Theatre actor Ruby Anum has sparked significant controversy and a wave of condemnation from within the Pakistani entertainment industry after making a series of derogatory and ageist remarks about veteran actor Bushra Ansari. The comments were made during an appearance on a podcast hosted by Sabih Sumair, where Anum was asked to give her opinions on several prominent actresses. While her comments about younger stars ranged from praise to criticism over appearance, her tone turned sharply disrespectful when discussing the legendary Ansari.
Anum claimed Ansari was her favourite but immediately contradicted herself by stating, “if I say so, it would be a lie.” She then asserted that the esteemed actor “should rest at this age,” criticized her vlogs for not “suiting her,” and shockingly suggested she should “fear Allah” for continuing to work, noting Ansari is “older than our mothers.” Anum extended her critique to Ansari’s sister, Asma Abbas, questioning why she continues to act and even shop for clothes, implying that such activities are inappropriate for women of a certain age. She capped off her tirade by dismissively claiming Ansari wasn’t “beautiful” enough to remain in the public eye.
The response from fellow celebrities was swift and unified in its disapproval. Actor Zhalay Sarhadi labelled the comments “incredibly out of line, intrusive, rude and disrespectful,” questioning if the motive was merely to go viral. Mamya Shajaffar expressed heartbreak that “women always bring other women down,” while Ghana Ali found Anum “extremely rude.” Actor Mishi Khan posted a detailed video response, expressing deep disappointment and defending Ansari’s right to work at any age. Khan pointed out the hypocrisy in Anum accepting respect and protocol from Asma Abbas on her show only to degrade her publicly.
This incident has ignited a broader conversation about the pervasive ageism and misogyny women face in the entertainment industry. Rather than upholding the toxic narratives used to sideline women, the overwhelming backlash underscores a demand for a culture that respects legacy, celebrates artistic contribution at every stage of life, and supports women uplifting one another.
