hai mai unn logo ke zayada izzat karnay lag gaya hou jo kheltay hain aur ghar say bahir nikaltay hai, yeh soch kay, app ko pata hai jab larkiyan aisi society say ghar say bahir nikalti hai, jo humari cricketers hain wou mostly itnay privileged nae hotay. Tou uss waqt tak unko support nae milti apnay ghar walo say jab tak wo kuch ban na jaye. Tou wo jo struggle hoti hai, wo bohat kam log hotay hain – aisay bhai, ya aisay baap kam hogay jo support karay eventually.”
Yumna: “ek tou yeh hai struggle, resources kam hain, cheezay hai likin agar app kisi ko cheez international level pay represent karaye hou apni country say, aur this is all you have to do, then you should put your everything, everything in kyunkay pakistan kay liye bohat kam aisay platforms hai jahan app internationally represent karsaktay hain and people are so connected to this sport”
The Emotions Yumna Felt When She Heard The Narration & Why She Hates Crying In Front Of People
Jab mainay iss film ki narration suni thi tou mai kehrahi thi nahi nahi, bohat log film bana rahay hotay hain, karaye hotay hain. Achi bhi jati hain, unho nay kaha bas app ek dafa kay sun lay. Tou jab mainay suna narration, I was wearing lenses and when you wear lenses your eyes are drier so you usually dont tear up. When I was listening to the entire story and at some points, I couldn’t stop myself.
Yumna Zaidi
Mujhay logo kay samnay rona nae pasand ek tou, mujhay bohat jaldi rona ajata hai.”
Fawad: Patriarchy is not just disadvantageous for women but also for men because they can’t achieve their genuine potential due to societal pressures.
3 Things Yumna Is Very Conscious About Communicating To The Younger Generation?
The starlet very humbly started off: “Bohat saalou ke struggle hai. But mai yeh young larko aur larkoi ko kahoun ge, kay meri zindagi mai impossible ka word, meri dictionary mai hai hee nae. Meri tou approach yeh hai kay kuch bhi hai, app sab kuch karsaktay hain. Allah nay insaani demagh aur body itni amazing banaye we hai, hum logo nay tou bohat pamper karkay rakha hua wa hai.
Wo log jin ki koi bhi dream hou, even if someone dreams about a happy marriage with great children or someone can even dream about the same but also an equally successful career. You just dont stop, kisi kay bhi kehnay par. Kisi parwa nae karni chahye. Mai jo ajj hou wo mai kisi ke wajah say nae hou, mai jis tarha kay kapray pehnti hou ya jis tarha ke baat karti houn. Mujhay kisi ko please nae karna aur kisi ko please kar bhi nae saktay hum.
Usama chimed in: “Aur apki jo journey hai wo apki journey hai, kisi doosray ke journey woh nae hai. Kisi doosray ko dekh kay pareshan na hojaye.
Kisi ka jaldi hojata hai kisi ka der say hota hai but eventually you get there.”
Yumna Quotes Allama Iqbal & Says She Doesn’t Feel Pressured To Marry Yet
Rabia asked are girls still continuing to face the career vs. marriage pressure? To which Yumna very confidently, in her stride replied:
“If I look at myself, mai apnay liye kehti hou, (quoting Allama Iqbal) Khudi Ko Kar Buland Itna Ke Har Taqdeer Se Pehle, Khuda Bande Se Khud Pooche Bata Teri Raza Kya Hai’
Ofcourse, ek time pay thora bohat pressure tha but my family knew what I am up to and what my goals are, so they supported me and they are very very conscious and protective about Yumna kis ko pick keray ge? Meray na karnay say pehlay, aas paas bhenay nae itna but meray bhai zayada nae kehdetay hain.
He’s very protective!”
“Mujhay tou itna zayada koi pressure feel nae hota, characters mujhay mil jatay hain koi aisay masoom masoom, tou mujhay lagta hai mai abhi wesi he houn.” Yumna, you really are the epitome of innocence in our dramas!
Do Men Feel A Similar Challenge Or Is It Easier For Them?
Fawad, seemingly with very clear thoughts opined: “Koi bhi non conformist cheez karna chahay gay app, tou app pay pressure develop hona shuru hojaye ga. Shaadi nae hui, tou shaadi kerlo. Shaadi hogai tou bachay kerlo. Pressure, yes if for men too. Itna zayada sar pay sawar nae karna chahye logo ko. Patriarchy is not just disadvantageous for women but also for men because they can’t achieve their genuine potential due to societal pressures.”
Usama: “Pressure tou hota hai. Larkay ajj kal yehi sochtay hai kay ek dafa settle hojaye phir karlay shaadi, likin settle honay ke definition koi nae hoti” Woah, what a wise guy?! He further added: “Mai apni baat kero tou, mujhay hamesha lagta tha career zayada important hai shaadi tou hou hee jayegi, ab mai shaadi ka sochnay laga houn kahin der tou nae hogai?
Mujhay lagta hai ek time hota hai, jab bacha 20/22 saal ka hota hai, kehta hai mainay shaadi kerni hai, usko kuch nazar he nae araha hota. Apko Pakistan mai batanay wala bhi tou koi nae hai kay yaar kuch apnay goals set kero, kuch karna bhi hai apnay agay. Shaadi karkay phas jaogay, beth jaogay phir phir 8 saal baad sohco gay mainay kya karna hai. Mujhay lagta hai ek dafa settle hojao uskay baad, phir apnay jo bhi karna hai”
Did you watch the cast of Nayab in action, playing some street cricket? Watch the full video below!
