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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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: