Pakistani actress Sahar Hashmi has responded to social media comparisons with Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, saying people often misunderstand the context behind on-screen hugging scenes.
Speaking during a recent interview, Sahar reacted to a question about the viral memes comparing her to Emraan Hashmi after several of her drama scenes featuring hugs circulated on social media.
She dismissed the comparisons as "ridiculous" and said many people judge such scenes without considering the story behind them.
Sahar explained that she is neither the first nor the last actor to perform a hugging scene on screen.
She added that hugs are not limited to husband-and-wife relationships, noting that many different relationships shown in films and television dramas naturally involve such moments when the story requires them.
According to Sahar, every scene should be understood in the context of the script rather than viewed in isolation.
She said that when a scene is necessary for the story, an actor should perform it with honesty and confidence instead of worrying about public criticism.
Recalling advice, she received from one of her directors, Sahar shared that she was told to either perform a role with complete conviction or not accept it at all.
She said her director believed that if an actor hesitates while performing a scene, it can affect the quality of the performance.
Sahar said this advice has stayed with her throughout her career and shaped the way she approaches her work.
In her view, actors should remain committed to their characters and perform every scene with confidence if it is genuinely required by the script.