Despite it being 2025, a significant portion of Pakistani society still discourages women from pursuing careers in showbiz—at least, that's what veteran actor Nausheen Shah firmly believes.
During a recent appearance on a local talk show, the Jaane Jahan actor openly expressed her concerns. “People still feel uncomfortable being associated with women who work in showbiz,” she said. “They aren’t just hesitant to know them—they’re hesitant to be related to them. Let me be clear on that.”
Nausheen argued that even though Pakistan’s entertainment industry continues to produce television dramas at a rapid pace, many people still consider it inappropriate for women to have such a visible public profile. According to her, this mindset creates major hurdles for women hoping to enter the field.
She explained, “Our job requires us to be in the public eye, and society finds it especially difficult to accept women in that position. That’s the root of the problem—our attitudes and beliefs.”
Expanding on the public discomfort surrounding women in the spotlight, she added, “People don’t want their daughters or daughters-in-law appearing on television in front of hundreds of thousands of viewers. Many still think this way. Sometimes, even your own relatives—your uncles, your extended family—will ask, ‘What is this? Why are you doing this?’”
