After spending only a week in Delhi, model Saimaa Azhar realised that she should be living in India and not in Pakistan. “I feel main wahan galti se drop ho gayi hoon, I should be in India. My mother is originally from Lucknow and my father is from Hardoi in UP. So, my family roots are in UP.
However, since my father migrated to Pakistan, I was born and brought up there. This is the first time I am visiting India and I totally love it. I will be returning soon to train formally in acting,” says Saimaa. She recently walked the ramp in the city for Pakistani and Indian designers. “I spent most of my time here shopping. I went to Chandni Chowk and bought some chanderi silk with zardozi and zari work and some beautiful saris as well. I was told by people here that Lajpat Nagar is a must-visit if you love shopping. So, one evening was spent at Lajpat Nagar buying jewellery,” she says.
After a modelling career of over four years, Saimaa is now looking forward to making a career in Bollywood. “Good actors from Pakistan like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan are working here now and doing some good work. I don’t want to talk about girls like Veena Malik. I should be saying sorry to India on behalf of these girls. What she did was not appreciable,” she says.
Talking about the Pakistani fashion industry, she says that contrary to what people believe, Pakistani fashion is very edgy. “People think that we only design traditional and bridal outfits, but that is just one part of our fashion. Our designers have been experimenting with various drapes and cuts. Even our burqas now have had a modern makeover, despite not too many women wearing them anymore. I have never worn one, but now burqas come in all colours and are tailored like gowns, as per body type. Some young designers make burqas with embroidery. In countries like Canada, velvet burqas are in demand. The starting price for designer burqas is about ‘10,000, and it can go higher depending on the fabric used and the embroidery,” she says.
