Celebrities slam decision to upload Mohammed Ahmed's video as row deepens
The controversy surrounding veteran actor Syed Mohammed Ahmed has taken a fresh turn after several Pakistani celebrities criticised the decision to upload a video despite his reported request to keep it private.
Calling the move disrespectful and deeply insensitive, stars including Nadia Jamil, Sohail Sameer, Rabia Anum, and Maya Khan voiced their concerns, reigniting debate over respect for senior artists, personal boundaries, and professionalism within Pakistan's entertainment industry.
Actress and activist Nadia Jamil strongly defended Syed Mohammed Ahmed after the clip resurfaced online. Describing him as one of the industry's most respected and humble artists, she said his kindness should never be mistaken for weakness and condemned the incident as "public mocking by talentless bullies."
Nadia revealed that Syed Mohammed Ahmed had personally asked actress Humaira Bano not to upload or share the video. However, according to her, the clip was posted despite his request, making the incident even more painful and humiliating for the veteran actor. She said his reaction reflected his gracious nature, as he wanted to avoid creating unnecessary controversy or causing problems for anyone involved.
She also criticised Fahad Sheikh's alleged behaviour, stressing that humour should never come at the cost of another person's dignity. Nadia urged social media users to stop sharing the clip and called on directors, producers, and production teams to create more respectful and professional working environments on drama sets.
The controversy also prompted reactions from several other television personalities.
Actor Sohail Sameer described the incident as "extremely inappropriate and deeply disrespectful," saying that if it was intended as a joke, it had clearly crossed the line. He added that the dignity of a respected senior colleague should never become a source of entertainment.
Television host Rabia Anum criticised the growing habit of recording people without their consent. She said disrespect is already a serious issue, but filming and posting videos without permission shows an even greater lack of basic courtesy. Rabia added that people have become too quick to record every moment without considering whether those involved are comfortable being filmed.
Actor Hassan Ahmed claimed that Fahad Sheikh has a habit of making fun of others, adding that he should be held accountable and even suggested that both he and the entire cast from the production should be cancelled.
Meanwhile, television host Maya Khan initially reacted by writing, "I am speechless," along with a broken-heart emoji. She later shared a video urging people not to rush to judgment and said Fahad Sheikh should be given an opportunity to explain his side of the story.
Maya added that if those directly involved are able to resolve the matter privately, it would be the best outcome for everyone.
The controversy began after Syed Mohammed Ahmed recalled an unpleasant experience during a television appearance, revealing that he had been mocked and humiliated by a younger colleague while working on a drama set.
Soon afterwards, a BTS video surfaced on social media, allegedly showing Fahad Sheikh making fun of the veteran actor. The clip quickly went viral, drawing widespread criticism from viewers and members of the entertainment industry.
Following the backlash, Fahad Sheikh issued a public apology and shared his version of the incident. However, the debate has continued, with many artists emphasising that respect for senior colleagues, personal boundaries, and professionalism should always remain a priority on every production set.