Alina Khan is a transgender actor who has been making waves locally and internationally with her touching performance in award-winning film Joyland. The actor who previously appeared in Saim Sadiq’s 2019 short film — Darling — spoke with Aamna Isani of Something Haute and shared her life’s journey.
From being rejected by her family as a child to dancing in shows to survive, Alina talked about her life in detail. She thanked Saim for giving her opportunities and revealed how she wishes to bring a change for the transgender community in Pakistan.
Alina Khan on her role in Joyland
“I’m different from the character Biba that I play in Joyland. Both of us are hard working and want to achieve something but she is a short tempered one and she knows how to stand up for her rights. I have a different journey from her in real life. What I loved the most about Joyland is that Biba is shown as a part of the story like any other character. That is how trans people should be treated; a part of everyone’s life like anyone else.”
Her journey from dance shows to Joyland
“I was a dancer in Darling (Saim Sadiq’s first film) and I’m also playing a dancer in this film. So, yes I can do all kinds of dance styles from kathak, Punjabi mujra, classical, hip hop etc. I used to perform in shows before I joined the show-business. As there are very few opportunities for transgender people in Pakistan so, I’m very happy to be a part of this film.”
“I was spotted by Sana Jafri, our casting director at a show in an NGO. She saw my dance performance on a Sufi kalaam and then she introduced me to Saim Sadiq. Though I failed my first audition for Darling, I was later asked by Saim to try and thankfully I was chosen for the role.”
L-R: Saim Sadiq, Rasti Farooq, Aamna Isani, Ali Junejo, Alina Khan
Did she face more problems after joining the industry or was it a smooth ride?
“I wasn’t sure if entering the industry will make my life easier or not because there is no opportunities for trans people anywhere; not just in Pakistan but largely in Asian countries. Either there are no roles or they are played by males or females. This is the first time in Pakistan that a trans character in a feature film is played by a transgender. Also, it is not just my character but all the other transgenders in the film, i.e. the guru culture shown in the film, are trans people.”
“I wasn’t even educated or knew how this industry works. I learnt on the job about mark, light, dialogue delivery and I am still not clear about a lot of things but I am eager to learn. I want to create awareness, through my work, that trans people can offer more than the stigmas we’ve attached to them. They are capable of excelling in any field if given a chance.”
Read: Ali Junejo and Rasti Farooq talk about their new theater play, Joyland and a lot more
How has her life changed after Joyland’s success
“Life after Darling wasn’t very different because it didn’t get so popular. Even when someone approached me, they used to decline and say that there is no scope for transgenders in our industry. But I have received a few international offers after Joyland and I hope you’ll get to see me in another project soon.”
Watch her full interview here:
