Aiman and Minal Khan, the renowned twin sisters of Pakistan’s entertainment industry, began their careers at the young age of nine. In a podcast with Mubashir Hashmi, Aiman reflected on the journey, crediting their father for guiding them towards success.
“Our father was a huge influence on us. It was his dream to be an actor, but as a policeman, he couldn’t pursue it. When people noticed something special in us, they suggested we try acting. It was our father’s friend who helped us land an audition for a drama,” Aiman explained.
She went on to describe how her father, despite his demanding job, ensured they had every opportunity to follow a dream he couldn’t fulfill himself. “He would take us everywhere, make sure we were prepared, and even helped us get our pictures taken to send out for auditions.”
Minal, recalling their early days, talked about their competitive yet supportive relationship. “If Aiman got a role or a commercial and I didn’t, I would cry. Our father would console me and explain the importance of balance,” Minal shared. This sibling rivalry, combined with their support for each other, motivated them to work harder.
The Price of Fame and Smart Decisions
The sisters’ journey to stardom had its challenges, and Aiman emphasized how success requires more than just luck. “Some actors don’t become successful even after several dramas, while others hit big with just one. It’s all about what people like. But once you’re successful, making poor decisions is your own fault.”
Minal spoke about the responsibility that comes with having a large social media following. “As an actor with a public account, it’s your duty to provide positive influence and not encourage negative behavior,” she said.
She added, “There are many things I’ve turned down because I don’t want to promote them, knowing my followers won’t like it. It’s hard to know exactly what people want; sometimes, no matter how you post, someone will have an opinion about it.”
Dealing with Scrutiny
Being in the public eye comes with inevitable scrutiny and unsolicited opinions. Aiman and Minal both discussed how hard it is to separate their public and private lives. “People don’t understand that when they say, ‘You’ve gained weight,’ they don’t know the reasons behind it,” Minal pointed out.
Aiman echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that celebrities are human too. “When you’re a public figure, you’re treated as public property, but people forget that you’re also human. For every hundred negative comments, there are a thousand good ones, so it’s important to focus on the positive.”
Minal added that online negativity can have an emotional toll. “Personal attacks should never happen. We don’t know what someone’s going through in life. A single mean comment can ruin someone’s day, even when they’re dressed up and appearing fine on the outside.”
