A few days back, we wrote a piece on how Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, the writer behind quite a few blockbuster television and film productions, could end up being a massive liability for the makers of upcoming film London Nahi Jaunga. It seems our ominous words could not have been more timely and unfortunately ended up being prophetic.
The ugly spat
On live television last night, the Meray Paas Tum Ho writer got into an ugly spat with a participant in a talk show on Neo TV. To be sure, Khalil-ur-Rehman was carrying on with his bit of conversation before he was interrupted by Marvi Sirmed, a former journalist, triggering the extremely short-fused writer with a slogan of the upcoming Aurat march he had, for reasons best known to him, taken issue with: mera jism meri marzi. This harmless little phrase got Khalil-ur-Rehman all riled up as he launched into a foul profanity-laced spat with Marvi, using choice expletives like ‘b****’ and ‘ulloo ** *****’ for the woman. During the raucous altercation, he also body-shamed his female co-panelist with words like ‘Tere jism mein hai kya’ and some more inflammatory ones. The anchorwoman, rather than cutting Khalil-ur-Rehman’s rants short and taking control of her newsroom or going for a break, chose instead to tell Marvi to keep quiet.
The writer, who also directed Kaaf Kangana last year, is known for his fringe views, and has even called on for women to “revenge rape” men since its “impossible” for men, according to him, to control their libido. Marvi Sirmed has a record of getting into abusive rants on television and social media, too.
Deliberately adding fuel to the fire?
Also important to mention is that lower-ranked cable TV channels often set their talk shows up for verbal duels by bringing in participants with extreme, opposing views on an issue and letting them get into a verbal showdown. Here, it was a woman journalist/activist against a rabid Khalil-ur-Rehman and an ultra-conservative clergyman/politician. Their discussion, which revolved around the Aurat march, was bound to lead to heated duels which simply amounts to adding unnecessary controversy to a public event that even the government’s human rights minister, Shireen Mazari, has voiced her support for.
Celebrities react
Celebrities were rightly shocked and dismayed at the turn of events. Star Mahira Khan tweeted:
I am shocked at what I have just heard and seen!! Sick to the core. This same man who abused a woman on tv is revered and given project after project because of what? We are as much to blame if not more for perpetuating this thinking! #khalilurrehmanqamar
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) March 4, 2020
Meanwhile, Khaas’s Haroon Shahid said:
Just saw the obnoxious incident between Khalil Saab and Marvi Sirmad. I see people writing "You can't talk to a lady like that" and that's where the problem lies. It's not a matter of gender. You can't talk to ANYONE like that! Not even an animal. Khalil Saab is a disgrace 🤦🏻♂️🤮
— Haroon Shahid (@Haroon_5hahid) March 3, 2020
Since the story broke this morning, quite a few celebrities and major showbiz players have been voicing their disgust at Khalil-ur-Rehman’s ugly verbal brawl.
I hv not seen such a JAAHIL insan like #khalilurrehmanqamar who the hell he think he is ? News channel invite him, so that he ends up uttering some nonsense and they can fetch some TRPs ! shame on tv channels & Khalil ! Disgraceful
— Nabeel Qureshi (@nabeelqureshi) March 3, 2020
This man shud be banned from all media platforms for life. #khalilurrehmanqamar
— Bilal Ashraf (@IamBilalAshraf) March 4, 2020
#khalilurrehmanqamar how DARE you disrespect a woman like that. You need to sit down and have a think about the gutters in which your mind lives. Shame on you.
— Ushna Shah (@ushnashah) March 4, 2020
Disgusted.
He should be banned from all kinds of platforms. He’s not only a shame to our industry but to human race. Such abusive & disrespectful behaviour shall not be tolerated. Anyone who works with him is equally responsible for his behaviour. #khalilurrehmanqamar— MAWRA HOCANE (Hussain) (@MawraHocane) March 4, 2020
Final word
It is indeed heartening to note that many in the industry have raised the important point of boycotting such writers with extreme misogynist views. It is high time media honchos and big-ticket stars also add their voice to the growing calls from within the media fraternity for Khalil-ur-Rehman to be held accountable.
For more on this story and the latest in Pakistani showbiz, stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood.
