Supermodel Fouzia Aman, who won praise at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in her first film, Jamun Ka Darakht (The Java Plum Tree), went into great depth with Khaleej Times about her career and goals, sharing some of her most private emotions.
Fouzia was accustomed to being in front of the camera, having worked as a model for some years before to her appearance in the offering. She has also previously turned down invitations to star in movies because of the clichéd way that women were portrayed in such movies. But Fouzia discovered a position worth pursuing in Jamun Ka Darakht.
She remarked, “I felt right for the role in this movie.” “It concerns a brash, cutthroat supermodel.” “It’s time we moved beyond the repetitive portrayal of women as damsels in distress,” Fouzia continued, restating her position against clichéd onscreen fictional women and refusing to play subservient parts.
Fouzia had an optimistic impression about Jamun Ka Darakht’s potential from the beginning, as Pakistani films were beginning to make an impact at the Cannes Film Festival in greater numbers than before.
“I had no doubt that our movie’s universal appeal would win it a lot of praise,” she remarked. “I was thrilled and affirmed in my decision when I won Best Social Justice Film at the Cannes World Film Festival, especially since it was my first time.”
The continuous problem of sexual harassment is addressed in the movie, and Fouzia urged women to speak out and stand by those who are being abused, in addition to calling for better working conditions for women.
“Women must stand up for and support those who are unable to speak for themselves,” she said. “Safe and impartial reporting mechanisms for such incidents, along with appropriate follow-ups, must be provided by workplaces.” It is essential to hold the guilty accountable before one can say that their workplace is safer.
Fouzia hopes that the French dubbing of the movie will make it even more appealing to a larger audience. When Fouzia turned her focus to Pakistan film business, she bemoaned the growing fuzziness of the line separating regional films from television shows.
“Stars in films ought to have a distinct presence, but when the same actors keep showing up on TV and then the big screen, the novelty wears off,” she said. “Dramas no longer reflect everyday life; instead, they are overflowing with music, dances, and lavish costumes, leaving nothing for moviegoers to adore. Furthermore, it becomes hazy since directors frequently work on both plays and features.
However, Fouzia believes that the general mindset of Pakistani society and culture frequently holds supermodels back, even inside the country’s entertainment sector. She pondered, “Maybe our natural confidence and unique attitude don’t fit the subservient roles in our dramas,” but she also pointed out that there were exceptions who had succeeded in breaking through and forging successful careers in spite of the attitudes that were prevalent at the time. It’s feasible, as demonstrated by the successful transitions of Iman and Vinny. Actually, the majority of the actors in our movie are or were models.
As a seasoned supermodel in Pakistan, Fouzia reminisced about the 1990s and 2000s, a decade that the actor believes was filled with well-known figures. “The industry was characterized by a strong sense of professionalism, comradery, and healthy competition,” she said.
But as social media became more widely available, Fouzia bemoaned the growing trend towards online celebrity and referred to the current “hashtag culture” models as “clones of each other.”
Fouzia refuted the long-standing myth in the Pakistani entertainment business that models are incapable of acting, supporting her colleagues and highlighting the challenges they encounter in their line of work. She cited overseas models who have had easier success expanding their reach when she remarked, “Models face numerous stigmas and endure online trolling about their looks and age.” “Icons like Naomi Campbell still front major fashion shows internationally, and Giselle and Cindy are still doing well in their careers.”
Fouzia, who describes her profession as addicting, attributed her ability to maintain her modeling career mostly to her level of fitness and expertise. “I enjoy dressing up to feel glamorous,” she said. It’s obvious that companies appreciate me since I’m the only veteran still working in both ramp and editorial work, and I’m the only recipient of the Lux Style Icon award. My love, respect, and accolades feed my addiction-like enthusiasm for fashion.
Traveling frequently to Dubai, her favorite city, is another facet of Fouzia’s life that she finds addicting, especially as her profession expands abroad. “Despite my extensive global travels, nothing can match Dubai,” she declared. “Your entire universe transforms during a two-hour journey. I’ve had days that begin with lunch in Karachi and conclude with evening in Dubai—the two cities are hardly even close. The hotels and excursions are opulent, and the people are quite kind. For a nice getaway, what more could you ask for?
Fouzia hopes to support the fashion business in the years to come and protect aspiring models from the obstacles she and her peers had to overcome when starting their careers. She disclosed, “I am fully committed to a documentary project that seeks to illuminate the inner workings of the fashion industry.” “Dubai’s scenery provides a significant backdrop for that.”
Furthermore, Fouzia has been engaged in fundraising endeavors. “I choreograph shows; recently, I did a fundraiser for the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and an event for the Italian Embassy.” I find mediocrity boring, therefore I strive to bring something new to every project I work on in order to elevate the standard.
It will be intriguing to watch what new heights the actress and supermodel may reach, given her lofty expectations for herself.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.