Ahsan Khan’s show is one of the most popular talks shows where celebrities come and share their honest thoughts on issues. Many of them share their struggle in the industry and inspire others.
This time, two old-time friends who started their journey in the industry kind of same, from host to actors.
Anoushey Ashraf and Ayesha Omar made an appearance on Time Out with Ahsan Khan and discussed some in-depth harsh realities of society.
They even shared their struggle while they were making their path towards success and most importantly mental health awareness.
Ahsan Khan in conversation with Anoushey Ashraf and Ayesha Omar
When Ahsan asked the Bulbulay actor about her calm and composed personality that everyone sees on screen, is it real in life too.
She said, “People often think that I’m very strong on the outside but I have a lot of weaknesses too that I hide from my public life. I’m very emotional too, but I don’t know if that’s a weakness. I don’t think vulnerability is a weakness but yes, true strength is when you know how to control your emotional reactions.”
She further added, “Being emotional is okay, but not having a grip on your emotional reactions is what everyone should work on. That is how I stay composed and strong.”
Anoushey is one of the celebrities who have been vocal on social media, he has talked about various issues, especially mental health, depression and anxiety.
The VJ shared that she has personally also struggled with mental health in the past. “I think I still live with it. It’s a continuous process of healing and nourishment.”
She also shared the reason behind talking openly on public platforms is because her personal stories allowed people to get in touch with her and share their problems.
“I started sharing my stories to advocate for awareness. Then people started messaging me and sharing their stories and all I would do is be an ear to their troubles. People must realize that your brain is an organ too and it too can suffer like any of your other body parts.”
‘People are targeting women on social media’ – Ayesha Omar
The Digital era is something once you put any image, video, or write people take the whole thing into a new perspective and make it out of context.
Talking specifically about how Malala’s opinion on marriage as a partnership in a Vogue interview created chaos on social media, Anoushey said, “I don’t think she ever said ‘don’t get married.
She shared her opinion, and in the interview, she’s the first Pakistani woman to wear a dupatta on her head in a Vogue cover, and she talked about how it empowers her. The fact that she got less appreciation for it and more hatred for her statement says a lot about the society.”
Anoushey further added, “She’s young and she may be politically correct or incorrect, although she is in a power of influence, the unconditional dislike for her is unwarranted.”
Ayesha also jumped in banda-wagon and said, “I think people have started targeting women in our society.” She, however, refused to share her opinion on Malala’s statement, scared of how statements are taken out of context. But she did have a message for trolls.
“I don’t think anyone wants to hurt people. If you intend on hurting people, then that must mean that you contain a lot of hurt and anger within you. Instead of picking targets, especially women around you, focus on yourself.”
‘A conscious choice’ – Ayesha Omar
Moving on to their careers, apart from Bulbulay, Ayesha has been missing in action on television for many years now. The actor revealed that it was a conscious choice.
“When I started doing films, I had some directors and producers who didn’t want me to continue television. For Yalghaar, Dr. Hasan Waqas Rana asked me to stop taking television projects until the film is released, and the film took three years.
Ayesha Omar is also one of those celebrities who are surrounded by a lot of rumors about her. Last year, when her sizzling photoshoot with Shoaib Malik went viral and her marriage with Shoaib Malik rumor spread in which she cleared the air.
After that, there was Rehbra (where she stars with Ahsan Khan), and four other films in the pipeline. So there was no time to do television. However, I’ve recently been offered a role, and I’m very excited about it. It’s the exact role I have been waiting for a long long time.”
The Karachi Se Lahore actor is also followed by the famed Ertugrul’s Halime Sultan, Esra Bilgiç. Calling it a “miracle”, Ayesha shared, “I don’t know her personally, never spoken to her.
I am a big fan of her character in the show but maybe she liked something I said and followed me. It was interesting because, at that time, I was the only Pakistani celebrity she was following.”
Anoushey, being witty, added, “Maybe she secretly watches Bulbulay with subtitles on.”
‘Security and success are not linked’ – Ayesha Omar
Ayesha also revealed, that she doesn’t feel secure with all the success, as success and security are not linked together at all. “I’m scared and anxious all the time when I step out.
I live alone, and when women live alone, you are scared all the time.” She also shared an example of how deeply rooted the anxiety of being harassed is within her.
“When I had an accident on the highway, people were coming to help me to pull me out of my car, from the wreckage.
I was so scared of them harassing me or assaulting me that I wasn’t letting anyone in and kept screaming. And you see why the fear was valid. It’s valid because a woman was raped on the motorway.”
Anoushey holds very strong opinions and has called out fellow artists multiple times for their “insensitive” opinions. “Shoaib Akhtar said Groove Mera is a terrible song and was bashing its makers, and in my opinion, personal attacks on someone’s creativity or their art is not warranted. Same for Yasir Hussain when he called an artist “trash.” I called him out publicly because he said it publicly.”
“Some people should phrase their opinions correctly knowing the influence they carry in the society,” added Ayesha.
Talking about how feminism is misunderstood in Pakistan, Ayesha shared, “I think a lot of people don’t understand the meaning of feminism or maybe they understand it but choose to be ignorant about it.
It isn’t western propaganda and feminists do not dislike men. It means to endorse freedom of thought, equal opportunities in all spheres of life for all genders. It wants you to include women in the decision-making processes. That’s it.”
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