Gohar Rasheed says Pakistani stars lack political awareness

Actors decries entertainment industry has become a race for numbers rather than artistic merit

 

Actors Gohar Rasheed and Khaqan Shahnawaz reflected on the state of Pakistan's entertainment industry during a recent interview, with Rasheed arguing that many celebrities lack political awareness and have become more concerned with popularity than their craft.

"The problem with many Pakistani stars is that they lack general knowledge. We try to play it safe, stay apolitical—not just regarding our own country but also international politics," Rasheed said.

He argued that the industry had become increasingly driven by social media metrics rather than artistic merit. "The majority are in a race for numbers. Nothing is about the craft anymore," he added.

The conversation then turned to the Aurat March, where Rasheed said he supported the movement's objectives but believed some of its slogans distracted from its broader message of women's empowerment.

"If I do not like item numbers, it is because I believe women should not be objectified. But on the other hand, the Aurat March has a fraction of slogans that I find disrespectful," he said.

Rasheed argued that campaigners could advocate for equal rights without using slogans that risked alienating audiences.

"I think if you are participating in the Aurat March, you can discuss equal rights and support a noble cause. You should present it in a way that takes into account how the audience will react," he said.

Shahnawaz, however, disagreed, saying critics often focused on a handful of controversial slogans while ignoring the movement's broader objectives.

"The causes that the Aurat March fights for are significant: acid attacks, feminicide, and women in Pakistan not receiving their basic rights," he said.

"If there is even a single movement that openly discusses these issues and protests for those rights, I think trying to police their language is cherry-picking problems."

He added that the movement's language reflected the anger of women confronting systemic violence and said he would not police how they chose to express it.

Shahnawaz also argued that the Aurat March should not be conflated with the separate responsibilities that come with being a public figure.

Apart from that, Rasheed called for better treatment of workers in the entertainment industry, saying actors, writers, directors and crew members deserved timely payments and a fairer share of royalties.

"Those who are taking advantage of actors, writers, directors, or crew members should know that Allah may not let this affect you now, but it will in the afterlife," he said.

On the professional front, Rasheed is set to appear in the upcoming drama Fanaa and the television serials Ae Dil, Hasrat and Jindo. Shahnawaz, meanwhile, is known for his roles in Hadsa, Sukoon and My Dear Cinderella, and is also a prominent digital content creator.