Former Miss Universe Pakistan Roma Riaz has defended actor Durefishan Saleem after social media users mocked her appearance in the ongoing hit drama Dar-e-Nijaat.
Saleem, who has won praise for playing Zaryab in the drama, recently drew comments targeting her appearance after she wore a sleeveless dress in the 20th episode that aired last Friday.
Riaz responded in an Instagram story, where she criticised trolls for body-shaming women and shrinking their achievements down to their looks. “It genuinely breaks my heart to see a woman as beautiful and talented as Durefishan being reduced to a conversation about her arms.”
She further said people had become too comfortable commenting on women’s bodies, adding, “We speak so much about empowering women, yet we’re often the first to make another woman feel like her body isn’t good enough.”
“I hope we’re raising a generation of girls who know their worth will never be measured by how closely they fit society’s beauty standards,” Riaz said.
Durefishan Saleem is known for her performances in Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi, Ishq Murshid and Sanwal Yaar Piya. Among other popular dramas of hers are Khaie and Jaisay Aapki Marzi.
In Dar-e-Nijaat, she is starring opposite Sheheryar Munawar and Nameer Khan.
