Actor Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui spoke candidly about her career, personal growth, and industry friendships during an appearance on the Excuse Me with Ahmed Ali Butt podcast. One of the most anticipated topics of the conversation was her relationship with fellow actor Sajal Aly, which has been the subject of public speculation following their brief social media fallout.
When host Ahmed Ali Butt asked directly about Aly, Siddiqui responded, “She is doing well.” Butt followed up immediately, asking, “Acha? How long has it been since you guys talked?” Siddiqui confirmed that they had spoken recently, prompting Butt to laugh and call it a “lie.”
The actor addressed the speculation, saying, “Okay, I can’t understand how people think that if two have unfollowed each other then that means they don’t talk to each other,” highlighting the disconnect between social media actions and real-life relationships.
Siddiqui reflected on the nature of friendships in the entertainment industry, noting that public perception often oversimplifies complex dynamics. She said, “I think it is easier, to point fingers at the person who is most flamboyant in the room, to say that ‘He is the killer’, so it is very easy, and I have always had that ‘she is the killer, she said it’ vibe.” She added that both she and Aly have simply entered different phases of life: “I think we have gone into many different scenarios now.”
The conversation then expanded to industry culture and networking. Siddiqui acknowledged the gossip-driven environment actors often face, saying, “I think everybody talks about everybody.”
She added that her approach to visibility has evolved, and she no longer feels the same pressure to constantly “grind” as newcomers do. She highlighted the importance of being cautious in forming relationships within the industry.
Siddiqui also discussed gender dynamics in professional friendships, stating, “Men are better friends than girls.” She explained that proximity within the same field can complicate female friendships: “The moment they are in the vicinity of your field or any such interaction, the whole room changes, the energy changes, and then you’re like what is happening, but men don’t have that.”
She admitted that failed friendships have left a lasting impact, repeatedly emphasising that she would now avoid certain friendships.
