KARACHI: Pakistani actress Javeria Abbasi has voiced her strong disapproval of veteran actor Firdous Jamal’s recent comments about casting choices, calling his statements hurtful and indicative of deep-seated gender biases in the entertainment world.
A video circulating on social media captures Javeria speaking openly about her disappointment with Firdous Jamal’s remarks during a television interview. She expressed her shock and sadness over his statements, saying, “Firdous Jamal saab, when I heard your words on TV, my heart sank. I was truly taken aback. You are part of our industry, and you know how things work. We’ve all grown together in this field, which is not even that vast. Hearing such things was incredibly painful.”
In her defense of Mahira Khan, Javeria emphasized that reducing the star’s achievements to a single comment was unjust. “Mahira Khan is a prominent name in our industry. She has inspired countless young women, showing that success is possible regardless of age or marital status. Many women, including myself as a mother, look up to her. She worked with Shah Rukh Khan after becoming a mother, proving that motherhood doesn’t diminish an actress’s value. What truly matters is your talent and the mark you leave,” she stated.
Javeria also highlighted how such attitudes perpetuate unfair double standards for women in showbiz. “If this mindset persists, we will see demands for even younger heroines—maybe 15, then 12 years old. These expectations seem to apply only to women, never to men. If Firdous Saab was offered a role opposite a young actress like Hania Aamir, he would probably accept happily. He would never insist on acting with someone his own age—that’s the problem,” she remarked.
The controversy stems from Firdous Jamal’s earlier comments suggesting Mahira Khan was “too old” for leading roles and should instead focus on maternal characters. His statement drew widespread condemnation from fans and fellow celebrities alike, sparking a debate about ageism and gender bias in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
