While Huma Qureshi has played some feisty characters in her career, the Double XL and Gangs of Wasseypur actress says that she “never picked those roles consciously.” She adds, “I like playing characters that I have not done before. They just happened to be feisty and fierce because I don’t know women who are not like that. I always want to play real women. I observe people around me closely and incorporate certain aspects of their personality in my work.”

However, Huma has never really got to play herself on screen. She says, “I’m so amazing, they haven’t figured out a way yet (laughs)! I only get to be myself during promotional tours.”

She adds, “I think I have a great sense of humour, but it never really comes to the fore. Most of my directors like to see me doing strong roles. I think I’m ready to do a slapstick comedy. I’m a goofball in real life.”

The Maharani, Mithya and Leila actress seems to be enjoying doing OTT shows. She says, “I think I must unapologetically say that I am the maharani of OTT. I think I was the first actress in this country to be leading a show called Leila. At that point, a lot of people told me not to do OTT. They said it would look like my career was over. However, I knew OTT was the future; it’s just that it happened faster due to COVID.”

However, the actress is open to working in all mediums and says, “I just want good roles and to work with great makers. I feel the audience is very different on every OTT platform as compared to audiences that go to theatres to watch films. In a web series, you have the time to discuss finer nuances. That’s why OTT is working all over the world. In films, aap ko do-teen ghante mein sab kuch dikhana hota hai.”

Huma, who has also authored a book and produced a film, says, “I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface. To an extent, what you do as an actor depends on other people offering you the right role at the right moment. I am really enjoying my journey as a producer- putting out stories that I like and resonate with. I want to be a part of more films that people will remember.”

Talking about audience’s appreciation, she adds, “Awards, rewards, everything matters. Those who say it doesn’t matter are probably lying. As an artiste, I live on other people’s appreciation and acceptance. But are these the only things that matter? Perhaps not. I feel your self-worth has got nothing to do with other people’s validation. Even without it, you will always remain the same person.”

On reacting to trolls, Huma says, “I have never responded to someone (trolls) saying anything bad to me. Probably, being an actor has made me thick-skinned. I am an entertainer and I am here to entertain people. I no longer get triggered by other people’s negativity.”

In May, Huma shot her upcoming film Gulabi in Ahmedabad. She says, “While it was terribly hot, the only thing that kept us going was the beautiful old city areas of Ahmedabad. I had never been there, and it was stunning. It was nice to see the families preserving that heritage, architecture, and way of living. I hope I’ve done justice to Gujarati women and the language (in the film).”

She adds, “There were so many people every day who would send me dabbas, and lunch was like a feast. While non-vegetarian food wasn’t available in certain areas, people would cook food at home and send it for me.”

Continuing her trend of embracing diverse and impactful roles, Huma Qureshi, fresh off her portrayal of a politician in the third season of Maharani, is set to play an auto-rickshaw driver in the upcoming film Gulabi, directed by Vipul Mehta in a start-to-finish schedule, which began in April this year.

Producer Vishal Rana, who last produced the Taapsee Pannu-starrer Blurr, claims that with films like Gulabi, he hopes to pave the way for female actors to portray strong characters that speak about “women empowerment and education of the girl child”.

“The story is inspired by real-life incidents, not a particular person. Huma’s character Gulabi, a brave auto-rickshaw driver in Ahmedabad, aspires to be educated. [In her journey of empowerment], she inspires others to get educated too,” says Rana, adding, “As a producer, I believe in female-centric movies with a powerful female protagonist. I want the heroines of my movies to play women who stand against all odds and give back to society.”

Qureshi’s involvement in the project stems from her deep resonance with Gulabi’s character and the film’s theme. “Every actor looks for a role that they have never played before. When I approached Huma with the script, she told me that she loved the story and was excited about her character’s journey,” shares Rana, adding that the actor embodies Gulabi’s strength and resilience with authenticity. 

He always believed that female actors were “stronger, self-controlled, and more disciplined than male actors,” but witnessing it during a shoot with 500 people on set left him impressed. “We are shooting in live locations, with real people, in extremely hot and challenging conditions, but Huma, being our powerful hero, has been braving the weather and shooting for more than 12 hours a day without any complaints. Huma shot for a lengthy, powerful scene, and nailed it in one take. We were stunned by the range of her emotions as it moved us to tears.”