Afshan Qureshi reveals shocking financial crisis early in her career
veteran Pakistani actress Afshan Qureshi has opened up about a difficult chapter in her early career, revealing how a failed theatre production left her facing heavy financial losses and debt before an unexpected acting opportunity helped change the course of her life.
The veteran actress shared the emotional story while recalling the early years of her career and the challenges she faced after moving to Karachi. According to Afshan, she was determined to keep working despite the financial crisis and eventually supported herself by making and selling handmade crafts.
Afshan revealed that she moved to Karachi in 1980 and produced a stage drama at Adam Ji Hall. However, the production soon turned into a major financial setback when some of the artists demanded advance payments and later failed to cooperate with her.
She said she had to sell her cars to arrange the money for the artists. Despite making those payments, several performers eventually walked out of the production, leaving her with a significant loss and a large amount of debt to repay.
Rather than giving up, Afshan decided to find another way to support herself during the difficult period. She recalled that she started making macramé, a form of handicraft created by knotting cords, and sold her handmade pieces at Karachi’s Meena Bazaar.
According to the actress, she continued the work for around four months while trying to manage her financial responsibilities. During this difficult period, she also continued looking for a way to get back into acting.
Afshan said that after months of hardship, she reached a point where she turned to prayer and asked Allah for help. She recalled crying during Namaz and seeking a way out of the difficult situation.
Soon afterwards, she received a phone call from a director asking about her whereabouts and offering her work in a television drama. For Afshan, the unexpected call became an important turning point at a time when she was struggling financially.
The actress described herself as a hardworking woman and said she continued looking for ways to survive instead of allowing the financial crisis to break her spirit. Her experience offers a glimpse into the difficult circumstances she faced before getting another opportunity to continue her acting career.
Afshan Qureshi has since built a long career in Pakistani television and film, appearing in several popular dramas and becoming particularly recognised for portraying strong and negative characters. Her television credits include Bheegi Palkain, Baba Jani, Sheher-e-Malal, Mein Mehru Hoon, Umeed, Siraat-e-Mustaqeem, Sila Aur Jannat and other projects.
She is also known as the mother of actor Faysal Quraishi, one of Pakistan’s prominent television stars. Afshan’s late husband, Abid Qureshi, was also associated with acting.