Rising actor Ahmad Rafi opens up about his own experience with harassment in the entertainment world.
In a revealing interview, Pakistani actor Ahmad Rafi has shared his personal experience of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, shedding light on a dark side of the showbiz world. The emerging star, known for his roles in Pakistani drama series, disclosed the incident during an appearance on a program, where he talked candidly about the challenges new actors face when entering the industry.
Rafi, who was just 19 years old at the time, recalled being sexually harassed early in his career while working on a major set. He revealed that the traumatic event left him in a state of shock for two days, unable to process what had happened. “When this incident occurred, I was numb for two days. I couldn’t understand what to do or how to react,” Rafi said.
The actor discussed the broader issue of harassment within the industry, explaining that young, emerging artists often find themselves at the mercy of powerful individuals in the industry who exploit their positions. “When new actors come into the industry, they are often faced with harassment from influential figures,” he said.
Rafi also pointed out a critical issue—those who speak out against such behavior often risk damaging their careers due to the retaliatory actions of influential people within the industry. This dynamic, he said, forces many victims into silence, leaving them with the difficult choice of either preserving their dignity or their careers. “If someone raises their voice, their career could be severely impacted,” Rafi explained, underscoring the culture of fear that exists within the industry.
The actor acknowledged that while men also face sexual harassment, it remains a largely unspoken issue, which exacerbates the problem. “Men are also victims of harassment, but they don’t talk about it. This makes the issue even more difficult to address,” he said.
During the same program, Rafi’s co-star, Hina Tariq, joined the conversation and emphasized the importance of speaking out. She encouraged young actors to be confident enough to stand up for themselves and not tolerate such behavior. “Such individuals should be given a clear and immediate response,” Tariq said, adding that newcomers should be empowered to protect themselves and speak up when needed.
Rafi’s brave disclosure is helping bring attention to the often-overlooked issue of male harassment in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, urging a much-needed conversation about power dynamics and the need for a safer, more inclusive environment for all actors.
