Yasir Hussain won't stop giving his opinions just because of his profession

Actor Yasir Hussain believes the entertainment industry is hypocritical and has double standards.

In an interview with BBC Urdu, the Karachi Se Lahore actor said actors have to face a lot of criticism.

"I went to three to four shows and all of them were quite similar. I was told if I am unable to answer, I'd have to drink soya sauce, garlic ginger paste etc. What director should leave the industry, what actor is terrible, which actresses gossips too much...these were a few of the questions," Hussain said, explaining how he always finds himself in the middle of controversy.

"So I want to ask, those who are asking the questions are right, channels who are running it are right, pages who are picking it up are alright, only I, who is answering the questions, am wrong? According to people, I should have just gotten throat ulcers instead of giving answers?" he said baffled. He's sure that no matter whose name he says, it's still going to be controversial.

"I wanted to take my own name, but they said no it's too safe pick someone else. So If you're going to give me the option of eat this or answer that, I will take names. If you ask me the truth, I will definitely tell it," he said, adding that he speaks the truth when not prompted and these were questions posed to him. "What's the harm in it?"

Avoiding addressing the controversy with Nausheen Shah, Hussain then added how he doesn't understand why audiences are still talking about him.

"People should stop talking about Yasir Hussain. You have a button, unfollow me. I put one story, I get thousands of views instantly. Why are you watching it?" he asked, insisting that people enjoy his Instagram videos due to the content he posts. It's now a platform that is huge and powerful, he said.

"Previously, cinemas would use television channels to promote films. Now, television channels use social media to promote their dramas. Social media is now a bigger platform than television, and I'm working on the right one," he added. "I'm doing what's different."

Hussain said being a public figure in the age of social media is both a blessing yet difficult. "You do one project and you're a superstar. But it's also difficult because like me, the public also has an opinion and when they put it in front of you, you have to bear with it."

When asked why he feels the need to give an opinion on everything, the Jhooti actor refused to bite his tongue just because of his profession. "Just because I'm an actor, I'm supposed to maintain the image of what you see on the screen? What I'm saying is also the truth, it's also what is happening in society.

"Like for instance the Ertugrul issue — I said co-productions should happen and today Humayun Saeed and Adnan Siddiqui are doing it. There's nothing wrong with it. We should work together, not take someone's already successful work and play it for cheap here," he explained.

"Our industry is hypocritical and there's no two ways about it. A lot of celebrities call me after a controversy and tell me you've done the right thing. They don't say it on social media because they know they'll get bashed. They say it to me in private. They are scared — I'm not. There's not a single person who works without controversy," the actor said.

"Every channel is working on controversy," he concluded.

Regarding his public display of affection for his wife Iqra Aziz, Hussain again questioned why he should hide since there's nothing wrong with displaying his love for her. He advised everyone to love and respect their wives in public and in private too.