KARACHI: Actor Sabahat Bukhari has shared her thoughts on workplace relationships in the entertainment industry, saying that friendly interactions and respectful compliments on television sets can help performers feel more comfortable and strengthen on-screen chemistry.
Speaking on a podcast, Sabahat said she viewed compliments and respectful advances as positive when they remained within healthy boundaries. She emphasised that creating a comfortable atmosphere on set was important for actors and could help them develop better professional chemistry.
The actor said rehearsals and greater interaction between performers could contribute to more natural performances, while recalling that such practices were more common in the past.
Sabahat also spoke about the type of roles she is frequently offered. She said she has often been cast in characters from affluent backgrounds and admitted that she enjoys such roles because working in extremely crowded and uncomfortable locations can be challenging, particularly during hot weather.
At the same time, she said she would like to explore a wider range of characters. She recalled playing a Punjabi aunt in a comedy role, describing it as a departure from the image audiences usually associate with her.
Discussing the entertainment industry’s internal dynamics, Sabahat said she considered herself fortunate not to be closely associated with any particular lobby, group or brand. She said remaining independent had allowed her to avoid much of the politics and competition surrounding the industry.
The actor also raised concerns about delayed payments, saying that she had experienced payment delays lasting several months. She questioned why production companies sometimes begin projects without ensuring that the people working on them can be paid on time.
Sabahat urged performers to stand up for their professional rights and said actors should not hesitate to demand fair compensation for their work.
She also spoke about her use of social media, explaining that content creation had become a way for her to focus on positive things and maintain a better state of mind while dealing with difficult experiences from her past.
Sabahat Bukhari has appeared in several television projects, including Aakhir Kab Tak, Betiyaan and Sanam. Before establishing herself as a television actor, she worked as a fashion model and also served as a television announcer in the late 1980s.
