Alizeh Shah criticises 'cute' beauty standards

Actor Alizeh Shah is once again at the centre of a social media storm, but this time, it's not for her outfit or makeup. On Tuesday, Shah posted a thought-provoking note to her Instagram story, calling attention to a trend she finds disturbing: the way adult women are increasingly styled, portrayed, and encouraged to behave like little girls.

"The high-pitched voices, the baby clothes, the overdone shyness?" she wrote. "Is it just 'cuteness' or something deeper?"

Her story continued in a sharper tone: "It's starting to look like we're romanticising childhood in women. And quietly, without saying it out loud, we blur the lines between innocence and desire."

Shah didn't name anyone, but the timing has raised speculation about who or what triggered the comment. Regardless, she wasn't pulling punches.

"It's unsettling," she wrote. "Because when we package adult women to look like little girls, aren't we, in a way, feeding the very idea that fuels pedophilia?"

She ended with a direct challenge: "Maybe it's time we ask."

The reaction was swift. Some praised Shah for speaking up about a topic few public figures in Pakistan dare to touch. "Very well said and the right questions asked," read one comment on a repost of her story. Another user wrote, "Didn't expect her to have such deeply mature insights, but she's actually raising a very valid point." Others accused her of moral policing, attention-seeking, or indirectly targeting other actors and influencers. One user wrote, "What's the problem? It's just a role," while another questioned, "And what about the times you've worn children's clothes for photoshoots?"

This isn't Shah's first run-in with online backlash. She's been repeatedly trolled for her clothes, her weight, her acting, and even her acne. But this time, the criticism is less about her appearance and more about the ideas she's raising.

Shah also addressed the emotional toll of constant trolling in a recent IG story, writing, "I wish people knew how heavy this all feels." She spoke about trying to stay strong while being judged for every move she makes. "If people saw the pain their words cause, maybe they'd choose kindness," she said, calling out the industry for singling her out unfairly. She thanked fans who stood by her and had a message for critics: "I hope life is kinder to you than you've been to me." Her remarks followed her refusal to forgive Zarnish Khan for past public insults.