Pakistani actress Zhalay Sarhadi has dropped a bombshell — revealing she faced a casting couch offer early in her career from a well-known director who’s still working in the industry today.
In a recent podcast, Zhalay recalled how the director first rejected her for being “too tall” — a flimsy excuse she saw right through. Later, he made a not-so-subtle suggestion: if she wanted her dream role, she’d have to “compromise… like other girls do.”
But Zhalay wasn’t having it.
“I was working just to pay for my education. If anyone had said that again, I would’ve slapped them!” she declared.
Calling out the culture of silence around exploitation, she stood firm and proud — saying there’s barakah (blessing) in a woman’s honest earnings. Zhalay paid for her own studies and marriage without selling her dignity.
One message, loud and clear: Talent doesn’t need shortcuts — it needs spine. 👏
