Pakistani actors Faysal Quraishi and Aijaz Aslam have broken their silence after facing widespread criticism over their remarks on the Syed Mohammed Ahmed and Fahad Sheikh controversy.
In a newly shared video, both actors explained the context behind their comments, saying their statements had been widely misunderstood.
The controversy began after veteran writer and actor Syed Mohammed Ahmed shared his experience of being allegedly mistreated on the set of a drama. The matter gained further attention when actor Fahad Sheikh publicly admitted his mistake and apologised.
However, Faysal Quraishi and Aijaz Aslam later came under fire after many social media users questioned their remarks on the issue.
In a video shared on Instagram by Faysal Quraishi's wife, Sana Faysal, the actor admitted that he could have expressed himself more clearly. He said his comments had been misunderstood and explained that his use of the phrase "bara pan" was meant to praise Syed Mohammed Ahmed's grace and dignity in handling the matter without publicly revealing the younger actor's identity.
Faysal also appreciated Fahad Sheikh for accepting responsibility and issuing a public apology. He revealed that he had intended to delete his earlier video but could not do so immediately because of a busy schedule that morning.
Responding to allegations of favouritism, Faysal clarified that Syed Mohammed Ahmed had been his friend for nearly 25 years, while his friendships with younger actors developed much later. He stressed that the entertainment industry is like a family, where everyone ultimately hopes to resolve disagreements respectfully. Sana Faysal also praised Syed Mohammed Ahmed for accepting the apology with grace.
Aijaz Aslam also addressed the criticism surrounding his widely discussed "neutral" stance. He explained that remaining neutral meant looking at the situation fairly without taking sides. According to him, his intention was to prevent a personal industry dispute from turning into a larger public controversy.
Faysal further revealed that efforts had already been underway behind the scenes to resolve the matter before it became a major topic on social media. He said private discussions had taken place in the hope of settling the issue peacefully.
The conversation ended on a lighter note when Sana Faysal advised both actors to choose their words more carefully in the future. Faysal acknowledged that he could have communicated his message better before adding that the controversy should not be treated as a national issue, encouraging people to focus on more significant challenges facing the country.