Ayesha Sana says ‘Bright karein isey!’ video was blessing in disguise

Morning show host says her now ex-husband was secretly looking for a chance to humiliate her

LAHORE: We have all seen TV host Ayesha Sana’s tummy-tickling Bright karein isey! video multiple times and had a good laugh at all the memes and Dubsmash parodies that followed the viral clip. Someone even came up with a song based on what we can rightfully call the catchphrase of the season! However, little did anyone care to ask what really went down on that ill-fated day the behind-the-scene moment was filmed and how it suddenly surfaced on the internet once again.

Just recently, Ayesha responded to the joke-turned-slur by making a promotional video of herself for the Mohib Mirza and Sanam Saeed starrer, Bachaana. In the video, she takes it all in her stride, telling the film’s director, Nasir Khan, “But director sahib, aap film ko bright tou karein!”



Ayesha Sana, behind the scenes!

Talking to The Express Tribune about the controversy, Sana said, “This was not a random video [original viral clip] shot from someone’s phone. It was recorded systematically over a long period of time.”

Interestingly, the video is a behind-the-scene moment from her show, Meena Bazaar, that was aired nine years ago. According to her, it was shot during the time she and her now ex-husband were experiencing grave marital issues. She claimed he had ordered her crew to secretly make recordings of her until something like this came up.

“They had bought extra tapes to make these which is appalling because at that time PTV didn’t even have enough tapes to record the show itself,” she said. “PTV is a state organisation and a national asset. No one can use it or abuse it! It’s a crime to use government property for settling personal disputes.”

Ayesha’s troubles were made worse in 2012, when she decided to appear on a morning show and come clean about everything related to her marriage. Since it was a live transmission, her confessions were broadcast around the world but apparently, her former husband got the repeat telecasts cancelled. “Two months later, he took the recording and released it on social media and the rest is history,” said Ayesha. Having been on the internet for three years, it wasn’t until recently that the video truly went viral.

Here's the video:



Pakistani models mock Ayesha Sana's outburst in hilarious parody video

As troublesome as the situation might be, one cannot deny it has afforded Ayesha a whole lot of publicity – good and bad. But when asked if she felt like the video made a difference to her career, Ayesha remained nonchalant. “If I actually sit down and think about it, I may be able to tell you if it has affected my career or not,” she said.

“But I don’t do that. I believe the work that is yours will come to you and if it had affected my career, I wouldn’t be getting work,” Ayesha added.

She also spoke of her recent experience in Qatar, where she was hosting the Mercedes-Benz Pakistan Fashion Week Doha 2015 and the audience began chanting ‘Bright karein isey!’, leaving her no choice but to play along. The anchor has also been involved in a number of other local and international events, such as the Pakistan Achievement Awards 2015 and the Pakistan Fashion Extravaganza in London.

Regarding all the celebrities imitating her tantrum over social media, Ayesha seemed rather at ease. “Asim Yar Tiwana made a video but he is one of my best friends. Even Humaima Malick and Ali Saleem made Dubsmash videos and if Ali needs me to make a comeback, I take it as a compliment!”

Gaurav Gera spoofs Ayesha Sana's viral video

Ayesha went on to say that Ali’s video was actually the best of the lot, thanks to his “expressions, voice and innuendos". She said that she is thankful that the entire episode turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“People do like my work and if I made a mistake and something was taken out of context, please forgive me,” she said. “The situation did do me well in a way. As in if the social media generation didn’t know of me before, it does now. The person who did it wanted to ruin me. Instead, it worked in my favour.”