Pakistani actress Mahira Khan faces online wrath for ‘promoting’ abusive marriage dramas; ‘Patriarchy zindabad’, fumes twitterati

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, December 5

Popular Pakistani actress, Mahira Khan who has also starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees, has been subject to fierce criticism online for `promoting’  emotional abusive dramas.

The trolling of the actress began after a Pakistani talk show host, Kanwal Ahmed, recently took to social media to criticize her for featuring in dramas that glorify abusive marriages. Sharing stills from two serials, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay and Humsafar, Kanwal wrote: “Mummy aap Kya keh rahi hain” se “Aswad aap kya keh rahain hain” ka suffer (pun fully intended). 10 years of promoting how to STAY “patiently” in (violently) emotionally abusive marriages on the top drama channel with the highest ratings.

“Mummy aap Kya keh rahi hain” se “Aswad aap kya keh rahain hain” ka suffer (pun fully intended).

10 years of promoting how to STAY “patiently” in (violently) emotionally abusive marriages on the top drama channel with the highest ratings.#SabrKaDIY #HumKahanKeSachayThay pic.twitter.com/6RAIz5YIUy

— Kanwal Ahmed (@kanwalful) November 28, 2021

The host shared a BBC show clip in which Mahira Khan is talking about setting the right examples for women. “We have to change the narrative. We cannot just show a woman being assaulted and then the woman falling love with that and show him to be the hero.”

Referring to this clip, Kanwal wrote: “Also Mahira KNOWS and acknowledges the damage caused by regressive content that romanticizes abuse. Yet she repeatedly takes on roles that strengthen that same problematic narrative. She’s a great actress and an icon in our country. We want and expect much, much better from her.”

The post triggered flurry of reactions on social media.

Also Mahira KNOWS and acknowledges the damage caused by regressive content that romanticizes abuse. Yet she repeatedly takes on roles that strengthen that same problematic narrative.
She’s a great actress and an icon in our country. We want and expect much, much better from her. https://t.co/lkBZHPoceA pic.twitter.com/SVYt5bBDHg

— Kanwal Ahmed (@kanwalful) November 29, 2021

I honestly could not watch this- our shows haven’t evolved. They have regressed. No trigger warning. Just keep glorifying abuse and suffering in silence. Pitting women against each other.

— Maheen Ghani (@maheenghani_) November 28, 2021

Thoroughly trite and insipid stories. Projecting stereotypes and giving a needlessly sombre touch to human relations. Our content isn’t worth watching

— Umar Khayyam (@utggondal) November 28, 2021