It has been almost two years since Huma Qureshi’s Hollywood stint, ‘Army of the Dead.’ While the web film garnered a positive response, there haven’t been any announcements of her second international project since. Qureshi admits she is very picky and is in no rush to sign projects.
Huma said in an interview, “Army of the Dead was released in 2021, and in the same year, the first season of Maharani was also streamed. Last year I had a packed year with Mithya, Maharani season 2, Valimai, Double XL and Monica, O My Darling. Honestly, I haven’t had the mind space to think about chasing after a project because I haven’t had a breather.”
She said as an actor, she is hungry for good projects and roles. She adds, “Whether it’s in India or in the film industry in the US, I want to be part of cinema. I have always been choosy about the work that I do and it’s no different when it comes to saying yes to the work that comes my way from the west. When it comes to the work announcement from the West, you will have to wait and watch.”
Huma asserts there is no denying that Indian representation is getting better internationally, especially Indian projects making a mark at the Oscars as well. “Indian cinema has captured the imagination of the west for a long time now. But what’s applause worthy and should be celebrated is the fact that a Telugu film (RRR) which celebrates the true spirit of commercial Indian cinema has won the Oscar for Best Original Song and other important recognitions in the US this year. That’s not all, The Elephant Whisperers hit it out of the park by winning the Best Documentary Short Film Oscar. As an Indian and as a member of the Indian film fraternity, I felt proud because we had been recognised in two completely different genres,” she mentions, adding, “Indian actors have always played an important role in the cinema of the West.”
She also thanked the late Irrfan Khan and Priyanka Chopra for paving the way. She said, “Top actors from the Hindi film industry including Irrfan Khan and Priyanka Chopra have featured in films backed by top studios and directed by some of the most celebrated names in the west. Their journeys are inspiring and they have clearly been able to break the stereotypes associated with Indian actors.”