Zhalay Sarhadi Calls Out Misogyny & Casting Couch Culture in Pakistan’s Showbiz!

Actor and model Zhalay Sarhadi didn’t hold back in a candid interview on Excuse Me with Ahmed Ali Butt, tackling everything from sexist stereotypes about women’s income to the casting couch culture plaguing showbiz. Pushing back against the toxic notion that “a woman’s earnings aren’t blessed,” Sarhadi proudly stated she paid for her own education, wedding, and car—challenging the idea that financial independence is a male privilege.

The conversation took a darker turn when Sarhadi revealed her own encounter with exploitation. She recalled a director implying she’d have to compromise for a desired role, mimicking what “other women would sleep with someone for.” Her response? “I told them I’d slap anyone who tried that.” With sharp wit, she added that the same man had earlier rejected her for being “too tall”—despite his own short stature and irrelevant criticism.

When asked if such predators still thrive in the industry, Sarhadi sarcastically replied, “MashaAllah, yes,” highlighting how power imbalances protect harassers. Her testimony echoes recent revelations by Alizeh Shah, who called out bullying, withheld payments, and toxic workplace dynamics in Pakistani dramas. Both actresses are part of a growing wave of women demanding accountability in an industry riddled with patriarchal gatekeeping.

Sarhadi’s unflinching honesty underscores the urgent need for systemic change—where professionalism, not politics or propositions, dictates opportunities. As more artists break their silence, will Pakistan’s entertainment sector finally address its deep-rooted misogyny?