- Web Desk
- 6 Hours ago
‘They make us beg for payment,’ actor exposes dark side of showbiz
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- Web Desk
- Jul 12, 2025
ISLAMABAD: A new episode of a “real-life drama” has been unfolding every day since the tragedy of Humaira Asghar emerged last week, offering the public a glimpse into the darker side of the Pakistani showbiz.
The first “episode” began with a video from a renowned producer and director, Mehreen Jabbar, highlighting how the majority of production houses in Pakistan exploit actors and crew members.
She is a veteran New York-based Pakistani film and television director and producer, known for her gritty, hard-hitting films and TV series.
In a viral virtual interview with Drama Pakistani, Mehreen criticized the exploitative nature of the Pakistani drama industry, revealing that it operates in a “very unprofessional” manner.
Pakistani production houses – with a few exceptions – delay payments for months, she said, adding, “They make us beg for our remaining dues like beggars.”
When the show host, astonished, asked if she too had experienced this treatment, she replied, “Everyone. Everyone – from actors to spot boys to directors.”
The acclaimed director claimed that except a few, every production house in Pakistan not only delays payments but also pay very low wages to the crew. “Ask anyone, and you will find 10 thousand stories [of delayed payments],” she told the host.
Artists treated like charity cases
The second “episode” – netcast today on Instagram – featured veteran actor Syed Muhammad Ahmed and continued revealing more of the darkness behind the glamour.
Like Mehreen, Ahmed also called out Pakistani production houses for routinely delaying payments to actors, saying that artists are often left with no choice but to “beg like paupers” for their dues.
Pakistan’s entertainment industry have made a habit of exploiting performers, he said, adding, “Delaying payments for three to four months is a routine practice.”
The seasoned actor went on to add, “They make us ask for our own money as if we’re beggars. When we ask for our dues, we have to explain our personal financial struggles — and still we are treated like we are asking for charity…it’s humiliating.”
This does not end here, he said, the delayed payments are handed over as if it were a favour. “They hand you the cheque as if they’re doing you a favour — not fulfilling a professional commitment.”
They deeply hurt the self-respect of artists, and they do this on every project to every performer, the actor said in a grim tone.
‘We have to speak up’
He also noted that while it was once considered inappropriate to talk about payment issues publicly, the situation has now worsened to the point where artists are increasingly raising their voices.
“Payment issues have now become a serious problem. And in today’s times, money is essential, which is why it’s high time we speak up.”
Ahmed also threw light on the violation of working hours regulations. “Production houses often make actors work till 1am instead of the agreed 9pm, and even then, they are not paid on time”
Ahmed warned that such practices had now become widespread and were pushing the industry into a crisis.
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