Celebs redefine what it means to look good

In a world where appearances shape careers and social media drives visibility, Pakistani entertainers — men and women alike — are increasingly embracing cosmetic enhancements once reserved for women.

The discussion, long whispered about, has now surfaced in public after actor and host Ayaz Samoo, while speaking on a private television programme, openly acknowledged the trend among male actors.

Samoo revealed that many male performers undergo facial procedures, including lip botox, to maintain a youthful and appealing look. He said there was nothing wrong with wanting to look good, noting that these men spend their own money to enhance their appearance and bear whatever results may follow.

"It's their face and their choice," he said, adding that the same beauty treatments once associated with women are now available to men as well. Samoo clarified that he personally had not tried any artificial means to enhance his looks but understood why others chose to.

While male celebrities are breaking stereotypes by normalising beauty procedures, their female counterparts continue to face heightened scrutiny over their appearances. Only days before Samoo's remarks, actress Saba Qamar became the centre of online debate after viewers claimed she had undergone botox and lip fillers.

The discussion began after a scene from her drama 'Pamaal' went viral, showing the 41-year-old star in tears over her on-screen husband's behaviour. Viewers claimed that her facial expressions appeared stiff and that visible signs of botox made her look older than her age. Some argued that the procedures had started to affect her acting.

A Dubai-based doctor later analysed the clip in a viral video, insisting that Saba appeared to have had minor botox treatment. Fans, however, were divided. While some criticised the actress's changed appearance, others defended her, saying her performance remained as powerful as ever.

Around the same time, another major name in Pakistani entertainment — Mahira Khan — faced similar public scrutiny. The superstar, known for her massive online following, drew attention after her latest photos from the promotion of her film 'Neelofar' began circulating on social media.

During a promotional event in Lahore, Mahira's fuller facial features sparked speculation that she had undergone cosmetic procedures such as lip fillers, cheek lifts, eyebrow lifts or botox.

Observers remarked that her face appeared tighter and her natural smile less prominent. The debate quickly spread online, with fans offering a mix of humour and sarcasm. Some even compared her new look to that of Nora Fatehi, Dia Mirza, Rakhi Sawant, and even the doll-like "Ken" and "Barbie" aesthetics.

However, Mahira quickly responded to the rumours through her official X (formerly Twitter) account, setting the record straight. "Thank you for the love," she wrote, "but why would I do a facelift right now — not that I'm judging anyone who would or has."

She added: "My makeup artist did some hair lift thing to give a 'snatched look', and it was not done right. Anyhow, lesson learnt. of Moving on. Lots love." Her straightforward clarification appeared to ease the speculation.

Taken together, these incidents reveal a striking pattern across Pakistan's entertainment industry: the evolving perception of beauty and self-presentation.

For male celebrities like Ayaz Samoo, cosmetic procedures have quietly become part of the performance toolkit — an accepted investment in one's image. For women, however, the same choices often spark public judgment and heated debate.