Actor Fahad Mustafa has issued a public apology to veteran actress Atiqa Odho after passing controversial remarks during a live segment of Jeeto Pakistan.
During the show, Fahad directly addressed Atiqa and expressed regret over his earlier sarcastic comments, which had triggered strong criticism on social media.
He praised her stature in the industry and said, “Atiqa Apa, you are our senior, we all love you and there is no doubt that you are the most beautiful woman of Pakistan. In front of you, I feel humbled. May Allah keep you happy. I love you, God bless you. I apologise to you.”
Atiqa had earlier also apologised to Fahad on social media, calling for calm and closure.
She urged people to move on and wrote, “Fahad is a talented and hardworking professional. He reacted emotionally and I feel sad that public figures can’t say anything light-heartedly without being attacked. If I unintentionally hurt him or anyone else, I apologise. Let’s forgive and forget. We are only human and to err is human.”
She also spoke about the pressures of social media and stressed the need for empathy and mutual support, especially during challenging times.
The controversy started after Atiqa suggested in an interview that Fahad should consider working with actresses closer to his age.
Fahad later responded on Jeeto Pakistan with a sarcastic remark that many viewers interpreted as age-shaming.
He said, “I do not know what problem Atiqa Apa has. Perhaps she will only be happy if Humayun and I start playing heroes opposite her. This has crossed all limits.”
“Atiqa Apa, it seems you are the only heroine left for us now. Inshallah, we will work with you. Just get two or four good surgeries, and we will come and play the hero opposite you,” he added.
Actress Urwa Hocane also weighed in, criticising the comment and intensifying the online debate.
Atiqa Odho remains one of the most influential figures in Pakistani entertainment. She began her television career in 1992 with Sitara Aur Mehrunissa and later earned acclaim for roles in Dasht, Nijaat, and as Farida Hussain in Humsafar.
Alongside acting, she runs Odho Cosmetics, supports breast cancer awareness initiatives, and serves as chairperson of the Actors Collective Trust. She continues to work in television and film, with recent appearances in Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi and the upcoming film Neelofar.
Fahad Mustafa, on the other hand, is one of Pakistan’s most successful television and film stars, known for balancing mainstream popularity with strong performances. He gained wide recognition through dramas such as Main Abdul Qadir Hoon, Kankar, Dusri Bivi, and Bashar Momin.
In cinema, he delivered major box office hits including Na Maloom Afraad, Actor in Law, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, and Load Wedding.
Beyond acting, he is also a prominent producer and the long-running host of Jeeto Pakistan, making him a consistent and influential figure in the industry.
