Huma Qureshi: Shaping a Career with Unconventional Choices and Advocacy
Over a decade after her breakthrough role in Gangs of Wasseypur, Huma Qureshi continues to carve a unique path in the entertainment industry with bold and unconventional choices. Her eclectic filmography includes notable titles like Dedh Ishqiya, Ek Thi Daayan, Badlapur, Jolly LLB 2, and women-led series such as Leila and Maharani. In an exclusive conversation, Huma opened up about her journey from Delhi to Mumbai without any Bollywood connections, her philosophy on role selection, and the urgent need to shift conversations around fair pay and representation.
Lucknow's Culture and Cuisine: A Rare Gem
Huma, who has filmed movies like Dedh Ishqiya and Single Salma in Lucknow, expressed deep admiration for the city's unique demeanor and culinary delights. "As an actor, my first film here was Dedh Ishqiya. Later, I spent almost a month in Lucknow while working on Single Salma. It was wonderful, as always," she shared. "The people here are so warm and sweet. Honestly, one can fall sick just eating non-stop because the hospitality is overwhelming."
She recounted how her room was filled with Tunday Kabab, parathas, chaat, and an abundance of food before her arrival, humorously questioning how locals maintain a diet. Praising Lucknow as a city of culture, Huma noted, "There is so much culture and manners infused in the people of Lucknow. Wherever you go, the words aap, humaare and aapka just come naturally; there is no pretence. Lucknow aate hi apne aap zubaan mein tehzeeb aa jaati hai." She emphasized that the gentle way of speaking in Lucknow is rare to find in any other Indian city.
Main-Character Energy: A Guiding Principle
When asked if choosing women-centric stories is a conscious decision, Huma, recently seen in projects like Single Salma, Bayaan, Delhi Crime 3, and Maharani, agreed wholeheartedly. She explained that as an actor, her focus extends beyond merely looking pretty on screen. "Very clearly, I believe, whether you are for the world or not, at least in your own life, you can be the hero of your own story," she stated.
"And I think for me, choosing the scripts is also like, okay, why am I doing in this? Sure, I am there, and there is a big film, a big budget, a big star, but that has never attracted me. It has never been the reason why I would say yes to a film. I am like, yes, but what am I doing? I don’t want to just show up, look pretty, do my hair and makeup, and then… what? I always bring main-character energy to the table, and that reflects in the films I choose," Huma elaborated.
Fair Pay and Representation: Shifting the Conversation
Addressing issues like work hours and fair pay, Huma cited actress Deepika Padukone's discussion on an 8-hour shift, arguing that such questions are often misdirected. "This question is almost always asked to women, but it should actually be posed to the men who make the rules. They are the ones who should be constantly questioned about equal pay, about ageism, and about work hours. But that rarely happens," she asserted.
"I don’t take responsibility for the so-called norms of this business because women never created those norms. Only recently have women finally started getting a seat at the table and asking for what they really want. So, it feels unfair when these questions are directed at us," Huma added. She emphasized that women must demand respect and proper treatment in any workplace, whether on a film set or in an office, noting this is a global battle for millions.
Reflecting on her film Bayaan, where she plays a cop investigating abuse against women, Huma shared insights from its premieres at TIFF and Busan. "My biggest learning from travelling with the film was that no matter where you go, the issues faced by women remain the same. Culturally, you could be in a so-called western world or in another Asian country like South Korea, and everyone resonated with this. The nuances change from place to place, but the problems don’t. Women are still lacking 100%," she said emphatically.
Global Cinema and Indian Stories
With international projects like Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead and Gurinder Chadha's Partition: 1947 to her credit, Huma discussed her goals in global cinema. "Yes, global cinema is a part of my journey. I am already doing Hollywood, but I don’t know if I can ever move there completely, as I am so happy here. I am really spoiled for choices. I have eight or nine things that are up for release. Touch wood, God’s been very kind. But yes, every few years I do want to do something globally as well," she revealed.
She expressed excitement about taking India-specific stories to a global audience. "I am such a proud Indian, and I feel we live in such a beautiful country where every few kilometres the language, the culture, the food, everything changes. I want to take our stories to a global arena. Not sell poverty porn, mind you, but sell our stories to the rest of the world, because I feel we have so much to offer. Sure, we might make films about our problems, but the solutions will also come from us," Huma stated.
Confidence and Ignoring Trolls
The Monica O My Darling actress also shared how she maintains confidence in her own sense of beauty and power. "I am so pretty! I am confident because it’s the truth. I don’t know how else to be. If you believe something, then if somebody is trolling you, how does it matter?" she said.
"If someone is lying or saying something wrong or talking nonsense, then why do I have to pay any attention to that? I don’t have the time to listen to trolls. I don’t have the time to listen to people vent their own personal frustration on social media or in the media or whatever. I am very happy and very busy with my own life, trying to improve myself as a person, improve my family’s life, and bring joy to my audiences, to be bothered about some people who have nothing better to do," Huma concluded.
