In Nirma's bungalow in Lahore, loud music and unexpected
shrieks are a constant distraction for an unsuspecting visitor.
A little later it dawns on the unsuspecting visitor that
the abode is also being used as a mini studio by the actress.
After the prerequisite half an hour delay Nirma emerges
from her room. Wearing light blue jeans with a tight top,
holding a Panda toy in her arms, Nirma confirms that she
may be down but is not out.
Upbeat even after many ups and downs in
her filmi career, she comes across as a candid and a sensible
actress who has learnt how to deal with difficult questions.
Instep: Resham claimed at the Zee Cine
Awards that she has worked in one hundred movies. How
many have you worked in?
Nirma: (laughs) I understand what you
are trying to say. But I wouldn't exaggerate or distort
the facts as I feel that public is well aware of our records
and achievements. So far I have worked in 25 to 30 movies.
Instep: You have just been nominated at
the National Awards for three different categories (dancer
for Laaj, supporting actress for Behram Daku and best
actress for Shararat). How would you justify it? Besides,
do you feel Awards are given on merit?
Nirma: These nominations just show my
versatility as an actress. As far your second question
is concerned I don't really think that awards are always
a fair play. Some years back I and Gia Ali were nominated
in the best actress category. I was nominated for Qarz
and Gia for film Deewaney Terey Piyar Key. My role was
more multidimensional but it was not considered for the
award. So I don't think that it is always a fair game
by award distributors.
Instep: What qualities mark a talented
actress?
Nirma: Natural instinct for acting, education,
acute observation and good dancing skills.
Instep: Why education?
Nirma: With the passage of time when one
moves on to do complex characters, education is the only
tool that can help you deal with the pressures and understand
the depth of the character. Secondly it polishes your
character and attitude. Gone are the times when education
was of least importance in the industry. New angles, new
equipment, fresh thinking all could be made possible through
education alone.
Instep: Why is speaking in English such
a big issue with our actresses? Why do our actresses try
to compete with each other on the basis of fluency in
English language?
Nirma: Frankly speaking, English is an
international language. I learnt English because I felt
a need for it since I often go abroad for variety shows
etc. You meet foreigners there so you are required to
converse with them in English. Being fluent in English,
however, does not make you a good or bad actress.
Instep: Now that the film industry isn't
offering much in terms of work, how do you maintain your
lifestyle?
Nirma: No doubt the quantity of work today
has declined significantly but our source of income is
mainly stage performances in and outside the country.
I charge a good amount for those few minutes of performance.
Apart from that I do TV, video and commercial shows too.
Instep: You have no inhibitions while
displaying flesh in movies and for your stage performance.
Nirma: I don't mind the flesh show, as
audiences are hardly likely to look upon us as their sisters.
They come to see us dance and perform and there are specific
costumes for that. Besides what is Saima doing except
display her considerable bosom in her films? Neeli did
it in Jo Dar Giya Wo Mar Giya, Meera in Khilona, Reema
in Chaudhary Badshah and Resham in Kurion Ko Daley Dana.
I mean everyone has done such a role as by its very definition
the heroine is overall a dream girl and a sex symbol.
But be clear that my entry in Raja Pakistani, Qarz etc.
was as an artist not as a vamp. Subsequently it's the
circumstances that force us to play that foul role.
Instep: Where do you think Lollywood stands
today?
Nirma: Right now it is in the middle of
progression and regression. Our cinema is regressing because
we haven't been able to match up to international standards.
At the same time progress comes in the form of new chapters
of co-production and joint collaboration with India. Besides
some talented people from Karachi like Jami, Saqib Malik,
Asif Raza plan to make films in the future which gives
us reason to be hopeful.
Instep: Who do you think is responsible
for the industry's downfall?
Nirma: I think it's everybody including
the public. If it encourages substandard and vulgar films
and songs then naturally such characters will be in demand.
Instep: But how can you hold the public
responsible. They will see what you do. It is the artist's
responsibility not to work in such films?
Nirma: Bhai why blame artists. He/she
has to act according to the producer and director's demand
and we need money too. If we refuse to accept the role
some other artist would do it and we will starve.
Instep: So what is art to you?
Nirma: Art is life and film is part of
life.
Instep: What do you think of co-production
between India and Pakistan?
Nirma: There is no harm in co-production.
Pakistani films can only attain quality if it is confronted
with fair competition from films from across the border.
But money is not the sole factor at stake here. It's the
quality and standard of the product and the professional
ethics, which go into work. I do believe that co-production
will certainly eliminate the Jagga and Gujjar mafia.
Instep: Why are Reema, Meera, Veena, Zara
hungry to work in Bollywood?
Nirma: It is all a tactic to stay in the
news. Two years ago Meera claimed that Karan Johar has
signed her in next film but Johar's Kabhie Khushi Kabhie
Gham is over so where is Meera? Reema's recent visit to
Mumbai was nothing but a photo session. I have nothing
against working in Indian movies but one shouldn't sell
one's dignity. Before signing any film it's crazy to make
tall claims.
Instep: And have you any offer from Bollywood
so far?
Nirma: Yes, director David Dhawan has
signed me for his upcoming Aankhen which has Salman Khan
in the lead. Director Satish Kaushik too has offered me
a meaty role in his forthcoming film. The name is yet
to be finalized. Thirdly Subhash Ghai too seems interested
in signing me for his film.
Instep: So do you think Pakistani actresses
would be able to compete with Bollywood talent?
Nirma: Bollywood actresses are not exceptional.
They are not made of any special substance. Our past record
shows that despite several constraints we have always
managed to do a good job. When we do shows abroad Pakistani
performers always outclass Indian performers. The real
test would be to work with artists of the calibre of Naseerudin
Shah and Shabana Azmi. I am more than willing to work
with these artists.
Instep: What type of role are you looking
for?
Nirma: The kind of role that Shabana Azmi
did in Anhoni and Maasoom or the one that Babra Sharif
performed in Shabana.
