The world may come to a standstill but the enduring attraction of the film industry and consequent stardom never fades. Even with the pandemic upon us, talented actors continue to pin their hopes on the big prize — recognition and fame for their acting ability. Actor, social media influencer and model Zeba Khan, who first set foot in the industry two years ago, has set her sights firmly on achieving this goal. In this candid interview with The Daily Guardian, she talks about her journey so far and her plans for the future.
Q. Tell us about your foray into the industry. What has it been like till now?
A. My journey so far has been very exciting. I have learnt a lot about harnessing my training correctly and realised the traits required to succeed in this industry. All this led to my recent feature in an international ad campaign to spread the message of ‘No Smoking’ helmed by professional Bollywood technicians.
Q. What are the skills that set you apart from others in this field?
A. I have done numerous acting workshops and learnt professional gymnastics from renowned trainers. I have also learnt horse riding professionally along with dance, martial arts and other fighting techniques.
Q. Did your role as a social media influencer come before you ventured into the film industry or afterwards?
A. I have always been active on social media way before my acting and modeling assignments kicked off. My most popular posts are my daily workout routines that are followed and adored by many of my followers.
Q. Which one do you prefer — social media or acting? What is a faster route to success these days, according to you?
A. I believe the fast pace with which social media is booming and evolving today, it allows people to show their skills to millions. These platforms can become a solid launching pad towards short films/feature films.
Q. Has it been difficult entering the industry without having a ‘backing’ or a ‘godfather’, so to speak?
A. In every field, it helps to have someone to back you or be your go-to person, especially during hard times, but as I said earlier, new age social media is evolving so much with audiences ready to embrace any kind of talent served to them. Hence, it is easier to show your work without backing.
Q. Have you faced any struggles or low points in your chosen career so far?
A. In the early stages of my fitness journey, it used to be difficult to create a strict regime and I would tend to slip up in my training routine. This would make me feel guilty and I would also feel physically and mentally weak and complacent. At such moments, it was tough to uplift myself. I would suddenly enter a zone where I did not like anything happening around me and tend to surround myself with negativity. Fortunately, I have overcome that phase now.
Q. We would love to know about some of your memorable moments. What is the biggest recognition you have received?
A. All the appreciation I have received across the globe on my No Smoking ad campaign made me feel great. I have been approached by many NGOs to help them spread awareness on this subject amongst the youth. I could see the positive results of this campaign through the amazing response I received. Right from its inception to the execution stage, this project allowed me to work with some of the best names in the industry. It was because of this campaign that I got a chance to showcase my acting skills on the big screen. Mainstream newspapers have also picked it up and that has been very encouraging. Currently, the campaign is under review by the Health Ministry of India, as they are planning to launch a pan-India campaign for spreading awareness against smoking.
Q. How was the experience of working on this campaign?
A. It was an amazing experience and led to some interesting offers. Life is at an exciting phase at the moment. I am not rushing into any hasty decisions and carefully choosing the right projects going forward while concentrating on training harder.
Q. Was the pandemic difficult for you professionally? How did you ensure that you keep moving ahead in this tough period?
A. The pandemic hit everyone either professionally or on the personal front. The film industry suffered a lot during this time. Before the pandemic, I was working for 16 to 17 hours a day for seven days straight but due to the pandemic and lockdown, life came to a screeching halt which was difficult for me to handle. During this phase, I tried maximising my social media platforms by creating content related to staying fit at home. To my surprise, these posts caught the eye of many fitness enthusiasts who started following my content. So, in that way, I discovered a new avenue.
Q. What advice do you have for people who are aspiring actors — what is the one quality they need if they are to succeed in this industry?
A. Every year there are over 2,000 films produced in India in various languages, making the Indian Film Industry one of the biggest industries. India has been fortunate to keep producing some of the best talents which have represented us on the global front. I would only advise all aspiring artists looking to set their mark in this industry to remain patient and stay focused on their goals. Good work never goes unnoticed and someday they will see the desired results.
Q. Any exciting projects you are currently working on or planning for the future?
A. Yes, I am working on a couple of music albums in Hindi and Punjabi and I am also in talks for a few films. Just taking one step at a time. The release of the No Smoking music video campaign in movie theatres pan-India is also in the works.
The interviewer is a lawyer who pens lifestyle articles for numerous publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com. She can be reached on nooranand@gmail.com.