Noreen Gulwani is here, there and everywhere, be it in theatre, television or film. She’s done theatre with the late Zia Mohyeddin, acted in hit TV dramas and has also done films with Fawad Khan and Shoaib Mansoor. The actress has a smart head on her shoulders and a strong opinion, which she’s not afraid to express.

Her career trajectory for someone so fresh and young is nothing short of inspiring, and she continues her upward journey, steadfastly and with confidence. Along the way, she is creating memorable characters that will, no doubt, last her the length of her impressive career in television and films, while also working with some of the biggest names in showbiz and entertainment.

After Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri, Jhoom and Bakhtawar, how has your journey in TV dramas been?

Noreen Gulwani: After these three dramas I was on a break, because I was working continuously for the whole of last year. So I paused for a couple of months and travelled to refresh my mind. And now I’m back working on two projects, one of which is Hum TV’s Very Filmy and the other one is a Green Entertainment project which will also be out soon.

Conquering new frontiers and constantly exploring newer horizons, Noreen Gulwani’s star is surely and most definitely on the rise

Both these projects are very interesting and the journey of working on them and the process of figuring out these very different characters has been a lot of fun. I can’t wait for people to see them and then give their feedback.

The film Nayab saw you in a supporting role as Fawad Khan’s wife. How was the experience?

NG: Nayab was definitely a wonderful experience, as working on a film is very different from working on television. The shoot is much more detailed and a lot of work goes behind understanding and presenting different characters. It was very thrilling, as well as challenging, to portray a character that is older, wiser and more mature than me, and who also has the responsibility of raising a child, which required its own sensitivity, flexibility and humility. I have grown not just as an actor after doing Nayab but also as a person, for which I am truly grateful.

Where and from whom do you draw inspiration from for your roles?

NG: It can be from a lot of different things, such as music, films, real people and personal life experiences. It all depends on the character, of course.

Would you describe yourself as a thinking person’s actor?

NG: I hope so. After all, this is one of the most engaging professions and one has to always engage people’s wit.

Are you also a director’s actor to some extent?

NG: Most definitely. Whenever a director takes charge. After all, he or she is the captain of the ship.

Are you satisfied with your performance in the upcoming Shoaib Mansoor film Aasmaan Bolay Ga?

NG: I have seen the edit while doing my audio dub, so it definitely looked beyond amazing. But I was still a student when we did that and it’s been a while since then that I have been working, so I feel like, if we did it now, I’d be even better, as acting is a practising art.

How is Hum TV’s [ongoing

Ramazan drama] Very Filmy for you on a personal level?

NG: My character in Very Filmy is different from what I have previously done. She’s fun, smart-mouthed and always in charge. And there is also a disguise and a second personality that I cannot wait for audiences to receive.

After doing Romeo & Juliet with Zia Mohyeddin, are your theatre days behind you now?

NG: No, not at all. It just has to be worth it.

Have you ever drawn the line at not playing certain types of characters or situations in dramas?

NG: Yes, definitely. I do say ‘no’ to bad scripts when I can afford to say it, and I have something better alongside. I have said ‘no’ not just to certain characters but also turned down offers with certain actors, because of their alleged real-life abusive behaviour.

Describe your struggle as a new actor making her transition from theatre to television?

NG: But I’m not a new actor anymore, like I was two years ago.

What’s new, next and exciting for you on the acting horizon?

NG: A couple of exciting things are cooking right now that might see me writing and even co-directing. So keep watching!

Published in Dawn, ICON, March 24th, 2024