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 "With a busy schedule at home and a cuddly
baby boy to look after, an ever smiling Rubab is one model who gets time
to outshine the rest on the ramp"
Who is Rubab? For those of you who are not familiar with the lady, check
out the ad of the beauty soap "Breeze", resplendent in pink,
looking coyly at Adnan Siddiqui. Or if you're a fashion buff and occasion
the fashion show, you must have undoubtedly seen her slight form sashaying
down the catwalk. That's right! It's Rubab, the model. She of the chiseled
form, who has been around for some time proving her mettle. The dusky dame
has worked with all the designers worth mentioning.
With a full schedule - she is constantly kept busy. Imagine after giving
birth to her baby boy she was back on the ramp on the twentieth day!
Such dedication, one wonders! "I do have a very busy schedule,"
says Rubab, "but I'm always careful to devote enough time to my
family. There are times when I'm free from projects and there are times I
don't get to spend much time with my family. I have my hands full with
commercials, fashion shows and shoots and occasionally there's a clash and
feel frustrated but I overcome it easily. Knowing that the designers want
me is satisfying enough. Mostly they book me two months in advance so I
know which new offers can be accommodated. Though I try my best not to
turn anyone down," says the girl about her usual schedule.
Before we go further lets delve into her background a bit to get a look at
the personal angle. Hailing from a conservative family it was no less than
a battle that the inspired starlet had to fight. Luckily, Rubab's battle
was fought by her mother (Naseem Altaf) herself an actress/ model in her
heydays - who supported Rubab till the end. She recalls the events of the
past and traces the pattern of her development phase: "It was in '94
when I had just completed my Matric, Lintas connected me for a "Fair
and Lovely" audition. Girls from all over Pakistan were called.
During the audition I didn't do much as I couldn't stop laughing. By the
end of it I was positive about not making it. But it came as a total
surprise when they told me that I was still mystified as to their choice?
And I asked them so. Apparently the Australian director had liked my
smile," she says smiling, may be in an effort to prove it.
"The experience was a very good one. The four day shoot in Singapore
was completed in six shots". And then came a lull for a year, save an
occasional commercial and fashion show. She got a break in 95 when she
managed to score well and bagged quite a few shows with designers who
could be considered the tops since we do not have many options. "I
worked with Rizwan Beyg, Shamaeel, Farida Qureshi, Nilofer Shahid,
Shaiyanne Malik without any differences with them. I moulded myself
according to the needs of each designer with no "Nakahara" so
the going was easy for all concerned."
 She has
exhibited both eastern and western wear and feels equally comfortable in
both. "But I have been told that eastern wear is definitely me and I
agree with that." A simple person sans the usual fake airs that
models usually have and a manner that screams "we're somebody to
reckon with," Rubab's disposition is adaptable according to
situations, her colleagues and the designers all with whom she enjoys a
good working relationship. Not a party person, she can even be called a
bit reserved despite her smiling countenance. The "model Rubab"
is a mask she adorns for the benefit of the audience, but in reality she
is a devoted homebody. Yet style and fashion are very much a part of her
personality. "Fashion to me is anything that's stylish. It could be
simple or opulent," in other words its got to have oomph. When asked
to name her favourite designer she laughs a bit uneasily, saying,
"What a difficult question! How do you expect me to answer
that." And then more diplomatically: "They're all good."
And finally we manage to scrounge the names of - as her favourites. At a
time when there is a great dearth of creativity in the fledgling fashion
industry there has been immense improvement in terms of designers and
their work. Fashion shows are now conducted on a big scale and have been
given a face-lift since '95 and are now very much a part of the
scenario." Does she ever feel she's been neglected or been a target
of nepotism? "Not at all," comes the vehement reply. "I
have always enjoyed equal exposure and it's entirely at the designer's
discretion whom he/she would want to see draped in the clothes. But I am
always choosy about what I accept. If I know a team or people, I'll
happily work with them, but I'm wary of new people. Especially for
commercials, I'm very selective."
But it seems Rubab's active spirit was not content with just modelling. It
was also for acting that she got roped in by PTV producer Qasim Jalali.
"I did a play "Naukar Ke Agay Chakr" privately produced by
Qasim Jalali. But what a damper the whole thing was! It was the worst
experience of my life. They wasted so much time and it was a miserable six
months. I slaved away for them. I got so frustrated by the end that I was
totally put off plays and acting. But now if I get a good offer and most
importantly a very good team unlike the one I worked with before, I might
just do it."
So all you smart, capable directors out there - if you have something
interesting up your sleeve, Rubab might just do it for you. So if TV's ok,
how about films? Never! And especially now that I'm married - no way. I
have been approached by Sajjad Gul and Samina and have declined because I
do not like the idea of coming into close proximity with the actors. For
me it's vulgarity. I admit I have modelled wearing sleeveless designes, or
with my mid-rif bare, but there is a limit to everything and films is a
firm no! no!," says the adamant damsel not allowing me to wedge in
any more queries about the same. So we tackle another factor; that of her
hubby's attitude towards her choice of career.
"Though my husband does not approve of it much yet, he allows me to
continue it as this is what makes me happy, but only as long as I know my
limits. At home I am totally different from the personality that portray
on the catwalk. At home I spend each and every minute with my hubby. It is
all due to his support and trust that I'm her today. If it wasn't for him,
I would have been sitting at home baby-sitting. He trusts me and I respect
that trust," she says of her relationship with her husband.
Modeling, we all know, is a very short-lived career. Where does she
foresee herself a few years from today? "I would still be modelling.
It depends on how you maintain yourself and it is entirely up to you how
far you go. Look at Seemi Pasha, still very much part of the scene. Then
why can't we do the same?" Atta girl! Where there's a will there's a
way. A free spirit, who cannot stand bondage of time restrain. For her
sake we wish she's able to stick it out for a long time. The zest is
definitely there. It remains to be seen if the figure and looks remain the
same as well! And if nothing else, she can seek solace in her cocoon or
haven, where she can always return as she says: "I love working
around the house and am a happily married person." And our wishes are
that you remain so!
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