Pakistani actress Shaheen Khan recently appeared as a guest on Dunya News’ popular comedy show Mazaq Raat, where she opened up about her acting journey and the emotional struggles that come with playing deeply intense roles. During the show, she discussed how certain characters can emotionally impact an actor to the point that it becomes difficult to separate real life from the reel one.
When Roles Become Emotionally Overwhelming
While speaking about her experiences, Shaheen Khan revealed that it is rare for a character to completely dominate her, but some roles leave a lasting impression on her mind. She explained that when an actor immerses themselves into a powerful and emotional role, it can take days — sometimes even weeks — to detach from that character.
The actress shared that she is currently shooting a drama where her on-screen husband suffers a stroke and is hospitalized. The role requires her to portray deep emotional pain and helplessness. Shaheen admitted that even after the cameras stop rolling, the grief and distress of her character linger in her thoughts. The intensity of the scenes affects her emotionally, and she often finds herself carrying the pain home after filming.
The Real-Life Memories Behind the Performance
In her heartfelt conversation, Shaheen Khan shared that one of the reasons her current drama affects her so deeply is because it’s being filmed in a hospital — a place that holds painful memories from her personal life. The hospital reminds her of the difficult times she faced when her mother and brother were both admitted for treatment.
She recalled her brother with great affection, saying that even though he was older, she always felt like an elder sister to him. Their bond was incredibly strong, and the loss of her brother remains one of the most painful experiences of her life. Shaheen revealed that she found out about her brother’s life-threatening illness when doctors told her he only had one month to live. Despite all efforts and treatment, he eventually passed away before her eyes.
Balancing Work and Personal Pain
While her brother was undergoing treatment in the hospital, Shaheen Khan continued working on her drama projects. She would shoot during the day and visit her brother in the evenings, a time she describes as the most emotionally draining period of her life. She said that witnessing her brother’s suffering and losing him in front of her eyes left an unforgettable scar on her heart.
Because of these experiences, hospital scenes in dramas bring back all those painful memories. She admitted that whenever she shoots in a hospital, she doesn’t need to “act” because the emotions come naturally. The tears, pain, and grief that appear on screen are real — they come from her own lived experiences.
The Reality of Emotional Acting
Actors often speak about the challenges of portraying tragic characters, but Shaheen Khan’s story highlights how emotionally taxing such roles can truly be. For her, acting isn’t just a profession; it’s a deeply personal process that often requires reliving painful memories.
She emphasized that audiences see the final product — the performance — but they rarely understand the emotional toll behind it. Actors invest not only time and skill but also their emotions into their craft. This emotional investment can make certain roles incredibly difficult to recover from, especially when the storyline mirrors their personal losses.
Emotional Authenticity as Strength
Despite the pain, Shaheen Khan believes that her real-life experiences have made her a stronger and more authentic performer. She said that when she performs emotionally charged scenes, she does not have to force herself to cry or act distressed — the emotions naturally flow because she genuinely feels them. This authenticity, she believes, connects her with the audience on a deeper level and makes her performances more powerful.
Shaheen’s emotional honesty has earned her the admiration of viewers who appreciate her ability to portray realistic and heartfelt emotions on screen. Her story is a reminder that behind every compelling performance lies an artist who may have endured similar struggles in real life.
A Message of Resilience and Empathy
By sharing her personal journey, Shaheen Khan shed light on the human side of acting — one that involves vulnerability, empathy, and resilience. She reminded audiences that actors, despite appearing strong and composed, carry their own emotional burdens.
Her openness serves as an inspiration for many young actors who aspire to perform emotionally demanding roles. It also teaches an important lesson — that true art often emerges from real emotions, and pain can sometimes become the most powerful source of artistic expression.
The emotional revelations by Shaheen Khan on Mazaq Raat offered a rare glimpse into the challenges actors face beyond the screen. Her story beautifully captures the thin line between personal grief and professional dedication. While acting remains her passion, it is also a journey of healing — one where memories of love and loss continue to shape her performances.
Through her honesty and strength, Shaheen Khan proves that even the deepest pain can be transformed into art that moves hearts and reminds us of the shared humanity behind every story.
