KARACHI:

Mariyam Nafees may have entered motherhood for the first time in March with the birth of her son Isa, but the actor already knows how many children would be the perfect number for her: two. 

“You should have a total of two kids!” declared the Ishq Jalebi actor during a recent appearance on Hasna Mana Hai. Tongue in cheek, she added, “You’re automatically raising your husband  raising your husband – he’s already a kid! But other than that, two kids are enough – a boy and a girl.” 

Working as a team

Mariyam and filmmaker husband Amaan Ahmed took to Instagram in March to announce that their long awaited baby boy had arrived safely. Maryam had previously spoken publicly about her pregnancy and documented her milestones on Instagram for her followers to enjoy. 

Jokes aside, Mariyam hinted that Amaan may not be as much of a manchild as she may have earlier implied when she spoke fondly of how well aligned the couple are when it comes to raising their son. For example, the couple’s Karachi home may be without the support of an extended family network in the vicinity, but Mariyam pointed out that a supportive husband has the power to smoothen the challenges of parenting. 

“Of course it is easier when you have grandparents around, but if your partner is helpful – if your husband is there for you – then you can easily manage everything,” she observed. Working in sync with her husband as they navigate parenting together, Mariyam thus has no qualms about who their son will take after, in either looks or temperament.

“Both of us are very morally correct!” she pointed out. “And as for looks, I don’t mind which one of us he grows up to resemble, although right now, people do say that he looks like Amaan.” 

Mariyam’s confidence as a new parent is evident in her social media posts; earlier this month, the star took to Instagram Stories in a bid to uplift her fellow mothers. 

“Mommas – listen to everyone, but do whatever you want,” instructed the Neem actor underneath a screenshot of a recent parenting post shared on the Pakistan’s women-only Facebook group, Soul Sisters.

“You know what’s best for your child,” continued Mariyam. “You’re the mother. You’re God-gifted when it comes to instincts. You do what you feel is right!”

 

Advice for stars

Mariyam may have taken a break from acting to focus on her son, but that, of course, does not mean that she has forgotten what it is like to be behind the camera. Looking back on her television credentials, the actor maintains that her toughest role to date has been playing the role of Khajista (friend to Sajal Ali’s character Zubiya) in the 2017 drama Yaqeen Ka Safar. 

“Khajista was a domestic abuse victim, and that was really difficult,” she recalled. “It was emotionally very challenging, especially with all the physical abuse she also went through.” 

Despite having stepped away from the drama industry for now, Mariyam remains aware of showbiz’s biggest stars of today, as well as what their full potential might be. When it comes to Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actor and producer Fahad Mustafa, for example, Mariyam noted that she would “like to see him produce films”.  

“It’s something he has said himself,” added Mariyam. “He’s doing great when he’s producing dramas – he’s got great content and amazing scripts.

As for Qarze Jaan star Yumna Zaidi, Mariyam expressed, after a minor internal debate, “I would love to see Yumna take on satire. I think she’ll do great if she does comedy.” 

Mariyam may have a point. Given that Yumna’s most recent heavyweight roles – all of which have gained her critical acclaim – include the battling-for-justice Nashwa in Qarze Jaan, Zarnab, a journalist amongst gangsters in Gentleman and aspiring cricketer Nayab in Nayab, Mariyam’s wish to see the young actor take on a lighter role in the world of satire may be warranted.  

Hania vs Mahira

When it came to the dimpled Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum star Hania Aamir (and one of Pakistan’s most followed celebrities on Instagram to boot), however, Mariyam appeared lost for words. “What advice could I possibly give Hania?” she wondered aloud. 

Mariyam remains convinced that the young star’s popularity is on par with Pakistan’s other superstar: Love Guru lead Mahira Khan. Refusing to pit either woman against the other, Mariyam warmly noted that both actors are on equal footing in their craft and star power. 

“I mean – why not?” asked Mariyam. “They both have world recognition, they are both superstars, and they are both beautiful women! What else do you need? They both also represent Pakistan globally in a very positive light!” 

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