ISLAMABAD: Pakistani actress Sahar Hashmi has addressed social media comparisons with Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi after several of her drama scenes featuring hugs went viral online. She called the comparisons unfair and without proper context.
Speaking in a recent interview, Sahar said many people judge on-screen moments without understanding the story behind them. She added that every scene should be viewed within the script instead of in isolation.
Moreover, Sahar described the viral memes as “ridiculous” and rejected the idea that hugging scenes deserve unnecessary criticism. She stressed that such moments often serve an important purpose in storytelling.
According to the actress, she is neither the first nor the last performer to appear in a hugging scene. She explained that films and television dramas portray many relationships where hugs naturally fit the narrative.
Furthermore, Sahar said hugs are not limited to husband-and-wife relationships. Different family, friendship and emotional situations can also require such scenes to reflect the characters’ experiences.
She emphasised that actors should focus on delivering authentic performances whenever the script demands a particular scene. Therefore, performers should not allow public criticism to influence their work.
Sahar also recalled valuable advice she received from one of her directors early in her career. The director encouraged her to accept a role only if she could perform it with complete confidence.
According to Sahar, the director believed hesitation could weaken an actor’s performance and reduce the impact of an important scene. She said that lesson has remained with her throughout her career.
The actress explained that this guidance continues to shape her professional approach. Consequently, she strives to perform every role with honesty and full commitment.
Sahar concluded that actors should stay faithful to their characters whenever a scene genuinely serves the story. Meanwhile, she urged audiences to evaluate performances by considering the complete narrative rather than isolated clips circulating on social media.
