“It’s not at all necessary to show a hairy chest on screen.”
Atiqa Odho has sparked a heated conversation after criticising Ali Raza’s appearance in the ongoing drama Dastak.
The veteran actress expressed her disapproval of his wardrobe choices.
She pointed out his habit of leaving his shirt unbuttoned low enough to reveal chest hair.
Atiqa shared her candid thoughts during a recent appearance, raising concerns over what she sees as clear double standards in the industry.
She said: “Women are constantly instructed to wear long sleeves and follow strict wardrobe rules. Why should the same standards not apply to men?”
In her characteristically direct style, Atiqa commented that she had no issue with fashion-forward clothing or bold jackets.
However, the actress stated that there should be a limit when it comes to family dramas.
Atiqa said: “What’s really bothering me in Dastak is Ali Raza’s partially unbuttoned shirt.
“It’s not at all necessary to show a hairy chest on screen.”
Her remarks quickly turned humorous as she playfully offered to take the actor to a beauty salon herself.
She joked: “Please, do wax your chest.
“Hairy chests are the biggest put-off. I can even take you to the salon!
“He is a good actor. Good looking and everything. But this is a big no-no.”
The conversation, which took place in the company of Nadia Khan and Marina Khan, drew laughter from the panel.
Marina Khan chimed in with a similar observation, noting that this wasn’t the first time an actor had opted for such a look.
She cited Shamoon Abbasi as another example of a male actor frequently appearing in revealing outfits.
Though lighthearted, Atiqa Odho’s criticism reignited a broader debate online.
Viewers and fans took to social media, with many agreeing with her underlying point – that men should be held to the same visual and cultural standards as women on screen.
A user said:
“I don’t understand why the men in Pakistani drama generally have their shirts unbuttoned to mid chest.”
“Even if they have waxing done and the chest is not hairy, it still looks cheap.”
Dastak has already drawn attention for its modern themes and stylish cast.
However, this latest discussion has shifted focus to the grooming habits of its male lead.
It has also stirred discussion around fairness in how both male and female actors are presented on Pakistani television.
Loading ...