Pakistani actress and model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak recently shared a bold and detailed statement about the problems in the Pakistani drama industry, starting a new debate.
On her Instagram stories, Saheefa questioned the glamour of the industry and strongly criticized the unprofessional and inhumane behavior behind the scenes.
She said that Pakistani dramas focus more on glamour and shallow entertainment instead of serious and meaningful stories. She made it clear that she never faced a lack of work but refused many projects because she did not agree with their messages. She only chose to act in two dramas, Beti and Bhool, because they highlighted important social issues.
Saheefa also criticized the way scripts are chosen. She said that as long as only commercial success is the goal, the industry will not be able to tell real and impactful stories that reflect society.
She pointed out the unrealistic styling in dramas and said characters should look like real people from their social background and culture, not like they are part of a fantasy world. She said that instead of showing beauty, we should show truth.
Saheefa shared that many harsh realities around us should be shown in dramas. She gave examples like drug addicts outside Data Darbar and tragic incidents like the ones in Kasur. She said these are the truths that can wake us up, but no one talks about them.
She also criticized how actors are treated on drama sets. She said they often wait for months to get paid, contracts are not properly followed, and there is a lack of basic facilities. Male and female actors have to get ready, eat, and rest in the same room, with poor hygiene conditions.
Saheefa mentioned that if an actor comes on time, works hard, and stays humble, they are seen as difficult. But those who act rude, arrive late, and behave unprofessionally are liked more in the industry.
She ended her post with a serious question: Why don’t we talk about the issues that really matter?