Actor Haya Khan candidly discussed the harsh realitiesof working in the entertainment industry during a recent podcast, addressing a lackof transparency, online criticism, workplace boundaries, and social media pressures.
Reflecting on her journey, she criticized what she called the industry’s habit of offering "lame excuses" rather than providing honest casting feedback. "In our industry, instead of giving a direct answer, people often make lame excuses," she stated, noting that this leaves many young artists confused and without professional closure when they are not selected for projects.
The actor also spoke about maintaining professional boundaries in the industry, revealing that she frequently brings her mother along to meetings. “I often take my mother with me to meetings so that I feel comfortable, ” Haya explained that having a family member present helps her avoid uncomfortable situations and maintain professionalism in unfamiliar environments.
Recalling one of her early career experiences, Haya shared that she once walked away from a project after dealing with a director who was verbally aggressive and unreasonable on set. Although she described the experience as deeply upsetting, she noted that it taught her the importance of standing up for herself in professional spaces.
The actor also discussed the increasing pressure social media places on celebrities, particularly the expectation to maintain a polished online image. She said, “You feel that pressure because it becomes a race. And if you fall behind, then you remain behind. You need to keep up with it.”
Speaking further about social media culture, Haya shared how even festive occasions come with expectations to constantly post content online. She recalled, “Now I have to post them… I was getting messages asking, ‘Where are your Eid pictures?’ so I quickly got ready.”
Discussing her acting choices, Haya said she wants to explore more layered and unconventional characters instead of repetitive family dramas. She said, “I want to do something different. I do not want to do typical mother-in-law and household relationship stories… everyone wants to see something new.”
