The actress says online trolling over her appearance, casting, and beauty standards was painful, but she chose silence instead of responding to critics.
Pakistani actress Kubra Khan has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of the criticism she received during her role in ARY Digital’s hit drama Dr Bahu, revealing that harsh online comments about her appearance and casting deeply affected her despite her public silence.
The drama, written by Sanam Mehdi Zaryab and directed by Mehreen Jabbar, has been among the season’s most discussed television serials. Produced by Humayun Saeed and Shahzad Nasib, Dr Bahu stars Kubra Khan alongside Shuja Asad and has earned praise for its storytelling and performances while also generating significant debate on social media.
Speaking during a recent appearance on journalist Maliha Rehman’s YouTube show, Kubra said remaining silent did not mean she was unaffected by the criticism. She explained that many people mistakenly assume silence reflects indifference, when in reality the comments had a genuine emotional impact.
Much of the online discussion centered on her on-screen pairing with Shuja Asad, with some users claiming the actress appeared older than her co-star. The criticism later expanded to include remarks about her hairstyle, wardrobe, and weight.
Kubra also highlighted the pressure female actors face to meet unrealistic beauty standards in the entertainment industry. She said women are often expected to fit a narrow definition of beauty that emphasizes being extremely slim, tall, and fair-skinned, making it difficult for many performers to satisfy public expectations.
The actress acknowledged that she has faced such judgments throughout her career and found it particularly upsetting when criticism of her weight became a social media trend. Rather than engaging with online trolls, she chose not to respond, saying it would have been like “talking to a wall” and unlikely to change anyone’s opinion.
Addressing another widely discussed topic, Kubra clarified that her hairstyle in Dr Bahu was inspired by the voluminous fashion trends of the 1990s. She noted that she had been wearing bangs before the drama aired, but the look unexpectedly became a viral talking point after the series premiered.
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