In a candid conversation with Fuchsia Magazine, acclaimed actor Mehwish Hayat opened up about a longstanding double standard in Pakistan’s entertainment industry: the pressure on women to remain youthful in order to stay relevant.
“There seems to be this expectation that female actors should never age,” Hayat observed. “Meanwhile, male actors are allowed to mature on screen, often still cast as leads opposite much younger women.”
Hayat compared this trend to the relatively more progressive attitude found in Hollywood, where actors — regardless of gender — are often valued for their depth and experience. “We keep focusing on how old an actress is, and forget to appreciate her talent, character depth, or contribution to storytelling,” she added.
She emphasized the need to normalize roles that feature strong, influential women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s — such as CEOs, politicians, and leaders. “Writers must create these characters. Producers must believe in them. And actors must stop hiding their age and be proud of it,” she said firmly.
Her remarks arrive at a time when the issue is visibly playing out in popular culture. The newly released teaser for the upcoming drama Main Manto Nahi Hoon — starring Humayun Saeed and Sajal Aly — has sparked criticism over the significant age gap between its leads. For many, it reflects how women are still frequently cast based on youthful appearances while older men continue to dominate leading roles.
Hayat also addressed personal questions about her own life — particularly the pressure to marry. She described herself as a “closet romantic” but also practical and independent. “Marriage isn’t something I’ll rush into. If and when I do marry, it will be because I’ve found the right person — not because society expects it,” she said.
She acknowledged that questions about her marital status often come from outside expectations. “Marriage is deeply important, yes. But everyone has their own timeline. For me, career and self-growth have always taken priority,” Hayat concluded.
