Pakistani actor Yasir Hussain has once again come under fire for his blunt on-screen remarks. This time, the controversy erupted after he praised across-the-border star Nora Fatehi’s high-energy item numbers, comparing them to Pakistani ones and labeling the latter as “lower” in impact and quality.
In an exclusive interview with Nukta Life, Yasir shared his candid views on item numbers in Pakistani cinema, highlighting what he called the double standards of a society that enjoys such performances yet openly disapproves of them.
“We first need to define what our culture truly is — is it the one that existed before partition, or the one that evolved afterward?” he questioned.
He referred to item numbers as a part of culture, and also mentioned the old movies that featured the item songs.
“If you watch old movies, you will see Madam Noor Jehan singing item songs and dancing.
How did it suddenly disappear from our screens? Did we experience a shift in our culture or did we go back in time?” he added.
Expressing his views on item numbers in the country, he bluntly remarked: “I don’t like item numbers in Pakistan.
The reason for that is when I watch Nora Fatehi on screen, I forget about Pakistani item numbers. I can’t drop my standards that low.”
Yasir advised filmmakers for improving their item songs, “If you want to make item numbers, then make them of the same level.
You can’t be trying to create boundaries and want to see women dance too,” he said.
The male actor’s abovementioned remarks caused criticism online, with many praising him for highlighting the fact, whereas others bashed him for undermining the talent of his own country.
