Parveen Akbar’s ‘tomboy’ remarks about Sanam Saeed spark internet buzz
Veteran actress Parveen Akbar has stirred a lively debate online after she remarked on a TV show.
During her appearance on The 21mm Show, Parveen Akbar praised Sanam Saeed but described her as more like a boy than a girl, referring to her as a tomboy.
The comment, made in a lighthearted tone, quickly spread across social media with entertainment portals sharing it.
“Sanam is extremely talented. Her performances have always been powerful and convincing,” she said, adding, “But to me, she appears more like a boy than a girl.”
Clips from the interview have since gone viral, with many users debating whether the remark was an affectionate observation or an unnecessary personal comment.
"So now, let's cut a clip of an aged actor, put it out there, and have people hurl abuse at her. seriously!!!" reads a comment on the post shared by an entertainment portal.
A user commented, “What is this woman saying? It’s so disrespectful!” and targeted the veteran, saying the senior artist should have her eyes checked.
Fans of Sanam flooded the comment section to heap praise on her, and most of them targeted the senior artists, asking them to refrain from passing such comments, feeling the comment risked reinforcing gender stereotypes.
“A very disrespectful comment. Senior actors should not speak like that. First Atiqa Odho did now Parveen Akbar. What will they get by doing body shaming of others on a live screen,” said a netizen.
Some defended Akbar, noting that her words seemed intended as a compliment about Saeed’s unique style and versatility.
Sanam Saeed, best known for her roles in hit dramas such as Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Cake, and Barzakh, has often been celebrated for breaking away from conventional portrayals of women on screen.
She has played a wide range of characters from strong-willed heroines to complex, unconventional roles.
Parveen Akbar, a respected figure in the Pakistani entertainment industry for decades, is known for speaking her mind in interviews.