To make someone laugh in just thirty seconds is not easy: Mohammad Ahmed is in awe of TikTokers

Veteran actor praised hidden gems on such apps who often go unnoticed

Last night, the ever-talented Mohammad Ahmed graced the popular Pakistani chat show Mazaq Raat to dish his take on all things showbiz and beyond. Adored for portraying the quintessential father figure on TV, Ahmed has left an indelible mark on Pakistani drama both behind the scenes and on screen. But what really caught everyone's attention was when the Radd actor opened up about his foray into the world of TikTok.

Yes, you heard that right—the drama maestro is experimenting with TikToks! With a twinkle in his eye, Ahmed shared his thoughts on the short-form video platform, saying, "TikTok is an experiment for me. I used to wonder how could someone effectively fit their content in just thirty seconds."

Ahmed praised the hidden gems in Pakistan's rural areas, who, despite their talent, often go unnoticed. "In our rural areas, we have many talented people who impress me with their work. However, chances are that if they go to audition, no one will take them seriously. With TikTok, they at least have a medium where they can express themselves," he said. 

His respect for these creators was evident as he added, "I used to be very impressed by them because it seems like tough work. To make someone laugh or even smile in just thirty seconds is not easy." 

While many applaud the rise of video-hosting platforms such as YouTube and TikTok for democratising the way to stardom, veterans of the big screen have generally begged to differ. Ahmed’s take is certainly an outlier if one looks at the horde of critics, including actor-producer Fahad Mustafa, who has famously disparaged ‘content creators’ on numerous occasions.

The Na Maloom Afraad actor put his two cents in an interview with host and former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. “A lot of TikTokers create content and gain a large following. They sign a drama and come to share the screen with you. Would you accept them as an actor?” Shoaib posed the question. The Jeeto Pakistan host replied, “The problem isn’t mine, it’s theirs…because I am a producer also. I have met a lot of these people. Content is the most overrated word in this country.”

He went on to condemn, “There is no such content. Everyone is selling their families.” Fahad pointed out how such content makers often advertise everyday affairs at their home from cooking a meal in the kitchen to their interactions with their mothers, resorting to extreme measures for clicks.

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