Celebrities

Mani Talks About Being Called ‘Zan Mureed’ for Supporting Hira Mani

In a candid conversation with Ahmad Ali Butt on his podcast Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt, actor and producer Salman Saqib — better known as Mani — opened up about facing harsh criticism for supporting his wife, Hira Mani, in her career.

During the interview, Butt praised Mani for backing Hira at the start of her career, a time when many in Pakistani society discouraged women from entering showbiz. Recalling how Mani stood by Hira when she shifted from hosting to acting, Butt said, “You have made your wife.”

Mani responded by acknowledging that while Hira had talent and earned her success, his support played a key role. He added, “We live in a society where women aren’t allowed to step out easily. Because I supported her, people trolled and criticised me heavily.”

Mani admitted that such remarks once hurt him, but he and Hira have since moved past them. He didn’t agree with the claim that he “made” his wife, but he addressed the label people often used against him — “zan mureed” (a man subservient to his wife).

“People call me ‘zan mureed,’ but I believe one must be supportive,” Mani said. “If I had a daughter, I would want her to become a swimmer or an athlete, to work and stand on her own feet.”

He explained that he supported Hira not just because she was his wife but because he believed women deserved the chance to pursue their ambitions. “Even if it weren’t Hira but someone else, I would have supported her talent in the same way. I would never want a woman to say she failed because I held her back.”

Mani criticised the rigid traditional family systems celebrated in the region. “We force this khandani system down everyone’s throat,” he said. “These traditions are dictated. Maybe it’s a problem rooted in India and Pakistan. Doing things differently doesn’t mean we have become westernised.”

He credited his progressive outlook to his father, who was also an actor and supported his daughter’s career. Mani stressed that he wanted to keep the chain of talent alive in his family, whether through women or men. “Whether it’s my wife’s sister or another relative, I would feel equally proud of their success.”

Butt noted how rare it is for someone to truly celebrate another’s success. Mani agreed and praised Hira for her resilience. “Hira has proven herself through her acting. She faced many setbacks but always stood back up. We have seen many ups and downs.”

They also discussed the struggles working women face in balancing professional and personal life. Mani shared how demanding Hira’s work routine could be. “You’ve seen drama shoots — long, exhausting hours. Yet when Hira comes home, she cooks meals like parathas and daal for the kids without complaint.”

Mani concluded by calling for a cultural shift where people respect and support women’s dreams. “I feel this way for all girls,” he said.

Also Read: Hira Mani Faces Backlash Over No-Makeup Look

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Humaira Asghar Case: Shocking Details About Her Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, And CNIC Revealed

Humaira Asghar’s tragic and untimely death has left the entire nation in shock and grief. People across Pakistan are closely following the case and demanding answers about the cause of her sudden and silent passing. As a high-profile and sensitive case, the police continue to share new findings almost daily. Today, they revealed several important new details, raising hopes for a fair and transparent investigation.

According to the latest details shared by the police, Humaira Asghar carried two CNIC cards. One of them had been tampered with and showed a different date of birth. The tampered CNIC listed her birthdate as 10 October 1997, while the original one showed 10 October 1983. Humaira Asghar used the tampered CNIC for her showbiz activities.

The police revealed that Humaira Asghar’s personal bank account held Rs. 398,000.

Humaira Asghar’s stylist, Danish Maqsood, said he last contacted her on 2nd October to discuss and get approval for their photoshoot. Danish said, “We last contacted her after posting her photoshoot on our social media. When we tried to call her, the phone kept ringing but no one picked it up. Her last seen date was 7th October, but one thing I found quite strange was that her last seen and display picture disappeared after that. Later, we shared a post regarding her being missing. No one from the industry reached out, except Rabya Kulsoom, who asked about her. I felt that, somehow, she was being boycotted in the industry. No one was offering her work, and some people were even unhappy with me for working with her. After my shoot, I spoke to her—she seemed quite happy. I can’t share her voice notes because they were personal, but I can show the text messages.”

Celebrities

Ali Abbas Opens Up on Healing Rift with Father Waseem Abbas

Ali Abbas recently opened up about how he coped with his father Waseem Abbas’s second marriage to co-star Saba Hamid. Appearing on Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt, Ali spoke about the anger he felt and the challenges of caring for his siblings during a difficult time in his childhood.

“When my father remarried, our bond broke,” Ali said. “I was around eleven or twelve and felt deeply upset.” As the eldest sibling, Ali stepped into a parental role, taking care of his two sisters and younger brother. “I knew my father would no longer have time for us, and my mother was already battling depression,” he added.

Waseem Abbas married actor Saba Hamid in 1993, who was divorced and had two children, Meesha and Faris Shafi. At the time, Ali feared the marriage would shift his father’s focus entirely to his new family.

Despite his resentment, Ali chose to act with maturity. “I’ve always tried to be part of the solution, not the problem,” he said. “I had to be there for my siblings. Though I developed a rift with my father, I later realised he was also a victim—caught in the middle, suffering in silence.”

Ali reflected on how men of his father’s generation rarely shared their emotions. “They kept their problems to themselves. That made it hard for us to understand them.”

Eventually, Ali chose empathy over anger. “My father had already married. It was done. But he was the one without peace. As his son, the least I could do was listen.”

Quoting something he had read, Ali said, “When someone is struggling, just let them talk. You can’t fix everything, but listening lightens their burden.” By opening up communication, Ali and his father began to rebuild their relationship. “He started sharing his problems with me,” Ali said. “Since then, we’ve developed a bond.”

Also Read: Unveiling Pain: Nimra Mehra Shares Heartbreak of Losing Parents

Celebrities

Anupam Kher Breaks Silence on Sardaar Ji 3 Controversy

Diljit Dosanjh’s film Sardaar Ji 3, co-starring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, did not receive clearance for release in India and sparked backlash amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. Veteran actor Anupam Kher, currently promoting his directorial debut Tanvi The Great, addressed the controversy and said he wouldn’t have made the same choice as Diljit.

In an interview, Anupam acknowledged Diljit’s right to freedom of expression for the sake of art, but clarified that he personally would not extend that right if it meant compromising national sentiment. Drawing a personal analogy, he said, “If someone slapped my father but sang beautifully, I still wouldn’t invite them to my home to perform.”

Anupam added, “I apply the same rules to my country as I do to my home. I’m not noble enough to watch my family suffer in the name of art.” He emphasized that while he won’t retaliate with hate, he also won’t offer acceptance to those who, in his view, disrespect the country.

Despite the ban in India, Sardaar Ji 3 released internationally on June 27, including in Pakistan and other regions.

Also Read: “I Stand Firmly with Diljit”: Naseeruddin Shah Backs Sardaar Ji 3