Hiba resolves mystery of girl in viral frame

Actor confirms she was the girl in resurfaced 2011 footage

Actor Hiba Bukhari has confirmed her presence in an old clip from state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) musical programme that created a storm on social media and prompted speculation about her age and identity for some time.

The vintage footage, taken from a musical night aired on PTV, shows a young girl in the audience who bears a striking resemblance to the actor. As the clip circulated online, users flooded comment sections with guesses.

Some insisted it was Bukhari from decades ago; others suggested it could be her mother, while a few speculated that the girl was former PTV performer Zeba Ali. The conversation quickly veered into claims that the actor might be concealing her real age.

In a recent interview, Bukhari addressed the chatter directly, confirming that she was indeed the girl in the video. She explained that she was studying in 7th or 8th standard at the time and that the footage dates back to around 2011.

According to her, she had attended the programme with family members. Recalling her childhood, the actor said she frequently accompanied her family to musical evenings and mushairas, describing the viral moment as just another cultural outing from her early years.

Known for her beauty, grace, and realistic approach to life, Bukhari is one of the most admired actors in Pakistan's television industry. She is often praised for her candidness when speaking about her personal life, career, and family, while maintaining a modern yet grounded image.

With humour during the interview, the 'Deewangi' star remarked that she enjoyed seeing fans guess her age and made it clear she has no hesitation in revealing it. "I'm not scared of revealing my age," she said, adding that she sees no reason to hide it.