Never call me aunty, warns Saba Faisal

Actor does not feel the term is a sign of respect

Saba Faisal may be a veteran actor in the showbiz industry, but if there is one thing she despises, it is being referred to as 'aunty' as a sign of respect.

"Most women in my age group in the industry do not like being called 'Aapa'," observed the Habs actor in a recent appearance on a local morning show. Saba has voiced her opinion on the 'aunty' debate in the past and broached the subject once more to remind viewers of her stance. "It's okay," she conceded. "These people in the industry are like my children. They are like family."

Saba may have accepted that she cannot escape such a title such as 'Aapa', but added that such a demarcation, whether or not it shows respect, has no place in a professional setting, regardless of cultural norms.

"I feel very comfortable in this industry, but professionally, this should not happen," she stressed. "It is a definite problem in the industry. You can call someone who is older than you 'ma'am', or you can even take their name. Although I would tell you to never call me 'aunty'!"

Saba's words are a reflection of a form of discrimination felt by women who are older than their colleagues, where the word 'aunty' can incite unwarranted anger in some despite the innocent intentions behind it. Despite hailing from a culture where taking the name of an elder is considered disrespectful, Saba represents the segment of women who feel otherwise. The actor accepts that women may be comfortable being addressed by their name or even as a polite 'Miss' or 'Mrs', or even, in the case of Saba, a respectful 'Saba Ji'. However, being called 'aunty' appears to denote an unwanted familiarity, which in turn sparks feelings of discomfort. Saba has expressed the sentiment in the past, vociferously stating on an earlier morning show this year, "Please don't ever call me 'aunty'".

The actor embarked on her media career in 1981, where she initially took up work as a newscaster. The following decade, Saba added to her showbiz CV by snapping up roles in television dramas as well as continuing her career as a newscaster. Since the turn of the century, she has focused solely on acting, appearing in a long list of dramas as well as telefilms. Most recently, Saba was seen in the television dramas Khaie, Pagal Khana, and Be Rung.