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Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Begging for survival
By now, with so many artists in the entertainment industry having gone public about production houses' inability to compensate them on time, it will surprise nobody to learn that for an actor in Pakistan, relying on paid work remains a pipe dream. Last week, it was director Mehreen Jabbar who poetically but bluntly remarked that artists have to chase their employers "like beggars" to be paid; now, veteran actor and screenwriter Mohammad Ahmed has entered the fray, backing Jabbar's every word with crystal clear precision. Joining the chorus "Mehreen has spoken very clearly about the system and the drama industry, and it makes me so glad," began Ahmed in a video posted on his Instagram handle. "She said plainly what I have been quietly saying for years. The truth is, [production houses] expect us to be punctual and stick to whatever is outlined in our contract – and yes, we do this." Having begun his showbiz career as a screenwriter in 1995 with Tum Se Kehna Tha and taking on acting roles over the years, Ahmed will be familiar to viewers from television dramas Zard Patton Ka Bunn and Sunn Mere Dil last year. With thirty years devoted to showbiz in some form or other, here is a professional who is familiar with the inner workings of the entertainment industry – and with that familiarity comes a strict personal code of ethics. Giving personal examples of the respect he has for his coworkers, Ahmed continued, "I don't think anybody can truthfully say that I have never been late to a set, nor have ever skipped a day of shooting, or left town and disappeared for days on end. I have tried my utmost to be professional and ethical." The Cake star swiftly pointed out, however, that his employers do not reciprocate or adhere to this same level of professional ethics – certainly not when money is involved. Having devoted decades to the industry and now being left with a bedrock of well-earned bitterness to show for it, Ahmed minced no words as he noted, "When it comes to payment schedules, other than the odd production house, I have never seen people being paid on time. A delay of three to four months is extremely normal." Backing up Jabbar's beggar analogy, the unimpressed actor continued, "You have to pretty much clasp your hands together and beg them to pay you. Then they dispense a cheque your way, all the while giving the impression that they are doing you a massive favour, just because they have deigned to pay you. In every project, I feel their aim is to make actors beg for money. It destroys your dignity." Shining a harsh light on the very real need for timely payments in an increasingly difficult financial climate rife with bills and inflation, Ahmed took issue with the ideal notion that an artist's work is above money. "Money is everyone's biggest need," stressed the actor as though pointing out the obvious. "Especially for those people who have no form of income other than showbiz. A production house will make you do a 15 – to 20-hour shoot, but when it comes to giving you a cheque, they either refuse to pick the phone or give you a ridiculous reason for not doing so." For Ahmed, there is only one silver lining in this dire state of affairs: the fact that he is no longer alone in calling out production houses. "Thank you, Mehreen, for saying what you did," he said, a note of warmth entering his voice. "I'm glad that people have started speaking up." Rising dissent If Ahmed sought comfort in Jabbar's slam-dunk takedown of production houses, actor Faizan Khawaja in turn found solace in Ahmed's no-holds-barred summation of the entertainment industry. The Dulhan actor has been absent from screens in recent years, and he propped up Ahmed's scathing verdict in an Instagram Story to explain just why. As a bonus, Khwaja also used Ahmed's words as an eye-opener as to why we are now witnessing an increasing number of news stories of actors spending their last years in poverty. "To all those people who aren't in the media who keep asking me why actors die alone and poor, here is your answer," began Khwaja. "Finally someone had the guts to call them out publicly. And to all those people who keep messaging me saying, 'Why have you stopped working? Why don't you appear on TV?' Well, honestly, some of us don't have the patience to endure such bull**** treatment." With both Jabbar and Ahmed having painted a picture of actors begging for money (a picture that those who have spoken up insist is accurate), Khwaja added that he would rather walk away from a career on camera than sacrifice his self respect. "I'd rather not act than beg for my dues and give another human to flex his managerial position on me," he finished. Khawaja, Ahmed and Jabbar are only the most recent actors calling out the entertainment industry's financial abuse. Last year, Dunyapur stars Khushhal Khan, Ramsha Khan also took to either an interview or Instagram to slam the lack of ethics displayed by production houses. "It's disrespectful not to pay on time because we're there on time," Khushhal had stressed in an interview with the BBC Asian Network last year, a comment that was subconsciously echoed in Ahmed's latest video. "We're giving 110 per cent every single day. The least we expect is to be paid on time." In the same interview, Ramsha added that being financially compensated was a necessity. "I have to pay my bills, man," she had remarked. Unlike Ahmed and his commitment to appearing on set, however, Ramsha illustrated that she had hit upon the perfect solution. "You either clear my cheque or I'm not coming on set," she had noted. Can there be a shift in the way an actor's rights are respected? Will production houses ever be held accountable? Jabbar had bluntly commented that she had witnessed no change in her thirty years in the industry. But perhaps now, with veterans and newcomers alike raising their voices, artists could be closer to a change today than they were thirty years ago.
Express Tribune
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Melodrama with a meal
As a bearer of good tidings and blessings, Ramazan is a month that champions a sense of community. After winding down from a laborious day and a hearty iftaar, it is almost natural to spend just a little more time with your loved ones. And what better way to bond than to turn on a TV serial that everyone enjoys? While you relax after tending to your obligations, a fool-proof way to bring everyone together is by binging a new drama. Here are four shows to look out for during the mellow evenings of your Ramazan. 'Agar Tum Sath Ho' If you're still reeling from the wholesome affair that was Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gilani's wedding, you might want to tune into this one. Led by a promising cast comprising the newlyweds, Zaviyar Ejaz, and Srha Asgr, the serial points to a spiralling love triangle, driven by a charismatic set of characters. Although an expected tale of romance, the serial slips in conflict in ways that'll have you at the edge of your seat. With a happy-go-lucky personality like Farhan's (Ameer) and the quiet chaos building within Sahir (Zaviyar), one can only wait for things to go wrong. Aside from its overarching theme of romantic love, the drama also focuses on friendship and familial love. Don't take Farhan's jovial nature for granted; he may be self-compromising, but he wouldn't tolerate a word against his loved ones like his disabled sister. But dialing back, Ameer and Mawra's oozing chemistry is an easy bait into getting hooked to Agar Tum Sath Ho. Once you take the first step, many surprises await ahead. 'Dil Wali Gali Mein' Zard Patton Ka Bunn fans would wholeheartedly agree that Sajal Ali and Hamza Sohail are always an anticipated pair when it comes to TV. For Dil Wali Gali Mein, the two play innocent lovers who tie the knot despite the generation-long enmity dividing their families. Despite the tough premise, the serial maintains a comic tone. It opens with a no-nonsense scene at the court where Sajal's Deeju and Hamza's Mujji elope to get married, defying their families' wishes. Only problem is, it doesn't take long for their family members to catch wind of their plans. And thus, chaos ensues. Glittering with a star-studded cast, the serial brims with boisterous characters that know how to land an impression. From hilarious one-liners to unceasing conflict, this serial is your fill for an explosive combination of laughs and tension this month. 'Qubool Hai' Express TV's latest offering is a sitcom, and what better way to bring your loved ones together than a session of unforgettable hilarity? Add a little fourth-wall breach from the narrator, and you have a series that serves your family-friendly entertainment needs well. In case you were wondering how committed the show stays to its title, it informs you from the get-go. With respect to the freshly departed wedding season, Qubool Hai introduces Nausheen Ahmad as a bride, though wishfully so. Nausheen's Laila is a dreamer, and the narrator is intent on telling you that, but she's a reluctant one. Influenced as she is by her widowed yet surprisingly liberal grandmother, the prospect of marriage unnerves her. But don't take her for a timid and frightened woman because she won't hesitate to show you otherwise. Enter Ahmad Hassan's Farhaad, who effectively brings out that headstrong side in her after a fated meet-ugly. After all, this is not just a clash between two individuals but also two cities. Our Lahori hero, who is looking to find a love match despite his family's rigid rules, is stunned when he crosses paths with this Karachiite heroine. Directed by Ahmad and written by Javeria Saud, the tale of drama, comedy, and romance packs a punch. Real-life couple Ahmad and Nausheen elevate the comedy serial through their dynamic pairing, one that fans had long been aching to see on the small screen again. Mix in a variety of characters led by a seasoned cast, and you have a marriage-centered sitcom to light up your TV screen for the coming weeks. 'My Dear Cinderella' If Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet has taught us anything, it's that classic tales of romance never expire and that they are sure to inspire new serials every year. But don't let My Dear Cinderella deceive you, for our lead is the very opposite of the glass slipper-wearing princess. Sana's (Zara Peerzada) life is introduced to us as nothing short of a fairytale. As someone who leads a systematic routine, everything is going according to her plans, until it's not. But when push comes to shove, Sana is not afraid to take a stand for herself, even if that means making a decision that her family might not agree with her. Much like the Disney princess, this Cinderella too was orphaned at a young age, though she doesn't have a fairy godmother to cry to. Instead, in a pleasant twist to the classic story, Sana has not one but two step-mothers that she adores, though her philosophy is rooted in tough love. Raised in a home full of women with the exception of one younger brother, Sana has taken on the responsibility to look after her brother, grandmother, and late father's two wives. Except, like any family head, she is prone to reinforcing her rules on the household. All the same, her family takes her methods with a stride, loving her despite how demanding she can get. After all, she's only looking out for them. Also starring Khaqan Shahnawaz, Juggan Kazim, Tara Mehmood, and Seemi Pasha, the serial has a long way to go before it can become a crowd-pick. However, the unique storyline offers a compelling argument in its favour. After a slew of unhealthy family dynamics on TV, it is refreshing to watch a drama that focuses on a loving step-family.
