We’re public figures, not public property: Maya Ali

The 'Parey Hut Love' star appeared on 'Time Out With Ahsan Khan' with fellow actor Bilal Ashraf

Never-before-seen duo, Maya Ali and Bilal Ashraf appeared on Time Out with Ahsan Khan this week, after rooting for Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan Super League (PSL) together. The episode saw the two stars get candid about life as celebrities, their respective debuts, upcoming projects and much more.

Swaying us with her acting skills, Ali has appeared in many hit serials like Durr-e-Shehwar, Diyar-e Dil, Mann Mayal and blockbusters such as Teefa in Trouble and Parey Hut Love. As for Ashraf, the actor has appeared Superstar, Waar 2, Rangreza and Janaan and is yet to embark into drama serials.

Journey as actors

“When I started my journey as an actor, everyone linked me with Osman Khalid Butt,” began Ali, upon being questioned about her pairing with Sheheryar Munawar. “I think there’s a certain pairing that delivers a chemistry fans love or adore. Hence, they start to ship the two celebrities as couples.”

She continued, “When we were at the premiere of Parey Hut Love, people called us the ‘Filmy Jodi’ which, for me, was a compliment. But this does not mean I will limit myself to only be seen with Sheheryar. From all the actors whom I have worked with, I absolutely adore Bilal Abbas.”

Adding onto the expectations of being an actor, Ali added, “People aren’t familiar with what goes on behind the scenes. I’ve come to the conclusion that these netizens are prepared to pen negative feedback, waiting for something to pick on. For this, I always tell people that we are public figures not public property. Pick on our work! Be it negative or positive, we will happily entertain you. But judge till what we show you and not beyond the lines that are set for you to never cross.”

Working during Covid-19

Host Khan highlighted the significance of the standard that an actor sets for himself to maintain a rank. Adding onto that, Ashraf said, “I don’t knit pick my projects. To be honest, it depends how the character arc is for an actor to give his 100% on screen that way. If it doesn’t sit well with me, I don’t agree to do a certain project being offered at that time.”

Continuing about acting on big screen, the Rangreza star said, “If I were to venture on to small screen projects, which I hope to, then I will definitely sign myself up for the role of an antagonist, instead of your regular hero-heroine stories.”

Ashraf believes showbiz doesn’t limit an actor to being onscreen but one can always shift to off-screen work, producing new scripts and ideas. Closing about his journey as an actor, the 41-year-old said, “There’s a long way ahead for me as an actor. Landing some major roles doesn’t limit me or means that this is the end of my career, it’s just the beginning.”

Both Ali and Ashraf ended their segment with a note to fans, asking them to use social media correctly, respect celebrities as human beings and think a hundred times before commenting anything and spread positivity.