More than a decade after her breakthrough performance in Gangs of Wasseypur, Huma Qureshi has developed a clear and grounded perspective on dealing with public scrutiny and online criticism. Reflecting on her journey in a recent conversation with The Times of India, the actress addressed the challenges of navigating beauty standards and unsolicited opinions in an industry that constantly places women under intense observation.
Huma emphasised that negative comments no longer shape her sense of self-worth. Her confidence, she explained, stems from self-belief rather than external validation. Over the years, she has learned that engaging with criticism—especially when it stems from misinformation or personal frustration—does little to contribute to personal growth. Instead, she chooses to focus her energy on her work and creative choices. According to her, the digital space often amplifies individual frustrations, making it important for public figures to decide what deserves attention and what does not.
Coming from outside the film industry, Huma’s path has been marked by persistence and deliberate decision-making. Moving from Delhi to Mumbai without established connections, she gradually built a diverse filmography through roles that prioritised character depth over glamour. Her performances in films such as Dedh Ishqiya, Ek Thi Daayan, Badlapur, and Jolly LLB 2 showcased her ability to bring nuance to varied narratives. On the digital front, her work in series like Leila and Maharani further reflected her commitment to layered storytelling.
In recent years, Huma has intentionally leaned toward women-centric projects such as Single Salma, Bayaan, and Delhi Crime Season 3. This shift, she noted, is not incidental but a conscious choice rooted in her desire to engage with meaningful roles. For her, the scale of a production or the presence of established stars has never been the deciding factor. Instead, she evaluates scripts by asking what purpose her character serves within the narrative. She expressed little interest in roles that merely require her to appear on screen without contributing substantially to the story’s progression.
Beyond her career choices, Huma also spoke candidly about broader issues within the entertainment industry, including pay parity, ageism, and work-life balance. She highlighted a recurring pattern in which women are often asked to address systemic inequalities that are largely shaped by male-dominated decision-making structures. In her view, these questions should be directed more frequently toward those responsible for creating and maintaining such frameworks. By shifting the conversation, she believes the industry can move toward a more equitable environment.
Looking ahead, Huma is preparing for her upcoming project Toxic, directed by Geetu Mohandas and written in collaboration with Yash. The film features an ensemble cast including Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, and Tara Sutaria. As anticipation builds around the project, it represents another step in her ongoing pursuit of roles that balance mainstream appeal with narrative significance.
Huma’s reflections underline a broader shift in how artists approach public discourse and professional choices. By prioritising authenticity over approval, she continues to shape a career that aligns with her values while challenging long-standing assumptions about success and representation in the industry.