Talented actress Tara Mahmood has been part of Pakistan’s entertainment industry for many years, but her journey has not been without challenges and some unusual experiences. In a recent podcast with Ahmed Ali Butt, she opened up about an especially awkward situation that she faced early in her career.
Tara revealed that she once had to play the role of veteran actor Usman Pirzada’s second wife in a drama. The role was emotionally uncomfortable for her because Pirzada is a close friend of her father. “I didn’t know whether to call him uncle or something else,” Tara laughed while recalling the situation, describing it as both strange and difficult.
Talking about her struggles, Tara shared that in the beginning she would only get one or two projects at a time due to fewer opportunities. Living alone in Karachi with high expenses, she found delayed payments very stressful. She admitted that the most painful part was having to chase after her own money.
Fortunately, things have changed with time. Tara now works on multiple projects simultaneously, so a delay in one payment no longer creates as much financial strain. However, she pointed out a big flaw in the industry—the lack of respect and recognition given to supporting actors, despite their important contributions to dramas and films.
On a personal note, Tara shared that five years ago she had no plans to get married, but today she feels differently. “If the right person comes into my life, I will go for it,” she said.
She also admitted that, for a long time, she kept her family background hidden from the industry. Few people knew she is the daughter of Shafqat Mahmood, a retired bureaucrat and politician who served as Pakistan’s federal minister for education and professional training, and for national history and literary heritage, between 2018 and 2022.
Over the years, Tara has won hearts with her performances in hit dramas like Mere Humsafar, Suno Chanda, Chupke Chupke, Anaa, and Diyar-e-Dil. She has also made her mark in films, including Seedlings (2013) and Altered Skin (2018).
Tara Mahmood’s journey shows how perseverance, talent, and honesty can help an actor grow, even when faced with challenges and awkward situations.