Agha Ali has been churning out problematic statements more than TV dramas, and it’s not looking good. The star is now on the receiving end of more backlash as an old video surfaced.
Some Things Aren’t Funny
In the said video, he’s at a show again with three other people. One of them is also Neelam Munir, and we think that’s where he got the trigger for his jokes. His joke was based on Pathans and Pashto! As stereotypically problematic as it gets, Agha Ali said he’s never heard a Pashtoon talk nicely.
He also then proceeds to copy the language and say gibberish, passing it off as Pashto. The host even questions — “do Pashtoons not have romance?” To which he conveniently replied along the lines of “No, I’ve never seen that.” Neelam Munir, being a Pashto speaking individual, was sitting there and cackling as well.
This Is The Video
Agha Ali says he has never seen Pathan speak calmly or lovingly. My question is, how much do you know, about Pathans? As much as your actresses dance in Pashto films & Pashtun heroes are behind them in anger. What more knowledge do you have about pathans?#AaghaAliMafiMango pic.twitter.com/HxBFYJpuaU
— Hoorain Yousafzai (@Scotchh9) August 18, 2020
Why Is It Problematic?
It’s problematic because jokes like this perpetuate stereotypes against communities. And frankly, have you ever seen a stereotype benefit anyone in the long run? This is akin to the forwarded messages on Whatsapp that always have Sardars and Sikhs as the butt of the jokes.
They’re not funny!
Pashtoons are already disgraced in the country due to several reasons. There’s the prejudice of them being immigrants, and there are millions of other stereotypes that have been plastered on their faces.
Do we need another thing on which they can be made a laughing stock?
The Star Apologised!
Firstly .. agar kisi ka bhi dil dukha hai kisi 5 saal purani clip ko dekh Kar bhi tou Meri taraf se Mazrat .. jab kay jis pathan dost se ye mazak horaha tha (Neelam Muneer) she laughed really hard herself as she knew my intentions..Phir Bhi kisi ki bhi dil azari hui tou mazrat🙌🏻
— Aagha Ali (@AaghaAli) August 18, 2020
Twitter Reacts
People on Twitter are conflicted; there are two sides to each coin. There are many Pashto speaking people and Pakhtuns who do not feel this to be insulting. They agree with the fact that their vocal style is rather bold and that they have been in similar positions.
On the other hand, many are upset at Agha Ali using their culture and their language to make people laugh for a mere 2 minutes. While he may not even remember joking about this then, such jokes can enforce a particular type of mindset in the long run. Especially because he’s a famous actor — people will follow his lead.
Check Out Their Tweets!
Oh come on, stop making issue out of nothing,he said it on a lighter note, and honestly i have a pashtun friend for over 10 years,and still whenever she starts talking with her family on call, i have to ask her ‘kay sab sahi hai’…coz mujhay lag reha hota hai woh lar rehay hain
— Descartes Error (@frc020) August 18, 2020
The history of pathan is more rich than u ,we have a brilliant history but u people afraid that is why u don’t want to even make a film etc about it bcz u prejudice about pathan
— Jamyee💧 (@Jamyee4) August 18, 2020
Not a fan of his but throughout his conversation, he was referring to his costar not the pashtoon community as a whole.
— Aaria🍃 (@Aariaa_) August 18, 2020
Ye pehle apni shakal dekh le phir mazak urae ksi ka
— mehtab khattak (@mehtabgoharkhat) August 18, 2020
This is very bad guy, this is very stingy, he has made fun of Pathans.
— Fazal Khan (@FazalKh46868575) August 18, 2020
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