Zara Tareen, a name synonymous with compelling performances in the Pakistani entertainment industry, offers a refreshing perspective on her journey and the landscape she navigates. Her path to acting began organically in school plays, where she discovered an innate comfort and passion for the stage, realizing early on that performing for many felt more natural than for a few. This early spark ignited into a professional career in her early twenties, and since then, Zara has distinguished herself through thoughtful project choices. She holds roles in Woh Ik Pal, Yahya, Dhoop ki Dewar”, Zindagi Tujhko Jiya”, "Saat Mulaqaatein" and "Mushk".

Zara is an artist driven by a desire for more profound, arthouse, and offbeat narratives, openly advocating for content that moves beyond conventional domestic issues. Her discerning approach to projects, prioritizing story, direction, and the caliber of co-actors, underscores her commitment to authentic and impactful storytelling. As we delve deeper, Zara shares candid insights into the industry's challenges and opportunities, revealing a thoughtful professional who believes in the transformative power of drama and the collective voice of both artists and audiences for meaningful change.

Could you walk us through your acting journey, sharing what initially drew you to this profession?
It all kicked off at a very young age when I started taking part in school plays. I quickly realized I had a knack for being on stage and absolutely loved it. It was strange, but I actually found performing in front of a huge crowd easier and less nerve-wracking than being put on the spot to act or sing for just a few people. In my early twenties, during a visit to Pakistan, I took a shot at an audition for an acting project and landed the role. The rest, as they say, is history and, ultimately, my present.

Looking back at your career, which roles or projects stand out as particularly impactful or memorable, and what made them so?
There are two that spring to mind. The first, and very close to my heart, was "Saat Mulaqaatein" with Nauman Ijaz, directed by Kashif Nisar. Then, the second would be "Mushk," written by Imran Ashraf and directed by the best, Ahson Talish.

Are there any specific types of roles or genres you're eager to explore that you haven't had the chance to yet?
Anything arthouse and offbeat catches my eye. We only seem to have a handful of character archetypes on TV that crop up in every drama. So, unfortunately, what's being created for television right now doesn't really excite me or make me feel like I'd grow and learn as an actor by doing it.

On being offered, how do you evaluate projects to ensure they align with your artistic vision and personal values?
First and foremost, it's the story and how essential and well-thought-out my character is. The director is just as important as the story itself. Then come the co-actors. For an actor to truly shine bright, there's no other way than to be surrounded by better actors. Acting is nothing but reacting, and if no one is giving you anything to work with, it will always fall flat or come across as over the top, no matter what you do.

In your opinion, how can drama serve as a powerful tool for social commentary and change within society?
Pakistan is far more than just domestic issues. We are a vibrant, deserving, and extremely capable people. We don't have any stories that truly represent the essence of what makes us tick and what Pakistanis are really made of. It's frustrating that we don't tell any stories of our triumphs, achievements, bravery, or resilience. We're still stuck in a rut, trying to get a teenage girl married... and that's about the long and short of it. We are wasting the power of this tool.

The competition among channels and the pursuit of ratings often dictate content. How does this environment affect your project choices and the overall quality of productions?
It affects any actor's project choices since every channel tends to jump on the same bandwagon once something works. That doesn't really leave much wiggle room for anything else. As I mentioned before, we're repeatedly making the same old drama. It's a formula, and we're always solving for X, but the answer is always the same: marriages, affairs, revenge. Is this all we are?

Beyond acting, do you have aspirations to venture into directing or producing your own projects in the future?
Yes, I do. But when…? Lets see !!!

What overarching message or impact do you hope your work conveys to your audience?
If you can move one person to think or to analyze themselves through your work as an actor, then your job is well and truly done. For this reason, I'm such an advocate for more diverse stories because there's an enormous ocean of people we aren't reaching yet by not being given chances to play more complex and raw characters.

Could you offer a glimpse into any upcoming ventures or projects that your audience can anticipate?
I recently dipped my toes into voicing a character for an Italian animated short film, which was an amazing and refreshing experience for me. Currently, it's doing the festival circuit, and I look forward to being able to share that with my fans and supporters. Aside from that, I'm working on creating a few things myself at the moment. There may be some surprises in store next year, Inshallah.

What is your outlook on the future trajectory of the Pakistani film and television industry?
I wish to see us step out of our comfort zone and take up more space on the international stage. We have what it takes, minus the will to change. If not now, then when?

Do you view social media as a parallel industry rising speedily?
No. It's its own separate beast.

What would be your message for new artists?
Keep the "Art" part of it alive and kicking.

Your message to your ardent fans and viewers?
Please start speaking up for better content. You are being used as the reason for mediocrity. Please start pushing for more intelligent storytelling and compelling content. Reject shallow stories. Let them know that this is NOT what the audience wants forever.

• Coordination: Umer Mushtaq
• Hair & Makeup: Nomi Lawrence
• Photography & Styling: Hussain Piart