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Sultana Siddiqui, the founder of HUM Network and one of Pakistan’s most influential television producers, has spoken about her long-held belief in empowering women by giving them meaningful leadership roles. During a recent podcast appearance, she reflected on how she entrusted her daughters-in-law with running production houses, saying she has always believed women should be encouraged to take responsibility and shape the future of the entertainment industry. Sharing her journey, Siddiqui explained that she never considered it wrong to empower women, especially within her own family. She revealed that when her elder daughter-in-law, Moomal, got married, she established Moomal Entertainment and handed over its management to her. Later, after Momina joined the family, Siddiqui launched MD Productions and entrusted the company to her as well. According to Siddiqui, Momina had completed a degree in business and initially had no plans to work in television. However, after observing the creative atmosphere around her, she gradually became interested in the industry and accepted the challenge of contributing to meaningful storytelling. Recalling their conversations, Siddiqui said Momina told her that she wanted to educate audiences through television content rather than simply produce entertainment. That vision, she said, inspired the production of several memorable dramas that combined strong storytelling with social messages. The veteran producer highlighted that Pakistani television was going through a difficult period at the time. She remembered that audiences were increasingly drawn to Indian television serials, making it challenging for local productions to compete. Even attracting sponsors for new dramas was a major hurdle, as confidence in the local industry had declined. Despite these obstacles, Siddiqui said her team remained determined to revive Pakistani dramas by focusing on quality scripts and emotionally engaging stories. She credited the dedication of her production houses and creative teams for helping restore viewers’ interest in local television. Reflecting on that era, she pointed to critically acclaimed projects such as Dastaan as examples of the kind of meaningful content that helped bring audiences back to Pakistani dramas. She said productions like these played an important role in rebuilding the industry’s reputation and proving that locally produced stories could resonate with viewers. Siddiqui also recalled how the revival of Pakistani dramas required patience and persistence. She noted that the industry had to overcome financial challenges, limited sponsorship opportunities, and tough competition before eventually regaining its strong position in the entertainment landscape. Throughout the discussion, Siddiqui emphasized that empowering women has always been one of her core values. Rather than limiting opportunities, she believes women should be trusted with leadership positions and given the freedom to make important decisions. Her remarks offered a glimpse into the philosophy that has shaped both her family and professional life. By placing confidence in the abilities of her daughters-in-law and encouraging them to lead successful production houses, Siddiqui said she hoped to create an environment where women could thrive, innovate, and make a lasting impact on Pakistan’s television industry.

Sanya Malhotra has spoken about breaking old patterns in her own family. She admitted she “forced” her mother to step back from the kitchen and focus on herself instead. According to her, the habit of women expressing love through nonstop service is not healthy. In many South Asian homes, she said, women spend their days caring for others while their own goals get set aside. She brought this up in a recent interview. Her own house followed the same pattern growing up. Women stayed in the kitchen. Men waited around for things to be handed to them. She said she didn’t fully see how much pressure her mother was under until she moved away to Mumbai. One memory stood out for her. Her mother once cried simply because she felt too sick to cook. Sanya told her that food had nothing to do with love. She explained that cooking is just one way people show care, not the only way it can be shown. That moment shifted things at home. Sanya started nudging her parents away from old habits. Her mother now listens when Sanya tells her to skip the kitchen for a day. She said it makes her proud watching her mother take time for herself in the mornings instead of rushing straight to chores. Her father was not left out either. Sanya said she often pushed him to do small things, like getting his own glass of water or making a simple meal. She admitted the change has not fully stuck yet, but she keeps reminding him. She connected all of this to her character in Mrs. In the film, she plays a newlywed whose entire identity gets swallowed by household duties. Sanya said many women tell her the story feels personal to them. That response, she said, leaves her both upset and hopeful, since even a small shift in mindset feels worth it to her. She also called out how sacrifice tends to get romanticised, especially when it comes to mothers. Women, she said, are often expected to give up their own dreams the moment they become parents. Talking about her mother’s past, Sanya revealed she once wanted to become a fashion designer. It took her years to understand her mother had dreams of her own beyond raising a family. As for the criticism Mrs received, Sanya said none of it bothered her. She said she has no interest in defending her views to people who never even watched the film. She last appeared in Netflix’s Toaster and is currently working on Bandar and Sundar Poonam.