Haya Khan discusses realities of working in Pakistan's entertainment industry

Actor reflects on industry's lack of transparency, maintaining on-set boundaries, pressures of being in public eye

Actor Haya Khan opened up about the realities of working in the entertainment industry, discussing transparency issues, online criticism, workplace boundaries, and the pressures of social media during a recent appearance on Naveed Azhar’s podcast.

Reflecting on her experience, Haya criticised what she described as the industry’s habit of giving “lame excuses” instead of being honest with actors about casting decisions. She said many young artists are not given direct and professional feedback and so, are often left confused when they are not selected for projects.

The actor also spoke about maintaining professional boundaries in the industry, revealing that she frequently brings her mother along to meetings. She explained that having a family member present helps her avoid uncomfortable situations and maintain professionalism in unfamiliar environments.

Recalling one of her early career experiences, Haya shared that she once walked away from a project after dealing with a director who was verbally aggressive and unreasonable on set. Although she described the experience as deeply upsetting, she noted that it taught her the importance of standing up for herself in professional spaces.

The actor also discussed the increasing pressure social media places on celebrities, particularly the expectation to maintain a polished online image. Haya admitted that she often delays posting on Instagram because she feels pressured to achieve a perfect “clean girl aesthetic”.

Further, in regards to women’s safety, Haya recounted a distressing incident during an outdoor shoot where strangers filmed her without her consent. Haya said the experience reinforced how unsafe public spaces can often feel for women, especially those working in the entertainment industry.

Outside of acting, Haya shared that she keeps herself occupied with hobbies such as painting and playing padel during quieter periods in her career. Looking ahead, the actor said she hopes to take on more meaningful, high-quality projects, including the possibility of starring in a biopic someday.

She also expressed interest in working alongside fellow actor Bilal Abbas Khan in the future.