‘Who is he to sign [Mahira]?’ Resham questions Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar

Pakistani writer and director Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar is once again in the headlines for reasons the public has come to anticipate. This time, seasoned actor and model Resham put him on blast during her appearance on Tabish Hashmi’s show Hasna Mana Hai, specifically for his comments against fellow actor and friend Mahira Khan.

While Resham acknowledged that Qamar stands out in his skill as a writer, his constant criticism of Khan is unfounded and unnecessary. What is more baseless is Qamar taking credit for casting Khan in Sadqay Tumhare, a biographical drama based on the writer’s life. According to Resham, it is never the writer but the producer or channel that looks over the casting process, especially for a renowned figure such as Khan. “He said that he regrets signing Mahira for Sadqay Tumhare, but who is he to sign her?” she asked on the show. 

Resham claimed that Qamar intentionally speaks about famous actors, specifically women, for publicity. At the end of the day, it appears Qamar strongly follows the sentiment that all attention is good attention.

The working relationship between Qamar and Khan turned sour after the Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad actor criticised the writer for the misogynistic comments he directed towards journalist Marvi Sirmed on television. Since this infamous incident, Qamar became a frequent face of controversy for his conservative takes on and derogatory remarks towards women.

So, it is no surprise that this is not the first time a female actor has called him out. Earlier this month, Resham condemned Qamar on her Instagram after he commented on the Masjid-e-Nabvi incident involving PMLN leaders, saying Qamar “has gone mad and needs to be treated before he starts biting everybody with his poisonous teeth.”

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