From Saba Qamar to Minal Khan: Controversial photos of Pakistani celebrities in the public domain

Trolls are part of the deal when you get fame and fortune, and those who make it in showbiz know it. Still, for the onlooker, it’s always interesting to see the subject of the flak and the actor’s response to it. Here, we look at the Pakistani celebrities that have found themselves embroiled in controversy and the images that have triggered the trouble.

While someone as good-looking as ‘Sabaat’ actress Sarah Khan could possibly make even a potato sack look like haute couture, this ensemble just couldn’t be saved. The white dress was compared to a plastic shopping bag. Saba Qamar is no stranger to controversy but this outfit won her many negative remarks. Critics said her stance and clothes were too West influenced. She did the smart thing – she ignored them.

Social distancing may be the new norm, but that doesn’t extend to photoshoots. When Minal Khan modelled for a shoe campaign and it saw her sitting by top-model Hasnain Lehri, it won her a shower of complaints.

Khan, whose credits include ‘Sun Yaara’, ‘Parchayee’, ‘Hasad’, and ‘Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah’, spoke about the trolling in a recent interview. She said: “I don’t care about what others think and say. I was happy, and I am still happy that I did that shoot. I didn’t feel like I did something wrong.”

Maya Ali’s took a break when COVID-19 restriction hit the country, but when she got back to work, it came with a shock. She wore green for Ali Xeeshan’s bridal collection and unfortunately, fans did not seem to think it suited her very much. They said she looked like a green witch.

While someone as good-looking as ‘Sabaat’ actress Sarah Khan could possibly make even a potato sack look like haute couture, this ensemble just couldn’t be saved. The white dress was compared to a plastic shopping bag.

Another actress accused of being ‘too modern’ was Hira Mani, who wore a low back sequin dress. While she ignored the haters, she was subjected to a lot of rage and critical remarks for a long time.

When Hania Aamir used a filter, she had no idea it would spark a Twitter blaze. People said she looked like she had had surgery and lip fillers. Finally, after days of being hounded, the actress addressed the criticism, explaining why she had looked the way she did. Not that it quelled the haters.

Cricketer Shahid Afridi, raked up a controversy after this make-up footage went viral. In 2016, Afridi had refused to shake hand with a girl who was a visitor on the presentation ceremony. While shooting a recent commercial in Dubai, he was seen with a make-up artist who was a woman. Trolls cried hypocrisy. They called for a reckoning. Afridi has stayed mum, choosing like those who know how to deal with fame, to ride the tide.