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Pakistani Star Challenges Muslim Stereotypes in Film Industry
Monday 19 August 2019, by
The rise of Islamophobia in the world is also justified by the negative representation of Pakistanis in films, according to Pakistani cinema star Mehwish Hayat. This "very strong" image, created over the years by cinema, was denounced by the lead actress of "Load Wedding" during an interview with an English media.
"Pakistanis are stereotyped as backward terrorists, mistreating women or always being the villain in films," denounced Pakistani cinema star Mehwish Hayat in an interview relayed by alnas.fr. This tarnished image, which she is trying to correct, is the work of the 7th art, according to her words. For the one who received the "Tamgha-e-Imtiaz" 2019, one of the highest distinctions in Pakistan, the film industry has quickly "demonized" her compatriots. "Cinema has the power to create a very strong image," acknowledges the actress in the interview.
According to the same media, the award-winning Pakistani actress did not fail to point out that Bollywood and Hollywood have managed to "tarnish the image of Pakistan in the world," during a ceremony in Norway, where she had received the "Pride of Performance" Award from Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
The "Load Wedding" star has reproached filmmakers for not conducting real investigations into Pakistani authenticity: "What we are, how we are," she will specify. She already announces that she wants to fight this "false image" of the Pakistani. The star now demands a "fair" or positive representation of Pakistanis in films from filmmakers.
Mehwish Hayat has, however, denounced the atrocities committed in Kashmir on her Instagram account. On social networks, she has also raised public awareness about the situation.