Influencer Dr. Ejaz Waris is facing the heat after his sharp critique of actor Saba Qamar’s film-themed birthday celebration. In a widely shared reaction video, Waris accused the attendees of abandoning local cultural values, stating, "I was just watching the videos of Saba Qamar's birthday; we have already become half-Western".

 

His comments targeting Aima Baig’s attire and labeled celebrities as "public property" have triggered a wave of both support and backlash, highlighting a deep split in how the public views celebrity privacy and "cultural decency".

 

Qamar, recognized for her leading roles in Baaghi, Cheekh, and Case No. 9, hosted the gathering in a sleek black high-neck suit and heels, sharing the night with close friends and industry colleagues. 

 

The center of attention was a multi-tiered cake decorated with cinema icons, designed to represent her career trajectory in the Pakistani entertainment industry. Viral clips from the event showed guests including Aima Baig, Bilal Saeed, and stylist Adnan Zafar (known as Ken Doll).

 

Waris further argued that because Qamar has played influential characters, she carries a responsibility to act as a "decent" role model. "You have become an ideal. Dance parties are happening in the dark. Birthdays are not celebrated like this, sorry to say," he added, labeling the presence of Ken Doll "pathetic".

 

Actor Hira Khan led the counter-response, sharing the blogger’s video on Instagram with the caption: "Someone please take the mic away from this phuppo." 

 

Khan argued that a performer’s craft is entirely separate from their personal life and rejected the "public property" label. "How to celebrate birthdays, what clothes to wear, even how to breathe maybe we should consult this ‘father figure’ before deciding," she wrote.

 

Khan further pointed out the irony of gossip pages criticizing the very people who provide them with content. "Your two-rupee page is running because of the dramas, content, and personal lives of these artists you sit and critique," she posted, adding that there is always a way to disagree with "grace" rather than trashing women for their clothing.

 

Public opinion remains divided in the comments sections. Supporters of the actors told Waris to "live and let live," suggesting he simply look away if the content offends him. Others corrected his choice of words, noting that "stars are public figures, not public property".

 

On the other side, some users agreed with Waris, claiming that while celebrations are not an issue, posting such footage on social media sets a "bad trend" for younger generations. One commenter suggested that if actors cannot dress according to local culture, they should "change their nationality," while another agreed with the sentiment but admitted Waris' choice of words was "not right".