Alizeh Shah continues to call out mistreatment in the Pakistani

Actor Alizeh Shah took to Instagram this week to share a deeply personal and emotional account of her experiences in the Pakistani entertainment industry. Framing it as her final attempt to reclaim her narrative, the Ehd-e-Wafa star opened up about years of harassment, exploitation, media ridicule, and what she describes as a toxic, patriarchal culture that repeatedly tried to silence her.

Pakistani actress Alizeh Shah has broken her silence on the ongoing trolling and industry backlash, declaring in a series of Instagram stories that she is ready to expose those who wronged her. She expressed frustration over constant memes, mockery, and online bullying, emphasizing how challenging an actor’s life already is without added negativity. Her comments surfaced shortly after the resurfacing of a 2022 interview with veteran actor Yasir Nawaz, in which he labeled Shah as “difficult to work with” and vowed never to collaborate with her again. Although she did not mention Nawaz by name, the timing and tone of her remarks strongly suggest they were a response to such narratives, which have fueled criticism and led to her retreat from the spotlight. Shah’s statement sheds light on the darker side of the entertainment industry, where troll culture and public scrutiny can severely impact the personal and professional lives of young artists.

Revisiting the 2021 ramp fall: “It wasn’t an accident”

One of the most striking revelations in Alizeh Shah’s recent video was her account of the infamous ramp fall at Bridal Couture Week 2021. The viral clip showed Shah stumbling while walking alongside playback singer Shazia Manzoor, an incident she initially brushed off as an accident, even publicly thanking Manzoor for her support. However, Shah has now claimed that the fall was anything but accidental. “We had to go right. This lady pulled me and dragged me on the floor,” she alleged, replaying the footage to back her claims. Shah further accused Manzoor of inappropriate physical conduct during the walk and of deliberately attempting to make her stumble, casting new light on a moment that had previously been dismissed as an onstage mishap.

What hurt even more, Shah said, was how the incident became a punchline in the industry. She called out host Juggan Kazim and influencer Jannat Mirza for publicly mocking her by recreating the moment.

Clips she shared showed both Kazim and Mirza laughing and reenacting the fall on camera. Shah said she chose to stay silent at the time to maintain professionalism, but now admits the betrayal and public ridicule deeply wounded her.

The 2023 incident: “It took me years to heal from that lie”

Alizeh Shah also revisited a controversial 2023 incident that made headlines after she was accused of assaulting a fellow actor and allegedly throwing a lit cigarette at her. Shah insisted that the story was “distorted beyond recognition.” Recalling the altercation, she said, “She pushed me. I didn’t fall. And then she slapped me. I was in shock. She started telling everyone that I threw a cigarette at her.” According to Shah, she even asked the production crew to review the camera footage since the set was being recorded, but no such act was captured. Out of anger, she admits to throwing a sandal at the co-star but firmly denied all other accusations. Shah added that she was advised against filing a police complaint, fearing it would disrupt the project’s schedule. By the next morning, however, she woke up to sensational headlines branding her as “violent” and “unprofessional,” a narrative she claims unfairly damaged her reputation.

To support her account, Shah has now shared an old interview of actor Sami Khan, in which he confirmed witnessing the slap during the shoot. “I stayed quiet at that time because I was weak. It took so much time for me to heal from this lie and speak up,” Shah wrote.

Shah accuses industry insiders of punishing her for setting boundaries

A major portion of Shah’s video focused on the exploitative practices within the entertainment industry. She spoke of delayed payments, disrespect on sets, and being blacklisted for asserting boundaries. “We get cheques after three months – that too, after begging people for our own money,” she said.

Alizeh Shah revealed that her refusal to conform to toxic industry norms often made her a target of deliberate exclusion and smear campaigns. “Pages were paid to troll me. Directors would call me into meetings just to comment on my image, saying they had ‘heard things’ about me,” she shared. Even minor requests — like asking for a separate room because of her smoking habit — were twisted to paint her as “difficult.”

Shah pushed back against the narrative, saying: “If asking for respect and timely payment makes me difficult, then maybe this industry needs to reflect on what professionalism really means.”

She also opened up about moments when her personal boundaries were disrespected, stressing: “I don’t allow anyone to touch me unless it’s part of the scene. You need to ask me. I’m not your property.” In one unsettling incident, she recalled how a senior actor used a hairdryer to blow sweat and deliberately sprayed it onto her face. “I’m sorry you expected me to take your sweat raining on my face, but I’m not like that. Ew.”

For Shah, standing up for her autonomy, hygiene, and dignity may have come at a cost, but she says she has no regrets about demanding the respect she deserves.

“Let Me Live”: A final plea for empathy

Alizeh Shah concluded her account with a heartfelt appeal to both the public and her colleagues in the entertainment industry. “An artist, whether junior or senior, deserves respect. Just because you’re powerful doesn’t mean you can ruin someone’s career,” she stated, urging for greater compassion and fairness within the fraternity.

Opening up about her personal struggles, Shah shared that her mother has been unwell, adding: “I already have enough to deal with. Just let me live.” Her closing words highlighted the human side of stardom — reminding audiences that behind the headlines and controversies, actors too face battles that demand empathy and understanding.

Since going public, Shah has received a wave of support from journalists, influencers, and fellow actors such as Urwa Hocane, praising her bravery for speaking out. Fans, too, have rallied behind her, thanking her for shedding light on issues rarely addressed publicly.

Whether or not this is truly her final attempt to speak out, Alizeh Shah’s voice is resonating. In reclaiming her story, she’s sparked a wider conversation – one the industry can no longer afford to ignore.