Veteran Pakistani actress Sabahat Bukhari has found herself at the center of an online debate after sharing her views on what she described as "healthy flirting" between co-stars, saying it can help actors build comfort and improve their on-screen chemistry.
Appearing on ‘Excuse Me with Ahmed Ali Butt’, the seasoned actress candidly reflected on her decades long experience in the entertainment industry and the changing work culture on drama sets.
When asked whether a co-star had ever flirted with her, Sabahat responded that she had experienced it many times and believed that respectful, lighthearted flirting could create a positive working environment.
"I think healthy flirting is actually a good thing. It stays on the set, and that's perfectly fine. It gives you the enthusiasm to work, helps create a comfort level, and allows everyone to bond more naturally," she said.
The actress also compared today's productions with the golden era of PTV, recalling how actors once attended intimacy workshops, rehearsals, and script readings well before filming began.
"During the PTV days, we had intimacy workshops so actors could perform scenes comfortably. We rehearsed for a week before shooting and held regular script readings. Unfortunately, that culture no longer exists," she added.
While Sabahat viewed such interactions as part of building professional chemistry, her remarks quickly sparked mixed reactions across social media, with many users questioning where the line should be drawn between friendliness and inappropriate behavior.
One user commented, "Healthy flirt, ma'am? If you're comfortable with that, don't assume everyone else is."
Another wrote, "Please define 'healthy flirting.' Anyone?"
A third user remarked, "Flirting can never be healthy, period."
Another social media user criticized the statement, writing, "If actors do it, it's called healthy flirting. If ordinary people do it, it's called harassment."
The podcast clip has since gone viral, reigniting conversations about professional boundaries, workplace conduct, and evolving standards within Pakistan's entertainment industry.