KARACHI: Pakistani producer and actress Hareem Farooq said that she never accepted her father’s financial support and chose the face the struggles independently during her journey to become an actress.
Farooq, during her interview, said that she asked her father not to bring gender into decision-making and to think beyond stereotypes.
The Parchi actress recounted her resolute to make a name for herself without relying on her family’s privileges. She said that she moved to Karachi alone and had no connections in the industry.
The 31-year-old actress mentioned that she had to face financial hardships when she was living in an apartment without basic amenities like electricity and water. “I continued my pursuit of acting with determination. I remember the time when I would iron my clothes secretly on set and would take showers there,” the Heer Maan Ja actress said.
Farooq said that the breaking point came during a very hot and humid day when she found herself without electricity in her apartment.
“I was very overwhelmed, and actually thought of giving up on my dreams. In fact, I questioned if my acting dream was worth it amidst the loneliness, gossip, and criticism surrounding her,” the Siyaah actress added.
Meanwhile, the actress said that she drew her strength from her passion and belief in herself as a struggler at the time.
“I am still exploring life and discovering myself. Well, honestly, I am not yet ready to share all my struggles, maybe someday in the future. Everything happens for a reason and I have embraced the idea that life’s imperfections are part of the journey,” the actress shared.
Hareem Farooq, who debuted with 2013 horror film Siyaah, has garnered fame through her strong performances in hit projects including Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se, Azfar Jafri’s crime-thriller Parchi. She ventured into production with hit movies like Jannan¸ Parchi and Heer Maan Ja.
Earlier in 2018, Farooq ventured into establishing a global entertainment company, IHA Entertainment, in collaboration with Arif Lakhani and Imran Raza Kazmi. The company secured an agreement with a leading entertainment entity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), becoming the first distribution firm to do so.
