First Muslim superheroine Iman Vellani opens up about her role in 'Ms Marvel'

Iman Vellani has opened up about starring in the titular role of Kamala Khan, who becomes Pakistani-American teen superhero “Ms Marvel” in the new coming-of-age show of the same name.

The 19-year-old actor revealed that she feels “priviledged” Marvel “trusted” her with bringing a character like Kamala to life.

 Iman Vellani in a scene from the series "Ms Marvel." AP

“There’s so much weight that comes with being the first of anything,” she told Variety.

Speaking of the advice the Marvel heads gave her, Vellani said: “They’re like, ‘You don’t go to work thinking that you’re the first Muslim superhero; you just go to work and have fun.’

“That’s what I keep telling myself: I don’t really have to go out of my way and advocate for Muslim and Pakistani representation,” she said. “This is one story of one girl. We cannot represent all two billion Muslims and South Asians, but this is definitely a good start.”

 Mohan Kapur, left, Iman Vellani, Nimra Bucha and Saagar Shaikh in a scene from the series "Ms Marvel." AP 

In the series, 16-year-old protagonist Kamala discovers her shapeshifting and self-healing powers, thanks to her magical bangle.

In his review, The Independent’s Nick Hilton gave Ms Marvel three out of five stars.

“Ms Marvel” is another tolerable entry in the studio’s ever-expanding roster of TV spin-offs,” he wrote. “While there are elements of the show’s visual kinetics that call to mind “The Green Hornet and Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Ms Marvel” is clearly targeted at a younger audience than any of Marvel’s extant properties.”

 Yasmeen Fletcher, Matthew Lintz and Iman Vellani. AP 

After this series, Vellani will subsequently reprise her role as “Ms Marvel” in the 2023 Marvel Studios film The Marvels, which will serve as a sequel to 2019’s “Captain Marvel.”

The Independent