Faizan Khawaja, a remarkable Pakistani television and film actor, earned acclaim for his performances in hit dramas such as “Aik Nai Cinderella”, “Dulhan”, “Jaal”, “Ishq Tamasha”, “Tu Ishq Hai”, “Saudai”, and “Qismat”. As the son of renowned producer Rashid Khawaja, who introduced many successful Pakistani actors, including Sami Khan, Faizan built a strong reputation in the industry. He also gained recognition for his short film “Twisted Sapnay” alongside Zubab Rana. Despite his popularity and critical praise for dramas like “Ishq Tamasha” and “Tu Ishq Hai”, Faizan stepped away from acting due to the widespread unprofessionalism in the television, fashion, and film industries.

Faizan Khawaja has spoken out openly about the issue of non-payment in the industry. Recently, veteran actor Muhammad Ahmed also raised this concern, highlighting its ongoing impact on artists.

Talking about it, Faizan Khawaja said, “I say this with profound grief and deep regret — seniors like Muhammad Ahmed and Mehreen Jabbar have to beg for their own money. People are making digital headlines in my name, claiming that I exposed showbiz — I didn’t expose anyone, I spoke the truth. And trust me, I am not doing this to go viral. I’m not looking for followers. Humaira Asghar had 700K followers — what did they do for her? I once did a commercial and had to beg for my payment. I decided not to do commercials again in my life. But when my drama and film became hits, I was offered a commercial — and I had to go through the same experience. Let me clarify — no one owes me any money. This isn’t about me. “It’s about all the people the industry hasn’t paid for their work.”

He further added, “Also, I didn’t leave acting — I just stopped working with those who don’t pay on time. It’s been five years since my last drama. The problem is, you have to chase producers to get the money you rightfully earned”.

Faizan Khawaja said he is speaking out for struggling actors whose livelihoods depend on the showbiz industry and who face multiple challenges in their careers.

ARY Digital’s hit drama Sher has charmed audiences every Wednesday and Thursday at 8 PM. With a powerhouse cast featuring Sarah Khan, Danish Taimoor, Sunita Marshall, Arjumand Rahim, and others, Sher has quickly become one of the most-watched Pakistani dramas on YouTube. Viewers especially love the sizzling on-screen chemistry between Sarah Khan and Danish Taimoor. However, many don’t know that Sarah wasn’t the first choice for the lead role of Doctor Fajar.

In a recent appearance on Fuchsia Magazine’s YouTube show, actress Sehar Hashmi made a surprising revelation. She disclosed that she was initially approached for Sher and was even considered to play the female lead opposite Danish Taimoor. “I had been hearing for over a year that I would be cast with Danish,” she shared.

Sehar mentioned that she had a meeting with Sher’s director Aehsun Talish and was seriously considered. But unfortunately, the opportunity slipped away. According to her, “Due to pressures and the risks of casting a newcomer, the production house eventually backed off.”

While she may have missed out on Sher, Sehar’s journey didn’t stop there. She was soon spotted by the team at 7th Sky, where director Ali Faizan and producer Marry Baji saw potential in her and cast her as Riya in Mann Mast Malang, a move that kickstarted her rising career.

Meanwhile, Sarah Khan stepped into the role of Doctor Fajar and won the audience over with her grace and depth, but now fans are wondering what Sher would’ve looked like with Sehar in the lead.

Read more: Reham Khan Publicly Slams Sarah Khan

Mehreen Jabbar a renowned Pakistani drama and film director, has earned acclaim for her impactful storytelling. She has directed several critically praised dramas, including Daam, Ek Jhooti Love Story, Jackson Heights, and Doraha. Mehreen frequently speaks out about challenges in the industry, such as delayed payments and a lack of professionalism. She is currently directing a new drama featuring a star-studded cast, including Adeel Hussain, Shuja Asad, Hajra Yamin, and others.

Recently, drama director Mehreen Jabbar gave an interview to the YouTube channel Pakistani Drama, where she discussed the ongoing payment struggles in the television industry.

Talking about it, she said, “Although our drama industry has progressed significantly and is producing successful dramas, it still operates in a very unprofessional manner, especially when it comes to payments. You may find many flaws in the USA, but payments there are always on time. In Pakistan, no production house pays on time. Some do, but in most cases, you have to chase them for payment—you end up feeling like a beggar. From actors to directors to spot boys, it’s the same story. The salaries of technical crews are extremely low. They’ve mastered the art of saving money, which enables them to keep productions affordable. I don’t know how this cycle will break. It’s stressful to work in Pakistan.”