“I’ve stopped calling myself a celebrity.”
Sarwat Gilani has opened up about the deep-seated jealousy and lack of support she faces within the Pakistani entertainment industry.
The star recently appeared on a podcast where she discussed the harsh realities of fame in Karachi.
She highlighted how local actors often struggle to celebrate the success of their colleagues on the global stage.
During the interview, she expressed significant disappointment over the industry reaction to her hit series Churails.
She said: “No one in my industry celebrated the success of Churails.”
This statement has sparked a massive conversation about the competitive nature of the Pakistani media landscape.
The actress believes that many of her peers are unable to handle the achievements of others.
She suggested that professional envy often leads to a toxic atmosphere behind the scenes.
She said: “They can’t handle someone else’s success.”
According to Gilani, this bitterness prevents the local industry from growing as a unified creative force.
She further noted that individuals often rot with envy when they see others reaching new heights.
This lack of camaraderie has led her to distance herself from traditional industry labels.
She said: “I’ve stopped calling myself a celebrity.”
The actress explained that stars should be celebrated by their own community to earn that title.
She also reflected on the challenges faced by the critically acclaimed film Joyland.
Despite winning prestigious awards at international festivals, the film faced significant opposition at home.
Gilani noted that very few local artists stood by the project during its difficult release period.
She found the silence from her fellow actors particularly troubling when groundbreaking work is at stake.
The star criticised the culture of following trends rather than supporting original and bold narratives.
She believes that actors are too afraid of ruining their own public image.
This fear prevents them from taking a stand on important social or artistic issues. She said:
“I’ve learned that no one in the industry really stands with you.”
The conversation also touched upon the topic of performative activism among celebrities.
Gilani pointed out the hypocrisy of those who claim to be feminists in public.
She noted that these same individuals often choose to play regressive and weak female characters.
In her view, true activism requires making difficult choices in a professional career.
She has personally moved away from scripts that do not empower women or offer something new.
Despite the industry’s internal friction, Sarwat Gilani remains committed to her craft and her values.
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