Naumaan Ijaz talks false allegations, infidelity and wrongful use of #MeToo

The actor, who has been lauded for his notable performances, recently came under fire for his latest project, Dunk

Veteran actor Naumaan Ijaz often shies away from controversial comments. The actor, who has otherwise been lauded for his notable performances and projects, recently came under fire for his latest project, Dunk. The celebrated star has worked in several hit shows in his career spanning over two decades.

While he has always made headlines for his acting prowess, seems like Ijaz has been finding himself in a controversy after another for some time now. Last year, an old interview of the Sang-e-Mar Mar star made rounds on social media where he 'jokingly' talked about being unfaithful to his wife.

But Ijaz, in a recent interview with Independent Urdu, noted that he doesn't 'stay away from controversies, rather from wrongful remarks.'

"We [actors] don't create controversies, they are created for personal interests. We are very simple people," the actor commented. "What people don't really understand is the context of a comment, we just want to point out whatever we think is the thought behind a certain remark. It really depends on how you think. But, I don't mind. Say whatever you want to since I am not the one to give out clarifications."

The outrage over Dunk:

In his recent project, Dunk, which has the internet riled up, Ijaz plays the role of Professor Humayun who has been wrongfully accused of sexual harassment. The uproar was massive, where the audience questioned the need to air a show on false allegations (which rarely happens) while staying mum on the cases that have been proven in the court of law.

Ijaz, however, called out the critics, saying the topic should have been criticised, rather than the actors. Dunk, he said, was based on a true incident that occurred in Lahore in 2019.

An English language professor at Government MAO College died by apparent suicide amid a case in which he was accused of harassment. Reportedly, Professor Afzal Mehmood, took his life after his wife separated from him and the college administration refused to issue a clearance certificate to him even after harassment allegations were proven false.

"When we accuse someone of a crime this grave, we often forget about the implications of it. We forget the impact it would have on the accused, his family," the Dar Si Jati Hai Sila star relayed. "Not everyone has strong will power, some are very sensitive. He couldn't face it and died of suicide."

Talking about the criticism, the actor believes "no one tried to sabotage #MeToo movement with the show."

"No one should harass anyone - regardless of gender. There should be proper laws in place, but who will decide whether the accusations are true or not? The show highlights if the #MeToo movement has been misused. It would be wrong to say that movements aren't manipulated," he added. "We have black sheeps in the society who manipulate such meaningful movements. So, it is extremely important to investigate properly before passing on the verdict if a person is innocent or guilty. In this country, there should be some punishment for people who falsely accuse anyone."

The infidelity:

In September last year, Ijaz's interview with Iffat Omar went viral. The actor, who is not one to land himself in hot waters often, could be seen talking to the host about ‘the secret of a successful marriage’, having been married for about 25 years now. Omar mentioned how artists are hopeless romantics to which he agreed, and when asked if he ever lost his heart elsewhere, he replied, “Beinteha (countless times).”

Talking about the same, Ijaz commented he is not answerable to anyone but his God and his wife. "They can think whatever they want, I do not care. I don't bother what people think," he said. "I would just like to say do people think that a man like me, who is perceptive, would go and talk about infidelity on air when I know my wife would be watching it? The interview was recorded a year and a half ago. Back then, everyone chimed in on the joke and sang praises for the very same show. I am fluent in sarcasm. I am not going to give any justification."