Veteran actor Saba Faisal discusses edited viral clips, professional respect, industry culture, career choices and the turning point that shaped her acting journey.
Veteran Pakistani actor Saba Faisal has spoken about the growing culture of viral social media clips, saying edited videos and remarks taken out of context can significantly affect an artist’s reputation and public image.
Faisal said her comments are sometimes edited in ways that alter their original meaning, creating controversy over remarks that may have had a different context in the full conversation. She said the problem is often not what she says but how selected portions are shortened, rearranged and shared online.
The actor also said the repeated circulation of such clips has affected how often she appears in public. According to Faisal, she has begun taking longer breaks from public appearances because even ordinary comments can be transformed into controversial content after being edited for social media.
She expressed concern that artists can spend years building their reputations, only for a few sentences from a longer conversation to create a different impression. Faisal also criticised what she described as an increasing obsession with social media virality, saying the pursuit of attention can sometimes overshadow the truth and context behind a statement.
Faisal further discussed the changing culture within Pakistan’s entertainment industry. She said disagreements between artists and other professionals should ideally be resolved privately rather than becoming public debates on television or social media.
She stressed the importance of professional respect for senior artists and referred to established actors, including Sajal Aly, whose contributions to the industry should not be dismissed through public criticism, according to Faisal. She said people working in entertainment are part of the same professional community and should support one another instead of creating unnecessary divisions.
The veteran actor also highlighted punctuality and professionalism as important qualities for success. She said people should respect time, remain consistent and keep personal ego separate from professional responsibilities.
Discussing Pakistani television dramas, Faisal addressed the continued popularity of saas-bahu stories. She said production houses continue investing in the genre because a large section of the audience relates to the family conflicts and situations portrayed in such dramas.
Faisal also spoke candidly about her own career choices, saying financial compensation and substantial screen time are important factors when she considers new projects.
Looking back, she credited Humsafar with becoming a major turning point in her career. Faisal recalled receiving earlier offers focused largely on glamorous appearances, including roles involving sarees and heavy makeup. She said Humsafar allowed her to explore a more meaningful performance and helped her understand what she wanted from acting.
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