Syed Mohammed Ahmed talks porn, writing and what works on TV

Veteran actor explained how television cannot always cater to public demands

Actor-cum-writer Syed Mohammed Ahmed voiced his concerns about the notion of 'pandering to the audiences' in a recent TV interview.

Appearing on a local television with actor and director Sakina Samo, the industry veteran shed light on a myriad of topics including the irresponsibility of studio execs and the kind of content that is pushed to the masses.



When asked by the host, Ahsan Khan, if he's working on some script currently since he is a "great writer", Ahmed revealed how none of his works could get greenlit. "No, I'm not a great writer at all. Ask the channel heads, they say I write really bad. They say that my stuff is outdated and I can't write so I stopped," he said.

Visibly shocked by the response, Ahsan refused to believe him, asking him why this must be happening. "The women in my serials don't cry without a reason. I won't focus on deaths, divorces, issues with in-laws and such. I can't treat the women in my work the way they are conventionally treated (destitute). Maybe this is why," replied Ahmed.

The host then further probed whether this might be because this is what the audiences like to which Ahmed had a powerful approach. "Pakistan ranks the highest in pornographic searches. The public also likes to and wants to watch pornography, can we do that?" he retorted.



"A majority of the population is also abusing drugs, should we start supplying that to them? What is our moral responsibility here? We've made emotionally desensitizing content so common and accepted that if we see a dead body on the road, people would pass by," he added.

The chilling response elicited claps from the host as well as Sakina Samo sitting beside him, and for good reason. It's imperative that people think about this issue and recognise the immense role that TV can play in shaping minds.

Watch the interview here

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