Actor Imran Ashraf has defended fellow actor Danish Taimoor against online trolling and urged social media users to remember an artist’s years of work before they judge his career over a single scene.
Ashraf posted a video on Instagram about the criticism aimed at Taimoor’s performance in the drama serial “Nashtar”. He said that he usually stays out of such discussions but could not stay silent this time.
“It is not my place to speak, nor anyone else’s, and I mostly do not speak in these matters,” Ashraf said in the video. “But these days I see that everyone who wants views is going after senior actor Danish Taimoor.”
Ashraf pointed to Taimoor’s long record on Pakistani television and asked viewers to revisit his earlier work, including “Band Khirkiyon Ke Peeche” and “Raju Rocket”, as well as the dramas that have drawn billions of views.
“A person who is supported internationally, and we forget all his work and troll him this much over one scene,” Ashraf said. “We are a society sitting and waiting for a mistake, so that when someone’s mistake appears before our eyes, we can turn it into mockery.”
He said that the video was about more than one actor. “This is not a video in support of an actor. It is a video for a society,” Ashraf stated. “We have forgotten how to forgive. We have stopped forgiving people. Our turn can come too, and we can make mistakes as well.”
Ashraf said Taimoor’s years of career and legacy should not suffer over one scene. “It hurt me,” he added. He also acknowledged he could become a target himself. “Troll me too. I am present today,” he said. “May God keep you all happy, but please learn to forgive a little.”
He called Taimoor a “superstar of Pakistan” and said that the actor had given Pakistani drama billions of views around the world. He also asked what viewers abroad must think. “What will people outside this country who watch Pakistani dramas think about how we treat our stars? I do not know whether I should have made this video, but I could not stay quiet.”
Taimoor thanked Ashraf in the comments. “Means a lot coming from you, my brother. Thank you for speaking from the heart. That’s the kind of person you’ve always been,” he wrote. “Alhamdulillah, I’ve received so much more love from my fans than I could ever ask for, and that’s what truly matters. Lots of love to everyone.”
Other users also filled the comments with messages that backed Taimoor and praised Ashraf for speaking up. Senior director Wajahat Hussain and actor Ali Rehman Khan joined the discussion with supportive reactions.
