Gehna: Zevar Ya Zanjeer actor Gulfam Khan Hussain has always brought depth and nuance to every character she portrays. whether on television or in films. She feels that a supporting cast is equally important for a show or a film and should be recognized for their performances.
She said, “I truly believe that supporting cast members also deserve recognition. If the supporting cast is strong and their characters are well-written, they can really strengthen a show. Recognition should not be limited to leads alone.”
When asked about television specifically, she pointed out that recognition does come to the supporting cast, especially when their roles are impactful. But she added, “Generally speaking, from my experience outside of this current show, we really have to work hard as a supporting cast. Often, we’re not given enough importance or strong scenes. However, in Gehna, it has been very different.”
Talking about her ongoing show, she revealed that every character is being given attention, and she believes it’s because the producer has been a writer himself. She added, “He understands the value of each role. Trust me, if you give depth and importance to your supporting characters — not by sidelining the lead, but along with them—you’ll get so much more content, subplots, and drama in your show.”
The difference between working in films and TV, Gulfam mentioned, lies in the process. She said, “In films, you usually receive the script well in advance — sometimes a month or at least two weeks before the shoot. On TV, you often get 10-12 pages in the morning and have to memorize and deliver them the same day. Preparation time is limited.
However, she added, “One advantage in TV is that within the first week, you grasp your character and get into the flow. In films, there are long gaps. You work for a few days, then have 15-20 days off, and it takes time to get back into character. When it comes to acting, film acting is usually more subtle — depending on the genre. If it’s a loud film, you act accordingly. If it’s a slice-of-life film, then the performance is more natural.”
As a trained writer, she brings more than performance to her sets—she brings structure and insight. “There are times when lines are repetitive, or the character traits feel similar. But being a writer helps me organically twist or shift the lines while keeping the core emotion intact. It also helps other characters in the scene, making the overall performance more impactful,” Gulfam ended.
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