Marwa Hocane's Saru, full name Saraswati, showed how effervescence can light up the screen. Saraswati, the obedient Daddy’s girl in the film Sanam Teri Kasam, won critical acclaim, making the Pakistani actor’s Bollywood debut a success. She speaks to Ila Sankrityayan about her experiences other than acting, such as theatre and sports
She became a theatre artist at the age of 13 and continued till 17. Her first play was Marry Poppins that was exhibited in her home town Islamabad. “Theatre taught me a lot about acting”, says Mawra.
Passion for acting was with her even when she was a child. This passion took her to Karachi for acting in plays like Mere Huzoor, ladki Hona Gunah Nahi, Main Bushra and Ek Tamanna lahasil Si. “The obsession began from childhood. I grew up watching movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Henna”, she says.
Marwa is a well-known theatre actress in Pakistan. What if not became an actress, “I would have been a sports person then, maybe a badminton player. I enjoy doing adventurous sports. I have skydived from 18,000 feet and have gone scuba diving with sharks in Sydney. Also I love playing basket ball.”
She aims to cross the boundaries. But crossing the boundary to enter Bollywood was not easy for her as she had no god father. “The joruney was not easy as I didn’t have a god father. My support and inspiration was my sister Urwa. My parents live in Sydney and they always back our choices. But I believe hard work matters a lot and this was proved with my first movie in India for which I received a lot of appreciation”, she says. “I have given my best and the response was overwhelming and more than anything else that's what motivates me”, says the actress who is looking forward for the movie’s world television premier on &Pictures on September 4. “I am happy that the movie will now reach out to more people”, she says.
“I want to build my career in the same way as done by Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone. The movie has opened to me doors to international opportunities and that is the best part”, shares Mawra. On asked about the experiences during the shooting of the film, she shares, “I enjoyed working with Harshvardhan Rane, the lead role in the movie. He doesn’t talk much, but is very caring. I still remember when I had mehendi on my hand for a shot he fed me and even put nail polish on my nails. I spent 21 hours at a stretch in a bathtub for shooting a song. That too during chilling winters of Cape Town. I didn’t step out of the tub till the shooting was done. When I came out my body was bloated”.
Mawra has been doing a lot of emotional and woman-centric roles. When asked how much she relates herself with the on screen image, she laughs, “I am an emotional person, but practical too. I believe in facing adverse situations with boldness and a strong mindset”, she says.
When asked about the status of women in the society, which is somewhat similar to the roles she has played, she asserts, “I think women empowerment is a matter of global concern. And it is the same both in India and Pakistan. Women are no more vulnerable. Education and development help in overcoming gender differences and pave way for the equal growth and opportunities.”
About her experience in India, she chuckles, “It was fabulous. I got a lot of affection from people. I never had the feeling I was in a new place. People gave me a lot of respect. I think both the nations share a special bond that strengthens with these cultural exchanges and similar movements.”
On screen Mawra has a simple look, but when asked about her real life choices, she says, “I prefer to wear what I am comfortable with. It just depends on my mood. I may be a fashion freak but simple too at other times.” Asked if she has special preferences in choosing roles, she says, “As of now I have not thought much about what to do and what not. It will depend on the situation. In Sanam Teri Kasam there were certain scenes over which I had objections but they were also got improvised later.”
Asked about her favourite B town actors, she says, “I am a great fan of Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.” Mawra is now in Pakistan busy shooting for her upcoming projects, “I am doing a movie and a serial in Pakistani. I have also got an Indian project. But nothing much can be shared about it at this stage”, she concludes.