“TO STAND OUT, YOU NEED STAYING POWER” – USMAN HIDAYAT

interview

Careers rarely follow a straight path. Sometimes the direction you start in isn’t the one you end up pursuing. For Usman Hidayat, that meant moving from debugging software at university to performing on stage and in front of the camera. While studying, he felt drawn to theatre, which led him to PNCA Islamabad. He earned his stripes on stage before making his screen debut in ‘Patjhar Ke Gulab’. Since then, he has been juggling multiple serials, including ‘Maa’, ‘Ranjish’ and ‘Dr Bahu’. With focus and discipline, he’s showing that talent and hard work can take you places and for him, this is just the beginning. This week he shares his journey with our readers…

From software engineering to acting, how did your journey begin?

It’s been a wild ride. I first performed in school events, which were my early proving ground. Even while studying ICS and then a Bachelor’s in Software Engineering at IIUI, the acting bug never left. The turning point came when I watched Anwar Maqsood’s ‘Half Plate’. That was the moment I knew I couldn’t stay in the audience, I had to be on stage. At PNCA Islamabad, performing in ‘Wafa ke Putlay’ and ‘Meri Shadi Meri Marzi’ confirmed that acting was what I wanted to pursue.

With so many new faces appearing on screen, how do you make a lasting impression?

The industry is crowded, but being a new face isn’t enough. To stand out, you need staying power. I focus on training, discipline and consistent work rather than chasing trends. Shortcuts might give instant visibility, but only sustained effort builds a lasting career.

You’ve also gained recognition in the fashion world. How did that opportunity come about?

Fashion happened quickly. After a campaign with HSY, I walked in PCW and BCW and worked with designers like Emran Rajpoot, Amir Adnan and Muneeb Nawaz. It was a steep learning curve but taught me presence and poise in front of the camera.

The fashion industry is known for its lobby system. How does that affect newcomers and can outsiders break through?

Lobbies exist in every high-stakes field and fashion is no different. Being part of one may help you start, but it won’t keep you there if you can’t perform. I’ve always believed that consistent skill and work eventually make the industry take notice.

Your acting career has been moving fast. What drives your momentum?

It comes down to confidence and clarity. I know what I want and communicate it directly to producers. Being your own advocate is essential, if you don’t back yourself, no one else will.

You worked with veteran director Mehreen Jabbar in ‘Dr Bahu’. How would you describe her approach?

She is in a league of her own. Her vision is clear and she knows how to extract the best from actors. Working with her was like attending a master class in discipline and craft.

Pakistani dramas often follow familiar patterns. As an actor, what’s your take on this?

Audiences are looking for something different. Domestic dramas dominate because they’re a safe bet, but there’s untapped potential for thrillers, sci-fi and dark comedies. Storytelling needs more risk-taking, especially with a global audience watching. Just like TV has started experimenting with new formats and casts, cinema also needs fresh faces and unexpected combinations to keep viewers engaged.

If you had the chance to produce a drama, what story would you want to tell?

I’d produce a biopic of my own journey, a boy moving from Islamabad to Karachi to build a career from scratch. It would show the trials, mishaps and determination of

chasing a dream. I believe

a raw, honest story like

that would connect with viewers.

What can you tell us about your upcoming roles?

‘Maa’ could be a turning point. My character enters late but makes a mark. In ‘Ranjish’ for GEO TV, playing Asad is creatively fulfilling and the shooting style suits me. In ‘Dr Bahu’, screen time was shorter, but working with Atiqa Odho and Kubra Khan was invaluable, their professionalism and humility made the experience worthwhile. I find seasoned actors easier to collaborate with, while newcomers require more guidance.