Pakistani actress Mamya details alleged workplace harassment

Pakistani actress Mamya Shajaffar has detailed her workplace harassment and spoken about her mental health struggles, including living with lupus and identity challenges.

Shajaffar appeared on Iffat Omar's podcast, where she spoke about her personal struggles with self-identity, health challenges, and allegations of workplace harassment in the entertainment industry.

The interview appeared to have been taken down later for unexplained reasons.

During the conversation, Shajaffar described what she called her worst acting experience in Pakistan, alleging uncomfortable behaviour from fellow actor Arsalan Khan. She said the experience left her feeling pressured and disrespected in professional settings.

"There was this guy, like every other thirsty man in our country, who saw my profile and assumed I would be fine with being touchy-feely or overly friendly," she said.

Shajaffar clarified that she is not comfortable with physical contact, adding, "I am not a touchy-feely person. It takes someone becoming a close friend for me to even give a hug; otherwise, I prefer just a handshake. I don't have any shame in naming him. I think his name was Arsalan Khan, and he started making me feel uncomfortable."

Commenting on his professionalism, she said that he is absolutely a nobody. "I wouldn't even call him an actor. He could barely pronounce words properly. Yet he started lecturing me about acting while not doing the job himself.”

She alleged that the situation escalated to the point where a director had to intervene and instruct both parties to focus on work. She further claimed that despite her discomfort, the actor continued attempting to initiate physical contact.

"When he realised I wasn't overly friendly and only communicated through work, I think he got intimidated," she said. "Maybe he was insecure. I was very confused."

She also described another heated on-set exchange during a discussion about writer Manto, where she said the actor disagreed with her interpretation and the argument escalated. "He stood up and started shaking his belt as if he wanted to take it off and hit me. He then started calling me names on set," she alleged.

Shajaffar claimed that he repeatedly attempted to hug her despite her refusal.

"He said, 'Come give me a hug,' but I kept saying please don't touch me. I had to repeat it multiple times before I eventually shouted."

She also alleged that he made inappropriate comments about her appearance, which added to her discomfort during shoots.