Pakistani television icon Nadia Khan delivered a humorous roast of superstar actor Humayun Saeed on the drama review show Kya Drama Hai, revisiting a lighthearted controversy from months earlier. The incident stemmed from a podcast in which Saeed referred to Nadia Khan and veteran actress Atiqa Odho as his “elder sisters” (Bari Behan), sparking amusement and debate over age dynamics in the industry.
On the show, Nadia sat alongside Atiqa Odho, Marina Khan, and Rubina Ashraf, with host Mukarram Kaleem steering the discussion. The roast began when Nadia highlighted the irony of Saeed calling his contemporaries “Bari Behan” while continuing to star opposite younger actresses such as Sajal Aly and Yumna Zaidi. She quipped, “He will soon say Mehwish Hayat and Mahira Khan are also like his elder sisters while he wears special lenses to look younger!”
Adding to the playful jabs, Nadia mimicked patting Humayun on the head, rhythmically chanting “Chupak, chupak, ta!” to mock how he supposedly forgot his roots after rising to superstardom. Atiqa Odho clarified that there was no real “elder sister” dynamic in their professional work, referencing a telefilm they had done together.
Nadia also called Saeed’s comments “cringe” and “insecure,” suggesting he might be experiencing a “middle-age crisis” by distancing himself from his actual age group. Split-screen visuals of Humayun smiling in a white suit contrasted with Nadia’s mock outrage, adding to the comedic tension.
The segment highlighted broader industry issues, including the double standards in casting where male actors often play youthful roles, while female actors are labeled maternal or elder. The original controversy had involved Atiqa advising host Fahad Mustafa that male actors should be cautious working with actresses half their age, to which Fahad responded sarcastically about cosmetic surgery and casting younger pairs, a comment both later apologized for.
Nadia Khan’s witty roast not only entertained but also cleverly addressed ageism and highlighted persistent gender disparities in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
