Pakistani star Mawra Hocane on the power of second chances

Bollywood has sprung a big surprise on fans. A film that released 10 years ago and didn’t make much of an impact at the box office has now broken all records on its re-release. What changed? According to Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane, who stars in Sanam Teri Kasam, there was always a cult following for the film. After many years, as the fan base grew exponentially, they couldn’t resist revisiting the cinema to relive the experience.

While the re-release of Sanam Teri Kasam may have reignited global recognition of Mawra’s immense fanbase, those who have followed her journey in Pakistani television know that she has been winning audiences consistently for over a decade.

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But, her success extends beyond her popular serials; at one point, she was a Lux girl and was also the most-followed celebrity in Pakistan, a testament to her widespread influence. Not only did she deliver a major hit that significantly contributed to the growth of Pakistani cinema, but she also made a conscious decision to return to university to complete her Law degree, graduating with distinction while honouring her professional commitments. As she once said, “I believe in finishing what I start; not being able to do that makes me feel weak.”

What truly sets Mawra apart, however, is how she has remained unaffected by her accolades. Unlike many others, her PR team has never needed to orchestrate a media frenzy around her achievements. Mawra’s quiet confidence speaks volumes. She wears her success with humility—not because she doesn’t value it, but because she has never taken it for granted. Through it all, her approach to work has remained steadfast: driven by professionalism and an unshakable focus.

City Times caught up with the Pakistani actress to learn more about how she feels about the hysteria surrounding her film and why, at times, second chances are important. Here's what she had to say about....

The global love she's receiving:

“It reaffirms my belief that you get what is yours, and nobody can take it away from you. You receive it when the time is right. I believe the universe was saving this as a gift for me for my wedding,” says Mawra. She adds, “My parents have always told me to stay grounded and never take a bite when it's hot; let it cool down first. It’s a metaphor for not getting too carried away with success, being grateful for what you have, and continue to work hard."

On her current state of mind:

“It’s a euphoric kind of feeling, and I have never felt better, personally or professionally. I was in the middle of my wedding, and the film had released on the same day as my Rukhsati. The next day, I started getting messages from my team in India saying the movie had become a blockbuster. Now, how does one comprehend that amidst all the things happening in my personal life? Are you telling me that the film’s fate has changed? I truly believe that this was a gift from Allah for my wedding and my husband bringing in the luck. I am also grateful that I had the space in my mind and heart to absorb this success, and I am just happy that it eventually happened.”

On dealing with failure:

"I was only two or three years into my industry when I went for this film. I was hardly 21—young and impressionable. When the film didn’t work, and due to the political unrest, I couldn’t take on a few other projects, I was heartbroken. I had put in so much hard work that I felt completely consumed by it, leaving nothing inside of me to enjoy or look forward to. I returned to Pakistan and told Momina Duraid of Hum TV that I didn’t want to work because I had lost my mojo; the actor in me had died. I was all geared up to finish my Law degree, settle in London, and forget it all as a bad dream. But thanks to Momina, who showed faith in me, I got Sammi and Aangan, which became iconic serials."

On giving second chances:

"I believe that one should not only be given a second chance but as many chances as needed, if the intention is to fix something. In my case, if I were wrong, I would also want chances for myself. That’s how I operate in life because I believe forgiveness plays a huge role in keeping our lives beautiful and united. Take, for instance, a marriage or this film—if it hadn’t been given a second chance, this success wouldn’t have happened."

On staying grounded despite great success:

"I don’t measure these things, nor am I very strategic. There is still such a long way to go and so much more to achieve. When I was doing the Lux commercial, I was working with the best talents of our country, like Mahira Khan, for instance, who has achieved so much and remains so grounded. And when I do my dramas, I look at Sultana Siddiqui’s journey, with more than five decades of experience, and how she has stood her ground for so long. If I’m in India, whether in a gym with someone or at a dance rehearsal, I see the immense effort put in by the most established stars. So how can you say that your glass is full and that you’ve done your job? You learn that you should be grateful because these are the values I’ve been brought up with."

On her social media power and presence:

"When I had the largest following on social media, I felt great, but at the same time, I felt a huge responsibility. I had to be extra cautious about what I was putting out there and see things from a broader perspective. My approach has always been to share positive things and spread love—giving back to the people the love I’ve received for countless years. And even if I didn’t have the numbers on social media that I have, my approach would have been the same. We are such a small part of the universe, but our kindness can have a greater impact. Good things are contagious, and I feel they grow manifold when you share them”.

Redefining success in the age of social media:

“Success means different things to different people. Personally, numbers don’t define success for me; it’s more about the qualitative aspects. It's about the respect I receive at work and what my colleagues say about me. But for some people, numbers matter. Instagram, for example, is only a decade old, and those who have built their names over this time, consistently delivering engaging and valuable content to their followers, are the ones who have truly achieved success. Achieving success in this age might seem easy or could just be a stroke of luck or something that goes viral, but what you do with that fame and how far you go is the real measure of success."

Sadiq Saleem is a UAE-based writer and can be contacted on his Instagram handle @sadiqidas.