Actress Mehnaaz Maan, in an exclusive interview, passionately discusses her groundbreaking role as Chidi in the film Chidiyan Da Chamba. She provides insight into the character’s complexity, stating, “Chidi’s role was a ‘CHARACTER’; it had so many shades.” This declaration underscores the depth and intricacies embedded in her portrayal.
Mehnaaz reveals that she had patiently awaited such an artistically rich role, having rejected numerous offers in her pursuit of the perfect debut, be it in Hindi or Punjabi cinema. Chidi, she believes, became the conduit to express the unspoken aspects of her own emotions. In her own words, “I feel there’s an unexpressed part of Mehnaaz, and when I heard the script, I knew Chidi is the character which will speak the suppressed emotions of mine, that’s all an actor craves for.”
The actress sheds light on the film’s impactful social message, praising its ability to resonate with people from various societal backgrounds. She says, “I would love to cover all challenging genres and show diversity in my work rather than stick to one genre. I can guarantee this to my lovely audience that they will see me working in films which represent ‘meaningful cinema’. For now, I am looking for creatively shaded and challenging lead roles in thriller, action, drama and romance.
While she embraced the challenges of the role, Mehnaaz acknowledges that mastering Puadi, a regional language in Punjab, required extra effort. Despite facing the demanding schedule of balancing college classes with shooting, she remained undeterred. “The only challenge was that I had to balance the rigorous working schedules with my college classes,” she explains, “I had classes till the afternoon and then shot the rest of the day + night; but it was a fulfilling experience altogether because I am a workaholic; I love to keep myself busy in work.”
In navigating the demands of Chidi, Mehnaaz Maan not only conquered the challenges but also delivered a performance that reflects her suppressed emotions while resonating with audiences across societal divides.
