Pakistani actor Alizeh Shah has bravely shared her personal experiences with harassment, exploitation, and mistreatment within the country’s entertainment industry. In a candid Instagram post, the 25-year-old actress opened up about the struggles she’s faced, including being mocked, trolled, and blacklisted by industry insiders.
In an emotional revelation, Alizeh Shah discussed the hardships she’s endured throughout her career, addressing the personal and professional challenges that have shaped her journey in the entertainment industry. Shah spoke out against the bullying and harassment she has experienced, which she believes has been largely fueled by exploitative practices within the industry.
Taking to Instagram stories, Shah expressed her frustration, stating, “I’m going to expose every single person who did me wrong… I’m done with people trolling me, making fun of me, and making memes out of me. You guys have no idea how difficult an actor’s life already is.”
Shah reflected on a controversial moment from the 2021 Bridal Couture Week, where she stumbled on the ramp while walking alongside singer Shazia Manzoor. Shah alleges that the fall was not accidental, claiming Manzoor deliberately tried to make her fall. “We had to go right. This lady pulled me and dragged me on the floor,” Shah revealed, adding that Manzoor would also mock the incident on other platforms, further fueling the negativity surrounding her.
The actor also criticized the payment practices prevalent in the industry, where actors, according to Shah, are forced to wait for months to receive their dues. “We get cheques after three months — that too, after begging people for our own money. And when we’re finally handed the cheque, we’re made to feel like it’s a huge favour,” she explained. Shah emphasized that her demands for respect and timely payments were met with resistance, leading to her being blacklisted by the industry.
In addition to these grievances, Shah addressed a widely publicized incident from the previous year where she was accused of assaulting a co-actor by throwing a cigarette at her. Shah denied the allegations, claiming that the co-actor had been the aggressor, pushing and slapping her first. “I was in shock. She started telling everyone that I threw a cigarette at her,” Shah said. She further clarified that while she did throw a sandal at her co-actor during a confrontation, the rest of the claims were fabricated.
One of the most poignant moments of Shah’s confessions was her discussion on consent and personal boundaries. She stated, “I don’t allow anyone to touch me if it’s not a part of the scene. You have to ask me first. I’m not your property.” Shah believes that standing up for her boundaries made her a target, as some producers were eager to remove her from the industry for asserting her rights.
Shah concluded her Instagram story by calling for respect and fairness for all public figures, especially women in the entertainment industry, who often face additional scrutiny in male-dominated spaces. She urged her followers and peers to treat individuals with dignity and compassion, regardless of their fame or social standing.
