Who needs a publicist when you have Pakistani fans? Pakistani fans are a rare breed. Their loyalty and love for an actor knows no bounds. Once, they have sworn allegiance to an actor, they will protect them like a swift falcon, whether it’s against those bloodhound keyboard warriors who are trying to tarnish the reputation of their favourite star on the internet or whether anyone, who has, God forbid, dared to express a hint of disfavour towards their beloved star.

It’s a fanbase whose ardour knows no bounds and whose commitment transforms into an unwavering defence against any threat, unless, of course, the actor commits a misstep that shatters the pedestal they’ve been placed upon — only then might their pristine reputation face a tarnishing of its own making.

We saw a similar incident unfold recently when all eyes were on the nation’s heartthrob Wahaj Ali after he posted a short teaser for an ad for a women’s clothing brand, on his Instagram, which did not sit well with his fans. The video features Wahaj Ali, shirtless in a bed, causing an uproar on social media. Fans expressed their disappointment towards the actor for choosing to sign up for the ad.

There was also a section of the audience that praised the actor for stepping out of his comfort zone and signing up for something that was out of the box.

In a great marketing extravaganza, piquing our interest and making us wonder what the teaser was about, the truth finally unveils itself. Hello Mr Grey, I mean Mr Wahaj is all we want to say after seeing that steaming video. The ad grasps our attention as it opens with a shot of Wahaj Ali and the female model through someone’s eyeball. The nineteen-second ad does make an impression through its lavish backdrop, fast-paced music, and of course, two muses donning the new collection, concluding the ad with Wahaj’s controversial shot.

May we add, from the looks of it, that the shot did not add any creative value in the entire scheme of things, except for grabbing the audience’s attention, which one cannot deny has been done aptly.

Wahaj Ali has been in the limelight after the massive success of his drama Tere Bin, where he played the character of Murtasim. The drama received an unprecedented response from the audience, breaking viewership records. Tere Bin not only garnered popularity in Pakistan but was watched and discussed globally, leading to a rise of a fan base for all those involved in the project-especially the lead stars Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi.

But fame, much like a nosy neighbour, brings along unnecessary attention and unavoidable critique. In such moments, actors must tread with the grace of a tightrope walker – balancing adoration and the occasional hiccup.

Does this mean that stars dedicate their lives to please their audience and give up their artistic freedom and expression?

Over the years, we have been a witness to such events. Many renowned stars, especially female actresses in our industry, have been thrown under the bus due to an occasional slip that did not confer with the moral gauge of our audience.

Is it time for our audience to be more accepting?

Maybe it’s time for our impassioned and opinionated audience to hit the pause button and view things from a different angle – to cut our actors some slack and allow them room to be just human. It’s like we’re all aboard the hypocrisy express, riding the rails of judgment on our actors for roles we wouldn’t watch on our own Netflix screens. It’s as if we’re saying, “Yes, give us all the drama and intensity on streaming, but goodness gracious, spare us the shock of seeing our beloved actors do the same!” It’s time for a reality check — let’s dish out the same leniency we give to our binge-watching habits and grant our actors the space to flex their craft without the glare of our double standards. Though the clothes may fade from memory, this ad is here to stay, making a lasting impression.