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.”
