Yumna Zaidi, renowned for her exceptional performances in popular television dramas such as "Sinf-e-Aahan," "Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi," "Bakhtawar," and "Tere Bin," is all set to make her grand debut on the silver screen. The talented actress will be starring in a sports drama titled "Nayab."

In an interview, Ms Zaidi expressed her excitement about venturing into the film industry while acknowledging the need for caution during the transition. She stated, "I'm very excited and also careful about the fact that this is my debut film." Zaidi added that she currently feels neither nervous nor anxious about the film but anticipates that it may become overwhelming as the release date approaches. Although Ms Zaidi had previously declined numerous film offers, she was captivated by the "strong content" behind "Nayab," directed by Umair Nasir Ali. She explained, "It's a brilliant story and it is meaningful. The whole team is trying their best to execute it the way it should be. Now that we've chosen good content, we want to do justice with it so that the audience also enjoys it when they go to the cinema."

In "Nayab," Ms Zaidi will be portraying the titular character, Nayab, a cricket enthusiast from Karachi who faces societal pressure and a lack of opportunities.

Regarding her preparation for the role, she revealed, "I believe that cricket is almost a craze in Pakistan, but I don't know why or how, but I had never picked a bat or ball before this shoot. I have been practicing a lot. From the initial ABCs of cricket to practice matches on the final pitch, it's been a long process, and I thoroughly enjoyed it." When asked if she follows Pakistani cricket, Ms Zaidi admitted that she does not. She emphasized the importance of avoiding stereotypes when trying to perfect an accent or portray a specific tribe in a drama. Ms Zaidi's focus has been entirely on doing justice to the character of Nayab, a girl who worships cricket. Having won numerous awards for her television performances, Ms Zaidi was questioned about whether she believes she can compete with film actors after her debut. She responded, "They are the same actors. Do we have different actors for the film? No, right? So, the competition is the same then." Ms Zaidi also highlighted the need for progress in the film industry, stating, "I don't think our film industry is at a point where we can even think about competition."

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 27 2023

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