Pakistani actors can ride horses too: Yasir on Turkish stars being offered local projects

Actor Yasir Hussain, who has publicly criticised the involvement of Turkish talent in Pakistan’s showbiz industry, recently spoke about the matter on a talk show hosted by actor Nauman Ijaz on a local channel. 

When asked by Ijaz why the actor is against Turkish actors being given local projects, Hussain explained, “I never said anything against the people of Turkey. Yes, it was [misinterpretated] because that’s how things work around here. People need negativity because it sells.”

He added, “I feel that the way Turkish stars have been endorsing perfumes and such [in Pakistan], didn’t you [Nauman Ijaz] play Balaaj in Dasht? So, you know how to ride horses as well. You are also capable of doing that. Adnan Siddiqui can do it, and so can Humayun Saeed.” 

Following Hussain’s response, Ijaz suggested the possibility of Turkish stars being enlisted for endorsements due to their larger fanbase. He said, “Maybe people believe that Turkish stars have a bigger canvas. They are more renowned than us.” 

Hussain retorted, citing the follower counts of Turkish star Esra Bilgiç and actor Ayeza Khan, “That is not the case at all. In fact, the woman that has six million followers now didn’t even have a million before she started working in Pakistan. Ayeza Khan has ten times more followers than that.” 

In 2020, the Javed Iqbal actor publicly criticised the Ertugrul star’s involvement as a brand ambassador of a local phone company. "Don't you think a Pakistani brand should have a Pakistani ambassador? Not Indian or Turkish? Are Mahira, Saba, Sonya, Minal, Aiman, Amar, Zara, Haniya, Sana, Yumna, Armeena, Sara, Hira... anyone not worthy enough to be a brand ambassador for a Pakistani brand?" he had questioned on his Instagram Story.

Concluding his rant, the Lahore Se Agey actor urged his followers to "support Pakistani actors. Pakistan Zindabad."

His statements were met with lots of criticism, including from actors Bilal Ashraf and Anoushey Ashraf. In a comment on Instagram, Anoushey wrote, "I'd be very proud to see our actors on a billboard internationally. If you want to work in tandem with the world, you must accept them here as well." Bilal took to Twitter to explain how art should not be and cannot be confined to boundaries or nationalities. "We need to welcome all artists from around the globe. Art has no language or boundaries, don’t politicise everything. Love and welcome everyone," he said.