Actor-producer Adnan Siddiqui was recently in the news for refraining to clap on a statement given by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar on national television, before the last episode of Mere Paas Tum Ho. In a special show that aired on TV before the drama came to an end on January 25, the scriptwriter said, “Aurat fitratan bewafa nahi hoti aur jo bewafa hoti hai wo fitratan aurat nahi hoti”.
This didn’t go down well with many people for obvious reasons and while most of the people on set applauded dramatically, it was noticed that Adnan Siddiqui, Hira Mani, and Anoushey Abbasi did not clap or react to it.
Khalilur Rahman doing what he does best – dissing women – and Ahmed Ali Butt applauds him! pic.twitter.com/2zoUqKA1Gw
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) January 23, 2020
When asked about his take on the statement, Adnan Siddiqui told Instep that he didn’t clap and wanted to reserve his comments. “I may not agree with it but that’s his point of view and he has the right to say it,” he explained, adding that he, Khalil ur Rehman and all the feminists are a part of this society and they all have a viewpoint that doesn’t have to align with each other. “One can agree or disagree.”
“I will not say that I regret doing Mere Paas Tum Ho because of the writer’s stance,” he continued, adding that I can’t thank my Creator and fans enough for the respect and love I have gotten because of Shehwar. “The last time people remembered me with the name of my character was in Uroosa (1994).”
Adnan Siddiqui played antagonistic Shahwar in recently concluded, Mere Pass Tum Ho and racked up praises from the audience for his flawless performance. Not only Adnan Siddiqui but the entire cast and crew of the serial received appreciation. The serial smashed records in Pakistan’s drama industry.
Read more: Woman files petition against drama serial ‘Meray Pass Tum Ho’
Meanwhile, the play writer Khalil-ur-Rehman garnered sour comments from the people for obnoxious comments regarding women.
Feminists reacted over the producer and playwright of drama serial, Khalil-ur-Rehman demeaning women with dialogues like ‘Do Takay ki Larki’.
Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar is confronting tongue-lashing for his derogatory and sexist comments against women spurred by ongoing drama serial.
#AdnanSiddiqui acknowledges the 'problematic' and 'sexist' dialogues in '#MerePaasTumHo'#GeoNewshttps://t.co/p7EaThROpX
— Geo English (@geonews_english) January 28, 2020
The acclaimed director and writer has, under his belt, hit drama serials like Pyaray Afzal, Sadqay Tumharay, ongoing drama serial Meray Pass Tum Ho, and Kaaf Kangana – his directorial debut on the silver screen.
His explosive interview with a web channel further exuded the writer’s disdain towards women.
Celebrities found his views regressive and archaic when he said women will have to gang rape men if they want equality. Adding that he is fighting for a ‘good woman’ through his drama serial and proclaimed he is the biggest feminist in Pakistan.
Read more: What Does the Success of Meray Pass Tum Ho Say About Us?
Qamar said loyalty is solely a woman’s duty, adding that he believes in equal rights for women but still on a lower level. He remarked: “A woman’s only beauty is her self-respect and honor.”
In another episode of contempt towards women he dissed actress Eshal Fayyaz after rumors of their marriage circulated.