There she was on the impressive stage, performing like the queen of the singing world, and people were going crazy with her every move, and her every word. She was singing to a houseful, with fans and audience participating wholeheartedly. As the song came to an end she took a bow amidst thunderous applause. And then her eyes opened. It was as usual another one of those fabulous dreams that she had always been having. A dream of a glorious life as a singer!

While Pathans are considered to be conservative people, Sandra's success story gives us another picture. Hailing from a Pathan family she not only chose modelling as a career but went on to become a noted singer of Pakistan.

This fair maiden was still completing her Intermediate when she got roped into the fashion industry and claims to have been inundated by quite a few offers from the fashion clan. And the minute she got a break she gave up her studies in favour of the glitz and glamour. However, a few years down the line she is burdened by regrets at having left off her studies in between. "I do realise that I made a big mistake. You should complete your education before fulfilling your dreams. That is where I went wrong. But now I really cannot do anything about it," she wails. Why not, I counter? Where does it say that you can't work and study together? If you want, you can enrol yourself in some university privately while you continue with your singing, I add. "Oh, yes, that's a good idea," she exclaims feigning enthusiasm - as if she's never heard a better one! So how did the model Sandra become the singing sensation Sandra? "I don't exactly know when the transition took place but after doing quite a few ramp shows and shoots I just felt I had to do more. And singing had always been a childhood passion, but I had never bothered to dream of becoming a singer." Why not, because you're a Pathan? "Oh no! That's never

been a problem. My father is quite liberal in his beliefs and he has never made us feel suffocated. When I decided to try out modelling, and later on singing, he had no problems at all in accepting it. But it was my mother who has been my greatest support; had it not

been for her, I would never have come this far. In fact, I might not even be in this field. Coming back to the objection part, while my parents were cool about it, my relatives were another story altogether.You know how conniving and malicious relatives can be,

but it has never made a difference to me," says Sandra.

You are sure to have seen her sizzling the screen with her belly dance and Pushto/Urdu hit Jan-e-Jaan. When Jaan-e-Jaan was first aired people were asking one another if it was a local or an Indian act. The sultry Sandra in her mid-riff revealing outfit did the whole works. Sang and belly danced to the Pushto tune. The whole experience was reminiscent of a Lebanese performance.

How did Jan-e-Jaan come about, and whose idea was it basically? "It was my idea, with some input from my best buddy. While I was discussing what my song should be like she came up with the idea to do a Pushto number. And when it was released it was a massive hit. It's been two years now since it first came out and Jaan-e-Jaan is still very much a favourite with my fans," she preens.

She has done numerous concerts to date, "which have been aired on all the local channels." "It has been an exhaustive few months for me, with frequent performances all over Pakistan. And I have to tell you that it is a pleasure performing for our people. They love my music especially my performance. I do not just stand on the stage and sing. Rather, I do belly dance as well. My style is more like Shakira's and J. Lo's. So the audience loves to watch me," she gushes. Now we too can claim of our very own dear old J.Lo!

On where she learnt to belly dance, she says, "I did not learn it from anyone, I just practiced it myself at home." Her first album is going through its last stages of completion and will hit the market anytime this year. The title is still not decided. At present, Sandra is based in Islamabad but she is planning to move to Karachi as "the market in Karachi is much bigger."

With singing taking up most of her time, modelling has receded in the background, though she is proud to have worked with Frieha Altaf on the ramp and done still shoots for Maria B and Yahsir Wheed to name just two of the notable fashion personalities. She has done a couple of commercials with Thomson being her favourite. "I modelled in the cellular ad with singer Gauhar. It was a fun experience." Having been acquainted with both the fashion and showbiz industry she claims singing to be more gratifying of the two. "You know modelling is much easier than singing but the latter is my passion. I have worked hard to be a singer and am even being trained presently by Rafiq Ali. He's the brother of the famed Ghulam Ali."

The question that next pops in mind is how come she hasn't stinted with acting? "I have been receiving a lot of offers for acting but I consider it to be time consuming. And I do not have time on my hands. I have also been approached for acting in films from Pakistan as well as India. But I turned them down. The Pakistani cinema does not appeal to me, as for the Indian offer, I feel that they take us to their country with lots of promises but once there they give you pitiful roles in their films. Woh loag Pakistanis ko Khwar kartay hain. Look at all our Pakistanis who have featured in Indian films. They are made to look quite pathetic, not to mention that the roles are quite silly and meaningless. I would hate to be ridiculed in this manner," she says decisively.

When you're famous fans and stalkers become a routine for you. We ask Sandra if she's ever been stalked or encountered some untoward incident? "Oh, none at all. I have been lucky in this respect and have not been stalked by anyone. But I do have lots of fans and I just love it! And not just the opposite sex, but even girls love me madly. After my shows I have had girls coming up to me and saying, I Love You! Can you believe that?" Well, what can we say? Times sure have changed!

While so much is happening on the professional front, what's the personal life like? Found anyone you would love to share your secrets with? "I have yet to come across a guy that I can fall for. I just don't believe in the guys of today. They are simply too bad, and not to be trusted! I don't even believe in love. When I get married it's going to be an arranged affair;" she announces matter-of-factly. Any plans of such an arrangement happening soon? "That's not happening for the next few years at least. I am too busy with my singing at this point in life, and have no time for anything else." Relaxed, languid evenings are a rarity with Sandra, and when she does get time off she loves to practice. "Since I have been doing concerts I get very little time to practice, so whenever I can manage I try to practice singing."

This girl seems to have no time for anything but singing in her life. Singing is her passion; singing is her all! No wonder she has tasted success the way few female performers do. Let's just wait and see how Sandra's move to Karachi benefits her!