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Osman Khalid Butt’s performance at the LSAs came with a condition — Feroze Khan would not be present

Osman Khalid Butt’s performance at the LSAs came with a condition — Feroze Khan would not be present

The actor cleared his stance amid backlash and people calling him out for "celebrating and cheering on abusers".
28 Nov, 2022

Osman Khalid Butt is known for being an ally when it comes to female empowerment and he openly takes a stand against related issues but seeing him onstage at the Lux Style Awards struck the wrong chord with some netizens. They were not okay with celebrities performing at an award show that rewarded an alleged abuser. The actor faced a lot of backlash and decided to speak up and make his stance clear.

On Monday, he shared a long note on Twitter in response, explaining what happened. He said that he was contacted a week before the awards and invited to pay tribute to Nazia Hassan, who was awarded the Changemaker Award posthumously, and to co-host a segment. This was before nominations had been announced. “My only reservation — which I made clear before agreeing — was that I could not attend, let alone perform at the ceremony if Feroze [Khan] was present there (which has absolutely nothing to do with his acting prowess, and everything to do with the very serious allegations levied by his ex-wife), and I was assured that he would not. That commitment was honored,” he wrote.

The list of final nominations was released two days before the event. Butt said he tried his best to ensure his hosting segment was free of any controversial nominations. The Ehd-e-Wafa actor said it was an honour and privilege to perform the dance tribute. “It is unfortunate that that moment was eclipsed by controversy. I have advocated for causes I believe in for more than a decade, fought battles that have been detrimental to my career in this industry without fear (and at times without advertisement) — and I will continue to raise my voice: feminism is not a brand I wear, it is ingrained in my very being,” he added.

Addressing the backlash, he wrote, “It has been incredibly demoralising reading some of the posts on the cesspool that is social media, peppered with lies calling me out for ‘celebrating and cheering on abusers’ (?!), labelling me a ‘bika hua’ [sellout] ‘selective activist/hypocrite’ who raises his voice for ‘clout’. (Someone please let me know how I have benefitted from this ‘clout’). But then I remind myself that I don’t do what I do for your or anyone’s validation. However, one part of your condemnation I fully endorse: do not put anyone up on a pedestal.”

The Chupke Chupke actor said that there is a bigger debate to be had here about how the industry is reflective of the culture it’s surrounded by, about the expectation for vocal artists to “throw away opportunities” in the wake of controversy and about how to bring about real, “actionable change”. He also reminded his followers that the award they’re so angry about was chosen by members of the same society, as confirmed by the LSAs as well in their statement.

“And that’s a cold, hard fact — but social media is definitely not the place for any nuanced conversation with its culture of misdirected hate,” he said, thanking all those who did not waver in their faith in him. “Thank you to my peers and supporters who have faith in my convictions and intentions, and didn’t jump the gun on making judgements without knowing the situation.”

Comments

Ahmed Nov 28, 2022 11:57am
I wonder if Osman or any ody present has done anything wrong in their life. If they have then no one should be present. Is abuse towards women the only wrong there is? What about misbehaving with parents. Im sure all have done it in their life. What about fornication and drinking. Sad state of affairs
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Shahbaz Ahmed Nov 28, 2022 11:59am
Feroz Khan is a far better actor than Osman Khalid.
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Khan Nov 28, 2022 12:11pm
Wow..!! What a take @Ahmed That is a classic example of a Pakistani Male
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NYS Nov 28, 2022 12:25pm
LSA has jumped up wrong doing, by nominating subsequently rewarding one of the validate abuser that is threshing actors community in hot water , netizens kindly leave them alone who are celebrating these ceremonial award and let them enjoy the strive
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MKA Nov 28, 2022 01:30pm
Let us not be judge and jury, it is a form of extremism.
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Tim Nov 28, 2022 02:00pm
Why is everyone creating drama over someone’s personal life? The case is being handled by the court so let the law decide. Who are these people to pass such judgments?
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Tim Nov 28, 2022 02:00pm
@Shahbaz Ahmed No wonder he is jealous of him.
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Chota Nov 28, 2022 02:13pm
Feroze Khan has got people's choice award which means something.some bunch of guys are becoming a cult in media now a days in the name of women empowerment.
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jsav12 Nov 28, 2022 02:27pm
They live half their lives on social media then say its not a place for nuanced conversation. Wasting your time there, then?
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Alina Nov 28, 2022 02:39pm
I don't like any of these celebrities. Fake values. Just because one person got exposed they have become champions of piety.
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M. Saeed Nov 28, 2022 03:43pm
@Shahbaz Ahmed, you cannot compare apples with elephants! (famous Hindi quote) The two are exactly in opposite fields of acting!
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Sane Mind1st Nov 28, 2022 04:40pm
Women empowerment for all, except women. Welcome.
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Fifu Nov 28, 2022 04:51pm
Tbh., These types of actors are insecure with the outstanding performance and success of Feroz Khan...
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Fifu Nov 28, 2022 04:53pm
These types of actors are insecure with the outstanding performance and success of Feroz Khan
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Rubab Nov 28, 2022 06:42pm
Feroze khan is a v good actor..far better then OKB....this Ban, boycott culture shd be stopped. I don't understand why some artists are so against feroz Khan.. might be professional jealousy
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FAZ Nov 28, 2022 06:43pm
@Feroz Khan Clear your name from the courts and Sue these psedo activists.
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Rubab Nov 28, 2022 06:50pm
@MKA true
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Ahmed Nov 28, 2022 07:32pm
@Khan this is an example of moral hypocrisy. Why does only one type of crime lead to alienation. Why not others? Now prove me wrong.
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Anonymouseee Nov 29, 2022 05:41am
Innocent until proven guilty.
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Anonymouseee Nov 29, 2022 05:42am
@Ahmed totally agree.
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