Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi has finally addressed the widespread misunderstanding about his 2019 announcement to leave the entertainment industry for religious reasons. The star, known for his powerful performances, clarified that he never actually said he was permanently quitting showbiz, but rather taking a break for spiritual exploration.
In recent interviews, Abbasi explained, “I never said goodbye to showbiz in my video. I clearly stated I was taking a break to focus on understanding God and the afterlife.” The actor expressed frustration at how media outlets ran with sensational headlines after watching just the first four minutes of his 17-minute video, completely missing his nuanced position.
The Pyaray Afzal star emphasized his alignment with scholar Javed Ahmed Ghamdi’s interpretation of Islam, which permits artistic expression within ethical boundaries. “I specifically mentioned in my video that according to the Islamic interpretation I follow – which allows arts with morality – I’m not leaving showbiz for religious reasons,” Abbasi clarified. He even traveled to Dallas, Texas to study under Ghamdi to deepen his understanding.
While maintaining his spiritual journey remains important, Abbasi’s clarification leaves the door open for his potential return to screens. The actor’s thoughtful explanation highlights the challenges public figures face when personal beliefs are reduced to clickbait headlines, and serves as a reminder of the importance of context in celebrity news coverage.