Tag: nepotism

  • Ahad Raza Mir opens up on nepotism

    Ahad Raza Mir opens up on nepotism

    Ever since the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput in June 2020, there has been a lot of debate on nepotism in the film and entertainment industry. While the debate did not gain a lot of traction in Pakistan, it is still being discussed. Ahad Raza Mir, whose father Asif Raza Mir is an established actor, recently discussed the topic on Anas Bukhash’s talk show.

    Talking about his childhood, Ahad, who grew up in Canada, said that his father always kept him away from the limelight.

    “When I moved back to Pakistan in 2009, I had no idea what this industry was like,” said Ahad.

    The actor went on to say that the reason behind this was probably that his father wanted him to make his own independent decisions and not be influenced in any way.

    “He just wanted me to live my life,” said Ahad. “He himself is the same outside as he is indoors, it’s not like he becomes a star as soon as he walks out of his house. So I guess he never wanted it to get to my head.”

    Ahad then went on to say how there are people who think his presence and success in the industry has everything to do with his father.

    “There will always be that criticism that you’re an actor because your father was an actor. But no, I never knew he was and I went to university, studied, worked professionally in Canada for many years and I think I was just fortunate when I came to Pakistan,” said the actor.

    He continued: “My career started doing well and people said it’s cause I’m a star kid. But there are doctors whose kids are doctors, there are generations in the army and generations in politics, no one bats an eye. But as soon as there’s a child of an actor who starts doing well, everyone starts yelling ‘nepotism’.”

    It is pertinent to add here that Ahad, who debuted in 2017 with Sammi, has several successful projects to his credit including Yakeen ka Safar (for which he bagged a Lux Style Award for Best Actor), Ehd-e-Wafa, and Parwaaz Hai Junoon. He also won the prestigious Betty Mitchell Award for his performance in Hamlet in Canada.

    During the conversation, Ahad also opened up about his childhood, his decision to move back to Pakistan and marry young.

    “I think it was good, pretty normal, kind of hectic because I moved between Pakistan and Canada, so I guess sometimes identity is a challenge,” said Ahad when asked about how his life was while growing up.

    Speaking of his relationship with his parents, Ahad said that he is very close to his parents.

    “My mom is my best friend and with my dad, there’s this respect factor, not that there’s any formality, but I’m good friends with my dad too,” he said.

    Ahad is married to his Yakeen ka Safar co-star Sajal Aly. The two tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Abu Dhabi in March 2020.

    Meanwhile, Ahad is reportedly all set to step in as executive producer for upcoming film Kalasha.

  • ‘I remember crying in the shower for hours’: Imam ul Haq opens up on nepotism accusations

    ‘I remember crying in the shower for hours’: Imam ul Haq opens up on nepotism accusations

    Imam-ul-Haq has opened up about the mental pressures that came with being accused of nepotism when he entered the national team. Imam, who is the nephew of legendary former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in October 2017. His situation was worsened with the fact that Inzamam was also the chief selector for Pakistan at the time.

    Speaking to former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta on his ESPNCrincinfo chat show Cricketbaazi, Haq said: “When all of this started happening, I would have my meals all alone. It was my first tour and you know how it can get on the first tour. And whenever I would open my phone, there were people tagging me on social media posts or sending me stuff. I was very disheartened and couldn’t understand anything.”

    “I stopped talking to my family because I didn’t want to put them under any pressure that I’m facing problems,” he continued. “I switched off and handed both my mobile phones to my manager, and said, ‘I can’t take this, please take them off me.’”

    “I remember crying in the shower for hours that I haven’t even played yet. It’s very easy for young players to get surrounded by self-doubt. The only thing running constantly in my mind was that I haven’t even played [for the national team] yet, what if I play and don’t perform well? Then my career will be over. I wouldn’t step a foot out of my room, fearing people might trouble me outside, because there is a large Pakistan community in Dubai.”

    Read more – Ex-Indian cricketer recalls when ‘shy’ Imran Khan didn’t leave his hotel room to play Holi

    Imam played the third match of the series. “We were living in Dubai, and from there we had to travel to Abu Dhabi on the match-day, which is a two-hour drive. So we had to leave around 11 am-12 pm for the match and I got his (Arthur’s) message at around 9.30 am, which I still remember, ‘Immy, it’s your time, be ready and good luck,’” said Imam.

    “After that, I don’t remember anything. My mind was completely blank. I was hoping he hadn’t messaged me. He shouldn’t have. Because my confidence had hit the rock-bottom and I was feeling so low that I felt I won’t be able to perform in the match.

    “I was focusing less on the match and more on what would happen after. What if I couldn’t perform? My career will get badly affected and everyone will say they were right to criticise me. Because the media was only discussing my inclusion in the side.”

    Imam went on to score a century in that match, thus becoming the second Pakistani batsman to score a ton on debut.

    Meanwhile, the cricketer, who was hit on his left-hand during the practise match, has been declared fit to bat by the team doctor. He is part of Pakistan’s squad for the England series.

  • Iffat Omar asks Pakistani artists to talk about ‘nepotism in your own backyard’

    Iffat Omar asks Pakistani artists to talk about ‘nepotism in your own backyard’

    Iffat Omar is not one to hold back and her show Say it All with Iffat Omar is proof.

    In a recent Twitter update, the model turned talk show host, fired some shots after she told Pakistani industry to focus on nepotism in their own backyard instead of sharing news of “coffee in Karan in hot water”.

    “Ever wondered how many actors we have in our industry?” questioned Omar.

    Following the untimely death and suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput, audiences and fans are lashing out at Bollywood bigwigs for endorsing star kids and not giving the same number of chances to ‘outsiders’. Koffee with Karan, in particular, has come under fire, because of the catty and insensitive remarks that are occasionally passed on the couch. Moreso, Karan Johar’s production company, Dharma Productions, usually launches these star kids placing the director in the direct line of fire.

    Read more – Sushant Singh Rajput’s death exposes the toxic side of Bollywood

    Iffat did not elaborate her tweet further, but we wonder what sort of nepotism she is referring to. Because, in the Pakistani entertainment industry, star kids are a rarity.