Syriac actress Diana Aras speaks with SyriacPress about her leading role in Saffron Kingdom

Saffron Kingdom is a drama that follows Masrat, a Kashmiri woman who flees her homeland to America with her son Rizwan, where they struggle to cope with the trauma caused by her husband’s abduction and the loss of Kashmir’s autonomy. Based on true events and directed and produced by Arfat Sheikh, the film explores identity, trauma, and justice. Playing the leading role of Masrat is Diana Aras.

Born in Sweden and raised in Turkey, Aras moved to New Jersey at the age of five, bringing with her a deep connection to her Syriac heritage. Before acting, Aras spent over a decade as an executive assistant in the finance industry. She left her job in 2023 to pursue her dream of acting full-time. She speaks Syriac and Turkish fluently and draws from her heritage and personal history in her acting. As a descendant of Sayfo survivors, Aras felt a special attachment to the role. Saffron Kingdom is Aras’s debut feature film.

What made Diana leave her day-job and pursue acting? She posted the following to her Instagram:

“I left a stable job to take a chance — a leap into the unknown, hoping for something that felt real — two years later, that chance led me to acting.

Acting and entertainment is a childhood dream I held onto. I remember gravitating towards it even when circumstances at home kept me from pursuing it fully back then.

There were chances that slipped by, and paths I wanted to take but couldn’t due of my survival mindset – but I’m finally back on track. It’s a reminder that no matter the detours or delays, what’s meant for you will find you.”

SyriacPress spoke with Diana via email about Saffron Kingdom, playing Masrat, her personal inspiration for the role, and transgenerational trauma.

How did you come to be cast in Saffron Kingdom? Were you involved in any other aspect of the production?

I was involved in Saffron Kingdom solely as an actor portraying the film’s lead character, Masrat, a strong, complex woman. In many ways, she is an alchemist transforming pain into resilience.

When people face extreme hardships, their passion to share their experience becomes even more profound. This is one of the main reasons I was so drawn to the character and the film — I felt a rather deep connection to her. I understood her and her desperation to be heard when nobody would listen.

What spoke to you most about the role of Masrat?

What drew me to Masrat was her resilience and quiet strength. She refused to be a victim of her circumstances — she chose survival. Many of us fight to survive, but only a few have the resilience to truly thrive after being victimized.

I accepted the role because of how her story resonated with my own. I understand the weight of inherited trauma and the complexities that come with it. Masrat refused to accept erasure, her fight to tell the truth felt deeply personal — I knew I had to bring her to life in the most honest and authentic way possible.

Did you find it challenging to tap into Masrat’s trauma?

The biggest challenge for me was fully embodying the emotional weight of the character while maintaining the quiet strength that defines Masrat. Having to balance her internal struggle with her outward composure was both challenging and rewarding.

My ancestors endured their own struggles with displacement and survival, so I felt a responsibility to honor Masrat’s story authentically. To do that, I had to tap into both my personal and generational history, allowing those emotions to shape my performance. Roles like this do not come around often — ones that push us emotionally, mentally, and artistically. I’ll always be grateful for this opportunity.

Did you do any special preparation for the role?

I booked the role of Masrat and was on set just five days later! It was the longest I was ever away from my home, New York City, and I had just four days to prepare before walking on set.

Memorizing lines was my main priority, because there were a lot. I also tried to understand the depths of this woman. Having four days to prepare created a sense of urgency, which was kind of cool because that paralleled Masrat’s own reality. She didn’t have time to dwell on things, nor did I.

I used my own personal experiences and history to tap into feelings, and used them as an entry point into her journey. I found myself meditating a lot on set when nobody was looking. I found this to be the most productive way to bring my own raw and authentic feelings to the surface.

Because of the gruesome filming schedule, I hardly had time to speak to people outside of the set, but the support of my inner circle has been unwavering.

Was there a particular moment or scene in the film that is especially memorable for you?

One of my favorite scenes in Saffron Kingdom is an intimate moment between Masrat and her husband, Shabir. Without giving anything away, the scene beautifully captures the profound love and connection they share. Portraying this moment was meaningful to me because it reminds us of the human relationships that persist even in the face of the most devastating circumstances.

What do you hope the viewers will take away from the film?

I hope viewers gain insight into how trauma can live on through generations after such horrific lived experiences. That transgenerational trauma and epigenetics are more present around us than we realize.

Such events shape identities and our emotional foundations in ways many do not fully understand. Working on this film helped me understand myself a little better.

I hope those who watch it, and can relate even on a small scale, will find a similar awareness.

You’ve spoken a bit about generational trauma. Did the 1915 Sayfo Genocide play any role in your performance?

The Sayfo was one of the foundational pillars I leaned on while developing Masrat. The resemblance between the Sayfo and the events in Kashmir is uncanny. I believe that my positioning as a descendant of survivors gave me the ability to not only understand but also feel Masrat on a much deeper level.

Themes of transgenerational trauma and resilience deeply resonate with me. Saffron Kingdom parallels the experiences of the Syriac community in the Middle East — both the film and the real-life situations of the Syriacs highlight profound sorrow and tragedy. Both reflect a struggle to maintain identity and survival amidst adversity.

What the Suryoye and Kashmiri’s have endured are just two examples of many communities across history who have had to fight to preserve their existence.

Saffron Kingdom is not only a powerful story in and of itself, but also a reminder of the ongoing struggles for justice faced by communities like those in Kashmir, as well as the Syriac, Armenian, and Pontic-Greeks.

By highlighting the personal and collective traumas endured, the film highlights past injustices and the importance of pursuing justice for survivors and their descendants. I hope this film fosters empathy and awareness.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with Syriac fans or the world about Saffron Kingdom?

Filmmaking and storytelling are powerful ways to shed light on the struggles of individuals and entire communities. I approached the role with a sense of responsibility, not just to Masrat, but to the greater story being told. Everyone from our committed crew, gifted actors, brilliant producers, talented writers, and passionate director, this project was far greater than the sum of its parts.

This film carries weight and I’m honored to have been a part of it. Saffron Kingdom is one of the proudest accomplishments of my life. Being Suryayto [Syriac] with roots from Midyat, Turkey, it was an honor to be able to tell a story that so deeply connects with my own roots. It is honestly a blessing for which I will be eternally grateful.

Like Masrat, I consider myself a path-paver, someone who takes risks and the road less traveled. I hope my dedication and work in this film is something the Suryoyo/Syriac community around the world will be proud of.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You can follow Diana Aras on Instagram and learn more about Saffron Kingdom on X and Instagram.