Local varsity called out for inviting Dananeer as guest speaker

In February last year, a mere 10-second clip of a little-known influencer went on to transcend borders, being recreated by several Pakistani and Bollywood stars. It propelled the then19-year-old Dananeer Mobeen into unprecedented fame. The social media sensation has since never looked back.

But when the same Dananeer was invited on a panel at the ZAB Media Festival for a discussion on The 'Instant' Revolution - The Rise of Digital Stars, all hell broke lose. Dananeer was joined by popular influencer couple Patangeer, Amtul Baweja and Fahad Tariq, Ali Gul Pir and Ali Akbar Chaudhry on stage. But Twitterati seemed rather unhappy with the Pawri girl being invited to participate in the discourse.

Many suggested the institute should not have invited someone who gained "accidental fame" as a "motivational speaker". However, it is pertinent to mention here that the social media star was invited as a panelist.

"Dananeer got invited by SZABIST as a motivational speaker? This represents the declining standards of not only our society but the educational institutions as well," a user shared.

Another tweep asked, "What precedent are they setting? There are so many artists, writers, poets and sportsmen that deserve recognition. And these people are calling bloggers for speeches? Nothing against danger. But this is teaching youth that becoming famous and rich by any means is inspirational."

A user quipped, "The only motivation Dananeer can give you is about conforming to society’s beauty standards and having an accidental viral clip that is purely annoying."

And another shared, "No hate for Dananeer genuinely but in a country where our artists, writers, and poets are committing suicide from a lack of recognition, we do genuinely need to have a conversation about who we choose to promote. I think the hate is extremely unnecessary though."

One also joked about how 'difficult' it might have been for Dananeer to explain how she made a 10-second video.

Another wondered, "As much as I like to think about these things positively, I cannot think how Dananeer could develop and deliver a meaningful lecture or a speech. Really questionable stuff."

But while many aired their reservations about Dananeer being a part of the panel, others spoke out in her defence.

"What's wrong with Dananeer being invited as a motivational speaker?" a user asked. Another commented, "I don't think motivational speakers have to be qualified enough to be so-called. Her work speaks her efforts out I guess she can be one too - netizens should stop criticising people based on their careers at least."

Popular comedian Shehzad Ghias Shaikh shared, "Why are we gate-keeping who gets to call themselves an artist and who doesn't? This isn't about Dananeer even. Hundreds of people make Tiktoks and thousands of people shit on them for doing so, once we start deciding who an artist is and who isn't. All we are doing is adding to that troll culture and destroying the dreams of all those wannabe artists."

He added, "Kya jata hay humara if a teenage girl who makes tiktoks thinks of her as an artist? Why go out of our way and be like tu artist nahee hay zyada free na ho."

One more shared, "Dananeer has achieved fame money appeal-a general likability. None of which is taught in educational institutions. People from the digital platform can and do relate to her. not every mot speaker needs to have PhDs and bald heads bro."

Another user added, "I don’t understand why is everyone so salty about this. SZABIST is a business school and has a communication design as well as a media sciences program. Dananeer is a content creator/digital influencer and now an actor. It makes sense to invite her. What’s the fuss about?"

Another remarked, "Dananeer was invited by SZABIST not as a motivational speaker but as a speaker for a panel called “The rise of digital stars” and she is perfectly fit for that. Media students needed this panel for their future plans in media. Enough with useless criticism to degrade others."

In 2021, Dananeer shot to fame after a video of her saying, "Yeh hum hain, yeh hamari car hei, aur yeh hamari pawri horahi hei" [This is our car, this is us, and this is our party]," went viral. The video has over several million views on her official Instagram handle alone. The footage has been recreated hundreds of times with #pawrihoraihai the top trend trending on Twitter. Dananeer then made her debut in the drama industry with star-studded show, Sinf-e-Aahan.

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