Tag: Pakistani Actress

  • Did Maya Ali respond to Faiza Saqlain’s plagiarism accusations?

    Did Maya Ali respond to Faiza Saqlain’s plagiarism accusations?

    Renowned designer Faiza Saqlain has accused actor-turned-entrepreneur Maya Ali of copying her designs for her fashion label MAYA Prêt-à-Porter. Despite the public accusation, the actor has so far remained silent on the controversy.

    Taking to her personal Instagram stories earlier this week, Saqlain shared side-by-side images comparing three of her brand’s designs to those recently released by Maya’s label. “Should I be flattered?” she asked, tagging @mayapretofficial. “It’s getting boring now, please come up with something of your own — can’t promise but hopeful that might sell too.”

    The designer alleged that Maya’s team not only replicated the designs but also copied the model, styling, and backdrop used in Faiza Saqlain campaigns. Among the pieces were:

               A bridal outfit from Maya’s latest “Bus Tum” collection, resembling a 2021 Faiza Saqlain design.

               A velvet ombré sari from Maya’s “Viola Luxe” line, Faiza claimed is similar to her sari from last year.

               A black peshwas outfit that Saqlain claims mirrors one of her 2023 looks — even featuring the same model and similar shoot composition.

    The accusations quickly went viral, sparking debate across social media. Some users sided with Saqlain, calling out the similarities, while others defended Maya’s brand, insisting that fashion trends often overlap.

    One user took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote: “maybe it’s just me but what’s so unique about this dress lmao? Idk how she can be accused of stealing things when this is the most common black desi dress design. Mahira’s one in Humsafar went viral and it has been popular on the market ever since.”

    Many users on Instagram disagreed with the claim. One user said: “I don’t see any copies design?” Another wrote: “Yes all the design are different…faiza is being senti at this point.”

    “Had hogaye,” one user laughed while another said: “Most of Pakistani traditional designs are more or less the same! What’s the big deal?”

    As of now, Maya Ali has not issued any official response to the claims. The Current reviewed her verified Instagram accounts, her personal page, as well as her brand pages Maya Pret and Maya Essential, and found no mention of the controversy.

    Instead, Maya’s social media presence has remained focused on the launch of her brand’s new collections, giveaway posts, and a recent personal photo featuring what appears to be her niece or nephew. In another post the actress can be seen enjoying a music piece of the upcoming film Neelofar’s newly launched song Tu Meri.

    Maya Ali formed MAYA Prêt-à-Porter in June 2021, in collaboration with her cousins Zainab and Ansa Qadeer. The brand focuses on luxury pret and bridal wear. In September 2025, she expanded the venture by introducing two new lines — Maya Essentials (for everyday wear) and Maya Pret Official (for formal and festive attire).

    The disputed designs belong to the label’s newly unveiled collection, which debuted earlier this month.

    So far, neither Maya Ali nor her team has commented on the matter publicly.

  • ‘It’s not about clothes’: Ayesha Omar lashes out after burka-clad woman harassed in Sheikhupura

    ‘It’s not about clothes’: Ayesha Omar lashes out after burka-clad woman harassed in Sheikhupura

    Ayesha Omar has always been outspoken on misogyny and victim-blaming. The beloved Bulbulay star reignited the debate over victim-blaming and harassment after a shocking incident in Sheikhupura, where a burka-clad school teacher was harassed on the street by a man.

     

    Disturbing CCTV footage of the incident has once again laid bare the pervasive nature of harassment that women face, regardless of what they wear.

     

    Taking to Instagram Stories, Omar addressed the moral policing often directed at women for their choice of clothing. “So it is really not clothes, is it? It’s just our existence. And their lack of control,” she wrote, highlighting how harassment stems not from attire but from deep-rooted misogyny and a lack of accountability.

     

    The incident occurred in Sheikhupura, Punjab, where CCTV footage showed a man walking closely behind a woman in a full burka before moving beside her and touching her inappropriately. The woman was left visibly shocked, while the suspect fled the scene immediately after the assault.

     

    The Punjab Police swiftly identified and arrested the suspect, earning public praise for their prompt action.

     

    The case has since sparked widespread outrage, with many social media users echoing Ayesha Omar’s sentiment that harassment is a reflection of the perpetrator’s mindset, not the victim’s clothing or behavior.

     

    Women in Pakistan continue to face harassment in public spaces, irrespective of how they dress or where they are.

  • ‘Shootings banned at Lahore’s educational institutions after Main Manto Nahin Hoon controversy,’ claims Atiqah Odho

    ‘Shootings banned at Lahore’s educational institutions after Main Manto Nahin Hoon controversy,’ claims Atiqah Odho

    Pakistani actor Atiqah Odho has claimed that several educational institutions in Lahore have banned drama shootings on their campuses following the controversies surrounding the hit drama ‘Main Manto Nahin Hoon’.

    The drama, which stars Humayun Saeed as a university professor and Sajal Aly as his student, has been both praised and criticised for its unconventional storyline. The show depicts a romantic relationship between a teacher and his student, and the theme has sparked heated debate across social media and in educational circles.

    Speaking on the show Kya Drama Hai, Odho revealed that the backlash over the series had tangible consequences.

    “The romantic relationship between a professor and a student in Main Manto Nahin Hoon has started quite a debate in Lahore,” she said. “As a result, many universities have now decided to ban drama shootings on their campuses.”

    Odho said she recently returned from Lahore where she learned that the decision was directly influenced by the controversy surrounding the serial.

    “I was told that educational institutions have decided they will no longer allow filming on their premises because of the inappropriate content shown in Main Manto Nahin Hoon,” she said, adding that institutions feel the portrayal of a teacher-student relationship is completely unacceptable.

    She said that universities were also concerned about how educational spaces were being represented on screen.

    While The Current was unable to independently verify Odho’s claim, no official notification from any educational institution or official has so far been released in this regard either.

    It, however, may be noted that the claim comes after a recent episode intensified public criticism when Sajal Aly’s character staged her own kidnapping, demanding that her professor, played by Humayun Saeed and the university chancellor come to rescue her.

    The scene culminated with students insisting the professor marry his student in court, a moment that went viral online and drew widespread backlash.

    Despite the controversy, Main Manto Nahin Hoon continues to attract strong viewership for its performances and bold storytelling.

  • Saba Qamar doesn’t like Karachi

    Saba Qamar doesn’t like Karachi

    Karachi natives say that the city is unlike any other in the country. But superstar Saba Qamar isn’t that enamoured with the coastal metropolis.

    The actress opened up about her feelings toward Karachi, candidly admitting that she doesn’t enjoy staying in the city and only travels there for work.

    In a recent appearance on a Green TV podcast, the Cheekh star discussed her ongoing drama Pamaal, revealing that only 15 days of shooting remain to be completed. She expressed her fondness for the project, saying she wishes filming would never end because she has been “loving the experience.”

    However, when asked whether working outside her hometown Lahore was difficult, Saba made a surprising confession. Whispering playfully, she said, “I don’t like Karachi, if there’s any project in Karachi, please shift it to Islamabad.”

    The actress further revealed that she always accepts projects based in Islamabad. “Whatever project I’m offered in Islamabad, I always say, yes, I’m coming,” she said, adding that she is drawn to the city’s atmosphere. “The city has a vibe. And now I have explored that the city has a mysterious vibe.”

    When the host remarked that the city’s mystery might resemble her own, Saba smiled and asked, “Am I mysterious?”

    She was asked whether she would ever move to Karachi for work, Saba instantly responded, “Astaghfirullah, never,” before clarifying that she regularly travels to Karachi for shoots but prefers to return home afterward.

    Ranking her favorite cities, Saba said, “Islamabad, then Lahore, and then Karachi.”

    The actress also opened up about her personal life and career priorities. When asked if fellow actor Usman Mukhtar’s “lucky charm for marriage” might work for her too, she laughed and said, “Such things take time. I’m focused on entertaining my audience right now. Marriage and kids happen only when time, the person, and destiny align.”

    Discussing on-screen romances, Saba admitted she enjoys performing romantic scenes despite initial awkwardness. “Romance isn’t something we are taught growing up, which makes such scenes challenging,” she explained, adding that male actors often become overly serious during such moments. “Chemistry and comfort are key to making the scenes believable,” she said.

    Fans have praised her recent romantic performance with Usman Mukhtar in Pamaal, while her emotional portrayal in Case No 9 continues to win hearts across Pakistan.

  • Alizeh Shah wipes Instagram account, opens up about grief

    Alizeh Shah wipes Instagram account, opens up about grief

    Alizeh Shah has surprised fans by deleting all her pictures from Instagram and announcing a temporary break from social media.

    Taking to Instagram Stories, the Ehd-e-Wafa star shared a heartfelt video statement, saying she had removed all her posts and was stepping away from the platform to reflect on her life.

    “I have deleted all the pictures from Instagram, and I am happy about it — mostly ashamed because I really don’t know what I was doing with my life, and it was all out of grief,” she admitted in the video.

    Alizeh further revealed that she didn’t know when she would return but made it clear that her deleted posts and the version of herself that shared them, were gone for good.

    “I don’t know when I will come back, but those pictures will never come back, and neither will that Alizeh. So, yeah, it’s a little goodbye,” she said.

    Following her announcement, Alizeh’s video quickly went viral across social media platforms, with fans expressing mixed reactions. Many applauded her decision to prioritize her mental health, while others questioned the sudden move.

    With over 4.3 million followers, the actress had a prolific account. Now she has replaced her display photo with a simple orange-colored solid background.

    Over the past few years, Alizeh Shah has often found herself in the spotlight for both her bold social media presence and off-screen controversies. From daring fashion choices and music videos to public spats with co-stars and senior artists, she has remained a polarizing figure in the entertainment industry.

    The actress previously admitted that many of her past actions stemmed from a period of grief and depression. She also claimed to have been mistreated by influential figures and openly spoke about her struggles.

    Despite her controversies, including an on-set altercation where she reportedly slapped a co-actor and her much-publicized rift with veteran singer Shazia Manzoor, Alizeh continues to enjoy a strong fan following for her performances in hit dramas such as Ehd-e-Wafa and Ishq Tamasha.

    As Alizeh Shah bids farewell to Instagram, at least for now, it is worth noting that this isn’t the first time she has done that, but fans are left wondering what the next chapter of the actress’s journey will look like and whether a “new” Alizeh will eventually return.

  • ‘Did everything to save my marriage but still got divorced’; Zainab Qayyum’s clip goes viral

    ‘Did everything to save my marriage but still got divorced’; Zainab Qayyum’s clip goes viral

    Pakistani actress Zainab Qayyum has revealed that her marriage ended in divorce just 10 months after tying the knot, despite doing everything she could to be a good wife.

    An old interview clip of Zainab Qayyum discussing her marriage has recently gone viral, and several social media pages have reshared posts about her short-lived marriage and eventual divorce.

    The actress had spoken about her marriage in an interview given to Something Haute, where she described the efforts she made to save her relationship.

    “I have a traditional mindset. If it were up to me, I would have gotten married at 17,” she said, adding that she eventually married late, in 2010, when many of her friends and fellow actresses were also settling down.

    “A lot of my friends were getting married and having children, and that made me feel it was the right time to do the same,” she shared.

    After marriage, she temporarily stopped working and moved with her husband to Dubai, and later the couple relocated to London.

    However, despite her efforts, the marriage did not last. “Unfortunately, the marriage didn’t work, and it ended in divorce within just 10 months,” she said. “But I did everything I could to save it.”

    Zainab explained she wasn’t upset about the divorce. “I’m not sad about the divorce, it didn’t happen because of me. I had made up my mind that I would only leave my husband’s house in a coffin, but he divorced me.”

    “I did everything to save the marriage, everything except giving him a kidney,” she added.

    The actress clarified that she has no regrets about the outcome. “I have no guilt or remorse. I know it wasn’t my fault. He was the one who wanted to end it.”

    She further stated, “He realized before I did that our marriage wasn’t right. We had very different mindsets. That’s why he chose to divorce me after 10 months.”

  • Tara Sutaria or Sajal Aly? Who wore Shehla Chatoor’s glamorous black dress better…

    Tara Sutaria or Sajal Aly? Who wore Shehla Chatoor’s glamorous black dress better…

    In an unexpected style showdown, Pakistani superstar Sajal Aly and Bollywood actress Tara Sutaria were spotted wearing the same glittering black ensemble by designer Shehla Chatoor, but fans have made it clear who wore it better.

    Sajal Aly debuted the heavily embellished black dress at the 10th Hum Awards, where she also bagged the Best Actor – Female award for her poignant role in Zard Patton Ka Bunn, a drama that tackled themes of female empowerment and societal resistance.

    Despite the major win and the star power she brought to the red carpet coming out of a Ferrari, Sajal’s look fell surprisingly flat for fans.

    Styled with silver crystal earrings and a sleek tied hairstyle, many felt the actress’s overall look lacked the flair expected from a red carpet appearance. Some fashion critics pointed out that the tightly pulled hair made the ensemble appear “overworked” and didn’t complement the starlit aura of the dress.

    On the other hand, Indian actress Tara Sutaria previously wore the same outfit for the cover shoot of Elle India, and the internet hasn’t forgotten. Tara styled the outfit with a touch of wild elegance, her tousled, loosely braided hair and soft fringe gave the shimmering dress a dreamy, effortless charm. The undone styling contrasted beautifully with the precision of the handcrafted cut-dana work, elevating the dress into a full fashion fantasy.

    While Sajal Aly’s powerful on-screen presence continues to win hearts, this style battle has fans agreeing: when it comes to this Shehla Chatoor masterpiece, Tara Sutaria carried it with unmatched grace and attitude.

  • Hania Aamir appointed UN Women Pakistan National Goodwill Ambassador

    Hania Aamir appointed UN Women Pakistan National Goodwill Ambassador

    In a landmark move, UN Women Pakistan has officially named renowned actor and youth icon Hania Aamir as its new National Goodwill Ambassador.

    The appointment reflects the organization’s continued commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls across the country.

    UN Women Pakistan announced the news on Instagram, highlighting Hania’s role in using her platform to raise awareness, inspire meaningful change, and amplify the voices of women nationwide.

    “Together, we will continue working toward a future where every woman and girl can realise her full potential — free from violence, discrimination, and inequality,” the post read.

    Hania Aamir, one of the most recognisable faces in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, enjoys a deep connection with younger audiences. Her influence extends far beyond national borders, making her a powerful advocate for change both at home and internationally.

    Her appointment comes at a time of soaring international acclaim. Hania recently made her debut in the Indian Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, earning praise and popularity across both Pakistan and India. The film’s cross-border success has positioned her as a cultural bridge between the two nations.

    Further solidifying her global reputation, Hania was honoured with the Global Star Award at the 10th Hum Awards in Houston last week. The recognition celebrated her rising influence in both entertainment and advocacy work.

    Her growing fan base isn’t limited to Pakistan either, her recent visit to Bangladesh turned her into a local favourite, underlining her wide-reaching appeal.

    UN Women Pakistan hopes that with Hania on board, the organization will be able to deepen its engagement with youth audiences and expand its impact in areas such as economic empowerment, gender-based violence prevention, and the promotion of women’s rights.

    The Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha star is also a social media powerhouse. With over 19 million Instagram followers, she holds the title of the most-followed celebrity in Pakistan.

  • Ramsha Khan spills the tea on dream co-star, showbiz survival, and her bold stance on industry misogyny

    Ramsha Khan spills the tea on dream co-star, showbiz survival, and her bold stance on industry misogyny

    Pakistani actress Ramsha Khan, known for her versatile performances and strong screen presence, recently sat down for an engaging interview with BBC Urdu, where she didn’t shy away from answering some fiery rapid-fire questions.

    The Luv Guru star gave fans a rare glimpse into her personal views, dream projects, and the harsh realities of Pakistan’s entertainment industry.

    When asked which actor she would love to be paired with on screen, Ramsha candidly revealed, “Shuja Asad”, making it clear that she has her eyes set on working with rising stars she admires. Her choice comes after her dance performance with Shuja at 10th Hum Awards in Houston. Their chemistry was so good that fans couldn’t stop from gushing about it.

    Taking a bold stand, Ramsha stated that she would never endorse fairness creams, no matter how attractive the offer is.

    In a segment where she was asked to choose between calling Ahad Raza Mir a “good actor” or a “good co-star,” Ramsha kept it short and to the point: “Just a good actor.” The response raised a few eyebrows and sparked curiosity among fans about the dynamic between the two.

    When asked to share a tip for surviving in Pakistan’s showbiz, Ramsha dropped a truth bomb: “Trust no one but be friends with everyone.”

    Ramsha also shared that she wouldn’t want to switch lives with any other actress, no matter how successful. “I love my struggles and miseries,” she said.

    Ramsha didn’t hold back while discussing gender inequality in showbiz. She pointed out that male actors are treated with more leniency and given special treatment on sets.

    “There is misogyny in our industry. If something goes wrong on set, male actors are accommodated, but if it’s a female actor, they’re quick to blame her,” she stated. She also criticized the misogynistic nature of TV scripts, highlighting how women are judged more harshly by viewers:

    “A male character can cheat or smoke, and no one bats an eye. But if a female character wears sleeveless, suddenly she’s immoral. People think we’re just like the characters we play but we’re so much more than that.”

    Ramsha also addressed her recent item number in the film Luv Guru, saying it was director Nadeem Baig who offered her the role.

    “He said ‘See if you want to do it?’ I said okay because I had never done something like this before, so I gave it a shot.”

    The dance performance received mixed reactions, and Ramsha admitted: “It doesn’t feel good when you hear such things about yourself.”

    Beyond the glam, Ramsha revealed a vulnerable side and her struggle with social anxiety. “I get awkward in crowds. I’ve tried to overcome it and become more extroverted, but it just keeps coming back,” she shared. “I don’t want people to think I’m arrogant. I’m just a very anxious person.”

  • Alizeh Shah addresses rumors linking her to Jama Taqseem’s Nazeeha Zainab

    Alizeh Shah addresses rumors linking her to Jama Taqseem’s Nazeeha Zainab

    Actress Alizeh Shah has addressed and dismissed rumors on social media that newcomer Nazeeha Zainab of Jama Taqseem is her younger sister.

    The speculation arose due to their resemblance, particularly after Nazeeha’s powerful performance as Sidra in the hit drama, which has been widely praised for its strong storyline and performances.

    Setting the record straight, Alizeh took to Instagram to clarify that she has no siblings, humorously adding, “I don’t have a sister. My family knew they could only handle one Alizeh, so I’m the only girl.”

    Alizeh went on to express her frustration over constant comparisons between rising stars and established actors, calling it discouraging. “People seriously need to stop comparing newcomers who are working hard to build their own identity,” she said, recalling her early struggles in the industry.

    “I didn’t like it either when I started acting.”

    “If you dislike me that much then why do I keep hearing there’s a new Alizeh Shah in town? What’s with this obsession? Get over me,” she said reflecting on how she’s often referenced in comparisons.

    Responding to criticism about her changing appearance, she explained it might be due to exhaustion from overworking in the past. “Now that I’m happier, maybe my face is showing it,” she said.

    She wrapped up her statement with some advice, saying people should focus on improving themselves rather than envying others. “If you take care of yourself properly, you won’t feel the need for plastic surgery,” said the actor who has also previously denied undergoing any cosmetic procedures.

    In Jama Taqseem, Nazeeha’s character, according to her is “the voice of every girl facing harassment”.

    “[…] those silenced by fear, ignored by elders or hiding their pain from parents. To all such girls, I say don’t suffer in silence. Speak up, trust your parents, and never hide what hurts you.”