'Critics don't need to be actors to judge you'; Raheel Rao claps back at Danish Taimoor

Editor-in-chief of DIVA magazine, Raheel Rao, has addressed Danish Taimoor’s recent comments on drama critics, offering a thoughtful perspective on the significance of criticism in the entertainment industry.

On Instagram, Rao wrote an open letter to Danish, acknowledging his journey from modelling to acting while questioning his views on criticism.

 “Dear Danish, I have closely followed your journey. Your shift from modeling to acting has been impressive, and we all greatly admire your growth as an actor. It’s perfectly fine if you don’t place much importance on critics (or their critiques). However, to dismiss them by saying, ‘Woh banda jiska acting se door door tak koi talluq nahi, woh kaise acting ke baare mein baat kar sakta hai?’ feels inappropriate,” expressed Rao.

He elaborated that critics worldwide are typically not actors themselves but rather evaluators who analyse performances for audiences. 

“Just like a food critic isn’t required to be a chef to evaluate a dish, or a sports analyst isn’t obliged to be an athlete to analyze a game, drama critics don’t need to be performers to critique acting. Disregarding feedback based on the source instead of engaging with the content weakens the dialogue,” he continued.

Rao’s response was prompted by Danish Taimoor’s recent remarks on Mehfil-e-Ramzan, where he openly dismissed online critiques of his acting choices, stating, “I don’t even pay attention to them. That’s their job; they seek attention. Honestly, I don’t care, and my fans don’t care either.”

While acknowledging that criticism is part of the entertainment field, Danish questioned the merit of all opinions. He argued that critiques should come from individuals who understand the craft, stating, “When I critique something, I do so with a thorough understanding of this industry. But if someone with no acting background scrutinises performances, how does that make sense?”

His comments sparked an intense debate online, with many pointing out the irony of actors voicing opinions on topics beyond their expertise—such as politics, fashion, or sports—yet reacting negatively when the situation is reversed. Others noted that Danish has consistently faced criticism for portraying similar roles in dramas, a concern many view as legitimate rather than mere negativity.

While some fans defended him, agreeing that critiques should be based on knowledge rather than attention-seeking, Rao’s response has shifted the conversation. His argument that criticism is an essential part of storytelling—regardless of the critic’s background—has resonated widely.