Celebrities come out in support of Mahira Khan

Veteran actor Firdous Jamal said the star "has grown old and should play mother instead"

Social media was set ablaze after veteran actor Firdous Jamal made some controversial remarks about Mahira Khan. Jamal recently appeared on Faisal Qureshi's morning show where he suggested the Superstar actor should no longer play lead roles.

Now, stars such as Mawra Hocane have taken to Twitter to express their dismay over Jamal's opinions of the actor. "Taking a dig at the biggest name of your country makes you as small as it gets. Disrespectful remarks in the garb of opinions needs to stop," Hocane wrote in a tweet.

The Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 star continued to share her thoughts of the remarks. "Hope the two minutes of fame were worth it. Mahira works extremely hard to be where she is, it's not easy. So proud of you my M."

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 HUSSAIN (@MawraHocane) July 27, 2019

Jamal said his comment should only be taken positively because he does not mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. “Mahira Khan is a mediocre model, but she is a good actress,” said the veteran. “She has aged as well. That’s not the age to play the role of a heroin.”

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

Hocane was not the only star to rush to Khan's defense via Twitter. Janaan actor Osman Khalid Butt also shared his two cents over the age-centered comments. "Dismissively claiming actresses have a shelf-life, that they should stop acting as leads and appear as mothers is not the same as 'mentioning their age,' the star wrote.

Mahira has grown old, should play a mother instead: Firdous Jamal

"I'll stay in my lane when you delete you account and your existence," he said in reply to a Twitter user claiming that mentioning an actor's age is not an act of sexism and misogyny.

Dismissively claiming actresses have a shelf-life, that they should stop acting as leads and appear as mothers is not the same as 'mentioning their age', you bashi-bazouk.
I'll stay in my lane when you delete your account, and your existence. Acha tamasha lagaya hua hai. https://t.co/aUHs1rQEso

— Osman Khalid Butt 🇵🇸 (@aClockworkObi) July 27, 2019

Bin Roye actor Humayun Saeed was also not impressed by Jamal's mentioning of Khan's age as a means to justify playing certain roles in the industry.

"It is her dedication and passion towards her work that has led her to this position. She is a heroine and a star in every sense of these words. As far as age is concerned, an actor and their talent is not bound by it," the star wrote in defense of his co-star.

And it is her dedication and passion towards her work that has led her to this position. She is a heroine and a star in every sense of these words. As far as age is concerned, an actor and their talent is not bound by it.

— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) July 27, 2019

Perhaps the times are changing after all, where many a mindset over the age and marriage being considered central to a leading lady’s box office success and failure is not the mainstream.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.