Kinza Hashmi defends Ali Raza after viral fan incident

Actor says being a public figure does not mean losing right to personal space

After a video from a meet-and-greet event went viral showing actor Ali Raza moving a male fan aside who had moved too close to fellow star Kinza Hashmi, she took to social media to share her account of what actually transpired. Kinza, who said she usually stays quiet during such incidents, felt this one needed to be addressed "once and for all."

Screengrab: KinzaHashmi/Instagram

Sharing that even though the event was a meet-and-greet, no one has the right to come extremely close to a celebrity in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, Kinza added that there were a lot of men at the event who asked for pictures while maintaining respectful boundaries, apart from the individual in question.

"The moment he came too close and I got uncomfortable, Ali Raza noticed it," she wrote. She added, "Perhaps this could have been handled in a better way, but his reaction came from a protective instinct to make me feel safe in that moment."

“There was absolutely no intention to insult or humiliate anyone,” the actor said.

Kinza further emphasised that a woman being a public figure does not mean she stops deserving personal space. “Please don’t normalise crossing boundaries,” she said.

Screengrab: KinzaHashmi/Instagram

In another statement shared on her Instagram story, Kinza expressed her views on Ali Raza, saying she has always seen him treat his fans with love and respect. "He genuinely values them and tries to make them feel special," she said, noting that one moment "should not define his entire nature or intentions."