Pakistani actresses Areej Chaudhary & Sarah Omair share upsetting incidents from set, exposing a serious issue: the harassment, inappropriate touching, and power abuse that upcoming actors—especially women—often face in the Pakistani drama industry.
Areej Chaudhary, known for her leading roles in Tark E Wafa and Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, recounted a disturbing incident during a Lahore shoot. She revealed that a junior artist, hired on daily wages, was secretly recorded by crew members while changing. “They gathered to watch and laugh at the footage,” Areej said. Despite not holding power on set, she stood guard by the changing room and later warned the girl. “I’m very cautious. I don’t even change in trial rooms anymore,” she added.
Veteran actress Sarah Omair, who recently made her return to television with Maamlat and Ishq Mubarak, went a step further by naming the man behind her traumatic experience. “He touched me inappropriately under the table during a shoot. I slapped him and refused to work with him again,” she bravely revealed. Actress Fareeha Jabeen and her cousin were witnesses to the event.
These accounts expose the dangers new talent faces. It’s time for the industry to take accountability, enforce boundaries, and protect the dignity of upcoming actors.