Huma Qureshi Writes A Thank You Note To Her 16-Year-Old Self For Never Giving Up

Actress Huma Qureshi, currently starring in Maharani 3, penned a sincere letter to her 16 year old self on International Women’s Day. Recalling her journey, she acknowledged the hurdles she faced while following her dream of becoming an artist. In the letter, the Gangs of Wasseypur star thanked her younger self for staying strong and determined despite criticism. She credits herself for bringing her to where she is today and how she overcame hurdles in a city like Mumbai. The actress also remembered early tough days, when she was lonely and faced multiple rejections. Yet, she highlighted the importance of staying true to her dreams. In the same post, Huma shared glimpses of her childhood on Instagram and concluded by urging women to support each other.

The actress started her letter with, “Dear 16-Year-Old Me, Thank you for that day when you marched into your principal’s office in Class 11th. You were terrified but your love for the stage burnt brighter than your fear. You had to tell them of your choice: Performing Arts over Academics, Humanities over Science. Your first fight against doubt. The start of your journey in defying expectations. They told you, you are stubborn. That your dreams were wrong. You must be like the others, okay with being put in a box and taking the ‘safe and sensible’ route. Thank you for being so headstrong then because that stubbornness is going to take you on an incredible journey.”

She added, “When you came to Mumbai you didn’t know a soul yet you went each day to every audition, every meeting with unwavering determination. They don’t know who I am when I walk in that door but I will make sure they remember me when I walk out. Early days are tough in a new city with only your dreams to be your guiding light. Many nights you cry alone praying for some ray of hope. Each rejection hurts but you wake up and go back to work and just keep walking on.”

Despite facing rejections, Huma Qureshi has come a long way. She asserts that age has brought knowledge and glamour, but it hasn’t diminished the possibility of being a ‘simple girl’ with big dreams. Looking ahead, she advises her younger self not to let criticism discourage her.

Although Huma wonders how her 16 year old self would think about characters like Rani Bharati in Maharani, Rajshri in Double XL or Monica Machado in Monica O My Darling. However, she believes that the young little girl will appreciate these characters because they challenge traditional expectations. According to her, these women are not ‘damsels in distress’ or perfect heroines, instead, they are messy, unfiltered, and powerful, much like herself and countless other women. In the end, Qureshi encourages her younger self and all women, not to silence their voices, as they can and will rise above the noise.

Following the success of two seasons, Huma Qureshi returns in the third season of Maharani, reprising her role as Rani Bharti. Huma’s performance and gripping storyline has garnered appreciation from viewers and fans since the show was launched.

Directed by Saurabh Bhave, the series features talented actors such as Amit Sial, Sohum Shah, Vineet Kumar, Pramod Pathak, Kani Kusruti, Anuja Sathe, Sushil Pandey and Dibyendu Bhattacharya, in key roles.