Faysal Quraishi says Fahad Sheikh backlash has crossed a line
Actor Faysal Quraishi believes it is time to move past the controversy surrounding Fahad Sheikh, who publicly apologized on Wednesday after being accused of disrespecting veteran actor Mohammed Ahmed on set.
In a reel shared on his Instagram account, Quraishi explained why he initially spoke up. As a member of the Actors Collective of Pakistan and part of its executive committee, he said supporting fellow actors during difficult moments is part of what the association stands for. He wanted to make sure Ahmed did not feel alone after the incident came to light.
Quraishi admitted he had not known who was involved when the video first surfaced, but felt strongly that such matters are usually best settled between colleagues. He pointed out that sets often involve joking around and lighthearted banter, and that most issues get resolved internally rather than spilling into public view. In this case, though, things had already escalated before the industry could address it privately.
He acknowledged that Sheikh choosing to admit fault and apologize publicly took courage. At the same time, he felt the public reaction had gone far beyond what was reasonable. According to Quraishi, criticism is understandable when someone makes a mistake, but attacking a person’s family or children crosses a line that should never be acceptable.
He maintained that the issue was ultimately between Ahmed and Sheikh, and urged everyone else to let the situation settle down.
Filmmaker Shamoon Abbasi echoed a similar message in a video posted on Facebook, calling for patience and forgiveness now that Sheikh had apologized. He noted that owning up to the mistake within a day of the controversy breaking was a positive step, and warned that continued backlash risked becoming unfair.
Abbasi said he found it strange that people began targeting young actors broadly, even without knowing who was actually responsible. Based on his own experience working with several of them, he described most as respectful professionals who value their seniors.
He also mentioned that accounts of what happened on set varied, with some suggesting Ahmed had taken part in the joking too, while others close to the set said Ahmed remained upset the next day.
Drawing a comparison, Abbasi referenced how actress Meera handled an uncomfortable interview earlier this year, where she was asked inappropriate questions by a journalist. Instead of reacting harshly, she calmly redirected the conversation and left with composure, which Abbasi said earned her public admiration.
He concluded that Sheikh had already apologized, and it was time for everyone to move forward.
