Actress Huma Qureshi, known for her notable roles in Bollywood, has ventured beyond acting and established herself as an author. After publishing her first book Zeba: An Accidental Superhero, Qureshi recently revealed on Instagram that she has completed her second book, Dhundh. Reflecting on her multifaceted career, Qureshi admits that as an actor, it’s uncommon for people to expect someone from her industry to be an intellectual author.
“It’s not expected from an actor in our industry to do something as intellectual as being an author,” Qureshi says, addressing the prejudice often faced by actors who try to explore other creative pursuits. She continues, “Everyone seems to have an opinion on what actors should or shouldn’t do. I haven’t asked for those opinions. Sometimes, people need to be allowed to explore, and if they make mistakes along the way, it’s okay. The bigger problem is not trying at all.”
Qureshi, who has never shied away from experimenting in her career, stresses the importance of pushing boundaries. “The most boring thing for me would be to look the same, sound the same, and do the same thing every day,” she says. “If you’re afraid to try something new, you’ll live a monotonous life. I might not succeed at everything, but I want people to say that at least I tried.”
Her journey into writing, Qureshi explains, began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when she had time to reflect and explore her creative side. “We all talk about writing a book someday, but when I had time during the pandemic, I realized I had a story to tell. Initially, I thought of writing a script since I come from the film industry, but there’s something more intellectually gratifying about writing a book,” she recalls. The positive reception to her first book was unexpected but overwhelmingly appreciated.
On a lighter note, Qureshi quips that the film rights to her book are up for grabs if any filmmaker is interested.
In addition to her acting and writing endeavours, Qureshi is also making strides in the hospitality industry. She shares her passion for the family restaurant, Saleem, which has been a staple for 50 years. “We are expanding now, and both my brother Saqib and I want to take it across India and even internationally, promoting Indian cuisine globally,” she says, hinting at plans to grow the brand.
With her diverse career, Huma Qureshi continues to break stereotypes, embracing new challenges with enthusiasm and determination.