Tara Mahmood opens up on most awkward on-screen role

By Muhammad MubashirPublished On 18 Sep 2025

Actress Tara Mahmood has opened up about her career struggles, going on to share an emotionally bizarre experience because of an awkward acting role.

During a podcast with Ahmed Ali Butt, Tara revealed that she once played the role of the second wife of veteran actor Usman Pirzada in a drama. “[It was] a role that made me feel extremely uncomfortable as he is a close friend of my father”.

She admitted feeling unsure about how to address him on set, “Should I call him uncle or something else?” she recalled with a laugh, describing the awkward position she found herself in.

Also reflecting on the early days of her career, Tara said she used to work on just one or two projects at a time due to limited opportunities. “At that time, delayed payments were a major source of stress, especially since I was living alone in Karachi with high living expenses”.

What hurt the most, she added, was having to constantly chase after her own money.

Fortunately, things have improved. “Today, I am involved in multiple projects simultaneously, so if one payment is delayed, it doesn’t create as much trouble”.

However, she expressed dissatisfaction with the entertainment industry's attitude toward supporting actors, saying they don’t receive the respect or recognition they deserve even though they’re essential to any production.

Tara also opened up about her personal life, revealing that five years ago she had no intention of getting married. But now, she’s open to the idea. “If the right person will come to life, I will go for it,” she said.

It merits a mention here that Tara is the daughter of retired Pakistani bureaucrat-turned-politician Shafqat Mahmood, who served as the federal minister for education and professional training, as well as for national history and literary heritage, from August 2018 to April 2022.

During the show, she also admitted that she, for a long time, did not tell anyone in the industry that she was Mahmood’s daughter.

Tara Mahmood is known for her roles in the popular Pakistani drama serials Mere Humsafar, Suno Chanda, Chupke Chupke, Anaa and Diyar-e-Dil. She also appeared in the film Seedlings in 2013 and the drama Altered Skin in 2018.