Veteran actress Rubina Ashraf criticising fellow actor Alizeh Shah has sparked a fresh round of backlash on social media, with users accusing the senior artist of harbouring a personal grudge.
The clip, taken from a talk show aired during Eid festivities, features Rubina Ashraf reviewing Alizeh Shah’s performance in the telefilm Chand Raat Aur Chandni. In the segment, Ashraf dismisses Shah’s acting abilities altogether, stating: “She is zero. Not just in this drama, but in every drama.”
Ashraf went on to argue that any praise for Shah should go to the director and writer, and remarked that the actress only contributed with “her makeup, her curled hair, her lipstick, and her look,” adding that Shah appears the same in every production.
The segment also included a heated exchange between Ashraf and her co-panelists Atiqa Odho and Nadia Jamil, both of whom appeared to take issue with the harshness of the critique.
The video, though not new, has gone viral again in the wake of Alizeh Shah’s recent statements about the challenges she has faced in the entertainment industry. Shah has spoken openly about her mental health struggles, industry isolation, and alleged harassment by senior figures, including artists and producers.
Social media users have been quick to defend Shah, calling Ashraf’s comment “petty,” “vindictive,” and reflective of a wider problem in the industry where younger female artists are subjected to personal attacks under the guise of professional criticism.
One user wrote, “Rubina Ashraf has a personal problem with Alizeh Shah. If women wearing makeup get zero marks, then you’ll have to write off half the industry.”
Several social media users defended Alizeh Shah, calling the criticism “internalised misogyny” and “bullying.” One viral post claimed jealousy was behind the backlash, while others noted the video’s resurfacing fits a pattern of harassment Shah has spoken about. She hasn’t responded yet but recently shared emotional accounts of being sidelined and targeted by senior industry figures, including singer Shazia Manzoor. “I’ve stayed silent long enough,” Shah stated. “Now I will expose everyone.”
