Bollywood actress known for her powerful performances and unique choices, Huma Qureshi, took the stage at PRAXIS 11 as the Guest of Honour – delivering an inspiring talk titled “Exploring Nuances of Creativity”. Despite not hailing from a filmi family, Huma has carved a niche for herself in Bollywood, breaking through numerous barriers and defying expectations. She shared her journey, thoughts on creativity and even her vision for the future of content creation.
Huma started her talk with a candid admission: “What can I share about creativity?” before diving into her unconventional journey. Born and raised in Delhi, she shared memories of her father, Saleem Qureshi, who runs the famous Saleem’s Restaurant in Kailash Colony, a well-known spot in the capital. Though hospitality was in her blood, Huma was determined to take a different path. She nurtured her passion for acting while studying history at Gargi College, where she was heavily involved in theatre.
From Kababs to Creativity: Huma Qureshi’s Journey to Bollywood Stardom
“My journey from being a kabab seller’s daughter to an actress was a long and tough,” she said, humorously acknowledging her humble beginnings. However, what propelled her forward was not just ambition, but ‘creativity’ – a quality she considers the backbone of all her endeavors. “Creativity is what gets me going,” she declared, adding that her work allows her to continuously explore new ideas and perspectives.
So, from the first dialogue she uttered – “permission to lena chahiye na”, she has come a long way. “I think I was blessed to say that line. I could not have engineered that!” she disclosed.
A Tale of Creativity, Courage & Success
In a Dialogue with Vasundara Singh, Value 360 Communications, Huma was asked to define ‘creativity’, especially as she now transitions from acting to production. She humorously but insightfully replied, “Being creative fundamentally means being ‘brave’ and sometimes a little ‘stupid’ – because between those two lies success.” It’s clear that this combination of bravery and audacity has driven her career choices, from her breakout role in “Gangs of Wasseypur” to her acclaimed work in “Maharani” and “Monica, O My Darling.”
Huma’s journey is not just about acting, but also storytelling in its broader sense. Writing came naturally to her during the COVID-19 pandemic when she authored her book, ‘Zeba’ – which she proudly calls her “COVID baby.” It’s about the character Zeba who newly finds herself to be a superhero and her responsibility to save the world. Creativity, for Huma, doesn’t exist in silos; and in fact, her ability to traverse between acting, writing & production makes her one of the most versatile figures in the industry today.
The conversation shifted towards the role of ‘collaboration’ in the entertainment industry. Huma remarked that she feels “super blessed” to be in a profession where she is both constantly challenged and also has opportunities – to look at her work from different angles. She emphasised the exciting times we live in, where content is increasingly territory agnostic and resonates globally, thanks to the internet and the rise of streaming platforms.
When asked about box office success and how it’s created in today’s world, Huma responded, “We are in an age where big-ticket films and content-driven films can coexist. There’s room for both.” Her ‘dream’ is – to create a different ecosystem, where filmmakers don’t need to raise millions to showcase their creativity. She envisions a world where smaller, independent projects get as much space and recognition as big-budget productions.
Another topic that sparked an animated discussion was the growing responsibility in storytelling, particularly when creating sensitive or impactful content. When asked if she would consider playing a character like ‘Animal’, she quipped, “I would love to play the female Animal!” There was a spontaneous applause as she added that every artist has their own inner moral compass, which guides their storytelling choices.
Closing with a Rapid-Fire Round, Huma shared that her favorite character so far was Mohsina from “Gangs of Wasseypur”, and that Akshay Kumar and Varun Dhawan were her most fun co-stars. As for what she would be if not an actor? “Probably a struggling actor or a chef,” she laughed.
At the end, Huma had one word for PRAXIS – “Wonderful”. Her message was loud & clear – creativity, bravery & a dash of foolishness can lead to incredible success, not just in Bollywood but in any industry.
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