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Zara Noor Abbas says there is a lot of sexism in the entertainment industry

Zara Noor Abbas says there is a lot of sexism in the entertainment industry

The Badshah Begum star called the discrimination in the way people behave with male and female actors unprofessional.
12 Jul, 2022

Actor Zara Noor Abbas said sexism in the Pakistani film industry holds women more accountable than men.

In a recent interview with FUCHSIA Magazine posted on Monday, the Badshah Begum actor opened up about her acting career and touched upon the subject of sexism.

The topic came up when the actor discussed the inspiration behind artwork she posted in 2020 that featured a woman’s face with questions scrawled over it. She said she had issued a statement that wasn’t well received and provoked backlash on social media.

“I was avoiding reading all articles — it was fairly because I felt like [people online] ask really unnecessary questions — ‘when and why did this happen? Why was it like this?’ You just read a statement and add your own connotation to it, state your own opinion. It is so unnecessary [and] it is [directed at] women. Men are not asked that many questions. There is a lot of sexism on social media,” she said.

This shifted the direction of the conversation towards discrimination in her profession to which Abbas admitted, “There is a lot of sexism in the industry.”

The Ehd-e-Wafa actor elaborated, “I’m very loved by my entire team but I do notice [the difference in behaviour] with male actors and female actors. With male actors, they become buddies. [If] the call time becomes late, [they say] don’t worry. [But] if a female actor’s call time is 6am and she doesn’t wake up at six, arrives at seven mistakenly, a complaint is lodged. And it goes to the production, to the director, to everyone.

“Whereas the guy is told he has a margin of 15 minutes and lights are set up meanwhile. So this happens, I’ve seen that the boys become boys, become friends while the girls are busy [arguing] ‘You told me this is how it’ll go, etc’.”

Though Abbas has made peace with the “boys and girls” becoming comfortable in their separate circles, she thinks there should be a certain level of professionalism between an actor and their team. “And if that professionalism is assumed as arrogance or nakhray dikhana, it is not like that, these are very basic things that we don’t get on our shoots, we’re very far behind. I won’t even talk about Hollywood, but considering other woods — Bollywood, Tamilwood, or whoever — we’re way back when it comes to the ethics of working.”

The Zebaish actor concluded by saying, “Everyone should be respected, there should be equality that isn’t there.”

Comments

Zak Jul 12, 2022 04:06pm
but considering other woods — Bollywood, Tamilwood, or whoever — we’re way back when it comes to the ethics of working.” Both these controlled by mafias.
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M Emad Jul 12, 2022 04:07pm
Lot of Harassments-sexism in the Pakistan entertainment industry.
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SaneMind1st Jul 12, 2022 04:12pm
Still, you are more than happy to work here so as to earn name fame & money. So there.
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Jaredlee007 Jul 12, 2022 05:13pm
Tell us something we don't know.
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Hanif Jul 12, 2022 06:49pm
Its everywhere, even in Bollywood, Hollywood, This is the industry where women is treated as marketing tool, what do you expect?
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jul 12, 2022 07:21pm
She is 100 percent right.
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Deepika Jul 12, 2022 08:39pm
@Zak no tamilwood …Kollywood ..Bollywood.. Hyderabad is another location which is emerging as winner.Yogi is developing Noida a major film industry
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Its Me Jul 12, 2022 11:17pm
Yes and you are part of it,
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Dr. Salaria, Ahmad Part II Jul 12, 2022 11:47pm
She just woke up yesterday to tell us all this valuable piece of information
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Glen D'Abreo Jul 13, 2022 12:13am
Sexism is there now and will be there tomorrow. Males created this and are satisfied that it exists because it gives them one last power. Women are intelligent, organised, clear headed and fair, these qualities that lack in the male species.
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Rafique Jul 13, 2022 01:09am
She is very true! Women and Men should have equal rights, only then there will be peace on earth!
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El Cid Jul 13, 2022 04:52am
Time is money. Don't keep the team waiting. People get fired for not being on time. Don't complain. Don't be late. Time is running out. Be on time...
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JustSaying Jul 13, 2022 06:00am
@Zak " but considering other woods — Bollywood, Tamilwood, or whoever — we’re way back when it comes to the ethics of working.” Both these controlled by mafias.. " Yes Mafias from a Particular Community....
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