Zhalay Sarhadi Questions Credibility of Awards Shows

Karachi: Renowned Pakistani television and film actress Zhalay Sarhadi has raised serious questions about the credibility of awards shows, criticizing their transparency during a recent interview.

The actress recently appeared as a guest on a private TV channel’s program, where she shared her views on various issues related to the entertainment industry. During the discussion, she revealed that only a handful of actors are repeatedly given back-to-back awards at different ceremonies.

Talking about awards shows, Zhalay Sarhadi said she has learned that to get anything in the industry—whether appreciation or awards—one often has to ask for it. She claimed that many artists even demand awards, and some reportedly pay money to receive them.

She further said that she has not received an award so far not because of a lack of talent, but because she does not have the money required. “I don’t know how much money is needed, but I have heard that this happens, and it happens in almost all awards shows. That’s why such awards have no real credibility,” she added.

Zhalay Sarhadi also stressed that awards shows should be organized collectively and fairly. She criticized TV channels for giving awards only to their own actors, calling the practice unreliable. Recalling an incident, she said that on one occasion an actor was nominated, but the award was given to someone else simply because the nominated actor was not present at the ceremony.

Her remarks have sparked renewed debate about transparency, favoritism, and fairness in awards shows within Pakistan’s entertainment industry.