Actor and director Yasir Hussain recently expressed his dislike for item numbers in Pakistani films, stating that they lack quality and do not match international standards. In a candid interview, he revealed that he prefers watching Nora Fatehi’s performances and does not want to lower his standards by watching local item numbers. He emphasized that if filmmakers want to include item numbers in movies, they must raise the performance quality.
During the interview, Yasir shared that item numbers in Pakistani films often lack energy and professionalism. He believes if the film industry wants to include such content, it should be done with full preparation, not with restrictions and half-hearted efforts. He added that it makes no sense to include an item number while setting conservative limits around it.
Furthermore, Yasir touched upon sensitive topics, saying that society often chooses to remain silent about real issues. He mentioned that people are quick to react to certain words, such as “sex,” yet Pakistan ranks among the top countries in viewing adult content online. This contradiction, he said, shows that the issue lies in people’s mindset, not in the words themselves.
He also addressed criticism of using the term “gay” in his theater play Monkey Business, explaining that the LGBTQ+ community exists in our society, and he knows people from this group personally. According to him, using the term doesn’t erase or promote anything—it simply reflects reality. If a word represents a group, banning it won’t change the truth of their existence.
Yasir concluded by saying that people create mental boundaries on what can or cannot be discussed. He believes society should normalize conversations around taboo topics rather than hide from them. In his view, progress depends on honesty, not denial.