Mahira Khan happens to be one of the biggest stars in our television and film industry. Starting her career with being a Video Jockey on Indus Music, Mahira Khan has traveled a long way. She is one of those stars who are capable of carrying a film solely on their shoulders by the virtue of their stardom and talent. Mahira Khan has worked with almost all big names in the industry. Not only this, but Pakistani film industry Mahira Khan has also worked with Shah Rukh Khan in her debut Bollywood film. She also represented Pakistan at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsDyZfinWTD/
Firdous Jamal disses Mahira Khan’s acting skills and age to play a heroine
However, Mahira Khan’s career has mostly been surrounded by controversies. She has recently become a part of the controversy where the veteran actor Firdous Jamal did not approve of her acting skills. According to senior actor Firdous Jamal, Mahira Khan does not have what it takes to become a heroine. He said that she has passed the age which is deemed fit for the heroines in this industry hence she should only do roles of a mother. This happened during a TV show hosted by Faysal Qureshi for the ARY channel. Faysal Qureshi has earlier claimed that Mahira had not given a hit film in years.
Many fellow actors supported Mahira Khan
These comments did not sit well with the social media and soon there was a storm. People clearly divided themselves (like all Twitter wars). Many celebrities also came out to support Mahira Khan. According to celebrities like Humayun Saeed, Gohar Rasheed, Osman Khalid Butt, Mawarda Hocane and Adnan Ansari supported Mahira Khan in clear words and condemned Firdous Jamal’s opinion of her.
Extremely disappointed and strongly condemn Firdous Jamal’s comment regarding Mahira Khan. Whatever his point of view is, there’s absolutely no justification for such rude remarks for a colleague publicly & on television. Mahira is extremely hardworking and honest to her craft…
— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) 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 (@GoharRsd) July 27, 2019
If we as members of the film & television fraternity can't keep our chauvinism in check, if we keep reinforcing regressive & sexist stereotypes, how do we expect the public to treat our industry – and specifically the women in it – with respect?
— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) July 27, 2019
Taking a dig at the biggest name of your country makes you as small as it gets. Disrespectful remarks in the garb of opinions need to STOP. Hope the two mins of fame were worth it. Mahira works extremely hard to be where she is. It’s not easy
So Proud of you my M❤️ @TheMahiraKhan— MAWRA HOCANE (Hussain) (@MawraHocane) July 27, 2019
Allah has blessed Mahira with so much talent and fame, who are we to negate it?
Let’s focus on spreading love 🙂 and fixing each other’s crown rather than breaking it.
I wish Mahira all the best for her upcoming film. .🙏 pic.twitter.com/kuBjFveWiI— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) July 29, 2019
Twitter was divided into two factions. Soon, it turned ugly!
Common people also supported Mahira Khan and dissed Firdous Jamal’s opinion of her.
One can comment on acting skills of @TheMahiraKhan but using insulting figurative language is not appropriate. She has been incredible an ambassador for our industry when our country and industry was in shambles #Mahira Khan
— Akhtar Hussain (@Fat_Akhtar) July 27, 2019
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, including #FirdousJamal.Do you agree with him on this one regarding our beloved diva #MahiraKhan on #FaysalQureshi's show?I am just amazed we're still stuck with the age number #AishwaryaRaiBachchan is 40 & we all know #Jlo. It was very low! pic.twitter.com/n6F3nffXev
— Obaid Atique (@Obaid_Atique) July 26, 2019
There were people who supported Firdous Jamal too. According to these people, Mahira Khan is an average actress and can not be applauded for her acting skills.
https://twitter.com/SafiaMallick/status/1155072464633966592
Mahira maybe a sweetie from heart and she is the perfect example of women empowerment but she cannot act enough to save her career!
There I said it 🙋#Mahirakhan— Deejazzz 🕊️ (@deejzx) July 25, 2019
I have been saying since long that i don't consider #MahiraKhan as an actor. She is good in fashion business and for social work as well.
— Tweeterist 🇵🇰 (@Tweeterist_) July 26, 2019
Hamza Firdous also had something to say
Firdous Jamal and Mahira Khan, however, stayed shut about this controversy. However, Firdous Jamal’s son Hamza Firdous came forward to support his father and yet express his liking for Mahira Khan.
#FirdousJamal has given 45 years of sweat and blood to this industry. And that too without social media and only pure hardwork. Where as today, many require branding and marketing, surgeries to stay top notch. This person doesn't need to hold grudges! His work has proven him.
— Hamza Firdous (@hamza_firdous) July 28, 2019
I said in the same show that "@theMahirakhan has represented us internationaly, is a big name and I'm thankful that keh woh Humari industry mein hain". I and my dad have different opinions so what?Should we use the difference of opinion to address personal grudges? #FirdousJamal
— Hamza Firdous (@hamza_firdous) July 28, 2019
Can we agree to disagree?
Firdous Jamal has been working in the industry for forty-five good years now. Mahira Khan has represented Pakistan globally and is one of the stars the country can bank on. However, the controversy took an ugly turn when supporters from both sides ended up snubbing an opposite point of view.
What Firdous Jamal said about Mahira Khan can not be supported but there is a civil way of disagreeing. Through his comments, he highlighted the society’s traditional view of a heroine’s ‘shelf life.’ While many old 45 plus-year-old men are still dancing around the trees, it is considered awkward for a woman who crosses a certain age to play the main lead. We can agree to disagree on many matters and there is always an appropriate way for it. Pakistanis, as a society, have probably forgotten this subtle art.