Can You Shine Even If Those Closest To You Sometimes Tell You You Can’t? Yumna Zaidi was faced with the challenge, find out how she, and others decided to meet it.
Sometimes we only see the glamour, and not the struggle, the fame and popularity, the fan love, but not the personal story – Yumna Zaidi, along with many of your favourite stars, shared their story, and many women nodded along to the journey they recognized as their own!
Shaan Se Shine, Sunsilk’s latest campaign revealed the lesser told private stories of triumph behind the very public success stories of many of our loved celebs and influencers!
On 8th December social media was flooded with celebrities and influencers posting black and white pictures with the hashtag #shaanSeshine. Just like you, we wondered what all these talented girls were up to.
Shortly after, the girls turned around (and via video posts), revealed the struggles and stereotypes that working girls face. Whether it’s rishtaydaron ke taanay or the log kia kahengay factor, support for a girl being independent and chasing her dreams is very rare, even today. People can’t fathom why or how a girl’s doing what she pleases.
What’s the hype about?
Earlier this month, Sunsilk Pakistan unveiled its campaign #shaanseshine which highlights this societal issue, defying all gender norms. Celebrities poured in their support as Sunsilk released its Shaan se Shine TVC, with the tagline “You’re unstoppable and so is your shine.”
Words of encouragement
- Yumna Zaidi, one of Pakistan’s finest actresses faced hurdles too. She recalls people telling her how she can work with strangers, and that her home should be her priority. Years later, Yumna’s a super successful award winning actress. With perseverance and hard work, she proves that nothing’s impossible!
Viewer response
Yumna Zaidi was showered with immense love from her fans. They were overwhelmed by her candid and honest story and left comments such as:
‘You are an inspiration for so many little girls’
‘keep shining’
‘Sending duas your way’
2. Certified Yoga instructor, Amafah Mubashir, shared her story of how she defied odds and people’s views on being a yoga instructor and comment of “larki ho ke exercise?” This is her recount of her journey!
Fans reacted with unfathomable warmth in comments below, urging her on to do greater things and carry on!
‘Love this’
‘Shine on you star’
‘Proud of you
were some of the encouragement thrown her way!
3. Just like that, we have another successful and competent power girl, Samreen Essa, CEO of Hunza Bucket Organic Store. She recounts how she was asked: how can you work after marriage? “Bacche sambhalo” but she ignored all and breathed life into her dreams. Now she proudly owns her own business venture and supports female entrepreneurs from the North. More Power to you Girl!
People showered all their love and support for Samreen. Supporters reached out to tell her that she’s a great motivation and the best role model ever!
4. Even the slightest support counts! Adding one more to the list: Rida M. Syed, a mom, blogger and content creator. Being married and having a family while following your passion does not mean running away from responsibilities. Experience and exposure bring out the best, especially when things are balanced. Rida says she’s a successful content creator whose child loves her a lot. Keep chasing you dreams!
When women tell their story with honesty, courage and love, people respond with the same love and the hate dissolves:
‘you’re an inspiration’
‘such a proud moment’
‘you’re doing so good!’
were just some of the comments she met after she chose to tell her story on the #ShaanSeShine campaign.
Our very own Rabia Mughni from Team FUCHSIA also told her story!
‘Shine bhi karoon gi aur baal bhi sambhaaloon gi’ says Rabia. And waaqai – she’s doing both. Listen to her story!
These were just a few who took part in the campaign. Aimen Khan, Ramsha Khan, Ushna Shah and so many more recount their stories, giving support and encouraging young girls to achieve their dreams!
The need for more campaigns
The Shaan Se Shine campaign shines the spotlight on a sensitive and much needed topic! For how long are girls going to be stopped from following their dreams? And why are they being withheld in the first place?
Sometimes it takes a small initiative to highlight the story behind the story. We hope that these baby steps can encourage others to reflect on the challenges they face and meet them head on! When our favourite celebrities and influencers can chase their dreams with confidence, (despite the odds), so can all of us.
Female empowerment and encouragement starts from home. These small steps will translate in a big way to help break and defy gender stereotypes so many more girls can shine on! If Yumna can do it, so can you!
Sunsilk Black Shine TVC
Here is a message from the new face of Sunsilk Pakistan, Sohai Ali Abro, on the journey Sunsilk has taken, who, in the TVC, despite all odds, looks beautiful, takes care of her hair and manages to succeed, proving that girls are not the weaker gender.
