Shehnaz Sheikh: From Classic Stardom to Today’s Insights

Shehnaz Sheikh, known as the original national crush of Pakistan, rose to fame with her debut in the drama “Ankahi.” Her popularity soared overnight, and she quickly became a beloved star in the hearts of the nation. Despite stepping away from acting in dramas some years back, her fan following remains unwavering, with fans going wild whenever she graces public events. While she is set to host a talk show on PTV, Shehnaz has no plans to return to acting anytime soon.

In an interview with BBC Urdu, Shehnaz Sheikh disclosed the salaries she received for her iconic roles in “Ankahi” and “Tanhaiyan.” For “Ankahi,” she was paid 800 rupees per episode, which was considered a substantial sum for leading actors at the time. Additionally, actors had to manage their own accommodation, travel, and wardrobe expenses. As her stardom grew, her pay increased to 1000 rupees per episode for “Tanhaiyan.”

Shehnaz talked about how social media affects actors nowadays. She said young actors are under a lot of pressure because there are cameras everywhere. She remembered a time when people had more freedom because they weren’t always being recorded. But, she still likes social media and spends time scrolling through feeds and watching TikToks.

Also Read : Mumtaz Begum’s Candid Take on the Film Industry’s Decline and Resurgence