Author: News Desk

Actor Faizan Khawaja has opened up about the financial and mental challenges he faced in the entertainment industry, revealing that if his father had not been part of the entertainment world, he might have contemplated suicide during the most difficult phase of his career.

He posted a series of videos on his official Instagram account, openly talking about the unprofessional behaviour and payment delays that artists face.

In one of the most heartfelt moments, he said, “If my father Rashid Khawaja wasn’t a part of this industry, I might have committed suicide at the peak of my career.”

In the video, Faizan clarified that he wasn’t trying to defame anyone, but was “simply speaking the truth about the industry.”

He claimed that even senior actors and directors like Mohammad Ahmed and Mehreen Jabbar are forced to chase production houses and producers for their rightful payments.

Sharing his experience, Faizan recalled, “I’ve been in situations where I had to follow up several times just to get paid for a commercial.”

He added that this issue doesn’t affect only him, noting that “there are so many hardworking actors who don’t get what they deserve.”

Faizan Khawaja also clarified that he hasn’t quit the entertainment industry. “I haven’t left acting. I’ve just stopped working with those who don’t pay on time,” he said.

He explained that he shared his experience not just for himself, but for all the “struggling actors whose livelihoods depend on showbiz and who are facing countless challenges in their careers.”

He concluded with a promise, saying, “In my next video, I will name the producer who didn’t pay me.”

Faizan Khawaja is the son of Rashid Khawaja, a respected actor and producer in the Pakistani entertainment industry.

Having acted in several dramas in the past, Faizan Khawaja has been away from TV for some time. He has now shed light on the serious issue of payment delays in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. His stand is being appreciated by fans and social media users, many of whom have expressed their desire to see him back on screen.

Actor Shamoon Abbasi has strongly responded to a statement said by late actress Humaira Asghar Ali’s mother, who blamed the people of Karachi for ignoring her daughter’s cries for help. 

In a recent interview on a local TV channel, Humaira’s parents spoke about her personal struggles and isolation, with her mother labeling the people of Karachi “insensitive” and “heartless.”

In anger, she declared, “I curse the people of Karachi,” claiming that although screams came from her daughter’s flat, no one knocked on the door or checked in, and instead, people continued with their leisure activities.

Her statement sparked widespread backlash on social media. Users questioned how the late actress’ parents could shift the blame to the public when they themselves appeared disconnected from their daughter’s condition, and even reportedly refused to claim her body initially.

Taking to his Instagram account, Shamoon Abbasi addressed the issue in a video message, saying, “We cannot imagine her parents’ pain, but as parents, it was their responsibility to take care of their daughter. When Humaira asked for help, her parents refused to help. When there was an uproar on social media, the brothers came to collect the body and their position also changed.”

He further remarked, “If financial circumstances did not permit, a relative or acquaintance from Lahore could have been sent to Karachi at a modest cost to check on the daughter’s well-being. The police could have also been approached for help. But the parents shrugged off the responsibility and blamed the citizens of Karachi.”

Shamoon added, “The relationship was with you, the daughter was yours, it was your and your family’s responsibility to take care of her, but you chose the easy way and started blaming others.”

He also revealed that during the time of crisis, several people from the showbiz industry and NGOs had come forward, ready to take responsibility for Humaira’s burial if her family continued to refuse.

“This was not just empty talk but proper arrangements were being made for it,” he said.

Shamoon concluded by saying, “We are also saddened by Humaira’s passing, but in this hour of grief, it is better to recognize our responsibilities than to blame others. Because the real responsibility of those who die alone lies with the family, not the entire city.”

Humaira Asghar ‘s decomposed body was found in a flat in Defence Phase 6, Karachi where she had been living alone in the rented apartment for the past seven years, after moving to Karachi from Lahore in 2018.

Her remains were discovered when a court bailiff arrived to vacate her flat on July 8, after the landlord filed a complaint over unpaid rent. When repeated knocks went unanswered, the bailiff broke the door open and found the 32-year-old actor’s body lying in a room, hidden away for months.

Initially, Karachi Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed estimated that Humaira had been dead for at least a month, based on the advanced stage of decomposition. However, investigators now believe her death occurred back in October 2024.

Her last Facebook post was shared on September 11, 2024, and her final Instagram update was on September 30. Phone records also show that her last dialled call was made in October 2024, after which her phone remained inactive.

Investigators discovered that her apartment’s electricity had been disconnected since October due to unpaid bills. The water pipes were dry and rusted, expired food was found in the kitchen, and there were no candles or backup lights present.

“There were rusted jars, dry pipes, and no signs of electricity or candles in her flat,” an investigator said. “One neighbor returned to the vacant apartment on the same floor in February but by then the smell had faded because the balcony door had been left open.”

Humaira Asghar Ali rose to fame after winning Veet Miss Super Model in 2014 and was known for her appearance in the reality show Tamasha Ghar in 2022. She also acted in popular dramas including Just Married, Ehsaan Faramosh, Guru and Chal Dil Mere, and appeared in films like Jalaibee (2015) and Love Vaccine (2021).

Police efforts to locate her family revealed that Humaira’s father had severed ties with her nearly two years ago and initially refused to come to Karachi to claim her body. However, her remains were eventually handed over to her family on July 11.

Actress Mehwish Hayat has responded to the viral trend of celebrities and social media personalities imitating Sahir Lodhi on social media, urging people to show kindness and respect.

In recent days, videos posted on Sahir Lodhi’s official social media accounts have gone viral, showing the TV host seemingly caught “unaware” while preparing for meetings. He has been widely mocked for the overly staged nature of the clips and his repetitive expressions.

As these videos gained popularity, social media users flooded them with humorous comments. Several well-known actors and social media personalities joined in by sharing light-hearted imitation videos of Sahir’s dramatic style. Among them are stars like Faisal Qureshi, Yasir Nawaz, and Aijaz Aslam.

What started as routine content quickly turned into meme material, with social media influencers and celebrities joining the trend. Notable actors Yasir Nawaz, Faisal Qureshi, and Aijaz Aslam also responded humorously to Lodhi’s videos, drawing massive attention from fans and internet users.

However, not everyone found the trend amusing. Actress Mehwish Hayat came to Sahir Lodhi’s defence, calling out those who mocked him and urging for more compassion.

“Every human being deserves basic respect,” Mehwish wrote on Instagram. “One should not abandon the rule of decency and gentleness while criticizing someone’s style.”

Mehwish wrote, “Sahir Lodhi is someone who’s worked consistently, shown up with passion, and built a name in an industry that’s not easy to survive in. It’s really not fair how some people make fun of him, often forgetting that he’s a human being with feelings, just like the rest of us.”

She further added, “You don’t have to agree with someone’s style or choices, but basic respect should never go out of fashion. Let’s normalize kindness, especially toward those who keep showing up, no matter what the world throws at them!”