‘Maharani changed my life,’ says Huma Qureshi at a Kolkata event

Speaking about her journey in the film industry, Qureshi said that true influence does not stem from deliberate activism but from embracing one’s individuality and complexity.

“The more you lean into who you truly are, the more your voice resonates deeply,” she said, adding that soft power emerges naturally rather than being engineered.

Reflecting on her early years, the actor described navigating pressures to conform to conventional standards in the entertainment industry. Over time, she said, she learned that authenticity holds greater impact than attempting to fit predefined roles.

Huma Qureshi at a Kolkata event on March 24, 2026. Photo: PR Team

Qureshi also spoke about her critically acclaimed series Maharani, calling the titular role a “life-changing” experience.

She credited the show’s writers and creators for crafting a narrative that connects with audiences without “speaking down” to them.

“It communicates with people in a language they understand,” she said, highlighting its rooted storytelling and portrayal of grassroots politics and female representation.

The actor emphasised the importance of nuanced female characters in cinema and streaming platforms, noting that meaningful roles go beyond token representation.

“Characters should not be judged based on gender. They must be fully realised, complex individuals,” she said.

Addressing the role of language and diversity in Indian storytelling, Qureshi pointed to the country’s vast cultural landscape as both a challenge and an opportunity.

She said specificity in storytelling often leads to universal appeal. “The more specific a story is, the more global it becomes,” she noted.

“When I started my journey, I was trying to understand how to navigate as a female artist. The more you listen to your inner voice, the more it resonates with you,” she said.