Jannat Zubair Rahmani is one of the most beautiful and talented actresses in the entertainment industry. She started her acting career as a child artist with a cameo in the television serial, Dill Mill Gayye, in 2010. Later, she went on to work in some popular shows like Phulwa, Tu Aashiqui, Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap, and Kaashi amongst others and gained widespread recognition. Jannat enjoys a huge fan following on social media platforms, and she often treats her fans with her glamorous pictures. Innumerable young girls all over the country look up to her for inspiration and that’s why, I genuinely feel that she works very hard to get all that she wants.
In 2022, Rahmani featured in ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’ list and called it one of her biggest teen achievements. The same year, she also participated in one of the most anticipated reality TV shows “Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 12” and ended up at the 4th position. Zubair who earlier only used to feature in songs is now engaging all with her singing. Her new Arabic song ‘Kayfa Haluka’ recently made it to the music charts and is being loved for its catchy beats and for her sizzling looks.
In this candid chat with FACE, the actress-turned-influencer talks about the role of social media in her career, reuniting with Shraddha Kapoor, setting fashion goals, an important life lesson, and much more.
- You started your career very young, dabbled with acting in TV shows, films, and reality TV and have since transitioned to becoming a social media influencer and YouTuber. What was that transition like?
Yes, I started my career at a very young age but my transition to acting in TV, films, reality shows and social media has been very smooth because this was not something that I planned on doing, it just happened. I just went with the flow and before I knew that whatever I’ve been doing a while is what being a Youtuber or an influencer is all about. I was already one and I didn’t know this is what I was called. But the transition journey has been amazing.
- For someone who has a following of over 46M on Instagram, what do you have to say about the role of social media in your career, and how do you use it to connect with your fans and make a difference?
The role of social media in my career has been fantastic. Even though we never thought of doing something like this or having so many followers because before joining Instagram, I had absolutely no idea about what this platform would turn out to be in the future. But I think it really played an important part in my career because before social media, I was only recognised by my character names but after joining social media, people started knowing me for who I am and I think that’s the biggest achievement one can dream of. So, it’s been amazing. I connect with my fans and to make a difference through social media is very important because being an influencer is very powerful. I also believe that being an influencer is even more powerful than being an actor because you are holding the power to influence people in the right way. People are looking up to you, following you and listening to what you have to say and you can use that power in a correct way, to make a difference. So, I’m glad that I’m doing my part and I’m grateful to everybody who’s following me.
- You shared screen space with Shraddha Kapoor in the 2011 film ‘Luv Ka The End’, when both of you had just begun your acting careers. Recently, we saw a picture of you both reuniting after many years. Now that you both have successful individual careers of your own, how does it feel when you sit and look back at the time when you shot the film as a little girl?
Shraddha di and I met for the first time on the sets of ‘Luv Ka The End’ in 2011 and I was already doing my show ‘Phulwa’ at that time. She was sweet back then and I would say she’s sweeter now. We were not always in touch but I remember 2-3 years ago, I saw a message on Instagram and I was in awe because it was a very sweet message and she wanted to connect. We met recently at a party and I was so happy to see her. I’m just so happy that she’s doing so well and hasn’t changed even a bit. So yeah, it was great meeting her.
- You’ve also been a part of multiple music videos such as ‘Zindagi Di Paudi’, ‘Hello Hi’ and ‘Kinni Kinni Vaari’, to name a few. What’s your fondest memory, if you could think of any, when it comes to shooting music videos?
I think ‘Zindagi Di Paudi’ was really special to me because of the storyline and also because it was one of my initial ones. It’s a beautiful song, the locations that we shot it at were really gorgeous. It was very cold there and I’m not really friendly with the cold weather but I remember shooting for the song for 3 days and the unit was amazing and I really had a lot of fun.
- Apart from acting, you’ve also explored the singer in you and recently released your music video ‘Kayfa Haluka’, a soulful Arabic pop song. What made you try this genre of singing?
So, it was actually my dad who made me try ‘Kayfa Haluka’ because I was a little unsure initially. This was something I had never really tried before and it was a little experimental of us to do an Arabic pop. But he was very keen on doing it and I heard the song a few times and it was on my mind the entire day. So, I kind of knew that it was really catchy and we should do something like this because it was a bit different from the kind of songs I’m hearing nowadays. Since the hook isn’t Hindi or English but Arabic which means “How are you?” so that thought really made us do ‘Kayfa Haluka’.
- You’re someone who sets significant fashion goals for everyone and your social media profile is a proof of that. How has your style changed over the past few years?
I don’t really think that I’m someone who sets fashion goals. My style is very simple and I wear what I feel comfortable in. But I think my style has changed over the past few years. It wasn’t really intentional and I never thought that it’s time for me to change my style or try something different and go with the trend, you know. I think it just gradually happened.
- What is an important life lesson for someone to learn?
I think this question is very heavy because I think there’s still a lesson that I need to learn which I can say is the most important life lesson for me. But as of now, my parents have always taught me this one thing that no matter what you do or achieve, always remember where you started from and keep your feet to the ground. Always be grounded and never let that thing come to your head that I did this or I am this. Always be humble and that will take you places. Because it takes a lot to reach somewhere but it will just take a few seconds to destroy everything.
Rapid Fire:
- What is one thing your followers would be surprised to hear about you?
I don’t think there’s anything that my followers will be surprised to hear. They mostly know everything about me because I’m not somebody who has a lot of secrets or anything to hide. I think everything that I do in my day-to-day life or the kind of person I am, I mostly put it up in a way on my social media that they know. So, I don’t think there’s anything in particular.
- The first concert you ever went to
It was Rema’s, which recently happened here.
- Your favourite lyrics of all time
There’s this song called “Who Says” and there’s this line in the song which goes like “I wouldn’t want to be anybody else”. That has to be my favourite line of the song.
- A recent show/series you watched that you absolutely loved
I recently watched “The Night Agent” on Netflix and even though I’m not a big fan of thrillers and action, this one was really nice so I enjoyed it.
- What can make you angry in seconds?
(laughs) A lot of things but I think lies and people who are not organised. I think that is something that really gets on my nerves. And also, when I’m hungry.
- What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done in life?
So, Khatron Ke Khiladi has to be the most adventurous thing that I’ve done in my life.
