Are we all feeling Zareena’s pain, yet still feeling a little uncomfortable whenever she sings in front of Baala or taunts Joji and Kauser Baji to make them feel small? Of course, we are! But that is the art of an actor who can make us feel two very different emotions towards the same character. Zareena, brought to life effortlessly by none other than Amar Khan, is one such character who leaves us conflicted.
Amar Khan has been part of several popular Pakistani dramas, including Belapur Ki Dayan, Ghughi, Dil-e-Gumshuda, Qayamat, Baddua, Daraar, Heer Da Hero and Sunn Mere Dil. However, it is Mitti De Baway where her portrayal of Zareena has left us almost speechless. A character who can make us laugh one moment and leave us uncomfortable the next, Zareena is anything but easy to understand. Her longing for Baala, sharp tongue, playful taunts and emotional outbursts have given us plenty to talk about. Fans online have also praised Amar’s Punjabi accent, dialogue delivery and the way she has brought Zareena’s many shades to life. It takes a certain finesse to make an audience feel both sympathy and frustration towards the same character, and Amar has managed to do just that.
We were curious to know what went into creating Zareena. What made Amar say yes to this character in the first place? How did she approach someone with so many contradictions, and how is she taking all the love and feedback coming her way? We were excited to sit down with the actor and discuss Mitti De Baway, Zareena and much more. So, read on for some interesting tidbits from our conversation with Amar Khan!
This article is an excerpt form FUCHSIA Magazine’s YouTube interview.
How Did Amar Khan Land The Role Of Zareena?
When asked how she came on board for Mitti De Baway and who convinced her to take up the role, Amar Khan was quick to credit director Syed Wajahat Hussain. Interestingly, unlike the usual process where actors receive calls from the production house or channel, it was Wajahat Hussain himself who reached out to her. He introduced Zareena as Baala’s (Wahaj Ali) first wife and told Amar that he believed she would do justice to the character. Amar feels that his confidence in her was there right from their very first conversation, even before she had read the script.
She also shared that she initially had some concerns about how important her character would be within such a large ensemble cast. However, Wajahat was certain about the project and its potential. He kept reminding the cast that a Punjabi drama of this scale, with so many locations, an elaborate setting and a story set between the 1990s and early 2000s, was not an opportunity that would come their way often. Amar recalled how he encouraged them to enjoy the experience rather than worry about its challenges. Giving him credit for making her say yes, she shared, “If it was not him, I would have never played Zareena.”
Amar Khan On Punjabi Being More Than Just A Language Of Comedy
During our conversation, Amar also spoke about her own relationship with language and how her upbringing shaped the way she viewed Punjabi. Having studied at St. Peter’s School, Beaconhouse for her O and A Levels, and later Beaconhouse National University, she remembers growing up in an environment where speaking Urdu itself was discouraged, let alone Punjabi. She recalled how students were expected to communicate in English, even when asking something as simple as permission to use the washroom. Punjabi, meanwhile, was often looked down upon and associated with a lack of sophistication. Amar pointed out how even using a Punjabi word in school could invite the assumption that a child was being abusive.
However, she believes Mitti De Baway has played a part in changing that perception. Amar was particularly happy to see Punjabi being celebrated, not just in Pakistan but across Indian Punjab as well. She reminded us that Punjabi is not merely a language of jokes, comedy or bhandism. It is also the language of Sufis, saints and some of the greatest literary works, from Bulleh Shah and Baba Farid to Waris Shah. As she rightly put it, “Punjabi is the language of lovers and the language of Sufis.” While humour is certainly a part of Punjabi culture, Amar feels it is unfair to reduce an entire language and its rich literary heritage to just that one element.
Amar Khan On Zareena’s Unfinished Love For Baala
When we asked Amar what she thinks Zareena would have done if Baala had simply apologised to her, her answer was quite telling. She believes Zareena would have forgiven him in a heartbeat. In fact, she would have embraced him, kissed his forehead and welcomed him back without holding on to any of the hurt. Amar explained that all Zareena really wants is for Baala to acknowledge her feelings, but he is too caught up in his own grief to understand what she needs from him.
Describing Baala as a deeply human character, Amar pointed out how unaware he is of the emotions of those around him because he is so consumed by his own sorrow. She also drew attention to the little details that show just how much his pain has affected him, including his complaints about not getting proper food or finding any taste in his roti. For Amar, it is almost as if the bitterness in Baala’s life has taken away his ability to enjoy even the simplest things. And perhaps that is what makes their relationship so frustrating to watch: Zareena is waiting for a little affection, while Baala is too lost in his own suffering to offer it.
Want to hear more from Romaisa? Stay tuned for full conversation coming out soon on FUCHSIA’s YouTube channel!