Respect other opinions, says Anoushey Ashraf on getting hate for not wanting to work with Khalil Ur Rehman
Everyone's opinions should be respected, even if it's someone who doesn't want to work with your favourite writer or director. RJ and TV show host Anoushey Ashraf told Tabish Hashmi on his show To Be Honest 3.0 by Nashpati Prime, that she wouldn't work with writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar even if she was offered Rs5 million, which led to his fans bombarding her with hate.
Ashraf's opinion was then shared all over Instagram where the presenter got flak for not wanting to work with Qamar. Under Diva Magazine's Instagram post, Ashraf explained that due to her comment, many have been "slandering and abusing" her.
"All I said was what I felt was right. That I don't agree with his vision and ethos and that's my right. It's an opinion and I put it out respectfully. I was also ASKED this question so I have an answer in return. Respectfully. And earnestly," Ashraf wrote under the post.
She also said that Qamar's fans have not only been slandering and abusing her but also have been talking about her worth. She said that "they're the prime example of why I wouldn't want them to even know me. And now they do". She also said that if you can't respect another person's opinion without shaming them, "then it's time to reflect" and told the readers that show host Hashmi also agreed with her in the episode.
The 38-year-old ended her comment with the fact that disrespect is a pattern that she sees in Qamar's followers and that is "extremely disheartening".
Hashmi had asked the VJ about her take on dramas and why she didn't consider acting as a career like other VJs of her time did, including Mahira Khan, Urwa Hocane and Ayesha Omar.
"I'm actually happy where I am. I'm not that fascinated by acting but sometimes when I go out I feel like I should've done it, would've been fun. In my thoughts, yes I wouldn't mind doing a drama to become a huge star with millions of followers, a show like Meray Paas Tum Ho, two slaps here and there and people admiring me for that. But deep down in my heart, I always wanted to play music, not get slapped on screen," said Ashraf.
After her remark about the hit serial starring Ayeza Khan, Humayun Saeed and Adnan Siddiqui, Hashmi had asked if she would accept a drama from Qamar who wrote Meray Paas Tum Ho. Ashraf immediately responded with a no and had said, "I'm not going to do it. Even if I'm offered Rs5 million, no I don't want to do his [Khalil Ur Rehman] projects."
The RJ is not afraid to voice her opinions and she has the right to do so. Whether she wants to work in a project with the controversial writer is entirely up to her and even if you disagree with her, it shouldn't result in harassment and abuse.
Previously she had answered a fan who had asked her about 'bold' dressing in her Q&A on Instagram. Ashraf replied that boldness is subjective. What is bold to one person is perfectly fine for another. "Someone thinks showing your arms is bold, others think wearing a skirt is bold, and there are some who even say showing your face is bold. What is bold except a perception in one's head?" she had asked.