In the latest episode of Freeha Altaf FYI PodcastCelebrated Pakistani actress Mahira Khan delves deep into her past as she shares intimate tales about her childhood, relationships and remarkable entertainment industry journey. A household name and one of Pakistan’s most celebrated stars, Mahira took a trip down memory lane as she recounted key moments in her life, giving the audience a candid look into her personal experiences.
As soon as the conversation started, Mahira drew a colorful picture of her childhood. She fondly recalled that she grew up in a large joint family where grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all lived under one roof. He described his childhood as “beautiful”, consisting of security, dreams and a habit of keeping relationships separate. Starr recalled, “My father was born in Delhi. Both my mother’s family and my father’s family were from India.”
She continued, “When I was born, I was born eight years later, so I was very spoiled. I was the miracle child because my parents had been trying for so many years, and they had given up and Don’t know what. I was born, and my brother was born a year later.” The star also said, “I was very secure. Some people go through some tough years as a teenager. I think for me, I was quite a dreamer. I used to wonder what would happen to me in life. I’m just I am too… I have become too serious.” I’m good at keeping relationships separate…but I think I’ve become a people pleaser.”
She affectionately described her father as a “hippie” who attended Woodstock in 1969, while her mother was a romantic dreamer with a teaching profession. “My dad was kind of a hippie. Still is. So we had Bob Marley and Janis Joplin. He was a real hippie. I mean, he attended Woodstock in 1969. He was a banker, but being a banker Before that, he was doing his Masters in Philadelphia. After graduation, he was a backpacker.”
Talking about her mother, Mahira said, “On the other hand, my mother was very reserved, very beautiful and then a dreamer, a romantic. I think she looked at everything through rose-coloured glasses. Educated too, as was my father. But two different worlds. And she was a teacher; I always saw my parents working.”
Mahira entered deep into her teenage years, admitting that she was more of a dreamer than someone who faced tough times during that phase. They discussed the challenges of leaving behind their education and familiar life to move to Los Angeles at the age of 17. Despite the hardships he faced, he expressed that the experience allowed him to taste true freedom and start dreaming big. At this time she also fell in love and wanted to join her “first love” in LA.
“I was 17 when I left,” the actor recalled. “I hadn’t even finished my A levels. When I got there, I was amazed. It was tough for me… I wasn’t that rich kid going to college… When my friends started going to college , then their lives were different. They could go to college, party, go on vacations, go for spring break – to this day when people talk about college life, I don’t have anything like that. Was.”
Recalling her time in the USA, Mahira said, “I didn’t live with the guy… I mean, later in the story, I marry the guy. But at that time, we were Separated. My father was going through his career journey. My brother and I went to – we had this apartment in Santa Monica because that’s where I had my community college and it was a small apartment. My brother gave me a lot Harassed…Now, he’s just a blessing – still, he was, but party, party, party. And I’m coming back from my job, and people are lying to me about his whereabouts.”
His travels led him to pursue a variety of opportunities, including a job in inventory, where he faced challenges related to dealing with alcohol. Work became his support through personal heartbreak and challenges, eventually establishing himself as a leading video jockey when MTV arrived in Pakistan. In all this, he also emphasized the importance of protecting children in marital life.
“It’s all about the kids,” he said. “At the end of the day, there’s a lot that we…you know, you kill your ego for your child. But you brought that child into the world. And then you decide — I’m not that person.” decided to stay. But that child didn’t make that choice. Until they turn 18, it’s up to you to keep it as non-functional as possible.”
Amidst her professional success, Mahira has candidly discussed her personal struggles, including a marriage that eventually faced difficulties. When she came back from America, she got married, but also started her journey as a video jockey. “I fell in love as soon as I came on screen. I think that’s when Pakistani youth used to watch television.” However, all was not well in his personal life.
“Post [my son]I already knew I was married [not working.],” Mahira said. ”You let it go; You love that person – they’re your childhood sweetheart, but I knew, and I think that was a difficult and painful time for me. Personally, I was like, what’s up? I had a child, I was scared. Professionally, I didn’t know success would come like this – overnight Humsafar, That was tough.”
The star also shared how she always knew she wanted to achieve something significant, recalling the times when she used to look at signs and visualize her face on billboards or acting alongside Shah Rukh Khan. Was. She went on to achieve both dreams. The superstar commented, “Work has been my savior.” he remembered being on the set of it was, working “honestly”. And for Shoaib Mansoor Sir Being my first director was something else. And then that song hona tha pyar – To this day, it is everywhere. and soon after that, Humsafar Came.”
She talked about the pain of recovering from a marriage that was no longer working, while her career was skyrocketing with her role in the hit drama. Humsafar, Mahira reveals vulnerable, “I think when you’re going through this, and you don’t know what’s happening, but you’re in pain, and you’re sitting in a room, and you feel like that the walls are closing in on you, and you’re feeling anxious, and you don’t know what it is—I think it’s more painful when you make a decision. When you make that decision and – You don’t even need to say it to anyone, your heart and mind say it is – and I think that’s a great power in women that once they’ve made up their minds, they stick to it. I know I knew I would take my baby and be with her, but I knew I didn’t want to be dependent on anyone. Not even my parents. And when no one was with me, So I had the job.”
He continued, “The first few years were very painful. Then, these were two good people [in the relationship], It wasn’t disrespectful; It was just that two children had got married. Two people can develop in different ways. But it was painful. There was a little bit of pressure, go back, that kind of thing.”
Mahira stressed on the importance of prioritizing her child during the ups and downs, even when she and her ex-husband parted ways. They revealed that they have developed into a “modern family” where respect for each other’s colleagues prevails. Despite the pain and hardships, the common thread of unconditional love for their child has kept them together. The star shared, “We respect each other’s partners; it takes a lot, but we’re there.”
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