Mahenur Haider slams ‘fake fans’ for using celebrity photos to chase views
Pakistani actress Mahenur Haider has pulled back the curtain on what she sees as an increasingly troubling side of social media where people seek attention by publicly disrespecting the very personalities they once approached with admiration.
Taking to Instagram, the actress shared a candid video discussing how social media has exposed people’s attitudes, personalities and hunger for online attention.
Mahenur began by explaining that almost everyone now has a public social media presence, making it easier to observe people’s mentality and behaviour. She then recalled coming across a random Instagram profile where an individual had shared a picture and video with a public figure, accompanied by a caption suggesting that they did not actually like the person.
The actress questioned the hypocrisy behind such behaviour, pointing out that people often approach public figures themselves, ask for photographs and enthusiastically claim to be their fans, only to later use those same encounters to generate views and engagement online.
“You people go to public figures yourselves, take pictures with them and, when you meet them publicly, you first say, ‘Sir, ma’am, I’m a huge fan,’” Mahenur said.
She questioned what gives someone the right to later use a public figure’s name, image or photograph to post disrespectful content simply for online traction.
Mahenur stressed that basic courtesy should not disappear once a camera is turned on, arguing that people should show the same respect online that they display when approaching someone in person.
“Who gives you the right to come on social media and post stuff like that for views?” she questioned, before highlighting the importance of “tameez, tehzeeb and aqal” manners, decency and common sense.
The actress’ candid remarks have opened up a wider conversation about social media culture, where the pursuit of virality can sometimes overshadow basic respect and personal boundaries.
Rather than directly naming the public figure or the individual involved, Mahenur kept her criticism focused on the behaviour itself, questioning where the growing obsession with attention, fame and online validation is ultimately taking society.