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Sometimes words are taken out of context and that often leads to unwarranted criticism — which is what Zhalay Sarhadi said happened after she said she would turn off social media if she were in Hania Aamir’s place. The Mere Bewafa actor saw the need to clarify that this was not a jab at Aamir, but remains true for any user, after people tried to invent bad blood between them.

On Friday, Sarhadi took to Instagram and addressed the matter saying, “It honestly pains me to think that people misconstrue everything said! Social media is toxic and detrimental to mental health, especially if one is in the public eye!”

She said this is why everyone, not just the younger generation, should refrain from oversharing online because that leaves more things out there that can be used against you. “My verbose opinion wasn’t to bring anyone down or to cause any hurt — it was spoken from my experience,” she said.

She added that she loves Hania Aamir and thinks of her as a brilliant artist and person. “If my words hurt anyone’s sensibility, I apologise deeply and truly,” she concluded.

This explanation comes after backlash the Qismat Ka Likha actor received for her comments on the Good Morning Pakistan show’s Eid Special episode. In a game segment, the host pulled out a two shot photo for each guest that featured the guest next to another public figure and said, “If you were given their life, what change would you make in it?”

Sarhadi’s picture was next to Aamir’s. She started, “I don’t want to sound negative but I think this new generation is really [taken by] social media. Very much.” She was interrupted by Ayesha Omer who agreed wholeheartedly with her statement and said one should turn social media off.

The Jalaibee actor agreed and said, “I think it’s very necessary. Secondly, you have a lot of personal issues going on so if I were Hania, I would turn social media off for at least a month.”

Omer interjected and said it should be for one year. “I would try for a year but it is my fodder,” Sarhadi responded and repeated Omer’s statement saying, “We all need to do that.”

Many fans took this as a personal attack and called her an “aunty” who can’t seem to mind her own business. They jumped to Aamir’s defence and told Sarhadi off.