“22 Qadam is not just about a particular woman cricketer, but about dedication, commitment and passion” explains Hareem Farooq aka Fari
22 Qadam is the drama that has taken on, for the first time, the narrative of women in sports in Pakistan. By mapping real life stories, challenges and the struggles of those who fought for every win even before the first ball was bowled on the field, is perhaps, a story that should have been told many many years ago. It is both unfortunate that it took this long to come to the TV screens, yet fortune that it finally happened – better late than never!
In this second of a series of discourse on Hareem Farooq’s 22 Qadam journey, we find out more about how she tackled Farheen’s role the highs and highs of the drama moments behind the scenes, and the moments that will always stay with her forever! So read on, as we give you a flavour of the story behind the story!
On feeling the pressure playing a character not yet essayed on TV
“It is one on the most challenging characters that I have done so far.”
Hareem Farooq – 22 Qadam
“Oh definitely felt the pressure because playing a sportswoman, it’s not an easy task and definitely you can’t take it lightly for sure. When the idea popped up it was certainly very exciting, but then you know the second thing was, we have to make sure that she looks like a sportswoman and I was adamant on the fact that I cannot take this lightly. One of the first names that came to mind when we thought of the idea was Sana Mir – Brilliant cricketer and somebody who represented Pakistani women’s cricket team worldwide and she became the face of it basically. So when you are filling such big shoes, you have to make sure that you are giving your best and you’re committed and absolutely dedicated to the character. When it started, it was very exciting but now when I am done with the project and when I look at it, it is one of the most challenging characters that I have done so far.”
Hareem sustained an injury while training as Farheen, but kept going…
“My leg was injured and I was to do a lot of bowling scenes and we had to take a lot of takes for it … it was gruesome to bowl.”
Hareem Farooq on 22 Qadam
“My leg was injured and I was to do a lot of bowling scenes and we had to take a lot of takes for it, because we wanted different angles. That was extremely challenging for me because my injury was a bowling injury. Batting was still better but I had to run and it was gruesome to bowl in that state because my hamstring had ruptured. But that was also extremely superbly challenging and again, everybody was super supportive and got me through it.
On Whose Story Is It?
“I am not depicting a particular cricketer, it is absolutely fictional but yes, it is somewhat in many aspects inspired by Sana Mir. Because her story is very inspiring, how she was so passionate about cricket and how she ended up becoming the world no. 1 just due to her dedication, commitment, and her passion.”
When Wahaj aka Junaid Foodie Goals Strike
“Haan ye kia kha rahi ho? Dekhao? What is this?”
Wahaj Ali aka Junaid in 22 Qadam
“There were many funny incidents on set but one thing that was there for sure… we were shooting in extreme heat conditions ….and there were such harsh weather conditions that and it is God’s miracle that Masha Allah everybody played together and we were all a team and specially Wahaj…. It was a pleasure working with him.
The most interesting mazay ki baat is that he has this particular sense of humour and you know… we would be coming back in from full garmi but he would crack a joke, he would pull everyone’s leg. We broke into a water fight too! The whole team would be sitting in the dressing room; from the actors to the cricketers, the aspiring cricketers that we had… Wahaj would crack jokes and we would laugh at everybody… and one mazay ki baat that I find really fun about him is that whenever we are eating something, even if he wants to eat or not, he has to, for sure, check what we are eating. It was a given we would say: “Wahaj you want to try it? ” “Haan ye kia kha rahi ho? Dekhao? What is this?”
What memorable moments are made of, egging included!
“Wo anda jo hao wo sahi terhaan parh nahi raha tha, because they were saying, do it gently! Eventually lekin mujhay zor ka khana para“
Hareem Farooq aka Farheen in 22 Qadam
And with the team you know, the whole project has been memorable. But there is this particular scene in which I have to get egged (hit by an egg) and for some odd reason wo anda jo hao wo sahi terhaan parh nahi raha tha.. and it took a lot of time but eventually I remember, I think there is some BTS of it as well… everybody was standing there because we were trying turn by turn (bari bari) that the egg hits and breaks because they were saying, do it gently, the egg should not hit hard” but then eventually “mujhay zor ka khana para anda” because obviously we had to show that. So that particular scene for me became very memorable.
The 3 Page Monologue Challenge
“We win or lose I will not leave and go. Mein kheloongi, maidaan chhor ke dar kar bhaagne ka toh sawaal hi nahi paida hota”
Hareem Farooq aka Fari in 22 Qadam
The most challenging scene for me was actually, there’s this monologue, it’s in the trailer as well “We win or lose I will not leave and go” that was one of the most challenging scenes that I’ve done. I also had a lot of rage inside me and that anger emerged in my performance – it was real anger. Allah was kind that rage resonated in me at that point. It was a three page monologue and I was very nervous about doing that because we decided to do it in one take. I think that was a very challenging scene and we had to do it the same day we were already doing a lot of sports and all our cricket scenes. So I was very nervous about that, but everybody, again as I said, I’m extremely grateful to everybody because they really helped me and they really supported me but that was a challenging scene.
On Fari’s Courage & Being Feminine Yet Strong
A woman can be both feminine and strong at the same time
Hareem Farooq aka Fari in 22 Qadam
“But Fari does not compromise on her dreams. She says NO. I will not give in. I will not give up. I will fight the barriers because I can see my dream come true and I will make it happen without compromising on my values.” Hareem explained further: it’s not just the strength of the character that pulls her to a role but also the values, the dreams, the hopes the character brings with it.
“A woman is a woman. You see, she is still feminine and she can be strong at the same time. For me at the same time, being strong means not letting go or not giving up in the face of adversity and making sure that your spirits are high.”
And that, dear folks, is Fari in a nutshell. The story of many women the story of you and the story of us. Stay with us as we give you more conversations on Fari from 22 Qadam every week as the you watch the story of 22 Qadam unfold on screen!
Produced by IRK Films and Multiverse Entertainment, 22 Qadam is a captivating series directed by Anjum Shehzad and written by the talented Zeeshan Ilyaas, known for their exceptional storytelling. Starring Wahaj Ali and Hareem Farooq, the show boasts an ensemble cast, including Nida Mumtaz and Shahnawaz Zaidi in prominent roles.
Look forward to more snippets on 22 Qadam on FUCHSIA Magazine soon from Hareem Farooq aka Fari and Wahaj Ali aka Junaid … coming soon!
