Asma Abbas describes theatre artist Ruby Anum’s ageist remarks as bid to go viral
Asma Abbas has described theatre artist Ruby Anum’s ageist remarks against her and her sister Bushra Ansari as a bid to gain fame and go viral.
During a podcast, Abbas said she regretted that such actions tarnish the reputation of Lahore-based artists, whom she praised for showing respect for her.
“These acts don’t bring respect to theatre or stage performers; they only defame us,” she said.
The controversy erupted a couple of weeks ago when Ruby Anum appeared on Sabih Sumair’s podcast and made a series of disrespectful comments about senior figures in the entertainment industry.
While discussing Mehwish Hayat, Sajal Aly, Hania Aamir, Bushra Ansari and Asma Abbas, her remarks ranged from playful to outright insulting.
She praised Sajal Aly for her looks, stressing she would have made her “sister-in-law if her brothers weren’t already married.”
She criticised Mehwish Hayat for her alleged “botox,” while calling Hania Aamir “the pride of Pakistan.”
However, her tone changed drastically when speaking about Bushra Ansari.
“Bushra Ansari is my favourite. I like her a lot … if I say so, it would be a lie. She should rest at this age,” Ruby remarked, before adding that Ansari’s vlogging “doesn’t suit her.”
She suggested Bushra Ansari should fear Allah for working in her later years, even pointing out that the veteran actress is older than our mothers.
Ruby did not spare Asma Abbas either, questioning why she continues to act and even why she shops for clothes and shoes, implying that women should stop caring about themselves after a certain age.
To cap it off, she went so far as to suggest that Ansari wasn’t “beautiful enough” to justify staying in the limelight.
Her remarks sparked immediate backlash from across the entertainment industry, with many stars condemning the statements as disrespectful and ageist.
Facing mounting criticism, Ruby Anum eventually issued a public apology, saying she regretted her choice of words.
“I realise now that my comments were offensive and unnecessary. I never intended to disrespect Bushra Ansari or Asma Abbas. I apologise to them and to my fans,” she said.
Despite the apology, Asma Abbas maintained that such comments highlight a growing trend of artists seeking attention through negativity.
“We should respect our seniors who paved the way for us. Age is not a barrier to art, and Bushra Ansari is living proof of that,” she asserted.