Pakistani actress and model Zhalay Sarhadi is speaking out—loud and clear—about the hidden struggles in showbiz that many choose to ignore.

In a recent podcast appearance, she bravely opened up about her early experiences in the industry, revealing shocking incidents of harassment, power abuse, and misogyny that she faced as a young actress.

Sharing one deeply unsettling moment, Zhalay recounted how she was once told that to land a role of her choice, she would have to do what “other women would sleep with someone for.”

Her response? Fierce and unapologetic: “I lost it, which is normal. I told them I’m doing this to fund my education, and if anyone approaches me like that again, I’ll slap them.”

From the very start of her career, Zhalay made it clear she would not tolerate inappropriate advances. “I had to give a shut-up call in the beginning to a couple of people. I faced it,” she said, calling out the toxic culture of silence that still haunts the entertainment industry.

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Zhalay didn’t stop at calling out harassment. She also pushed back against outdated societal beliefs—like the common saying, “aurat ki kamayi mein barkat nahi hoti” (there’s no blessing in a woman’s income). Her comeback? “I’ve funded my own education and my own wedding and bought my own car. So I don’t see how my earnings are any less abundant than a man’s.”

Her words challenge not only showbiz but also the larger gender biases deeply rooted in Pakistani society.

She also shared how being assertive was more of a necessity than a choice. “Possibly. I’m intimidating. I had to be,” she said when asked if her strong personality was a defence mechanism.

Zhalay recalled being rejected by a director for being “too tall”—a criticism that had no bearing on her talent or the role. “Even though he was the director, he had nothing to do with my height,” she said, highlighting how superficial and sexist industry judgments can be.

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When asked if that director is still working, she replied with biting sarcasm, “MashaAllah, yes. Such people remain a part of the industry.”

Mehar Bano speaks out too

Adding her voice to the conversation, actress Mehar Bano also called out the hidden struggles in showbiz, confirming that harassment is not limited to one gender. “People with power offer work in exchange for favours. These things happen more than people realise,” she said during her appearance on Hansna Mana Hai.

She emphasised how the glamorous façade of the industry often masks a darker, more manipulative reality. “It’s a world full of attractive faces, but it’s also full of manipulation and pressure,” Mehar remarked.