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Quote of the day by Huma Qureshi: ‘There is merit in being the odd one out’
Huma Qureshi's quote reminds us that swimming against the tide is a sign of strength which often leads us to our destination.
Huma Qureshi is turning heads at present at the 79th edition of the Festival de Cannes. Born in Delhi in July 1986, she began her career as a theatre actor and model before moving to Mumbai and appearing in television commercials. In 2012, Huma made her big-screen debut in Anurag Kashyap’s two-part film Gangs of Wasseypur, and there was no looking back.
The actor has a diverse range of films and roles under her belt, which include Ek Thi Daayan, Ishqiya, Badlapur, Jolly LLB 2 and Monica, O My Darling. Apart from Hindi films, she has also worked in Marathi and Tamil films, and even appeared in Zack Snyder’s 2021 film, Army of the Dead. Today’s quote of the day highlights Huma’s mantra behind her expansive portfolio.
It reads: “There is merit in being the odd one out. I pray that I never lose the will to be the problem child.”
Meaning of Huma Qureshi’s quote
Huma Qureshi shared the aforementioned statement in a November 2025 interview with Scroll.in. She said it while responding to a question on whether she considered the box office an important factor while choosing her films. The actor stated that she is very interested in the box office and believes that her choices in projects have helped her achieve the stardom that she presently enjoys.
According to Huma Qureshi, if she had only opted to work in mainstream films from the beginning, she would not likely have had similar success. The idea is more strongly expressed in the quote, “There is merit in being the odd one out.” Standing apart from the crowd is not just about creating one’s own identity; it is also about finding one’s place in the greater personal and professional spheres.
And standing apart is not always easy. It takes strength and courage to swim against the tide, not to mention the sheer amount of good fortune it takes to not drown. But keeping the forces beyond our control aside, it is the mind and will of an individual that helps them stand apart, and what Huma wishes to never lose.
Relevance of Huma Qureshi’s quote
While everyone seeks to be the odd one out, it is difficult to truly stand on one’s own. The world, as always, continues to be harsh and unforgiving, and finding one’s place in it is always difficult. The quote by Huma Qureshi reminds us that it is not always necessary to go with the flow and “progress” at par with others. Standing out and finding our own paths may lead us to the destination we desire and deserve.
