It’s the 21st and last episode of Sammi tomorrow and we’re all eager for conclusions and closure. Will Sammi survive the Chaudhry’s wrath? Will Rashid kill Chaudhry Rab Nawaz? Will Naheed find a life with Ghulam Rasool or will they be torn apart by her brother? Will Rashid bring Chandi into his life or will she leave for where she came from. And last but definitely not least, will Sammi find her happily ever after, in fairy tale manner, or will she suffer and silently pass away?
I was lucky to sit down for a tete a tete with Mawra Hocane last night and while I did not want to know the ending, neither was she willing to give it away, there were several questions on my mind that I wanted answers to. So here, for her fans and Something Haute readers, is the Sammi exclusive, with Mawra Hocane…
Aamna: There are so many social messages in Sammi. Which one did you think was strongest?
Mawra: I’d say that the strongest issue that Sammi has managed to tackle is the issue of considering women inferior. Every issue in the story boils down to finding women inferior and that’s what needs to be addressed. Personally in life I prioritise my maid over my driver because I want to give her equal rights. Women don’t have equal rights in our society. So the common message rising from all the relationships that we saw in the play was the need for women empowerment. That was the crux of the drama.
Aamna: Was the portrayal of Sammi challenging for you since you have a very urban face and demeanour?
Mawra: This is both a bliss and a curse. Two years ago I was not the Mawra Hocane that people now see. There’s been a shift in my life in the last two years. Before, whatever role I did, people accepted. Now, I feel there’s over speculation because they see more of ‘Mawra Hocane’ to speculate over. I need to work harder to disassociate Mawra from the roles I undertake.
Aamna: So how did you work to adapt to Sammi?
Mawra: They told me I was playing an 18 year old so I lost weight. I brought my weight from 59kg to 50kg to look younger. Also I tried to kill the rebellious person in me; the person who asks questions. On the first few days on set I rebelled and asked why Sammi was behaving the way she did (she hardly said anything) but then everyone told me that I had to kill the inner feminist in me. Girls in villages don’t have an opinion, especially in front of their fathers and brothers. So it was difficult to make peace with that element. Other than that I tried to feel Sammi from within and so I was really grieved when I was filming; I felt for her.
Mawra brought her weight from 59kg to 50kg to pass off as an 18 year old village girl.
Aamna: Was it necessary to kill off Salar?
Mawra: That was the script writer’s domain and no one really goes back to change things once they are written. But there was huge response to Salar’s death; even my mother kept calling me in disbelief, wanting me to confirm that Salar would somehow make a comeback. It was really difficult to tell her that he wouldn’t. And honestly that’s the part of the play (the scenes with Salar) that I enjoyed the most. That romantic bit was fresh air.
Aamna: Between Salar and Alyaan, which man would Mawra Hocane have chosen to be with in real life?
Mawra: Salar. Because as you said, I’m very urban (laughs). No but really, I really like Alyaan and for Sammi he’s the person but Salar is the romantic that Mawra would be with.
Aamna: Sammi ends on Sunday (tomorrow). Are you happy with the story or is there anything you would have changed?
Mawra: You know, if I could change something I’d bring back Salar. You know when you find a man who loves you even when it’s not reciprocated; that he’s the one for you. It’s a very exceptional case; a genuine love when you just want to see the other person happy. He says “tum khush ho aur yehi bohat hai meray liye†and that line stole my heart. He has unconditional love for her.
