Faisal Qureshi Stands His Ground — “Why Only Pakistan Has a Problem?”

Veteran actor Faisal Qureshi, one of the most respected TV personalities in Pakistan, has once again found himself at the center of public debate. This time, the issue is related to age — in fact, the age gap between him and the heroines he works with. Critics argue that pairing significantly older male actors with young female leads feels unrealistic and outdated.

But Faisal Qureshi isn’t buying any of it

In a recent conversation, he hit back at the commentary head-on, calling the debate unnecessary and rooted in local double standards. He contends this discomfort exists only in Pakistan, whereas global entertainment industries have been comfortably pairing actors with wide age differences for decades.

“Heroes Older Than Me Work with Younger Heroines in India” — Qureshi’s Counterpoint

Responding to the criticism, Qureshi said that even across the border, in India, audiences don’t have any problem in watching actors 9–10 years older than their heroines, and sometimes more. For generations, this is how Bollywood has been – there’s always a seasoned actor paired with a newcomer, and people have learned to live with it as an occupational hazard in the film business.

His message was clear:

“These problems exist only in Pakistan. Why are people suffering so much? The rest of the world doesn’t make it an issue.”

His comment called into question not only the hypocrisy but also the yardstick with which Pakistani audiences measure realism.

A Question of Mindset or a Question of Representation?

But the very core of this debate is not the age gap but the cultural discomfort associated with it. Pakistani audiences are increasingly vocal about wanting more realistic, diverse, and age-appropriate representation in dramas. They argue that romantic narratives lose authenticity when leads appear mismatched by decades.

But Faisal Qureshi believes that the criticism is mislaid. According to him, actors are performers, and for them, suitability to play certain roles should depend upon talent, character requirements, and story depth rather than age.

The Global Entertainment Comparison

From Hollywood to Bollywood, the entertainment world has long embraced age differences on screen. Tom Cruise, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Salman Khan-all continue to headline romantic roles with far younger actresses, and more often than not, without public outrage.

Qureshi’s attitude projects that global reality-the artistic world never weighed in storytelling on the number on age. If the performance is good, audiences connect-digits do not matter.

Why Faisal Qureshi’s Response Matters

His strong reply underlines a deeper problem: the changing expectations of Pakistani audiences. Dramas have turned increasingly socially aware; this, in turn, has led viewers to question old norms. But Pakistan’s industry still sells on star power, and seasoned actors like Qureshi attract millions of viewers.

It is the clash of modern expectations versus traditional star casting that create tensions that spark these debates.

A Debate That Isn’t Ending Soon

Whether one agrees or not with Faisal Qureshi, his response certainly reignited an age-old debate regarding age, casting choice, and on-screen realism.

The one thing that comes out crystal clear is that this debate reflects a transforming audience-increasingly aware of global standards, representation, and authenticity. And as Pakistani media continues to progress, these discussions will continue shaping the future of storytelling.

For more entertainment insights and updates, keep visiting Pakistan Updates.