Celebrities

Adnan Shah Tipu: If Hollywood Cast Like Pakistan, Al Pacino Would Quit

Adnan Shah Tipu, a familiar face in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, reflected on his 25-year journey during an interview with BBC Urdu. Known for his dynamic performances, Tipu has carved out a niche as a character actor but believes the industry’s preference for appearance over talent remains a major obstacle for true talent to thrive.

In the interview, Tipu expressed that he doesn’t mind whether his characters have shorter or longer screen time as long as they resonate with him. “For me, whether a character is one page long or 10 pages long, if it makes sense to me, it’s a challenge. And if I can bring some positive change in society through that character, then why not?” he explained.

Adnan Shah Tipu and his Thoughts

The In Flames actor also discussed his career as a character actor, lamenting that Pakistan’s entertainment industry still hasn’t fully embraced character-driven films and shows. “I’ve always considered myself a hero, whether in a leading or supporting role. It’s the quality of work that makes you a hero or a zero,” he emphasized.

Contrasting this with the global scene, he highlighted actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui in India, saying, “In India, Nawazuddin can land a leading role because the film revolves around the character, not his appearance. Here, even if they create a character-driven film, they’ll cast someone who doesn’t fit the role to play it.”

Adnan Shah Tipu openly expressed his frustration with the Pakistani entertainment industry’s obsession with appearance and social media following. He stated, “If people around the world started casting actors based on our standards and their following, actors like Robert De Niro and Al Pacino would quit.”

He also highlighted another issue that restricts the diversity of actors in the industry. “With the type of stories we’re focusing on, we’ll never achieve the diversity needed to cast a range of actors,” he said, stressing the need for more nuanced storytelling that allows talented but unconventional actors to take the spotlight.

Tipu praised filmmakers like Kashif Nisar for breaking this mold, citing Nisar’s bold choice to cast Ehteshamuddin in the lead role of Kabuli Pulao as an example of change.

Switching Off the Villain

The conversation also delved into the psychological effects of playing dark characters. Tipu acknowledged the toll repeated villainous roles can take on an actor’s mental health. “Yes, it affects you, but you have to remember it’s just acting. When you come home and see your wife and kids, that’s your reality check.”

He stressed the importance of learning how to “switch on and switch off” to avoid emotional burnout.

When asked about facing real-life backlash for his real-life villains, Tipu revealed that he often receives hate comments online. He also shared a startling encounter: “I was on a bike with my daughter when a man stopped me and said I deserved what was happening to my character in the drama,” Tipu recalled, adding that such reactions should be seen as compliments. “If this happens, it means you’ve done a great job as an actor.”

Refusing to Be Typecast

Tipu’s career hasn’t been without its struggles. He talked about the challenges of securing serious roles despite his critically acclaimed performance in Khamosh Pani. After his success in the sitcom Sub Set Hai, he received 36 sitcom offers, all of which he had to reject in order to pursue more serious roles. “I went hungry for two years because I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into one style or genre.”

For Tipu, versatility is the essence of acting. “Comedy lets me experiment and lighten the mood, while serious roles allow me to deeply explore emotions. It’s essential to keep growing and challenging yourself. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

The Road Ahead

Despite the challenges, Tipu remains optimistic about change. He pointed to his recent leading role in the film 13 as a sign of progress, though he admitted the change is slower than he’d like. “Things are evolving, but not at the pace we’d prefer. Globally, the focus has shifted to character-driven stories.”

Also Read: Adnan Shah Tipu On Losing Film With Madhuri Dixit

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Aymen Saleem Slams Drama for ‘Rope Scene’ Romanticising Abuse

Actress Aymen Saleem has spoken out against the troubling portrayal of abuse in a recent drama, calling it out for romanticising harmful behaviour in the name of storytelling.

Taking to Instagram, Aymen posted a strong statement criticising the way a female character was shown tied up with ropes by her husband a scene that was framed with romantic music and gestures. Without naming the drama, she expressed her deep concern over how such content is being normalised.

In a powerful Instagram story, she said, “Enough is enough. I’m deeply disturbed by the way a recent drama is portraying abuse tying up a woman with ropes, showing it in romantic or bold light, and then normalising it as part of a love story.”

She criticised how such scenes are being packaged as entertainment and said this trend is harmful, not harmless fiction. “This isn’t entertainment. It’s dangerous storytelling,” she added.

Aymen pointed out that women in Pakistan already face many struggles within marriage including patriarchy, emotional and physical abuse, and societal pressure. In such a reality, media has a major responsibility.

She wrote that dramas should promote relief, strength, and progress not show harmful acts as expressions of love. “We’ve made strides in showcasing strong, self-aware female leads and breaking generational curses. Why are we slipping back?” she asked.

Aymen Saleem’s Key Take

Calling for change, she urged writers, producers, channels, and especially actors to be mindful about the stories they support and choose.

“This is not just fiction – this shapes culture,” Aymen warned.She ended by reminding everyone that scenes like these do not reflect love they only make abuse look normal.

Aymen’s statement has sparked conversations across social media, with many supporting her stance and calling for more responsible storytelling in Pakistani television.

Also Read: Aymen Saleem Slams Trolls for Criticizing Kubra & Gohar’s Wedding

Celebrities

Danish Taimoor Basks in Success of ‘Mann Mast Malang’ Despite Backlash Over Controversial Content

In a week where criticism roared louder than applause, Danish Taimoor stood tall — not in defiance, but in triumph; the popular actor is riding high on the unprecedented success of his drama serial Mann Mast Malang, which has claimed the second spot among Pakistan’s most-watched shows this week, even as debates swirl around its controversial themes.

While the drama has come under scrutiny for what many consider a troubling glorification of toxic relationships, audiences appear to be tuning in with persistent interest. The storyline’s bold portrayal of possessiveness and masculinity has sparked widespread concern among critics and celebrities alike; many have raised red flags over how Mann Mast Malang walks the tightrope between intense romance and psychological abuse, and whether it crosses a dangerous line.

Despite this, the numbers speak volumes; Taimoor recently took to Instagram to share a celebratory poster, revealing jaw-dropping viewership stats: 25 million views for his new drama Sher, and a solid 15 million for Mann Mast Malang. Captioning the post with a telling statement—“1st“ and 2nd. Success does not need a spotlight. It speaks loud and clear.” — He made it clear that his focus remains on audience response, not controversy.

On one hand, Danish’s starrer is being dissected by critics for promoting regressive narratives. On the other hand, it is dominating the charts, outperforming even family-oriented serials with socially responsible themes.

Celebrities

Mahira Khan’s Prayer Sparks Online Debate

Mahira Khan, who along with co-star Humayun Saeed is currently busy promoting their upcoming film “Love Guru,” slated for release on June 6, had an awkward moment when she asked fans to pray for her film’s success, leading to her being trolled on social media.

The film’s trailer was unveiled last month, along with several songs that have been well received by audiences. The duo has already promoted the film in the US, UK, and UAE and are now engaged in a nationwide promotional campaign in Pakistan.

It should be noted that the film’s trailer was recently screened on the digital billboards at Times Square in New York City.

Recently, the stars appeared at a promotional event where Mahira Khan, while speaking to the media, urged fans to collectively pray for the film’s success. During the same event, Humayun Saeed praised director Nadeem Baig, calling him the best in the country—though he humorously noted that Baig still charges him full fees.

Mahira Khan also expressed her hope that Love Guru earns more than one billion rupees. Addressing the audience, she asked everyone to say “Ameen” to her prayer and proposed a group prayer for the film’s success.

A video of Mahira’s heartfelt appeal has gone viral, sparking a wave of reactions on social media. While many found the moment endearing, some critics took a swipe at the actress for asking for prayers over box office earnings.

Here’s how the netizens reacted: