Veteran actor Firdous Jamal came under fire recently when he passed insensitive remarks about Mahira Khan on Faysal Quraishi’s morning show.
The drama and stage actor, Firdous Jamal was shown Mahira’s picture as part of a game and he criticised the actress, calling her too aged to play the role of a heroine. “Sorry to say and people may not like it, but she is not heroine stuff. She is a mediocre sort of a model, not a good actress and not a heroine,” Firdous said.
Not only did he discredit Mahira as an actress, but also went on to age-shame her.
“Women of her age should not be cast as heroines. They should play roles as mothers at this age,†he said.
Read: Mahira Khan shines in a tragic story of love and fame in ‘Superstar’ trailer
All of this started when Faysal Quraishi was wishing Mahira the best for her upcoming film. He said that none of Mahira’s films this year have done well. Though we are surprised because none of her films (Parey Hut Love, Superstar and The Legend of Maula Jatt) have released as of yet.
Social media did not like the comments made by the two actors. Both of them faced backlash for their hypocrisy and calling out a woman for her age.
Actor Gohar Rasheed voiced his concern over Firdous Jamal’s remarks in a series of tweets:
Everybody is entitled to their opinion true that !! But when a public figure like #FirdousJamal sharing his opinion on national television then the choice of words are very important (1/3) #RespectfortheSeniors #LovefortheJuniors #MahiraKhan
— Mirza Gohar Rasheed (@GoharRsd) July 27, 2019
sir with all due respect if a legendary actor like you will be so demeaning towards juniors like @TheMahiraKhan then how will we learn? Constructive criticism is very important for the growth and that’s what we seek from you (2/3) #RespectfortheSeniors#LovefortheJuniors
— Mirza Gohar Rasheed (@GoharRsd) July 27, 2019
There is a reason why other entertainment industries of the world are thriving because the seniors pass on the torch with grace and love to their juniors sir personally speaking I expected better from you (3/3) #FirdousJamal #MahiraKhan #RespectfortheSeniors #LovefortheJuniors
— Mirza Gohar Rasheed (@GoharRsd) July 27, 2019
Writers Mahwash Ajaz, Faisal Kapadia and Sadaf Haider also tweeted about the matter.
Massive eyeroll at people taking potshots at Mahira Khan for airing their own toxic views. She never does this. Never attacks people this way. And yet she’s always in the line of fire, always attacked by people in the industry. What a shameful attitude by some stars. https://t.co/n5BGjKITo2
— Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) July 26, 2019
I am really appalled that senior and respectable persons like #Firdousjamal sahab still think that a woman has a heroine by date….till when will we continue on this repressive path and pull peers down. @TheMahiraKhan is a star in every sense of the word like her or hate her. pic.twitter.com/fZTEBUgJDj
— FK (@faisalkapadia) July 26, 2019
Absolutely disgusting attack Btw Mahira is very young compared to our wannabe heros .. The time of reducing women to An age some regressive Insecure male thinks is appropriate is OVER. Uncles How sad you sound
— Sadaf Says (@tomtomatoe) July 26, 2019
Mansha Pasha encouraged Mahira to ignore such comments.
Mahira did play a heroine AND a mom in her drama…her biggest hit “Humsafar!”
So all respect to Firdous Jamal Uncle for remembering Mahiras most famous role yet! ??
Kudos to u and Good Luck for Superstar, you superstar! @TheMahiraKhan
— manshapasha (@manshapasha) July 26, 2019
Unfortunately, the host Faysal Quraishi failed to neutralize the consequences with his tweet.
Thats how he thinks kiya faraq parhta hey …she is super star and i was shocked too. I meant jo hit milni chahiye woh mily #binroye was hit but bari wali hit .khir i praised her 1000 times in my show no one shared that ? https://t.co/xb5IYwukgs
— Faysal Quraishi (@faysalquraishi) July 26, 2019
So far Mahira Khan has not responded to Firdous Jamal’s comments.
