Actor Zoya Hussain reveals egg freezing, endometriosis struggle during Hunkkaar shoot

Zoya Hussain discussed her health struggles while filming Hunkkaar: The Roar. Her experience underscored body acceptance while pandemic-era release delays affected her career.

In Short

• Zoya Hussain underwent egg freezing and was diagnosed with endometriosis before shooting Hunkkaar
• She felt uncertain about taking the role due to her health and appearance
• Zoya chose to embrace her physical changes and promote inclusion and confidence

Actor Zoya Hussain has opened up about the difficult time she went through while shooting for Hunkkaar: The Roar. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the actor revealed that she had undergone egg freezing shortly before filming and had also been diagnosed with endometriosis. She admitted that she wasn't feeling her best and had even questioned whether she should take up the project.

Speaking about the experience, Zoya said, "I’d just had my eggs frozen, and it was quite a rough process. When they offered me the part, I wasn’t sure whether to take it. I wasn’t feeling my best, and I didn’t look my best either."

She continued, "But then I thought, ‘You know what, whatever.’ As women, we go through these things all the time. I’d also just been diagnosed with endometriosis, and it was really tough."

However, Zoya decided to go ahead with the project. The actor said she felt it was important to practise what she believed in, particularly when it came to accepting the physical changes women experience.

"I thought, ‘You know what, I’m going to practise what I preach.’ We talk about inclusion and equal opportunities, but women come in all shapes and sizes, and that changes throughout our lives. You just have to own it and be confident," she said, adding that she was happy her experience resonated with several people.

Zoya Hussain on how delayed releases affected her career

During the conversation, Zoya also spoke about how delayed releases have affected her career. The actor revealed that several of her projects, which were originally meant for theatres, ended up releasing on OTT or had limited screenings during the pandemic.

"Of course, it’s frustrating because it affects your career. I constantly get messages and comments from people. Even casting directors and filmmakers ask me, ‘Where have you been? Why aren’t you doing more work?’ And I’m like, ‘I want to be working. I want to do lots of work.’ But it’s not in my hands. It really isn’t," she said.

Despite the long wait for Hunkkaar, Zoya said she was happy when the series finally released, especially considering everything she had gone through during filming.

Hunkkaar: The Roar, also starring Aneet Padda, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Raghubir Yadav and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, is currently streaming on JioHotstar.

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