Juveria Abbasi on ageism, industry stagnation and why new actors need degrees

Veteran actor Juvaria Abbasi recently sat down for a candid conversation, laying bare her unfiltered thoughts on the Pakistani entertainment industry, social media culture, and her own personal growth.

Opening up about how scripts are written, Juveria pointed out a major flaw in the creative process, stating that roles were currently dictated strictly by numerical age rather than the actual depth of the heroine.

She noted that this mindset kept television dramas running in a repetitive loop. "Roles should be written for the character's age, not just for the sake of making someone a 'heroine.' Right now, the dramas keep going around in the same loop all the time," she expressed.

She also took a sharp, sarcastic dig at societal double standards, adding, "If you are a confident, accomplished, and happy woman, you are not a 'good woman'."

Juveria didn’t hold back when addressing her male peers. She emphasised that established male leads need to find their voice and actively protest against casting choices that pair them with heroines literally half their age.

"The male leads in our industry need to stand up and voice their concerns against the casting age. They should speak up about why heroines half their age are being cast opposite them," sharing her unfiltered thoughts.

Turning her attention to the content being produced, she argued that modern dramas are strictly written for TRPs and soundtrack hype. She called for an immediate end to repetitive storylines centred around kitchen politics, class divides, and social status.

The conversation then shifted to the superficial nature of showbiz friendships and the rising trend of fake relationships, specifically public marriages that quickly end in divorce for the sake of publicity.

According to Juveria, the industry is dying due to this creative and ethical stagnation. Her proposed solution: "Producers should hire new directors" to breathe fresh life into television.

Contrastingly, she spoke with immense warmth about senior actors like Sania Saeed and Saba Hameed. Pointing to them as beacons of inspiration, she shared how beautifully and gracefully they have aged, making them the ultimate role models she looks up to.

Addressing deeper societal issues, Juveria spoke about the crushing loneliness people endure when they are stuck in the wrong relationship. She firmly rejected the societal narrative that "marriage is the ultimate solution to everything," calling it entirely untrue.

Reflecting on her own journey, Juveria compared the current crop of Pakistani social media trends to the Lives of the Kardashians. She remarked that the behaviour people once considered bizarre or questionable has now become a celebrated norm and a standard trend in Pakistan.

This cultural shift, she notes, has made people incredibly impatient. "People have no patience anymore in life," she observed, adding that this applies to how we treat one another and the desperate rush to get famous overnight.

When speaking about the toxic concept of 'log kya kahenge' (what will people say), Juveria insisted that public opinion should never define personal decisions or stop someone from making progress. "

When it comes to my recent marriage and the hate I received, the people commenting didn't know me. They couldn't change my views or destroy my moment, because I always choose to put myself and my peace before them," she touched upon her recent marriage and the heavy trolling she received online. However, the negativity fell flat. Juveria stated that the people commenting didn't change her views or destroy her happiness because she chose to put her own peace before them.

On the art of letting go, Juveria shared a deeply spiritual perspective. She explained that she is extremely grateful for the things that weren't meant for her and were taken away by the will of God, viewing it as protection.

She also smiled through her mentions of long-time friends and industry peers like Shahood Alvi and Madiha Iftikhar, celebrating the genuine bonds that have stood the test of time.

Closing the interview with absolute confidence, Juveria affirmed, "No matter what anyone says, it doesn't affect me. I am content in my life." Leaving a vital note for the next generation aspiring to enter showbiz, she concluded with a piece of practical advice: "One should complete their studies before entering the acting field."