Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar – Pakistani writer, director, lyricist and occasional actor – is under fire once again and under boycott by multiple actors due to his recent TV and social interviews and extremely controversial statements. Just when it seemed that the whole fiasco with Marvi Sarmad, where she was verbally abused on live TV by Khalil, was going to settle down a bit, Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar made sure to spew more hatred against a particular segment of society.
The Controversy
Khalil-ur-Rehman continued to damage his already ruined reputation even more when the writer recently called actor Adnan Malik a “Hijra” (Transgender). Khalil-ur-Rehman said;
“Humaray yahan, badqismati se, hijron ki aik fouj agyi hai. Usne meri industry ka bera garak kardia. Unmai se app kuch hijro ko hero ke roop mai bhi dekh sakte hain. (Unfortunately, an army of transgenders has infiltrated the industry and ruined it. You can also see some of these as heroes.)”
What followed was is even worse. He stated;
“Mai apne dramo mai cast karne se pehle baqaida check karta hun ke hijra tou nahi hai (Before casting anyone in my dramas, I make sure to check that they aren’t transgender.)”
“Aik galti mujsey bhi hogyi. Apney hi role mai, Khalil (Adnan Malik) ke role mai, maine aik hijre ko cast karlia. (I made a mistake though. I chose a transgender to play my role.)”
Prior to this, Adnan Malik had spoken up against Khalil-ur-Rehman’s misogyny on his social media.
I think this sums up my views in general regarding KUQ & me playing him in Sadqay Tumhare. 🤢 https://t.co/zEQckWOgLu
— adnanmalik (@adnanmalik) March 4, 2020
#boycottkhalilurrehmanqamar
Multiple celebrities had already called out Khalil-ur-Rehman’s interview an extreme act of misogyny and transphobia. The hate speech against transgenders especially became the breaking point for many of the Pakistani entertainment industry’s celebrities (and fairly so). Since this huge outrage, Pakistani Celebrities have taken to their social media to boycott the veteran writer.
12 actors who boycotted Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar over his recent controversial statements are:
1. Asma Nabeel
Asma Nabeel – COO. Writer. Producer, Crew Motion Pictures – urged everyone to take serious action against Khalil-ur-Rehman. On his hate speech against the trans people, she also stated;
“Disgrace is a small word. In the last debate a lot of people said that the lady poked him to use fowl language. Now who poked him to share his this sick thinking with the people. And above all shame on the people who are laughing on this. Someone need to tell this man that you are entering into the Personal zones of people and anyone can speak about his personal zones also. Would that be fine? Pehley aurtain ab transgenders aur industry and heejray and what not… what a shame the industry that you work in and the people that you work with you are making fun of that. Shame on the thinking. Shame on the words. And shame and simply shame. This mindset and this pen can be really threatening for the society.”
She further talked on the matter and said that the least everyone can do is condemn Khalil’s actions and not work with him.
2. Sadia Jabbar
On Asma Nabeel’s post about Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, Sadia Jabbar also declared that she will never work with Khalil-ur-Rehman again and that’s the least she can do for her fraternity.
3. Armeena Khan
Armeena Khan is one of Pakistan’s most popular actresses. She has received a Lux Style Award, a Hum Award and a Nigar Award nomination. Armeena Rana Khan responded to Khalil’s statement by calling it “Shameful” and called him out on ridiculing Allah Almighty’s creations.
Shameful! We have people working tirelessly to eliminate transphobia from society. “Hijras” are some of the most marginalised, persecuted members of society. We are all Allah’s creations and he’s ridiculing HIS creation. I hope this abomination sees a swift downfall . Ameen.
— Armeena Khan 🦋 (@ArmeenaRK) March 11, 2020
4. Iffat Omar
Iffat Omar is a former model famous for her role as Aapa Ji in the drama series “Mohabbat Aag Si”. She revealed that she disassociated herself from Khalil ur Rehman Qamar’s film London Nahi Jaunga. Iffat expressed that she regrets to have ever worked with him and will no longer work with Khalil ur Rehman Qamar or anyone working with him.
5. Haroon Shahid
Haroon Shahid – popular Pakistani singer-songwriter, music composer and actor – called Khalil-ur-Rehman a “disgrace” and had already boycotted him over the whole Marvi Sarmad case. Undoubtedly, this new controversy will have strengthened his disgust at Khalil even more.
6. Mahira Khan
Mahira Khan is one of Pakistan’s most popular actresses, having received numerous accolades including Lux Style Awards for Best Television Actress. She expressed that she was sick to the core on how Khalil-ur-Rehman is being revered despite his misogyny and twisted views. She is also one of the celebrities boycotting him.
7. Momin Ali Munshi
Momin Ali Munshi is a big name of the Pakistan film industry. He is the founder of Galaxy Lollywood, Pakistan’s first and only blog dedicated to the local cinema. He conveyed his disgust towards Khalil-ur-Rehman on his social media, also calling him a “pathetic excuse for a human being.” He admitted that while he is an exceptional writer, Khalil’s constant “Bullshit” needs to end.
8. Arjumand Rahim
“Pari” in Suno Chanda 2 is Arjumand Rahim’s best known character She has also boycotted the veteran writer and sarcastically “marked herself SAFE” from a Khalil-ur-Rehman script on her facebook.
Marked myself safe from a Khalil ur Rehman script 😊
Posted by Arjumand Rahim on Wednesday, March 11, 2020
9. Angelina Malik
Angeline Malik is an advocate of raising and voicing relevant social issues. She also expressed her opinion on this situation and pledged to never work with Khalil. Moreover, she tagged multiple big names like Bushra Ansari, Ayesha Omar and Saba Qamar etc. on her instagram post, insisting them to boycott Khalil-ur-Rehman too.
10. Hina Khwaja
Hina Khwaja Bayat also called out Khalil-ur-Rehman for this hate speech against the trans people of Pakistan. She said that Khalil-ur-Rehman disgusts her but there is confidence in her that the true believers will prevail in the end.
11. Sarmad Khoosat
Sarmad Khoosat stated that this situation reflects our society as a whole. He further said that this matter would need more than just “typing away” to fully rectify it.
12. Sanam Saeed
Out of the 12 actors who boycotted Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, popular actress Sanam Saeed also heavily bashed Khalil. She said that he is a vile human being and no one gave him the right to pass judgement.
What's scarier than #KhalilurRehman's temper, insecurities and mysogonistic attitude, is us who continue to encourage and engage him. Who cares if you're a good writer. You're a vile human being. Who speaks like that? What gives u the right to pass judgment like that? #Shameful
— Sanam Saeed (@sanammodysaeed) March 4, 2020
Khalil-ur-Rehman keeps on fulfilling the proverb “call for trouble on your own”. It is only a matter of time now before his misogynistic attitude turns everyone against him. Only then would he be able to reflect on the gravity of his words.
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