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Asad Siddiqui Criticizes Bias in Pakistan’s Casting Choices

Asad

Actor Asad Siddiqui has accused the country’s entertainment industry of engaging in “biased casting practices,” asserting that decisions often prioritize connections and appearance over talent.

Speaking candidly on Ushna Shah’s talk show, Siddiqui expressed his discontent with the industry’s culture, revealing that he has deliberately avoided certain gatherings due to the insincerity he has encountered. He described how “sweet words” spoken in person often mask criticism delivered behind people’s backs.

Siddiqui further criticized the frequent preference for actors with lighter skin tones or personal connections, labeling the practice as “unfair and obvious on screen.” He argued that such biases undermine merit and compromise the quality of production.

To counter this, Siddiqui proposed a stronger audition process. He further revealed plans to enter production himself, expressing a hope to create more equitable opportunities for aspiring actors.

Siddiqui, whose wife Zara Noor Abbas hails from a notable acting family that includes Bushra Ansari and Asma Abbas, has established himself as a prominent figure in Pakistan’s showbiz.

How Asad Siddiqui Found Love with Zara Noor Abbas

In a heartfelt appearance on Faysal Quraishi’s podcast, Asad Siddiqui opened up about his journey to falling in love with his now-wife, actor Zara Noor Abbas.

Asad recalled first hearing about Zara years before they met, through her aunt, the legendary Bushra Ansari. “During my early dramas like Azar Ki Ayegi Baraat and Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat, Bushra Apa would casually mention Zara. I had never seen her or even a picture of her, but she came up in conversations,” he shared, reminiscing about those early, indirect connections.

Their paths crossed again years later when Zara was in town for work. Introduced through mutual friends like Sajal Ali, Yasir Hussain, and Asim Azhar, the two quickly formed a friendship. “We hung out in groups, and over time, our friendship turned into something more. Those were truly special moments,” Asad recounted.

Marriage brought significant changes for Asad, and fatherhood transformed his perspective even further. The couple welcomed their daughter, Noor e Jahan, in March, marking a new chapter in their lives. “After marriage, you learn to share your life in a new way—letting your spouse know your plans, being there for meals. But once a baby arrives, everything revolves around them,” he said, describing the challenges and joys of balancing family life with his career.

Asad expressed immense admiration for Zara’s role as a mother. “I try to help, but there are nights I wake up and find Zara already walking around or feeding the baby. It’s incredible how a mother’s world becomes entirely about her child.”

Through these reflections, Asad’s deep love and respect for Zara shine brightly, revealing the couple’s journey from friendship to family.

Also Read: Zara Noor Abbas Wants Husband Asad Siddiqui to Star with Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt

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Aymen Saleem Slams Drama for ‘Rope Scene’ Romanticising Abuse

Aymen Saleem

Actress Aymen Saleem has spoken out against the troubling portrayal of abuse in a recent drama, calling it out for romanticising harmful behaviour in the name of storytelling.

Taking to Instagram, Aymen posted a strong statement criticising the way a female character was shown tied up with ropes by her husband a scene that was framed with romantic music and gestures. Without naming the drama, she expressed her deep concern over how such content is being normalised.

In a powerful Instagram story, she said, “Enough is enough. I’m deeply disturbed by the way a recent drama is portraying abuse  tying up a woman with ropes, showing it in romantic or bold light, and then normalising it as part of a love story.”

She criticised how such scenes are being packaged as entertainment and said this trend is harmful, not harmless fiction. “This isn’t entertainment. It’s dangerous storytelling,” she added.

Aymen pointed out that women in Pakistan already face many struggles within marriage including patriarchy, emotional and physical abuse, and societal pressure. In such a reality, media has a major responsibility.

She wrote that dramas should promote relief, strength, and progress not show harmful acts as expressions of love. “We’ve made strides in showcasing strong, self-aware female leads and breaking generational curses. Why are we slipping back?” she asked.

Aymen Saleem’s Key Take

Calling for change, she urged writers, producers, channels, and especially actors to be mindful about the stories they support and choose.

“This is not just fiction – this shapes culture,” Aymen warned.She ended by reminding everyone that scenes like these do not reflect love they only make abuse look normal.

Aymen’s statement has sparked conversations across social media, with many supporting her stance and calling for more responsible storytelling in Pakistani television.

Also Read: Aymen Saleem Slams Trolls for Criticizing Kubra & Gohar’s Wedding

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Danish Taimoor Basks in Success of ‘Mann Mast Malang’ Despite Backlash Over Controversial Content

In a week where criticism roared louder than applause, Danish Taimoor stood tall — not in defiance, but in triumph; the popular actor is riding high on the unprecedented success of his drama serial Mann Mast Malang, which has claimed the second spot among Pakistan’s most-watched shows this week, even as debates swirl around its controversial themes.

While the drama has come under scrutiny for what many consider a troubling glorification of toxic relationships, audiences appear to be tuning in with persistent interest. The storyline’s bold portrayal of possessiveness and masculinity has sparked widespread concern among critics and celebrities alike; many have raised red flags over how Mann Mast Malang walks the tightrope between intense romance and psychological abuse, and whether it crosses a dangerous line.

Despite this, the numbers speak volumes; Taimoor recently took to Instagram to share a celebratory poster, revealing jaw-dropping viewership stats: 25 million views for his new drama Sher, and a solid 15 million for Mann Mast Malang. Captioning the post with a telling statement—“1st“ and 2nd. Success does not need a spotlight. It speaks loud and clear.” — He made it clear that his focus remains on audience response, not controversy.

On one hand, Danish’s starrer is being dissected by critics for promoting regressive narratives. On the other hand, it is dominating the charts, outperforming even family-oriented serials with socially responsible themes.

Read more: Danish Taimoor Under Fire: Is Mann Mast Malang Crossing the Line of Cultural Integrity?

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Mahira Khan’s Prayer Sparks Online Debate

Mahira

Mahira Khan, who along with co-star Humayun Saeed is currently busy promoting their upcoming film “Love Guru,” slated for release on June 6, had an awkward moment when she asked fans to pray for her film’s success, leading to her being trolled on social media.

The film’s trailer was unveiled last month, along with several songs that have been well received by audiences. The duo has already promoted the film in the US, UK, and UAE and are now engaged in a nationwide promotional campaign in Pakistan.

It should be noted that the film’s trailer was recently screened on the digital billboards at Times Square in New York City.

Recently, the stars appeared at a promotional event where Mahira Khan, while speaking to the media, urged fans to collectively pray for the film’s success. During the same event, Humayun Saeed praised director Nadeem Baig, calling him the best in the country—though he humorously noted that Baig still charges him full fees.

Mahira Khan also expressed her hope that Love Guru earns more than one billion rupees. Addressing the audience, she asked everyone to say “Ameen” to her prayer and proposed a group prayer for the film’s success.

A video of Mahira’s heartfelt appeal has gone viral, sparking a wave of reactions on social media. While many found the moment endearing, some critics took a swipe at the actress for asking for prayers over box office earnings.

Here’s how the netizens reacted:

Also Read: Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar Replies To Mahira Khan’s Latest Statement

 

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