Iman Ali
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Iman Ali
By Maliha Mansoor
Although the beguiling face with classically chiselled features and an attitude to match has been around for quite sometime making heads turn whether she is on ramp, the glossy pages or the tinsel screen, currently Iman Ali is more famed as the ‘Jazz Girl’, appearing in a series of Mobilink advertisements in one gorgeous appearance after the other. But this is just one side of the pretty model-cum-actress, who absolutely refuses to acknowledge her striking looks.
“Oh, I am never satisfied with the way I look. And I do think I am just okay looking…..” so comes the pouty understatement from the charming Iman as she sits in front of the mirror, being dolled up for yet another shoot in the famed Ather Shahzad studio. One thing she does accept readily is her interest in reading, “I absolutely love reading, and I read all kinds of books.”
Contrary to the notion prevalent in the ‘celeb’ world that time is a dear and much sought-after entity, never enough to be spent in leisure activities like reading, Iman proclaims that despite a busy schedule she does find enough time to read to her heart’s desire.
“I read in between shoots, while travelling, before going to bed, and yes, even in the bathroom!” she laughs merrily. “It does not matter that I am not able to finish a book in a go or two. I keep on reading it bit by bit, slowly but steadily. This is my way of unwinding, relaxing and entertaining myself.”
Although Iman says that every book that she reads affects her in one way or the other, there are a few which she can safely term as her ‘all time favourites’.
“I like God of Small Things a lot. Then, another one is The Kite Runner. And even though people might say that it is a bit overrated, I think it was fun reading it and it did move me, which is one condition the book has to pass if it is to qualify in my favourites’ test.”
Another book that Iman likes a lot is A Fine Balance. “This surely is a special book. I read it whenever I am feeling low and want to feel good about life. It tells you how happiness can be found in tiny little things around us, and also how we need to thank God for the numerous blessings He has bestowed upon us.”
Although the dainty looking damsel acknowledges that modelling is essentially a profession that has a short life, she also asserts that it is one of the most dynamic and multifaceted professions of all. “I find it ever so challenging… With every new designer, every new shoot, there is yet a new appeal, a new look to discover and experience. And I think I have learnt more about life in my profession than a stack of academic degrees would ever have taught me.”
Not many people know that Iman Ali has also performed as the lead artist in a Shoaib Mansoor’s flick Khuda Kay Liyay currently going through the editing process, to be released sometime this year. And Iman is truly exhilarated about the whole experience.
Iman Ali: Reading is my way of unwinding and entertaining myself
“It surely has been an honour for me to work with the great maestro. I mean Shoaib Mansoor is definitely heads and shoulders above the usual crowd, and a perfectionist to the hilt. He really knows how to bring out the best in you. And I am really looking forward to the release of the film.”
With regards her own interest in watching movies, Iman again displays a fervent expression. “Oh, I absolutely love watching movies! In fact, I especially take out time for that. And please believe me when I say that I love watching a-l-l kinds of movies. Yes, from animated films to old classics to adventure flicks to commercial movies to parallel cinema, you name it, and I watch it!”
Iman’s choice of movies depends either on her own judgment (after having read film reviews and movie charts ratings) or on a friend’s recommendation. Her all time favourites so far are, The Incredibles and Osama.
She admits that she is not really into Indian flicks and watches them very rarely. “The last that I did see on a friend’s recommendation were Hazaron Khawahisheen Aisi and Omkara, which were quite interesting.”
Among Iman’s favourite artists are Russell Crowe, Ben Kingsley, Nasiruddin Shah, Aamir and Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherji.
And closely related to Ali’s passion of watching movies is her keen interest in music. “Music constitutes a big part of my life. But if you ask me honestly, ‘gora music’ (particularly the likes of jazz or rock music) is not really my cup of tea. I just cannot relate to that kind of music.”
And the ones Iman does relate to are Reshma, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sajjad Ali and Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan.
“I really appreciate the way Sajjad’s song Chal Ran Day has been visualized and turned into a fabulous video. It tells you about the superficialities of modern fast-paced life so succinctly. I really like the song better after having seen its video.”
Iman, who does come across as a very opinionated soul absolutely sure of what, when, where and why she wants out of life, asserts that she does not believe in planning out life.
“I don’t believe in planning at all. Life is to be met head on as it comes to you, day by day, event by event. I start and end each day happy to know and acknowledge that my eyes, hands, legs, mind are still working and in good shape.” Iman also shows a lot of professional respect to all her contemporaries, but when it comes to picking a few, she has absolutely no qualms in naming Vinnie as the undisputed ramp queen, and the Aaminah Haq as a face that comes across fabulously on the tele screen.
Iman believes in absolute and unrequited love. “If there is even an iota of selfishness involved, that to me is not love at all.” She believes in spending her life with a person who would accept her on her individual terms and not force her to change for better or for worse. Hope she is successful in finding her heart’s desire soon!
FAVOURITE BOOK: A Fine Balance
FAVOURITE MOVIE: The Incredibles
FAVOURITE ACTOR: Russell Crowe
FAVOURITE SINGER: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
