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Actor says roles are merging fast with actors now facing same public scrutiny typically directed at content creators
Screengrab of HajraYamin/Youtube
Actor Hajra Yamin spoke out about the increasingly blurred line between actors and digital influencers, warning that the blending of roles is dragging actors into the same harsh public scrutiny typically directed at content creators. "Audiences should keep in mind that actors are not influencers, and influencers are influencers. We cannot do their job," Yamin said in a candid interview. Yet she admitted the distinction is eroding fast. "It has become such a big business now that so many people are earning money on Instagram through products and clothes," she noted, adding that while many actors retain their authenticity, some do cross over. The shift, she observed, is not one-directional: "There are influencers as well who are becoming actors now." Yamin warned about the lack of boundaries and mindfulness online, noting that many individuals publicise their lives and "say a lot of stuff without taking personal responsibility for their actions." In her opinion, navigating the internet safely requires double-sided awareness: "Audiences need to take accountability for their responsibility, and actors need to do the same." Read: Hajra Yamin asserts 'hierarchies' in TV industry should not take away an actor's confidence The actor further characterised the current online climate as highly volatile and reactionary. "A lot of times, social media looks like a mob situation to me, a mob mentality," she observed, pointing out how actors who choose to stay entirely silent on political issues are still targeted and placed under attack for not speaking out. Known for her dedicated approach to physical health, the Pinky Memsaab actor revealed that her perspective on fitness underwent a massive transformation thanks to her personal trainer. "My trainer changed my mindset over the last few years. He told me not to kill myself to build a body," she shared. Instead of punishing diets, she now focuses on healthy daily choices, such as a nutrient-packed juice made of beetroot, ginger, turmeric, and carrots. She also follows a disciplined boundary of wrapping up her meals by 7:00pm and heading to sleep by 11:00pm in order to ensure proper recovery from demanding shooting schedules. Reflecting on her early days in the industry, Yamin spoke fondly of her gruelling but foundational time in theatre, where she forged a deep friendship with fellow actor Ahmed Ali Butt, who would regularly look out for her after exhausting rehearsals. The bond proved a vital source of emotional strength during the most difficult chapter of her personal life. "When I lost my father, he was one of the first people who got in touch with me and actually consoled me," she revealed, crediting Butt for remaining a consistent pillar of support and checking in on her during her time of grief. Read More: Talent speaks louder than borders When it comes to her professional work, Yamin said she is highly vigilant about the projects she associates with, choosing to protect her integrity rather than chasing volume. The actor stated that her primary filters for selecting a script are the depth of her character and the vision of the director. She holds deep respect for the director's authority and views constructive criticism as a vital tool for growth. For Yamin, a director's correction is the guidance of a master teacher, and she firmly believes that no actor should ever let their ego grow so large that a director feels too intimidated to correct a poor performance. She also praised the industry's recent shift toward ensemble casting, which she feels offers actors equal footing. Recalling her experience working with director Nadeem Baig on Manto, she said, "In his mind, every character has equal footing in the story. For him, every character is a hero, and every character is a human."
English (US) ·