A Fashion model ,Film actor, Reality Tv Star and Social worker Veena Malik Born in Rawalpindi on the 26th of February 1987 at the CMH Hospital, to Ali Malik, a Pakistani Army Major and his wife Zeenat Malik, she was the third child in a family of six sisters and one brother. Veena spent most of her childhood away from her parents in Punjab and was brought up by her paternal grandfa¬ther who was a well-known Zamindar (landlord) of Punjab and grandmother. The obvious independent streak in her personality could be largely attributed to her brought up at Punjab where she grew under a lot of freedom almost to the extent of being pampered by her doting grandparents.
Over a span of ten years, she has worked with news channels and in movies. Malik has worked as a representative at the World Health Organization for two years. She also sponsors a child at the SOS Children’s Village, an NGO based in Pakistan working with orphaned children.
In an exclusive interview with “The Kashmir Scenario”, Veena Malik talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.
Tell us a bit about your childhood days?
My earliest memories are of Punjab where I lived with my Dada and Dadi. Mangoes were my favourite and I remember climb¬ing the tree to some of the highest branches for them. I was always a topper in my school and since my dada was a Zamindar, lot of kids kept themselves away from me. I used to feel sad at times as I was away from my dad & mom and all the pampering from the grandparents also spoiled me (laughs)
We used to sneak out when elders slept and play ‘hide & seek’ and remember some of the dark nights where you could hardly see anything. Also remember the ‘shabbey barat’ and we used to burn ‘shammeys’ all night long. We used to sing songs sometimes for continuous from 20 nights for all the marriages happening. The skies were so clear that you could see millions of stars and keeping counting them till you fell asleep.
Tell us bit about your academic career?
As I stated I was academically a brilliant student and I am basically a B.A in Sociology, Psychology and Persian.
Who is your role model?
I don’t believe in role models, no idealism as such. What I know is that a person does his best at the situation he is in.
Since you have seen tough times as well how have you coped up with difficult circumstances?
Yes during difficult times I actually tend to get quieter in contrary to people getting frenzied. I try to be more relaxed and let the time pass by. I am thankful to God for the good times but even difficult times are part of the life cycle. You don’t appreciate one without the other.
What are your future ambitions?
I don’t plan much and treat every day as new and keep working for a more successful and happy future not that I am not happy or successful now.
What are your hopes from your first Bollywood movie?
I am a hard working person but I know the results are not completely in your hand whether it’s a ‘hit’ or ‘flop’. What I know is that I gave my best, especially when you have worked hard for a project but again it’s a part of life.
Your message to fans especially people of Kashmir?
I have heard that Kashmir is beautiful and one of the movies was shot in the Pakistan Administered Kashmir in Muzaffarabad, It’s truly and rightly called as ‘Jannat’ and pray to Allah that He brings it back to its true glory.
What are your hobbies?
I like Googling, YouTube basically an internet connection is my life otherwise I feel disconnected from the world. I love watching India & Pakistan cricket matches. Also when I get time I like to read and love to drive.