LAHORE Nov 19 (Online): While many applaud the rise of video-hosting platforms such as YouTube and TikTok for democratising the way to stardom, veterans of the big screen might beg to differ. Joining this horde of critics, renowned Pakistani actor-producer Fahad Mustafa has firmly denounced ‘content creators’ who leverage their families to boost audience numbers.
The Na Maloom Afraad actor put his two cents in a recent interview on The Shoaib Akhtar Show 2.0 with host and former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. Fahad voiced his disapproval of the growing popularity of family-centric content responding to Shoaib’s inquiry about content creators entering film and TV industry.
“A lot of TikTokers create content and gain a large following. They sign a drama and come to share the screen with you. Would you accept them as an actor?” Shoaib posed the question. The Jeeto Pakistan host replied, “The problem isn’t mine, it’s theirs…because I am a producer also. I have met a lot of these people. Content is the most overrated word in this country.”
He went on to condemn, “There is no such content. Everyone is selling their families.” Fahad pointed out how such content makers advertise everyday affairs at their home from cooking a meal in the kitchen to their interactions with their mothers, resorting to extreme measures for clicks.
“People don’t even spare graveyards,” the Load Wedding star expressed his shock. “May God bestow heavens upon everyone who has lost their mother but [content creators] visit upon graves and film them because they miss their mother.” Fahad further prompted the intents and purposes of this content, asserting, “I don’t want to be known for that at least. I can tell a good story and I can tell a bad story, but I can’t sell my family or myself.”
The producer compared the work ethic espoused by content creators with that of showbiz actors, alleging a lack of dedication in the former. As per Fahad, actors like himself invest long hours in their craft but most content creators have no conception of work ‘hours’ because they produce content ‘in a matter of seconds.’
“I have met a lot of people with large followings, they fail to understand the ‘maths’ that whether you show up to a film or a drama shoot, if you sit down to execute a show, it takes time. It’s a process,” he said.
Follow the PNI Facebook page for the latest news and updates.
