The glitz and glamour of Pakistan’s entertainment industry may shine bright on-screen, but behind the scenes, the reality for many artists is far less dazzling — and veteran actor Syed Mohammed Ahmed has had enough.
Adding fuel to a growing fire, Ahmed took to Instagram with a heartfelt video message, calling out production houses for chronically delaying payments and treating actors like they’re asking for favours instead of what they’ve earned. “Except a production house or two, I haven’t seen people being paid on time,” he said. “Your payment being delayed for three to four months is normal. That too, after begging for what’s yours.”
The seasoned star of Sunn Mere Dil and Kuch Ankahi didn’t mince words about the emotional toll: “We really have to kill our egos, our self-respect, to get paid by these production houses.”
His message comes on the heels of similar concerns raised by celebrated director-producer Mehreen Jabbar, who recently voiced her frustrations on Gup Shup with Sheeba. “In the US, even with all their issues, there’s a fixed schedule for payments. Here, you have to chase payments like beggars,” Jabbar said, stressing that the problem affects everyone — from top-billed actors to backstage crew.
🎥 A Systemic Issue with No End in Sight
This isn’t a new fight. Back in December, Ramsha Khan and Khushhal Khan spoke candidly to BBC Asian Network about the problem. While lucky enough to be paid on time for their project Duniyapur, they both admitted it’s a rarity. “It’s disrespectful not to pay on time because we’re there on time,” said Khushhal. Ramsha added: “I have to pay my bills, man.”
Both agreed the biggest hurdle to change is the lack of solidarity within the industry. “If Khushhal and I even try to take a stand, the three other actors are going to let it go,” Ramsha said.
🎭 Nadia Afgan Keeps Receipts (Literally)
Veteran star Nadia Afgan also joined the chorus in a podcast with Something Haute, revealing she hasn’t been paid for several dramas — some produced by people she’s known personally. Her solution? A personal blacklist. “I now keep a ‘black book’ of people I won’t work with again,” she shared, crediting senior artists Samina Ahmed and Nauman Ijaz for teaching her to demand respect.
“God gives you rizq, not these people,” she recalled them telling her — a message she’s taken to heart.
🎬 A Reckoning on the Horizon?
As more stars speak out, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t a one-off issue — it’s a deep-rooted industry culture. Despite rising viewership, glossy sets, and billion-rupee productions, the people who actually bring stories to life — actors, directors, spot boys, and technicians — are often left hanging when it comes to something as basic as being paid on time.
Ahmed’s final words resonate like a punchline that refuses to be funny: “Actors are treated like beggars for money that is already theirs.”
Will this growing uproar spark a long-overdue reckoning in Pakistani entertainment? The industry is watching — and now, so is the audience.
