KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani actress Amar Khan has sparked a fresh debate on gender discrimination within the showbiz industry, criticizing the “double standards” that allow aging male actors to play youthful roles while limiting women to secondary characters. Speaking during a private TV talk show, the Dum Mastam star expressed her frustration over the unrealistic casting trends prevalent in local television.
Amar Khan pointed out that male actors in their 40s and 50s are frequently cast as “Gen Z” or young protagonists, a trend that rarely faces public or industry scrutiny. She noted that while men enjoy longevity as lead heroes, female actors are quickly sidelined or pigeonholed into motherly or secondary roles after only a few years of lead performances. Drawing a parallel with Hollywood, Khan cited legends like Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, who continue to headline major projects in powerful, age-appropriate roles. She lamented that the Pakistani industry lacks such depth for its aging female stars.
“In our industry, powerful and realistic characters for women are becoming scarce, leading to a visible imbalance,” Khan stated during the interview.
This discussion follows recent headlines involving veteran actress Atiqa Odho, who advised superstar Fahad Mustafa to share the screen with heroines closer to his own age. Following Mustafa’s response to that suggestion, the topic has gained significant momentum, with Amar Khan now adding her voice to the call for systemic change in how the industry treats its female talent.
