Naveen Naqvi is the answer to the enigma that is mainstream media in Pakistan. A true hybrid, she has gone from modeling to vj-ing, to acting in dramas, to production to now being the host of ‘Breakfast at Dawn’ on Dawn TV. She is also writing/blogging on the dawn news portal and ‘The Huffington Post’, while tweeting her way into new media’s hearts and minds.

Interview by Faisal Kapadia

PIC

You seem to have experienced and dealt with a lot of facets of the media here, which did you enjoy the most and what did you have a tough time dealing with?

I must confess, I never really enjoyed modeling. It was a job and that's about it. Being a VJ was lots of fun because there was no Pakistani precedent for it; I was the first one! That meant we had a lot of freedom to experiment. Also, there was no script which meant the whole thing was improvisation. Not to mention, Music Channel Charts or MCC as it became popularly known, had no budget which meant we did all sorts of crazy things to make it interesting. The producers of that show were some of the most innovative people I know. Did I mention the mail marriage proposals? There were those too!

My work at NBC brings back fond memories. I met some wonderful people who taught me a lot and I'm grateful to them.

The toughest yet the most exciting work I've done was at Dawn News (breaking news); that's what TV journalism is all about and I have to say, I love it. Breakfast at Dawn is a show like no other because it's a morning news program; the range of topics I cover are extremely broad which makes it very interesting. As for the 5 AM routine - now that's another matter!

You are now also a very active online persona and a blogger with the best writing for the dawn blog as well as the Huffington Post, how is writing different than being a show host?

Well, I write my own script for Breakfast at Dawn so there's a bit of that there too. Yes, Faisal, we're not human Teleprompters or whatever you think we are! On the show, it's my job to explore other people's opinions, and because I'm curious it seems instinctive. When blogging, I have to express my own opinion, and that's hard.

People often associate you with the picture they see on the screen, the glib, glamorized all knowing, all intelligent host - tell us a bit about the real Naveen Naqvi.

That's very flattering! I can't describe myself...whatever I think of writing makes me want to cringe so let's give it a miss, please!

Doing a marquee talk show every single day has to be really draining, how do you cope with the stress? Or is it a spa after the work is done?

I wish it were a spa! No such luck for me. Now that you say it, I should get Dawn News to do that for me. It is exhausting, but it's all worth it in the end with the appreciation, encouragement and support I get from my audience.

Are talk show hosts as pampered here as they are abroad? What kind of facilities are channels willing to extend. In short do they go out of their way?

No, they’re not; I've heard stories about one particular Urdu channel show host who breathes terror into her team's soul. I'm not that kind of team member. Maybe it’s a flaw, but it is what it is.

We have also heard you are writing a book, would you tell us something about that?

I'd rather not if it's alright.

Qurram Hussain courtesy Khaula Jamil

Please tell our readers about your most memorable moment on prime time TV.

There are too many! The first time I did Breakfast at Dawn it was with Faisal Qureshi who made me giggle hysterically for ten minutes live on air. I had tears streaming down my cheeks and I just couldn't speak. I'm convinced it was the coffee he kept pouring me. I did a phone interview with Benazir Bhutto - she was incredibly charming.

What message would you like to give to the youth of our country and all over the world as well as your fans.

To my fans, thank you for your love and support over the years. To the youth, if I can do it, so can you.