Ramsha Khan on Biryani, Breaking Silence, and Finding Strength in Stillness
When Ramsha Khan first signed on to Biryani, she couldn’t have predicted the overwhelming response it would receive. “I loved the story and the team, but you can never predict how people will receive it,” she says with a smile. “Seeing Biryani strike a chord with so many has been really special.”
The drama, which delves into the sensitive and often unspoken issue of cousin marriage, has sparked meaningful conversations both in Pakistan and beyond. For Khan, that dialogue was exactly what the project aimed to inspire.
“Biryani explores the complex issue of cousin marriage through a very human lens,” she explains. “It doesn’t approach it as a moral lecture, but as a lived reality — one where love, loyalty, and cultural expectation intertwine. The story asks audiences to look beyond the label of custom and to listen to the individuals caught inside it.”
At its core, she says, the drama is less about condemnation and more about reflection. “It’s not condemning culture — it’s questioning what happens when tradition begins to silence personal freedom.”
Having played a variety of women across her career — often bold, outspoken, and unafraid to challenge the world around them — Khan found Biryani offered her a new kind of challenge.
“I’ve played women who fight back in loud, visible ways before,” she says. “But this character’s strength is quieter. She’s surviving in a world that doesn’t see her. That kind of silence was new for me — it taught me a lot about restraint and empathy.”
Despite the heavy subject matter, Khan says the atmosphere on set was full of warmth and humour. “It was mostly laughter and teasing,” she recalls. “We became this little family that knew when to switch on for serious stuff and when to just be silly. That lightness actually made it easier to go to the darker places on screen. Everyone brought so much heart — and zero ego — which made the whole thing a joy.”
When asked which ingredient best represents her character in the metaphorical Biryani of life, Khan laughs. “She’s probably the masala — messy, layered, and holding everything together even when it’s all falling apart. You can’t quite pin down what she’s made of, but you feel her in every bite.”
Khan’s Biryani success followed her to the international stage at the HUM Awards in Houston, where she appeared both as a performer and presenter. “It felt really special,” she says. “Seeing Pakistani entertainment celebrated on an international stage like that was a proud moment for everyone there. You could feel how far our industry has come — the stories, the talent, the craft.”
Performing live for the first time added to the thrill. “The nerves were real,” she admits, laughing. “But once I got on stage, it turned into pure fun. The highlight was that moment when I thought, ‘Okay, I’m actually doing this,’ and the crowd responded — it was surreal in the best way.”
As for her red carpet look, Khan kept it understated yet powerful. “I wanted something classic but with a little edge — something that felt like me,” she says. “Nomi Ansari played with clean lines and subtle drama. His idea was confidence without noise. Honestly, the real inspiration was just feeling comfortable enough to enjoy the night — when you’re relaxed, the outfit carries itself.”
With Biryani behind her, Khan is ready for new stories and new challenges. “I’m reading a few scripts right now,” she teases. “I want to explore stories that challenge me in new ways. There are a few directors whose storytelling really speaks to me, so let’s just say I’m manifesting some of those. It feels like a fresh chapter — and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”