No one should see it: Waseem Abbas slams 'awful' record-breaking drama

Renowned actor Waseem Abbas recently appeared on The Chocolate Times, where he expressed his concerns about the recurring damsel in distress stereotype prevalent in Pakistani content. While discussing one of his own dramas and its unexpected popularity, he criticised the industry's focus on garnering views and ratings at the expense of perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Reflecting on a particular play he was part of, Abbas humorously remarked to his son, "I said that the recording had ended and it would be on-air soon, just pray that whenever it airs, there is load-shedding. No one should see it. It's that awful." However, to his surprise, the play broke viewership records, leaving him disillusioned with the content creation process. 

He expressed his frustration, acknowledging that content makers often dismiss criticism by pointing to high ratings as a measure of success. The Mere Humsafar actor stated, "Believe me, that [play] broke the records of ratings...What can we say to content makers? What can we say? They will retort by saying, 'You said it was awful. Look at the ratings. It means that you don't know, we know better.' And we have to agree." The host of the show chimed in, saying, "Till the woman is not slapped four times, the audience will not relate." 

Abbas also addressed Nadia Afgan's recent remarks about Tere Bin actor, Yumna Zaidi. He urged people not to be offended by Afgan's personal opinion, stating, "Whatever Nadia Afgan said was her personal opinion and no one should mind it." He emphasised that criticism should be viewed from an individual's perspective. Drawing a parallel, he mentioned how even the acclaimed actor Dilip Kumar faced detractors, acknowledging that personal preferences differ. However, he also praised Zaidi as an amazing and hardworking actor.

During the interview, Abbas also spoke about his son, Ali Abbas, revealing that he did not provide any support or references to him in his career. Despite this, he expressed his belief that his son is an underrated actor in the Pakistani television industry. He stated, "My son, Ali, is quite an underrated actor," showcasing his admiration for his son's talent and dedication.

The veteran actor's candid remarks shed light on the need for content creators to break free from damaging stereotypes and focus on creating meaningful and progressive narratives. With his critique of regressive themes and his support for fellow actors, Abbas encouraged positive changes in the Pakistani entertainment industry.

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