Ahmed Ali Butt, Anoushey Ashraf defend Humayun Saeed's 'The Crown' casting

Actors took to social media to denounce recent comments by veteran actor Sakina Samo

Actor Humayun Saeed made headlines recently after it was announced that he had been cast to play the role of Dr Hasnat Khan in the hit Netflix series The Crown. While several members of the entertainment industry came forward to congratulate the actor on the achievement, including his Bin Roye co-star Mahira Khan, as well as Adnan Siddiqui, veteran actor Sakina Samo publicly aired her disagreement with the casting choice.

Sakina expressed disappointment over Humayun being selected over international favourite Fawad Khan, adding that she will not be watching the fifth season of the series in protest of Humayun’s casting. However, since Sakina’s tweets, other actors have come forward in support of the Meray Paas Tum Ho actor, including Ahmed Ali Butt and Anoushey Ashraf.

Sharing a news post about Sakina’s comments, Ahmed wrote on his Instagram stories, “Why can’t we be happy for someone? Why can’t we appreciate someone’s success or cheer for them? Why [do we need] to be so hateful?” He continued, sending a prayer towards Sakina, “May Allah soften our hearts and open our minds when it comes to support and love each other.” The actor went out to add a hashtag that read, “Sakina chill out.”

Anoushey shared Ahmed’s comments on her Instagram stories as well, writing, “Wholeheartedly agree with Ahmed Ali Butt.” She went on, “Humayun Saeed is a star who’s worked hard over the years and has always been modest about his success. As artists, we absolutely should lift each other up. Make us proud, Humayun Saeed!”

Previously, responding to a tweet that confirmed Humayun’s casting in the Royal drama, Sakina shared in a now-deleted tweet, "Does [Humayun Saeed] even look like Dr Hasnat?" She added, "Fawad Khan would have been a perfect cardiologist. How could you not select him? Why, The Crown, why?"

To this, many shared that Humayun bore resemblance to Princess Diana's close friend. In another tweet, the Dobara actor added in response, "I just saw a picture of Dr Hasnat. Humayun may look like him now - but they are showing 90s Dr Hasnat." Expressing her disappointment, the award-winning actor concluded, "I still think Fawad would have been a class act but alas."

In the end, the Intezaar director shared she will not be watching the upcoming season of the hit show. Sakina shared this under a tweet by a user who was blocked by Humayun. "He will block me too - and I will not be watching The Crown."

Dr Hasnat, a British-Pakistani heart and lung surgeon, is widely known for his romantic, two-year relationship with Diana. The 'People's Princess' is said to have described him as 'Mr Wonderful' and in May 1996, she visited his family in Lahore too.

Diana’s friends are reported to have described Hasnat as the "love of her life" and to have spoken of her distress when he ended their relationship in June 1997. Dr Hasnat attended Diana's funeral ceremony as well.