"They feel like they already know everything."
Veteran actor Saba Faisal recently reignited an ongoing industry debate after sharing her candid observations about younger performers during a television appearance.
Her remarks were made on PTV Home’s talk show Star & Style, hosted by Asmyar Tiwana, where she reflected on changing on-set dynamics.
Speaking from decades of experience, Faisal highlighted what she sees as a widening gap between senior artists and emerging actors.
She noted that earlier generations learned closely from seniors through rehearsals, observation, and constant presence on sets.
According to her, the culture of mentorship has weakened, leaving fewer opportunities for practical learning and artistic discipline.
Faisal explained that seniors now often keep their distance from newcomers, partly to avoid confrontation or misunderstandings.
She suggested that attempts to guide younger actors are sometimes met with resistance or dismissive reactions.
Faisal said: “If we try to correct them or advise them, we might hear, ‘Excuse me? Who are you?’
“They feel like they already know everything.”
In her view, many newcomers arrive well-trained but lack foundational knowledge of movement, blocking, and spatial awareness.
Faisal’s comments quickly resonated with several veteran actors who have expressed similar frustrations in recent years.
Actor Nadia Afgan has previously spoken about younger colleagues arriving unprepared, missing lines, or skipping rehearsals entirely.
She described a lack of focus and professionalism that disrupts workflow and affects the overall quality of productions.
Syed Mohammad Ahmed, known for his work in Cake, has also voiced concerns regarding punctuality on contemporary sets.
He recalled instances of arriving on time only to wait hours for younger actors, calling timeliness a basic professional courtesy.
Ahmed acknowledged that industry hierarchies have shifted, limiting seniors’ authority to correct or advise younger performers.
These shared experiences underline a broader unease within Pakistan’s entertainment industry, where generations coexist but rarely connect meaningfully.
However, newer actors have pushed back, arguing that criticism from seniors sometimes feels discouraging rather than supportive.
Actor Nazish Jahangir addressed this issue during an appearance on The Night Show with Ayaz Samoo.
She emphasised respect for seniors but expressed disappointment when feedback feels rooted in resentment instead of mentorship.
Her comments reflected a common sentiment among younger performers navigating the industry.
Rubina Ashraf, who starred in Hazaron Raaste, has advocated for a more constructive approach from senior artists.
She believes criticism should be logical, empathetic, and aimed at nurturing talent rather than asserting authority.
Ashraf also highlighted the absence of formal acting schools or structured training grounds within the local industry.
In such conditions, she noted, most young actors are self-taught and learn through experience rather than instruction.
Despite these challenges, she acknowledged that many newcomers are performing impressively and bringing fresh energy to screens.
Industry observers believe the real issue lies not in ability but in communication and mutual understanding.
A balanced path forward would require seniors to mentor with patience and juniors to remain open to guidance.
Without such compromise, the disconnect risks deepening, affecting collaboration, morale, and the industry’s creative future.
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