Islamabad(Khyberpoint)Pakistani actress and television host Dua Malik has, for the first time, spoken openly about facing harassment in the entertainment industry, revealing that she once endured a casting couch experience involving a highly influential figure in Pakistan.
Speaking on a podcast, Malik shed light on the challenges of show business and her personal journey, explaining that such experiences deeply affected her career. Without disclosing the individual’s identity, she stressed that the person was a “very prominent personality” in Pakistan, which is why she has chosen to remain silent on the matter publicly.
Initially, Malik denied having encountered casting couch incidents, stating that an artist’s personal strength and the ability to say “no” often help them avoid such exploitation. She pointed out that many women in the industry face pressure due to their vulnerabilities, but both she and her sister, actress Humaima Malik, always stood firm against such advances.
Describing herself as somewhat timid in her younger years, Malik contrasted her nature with her sister’s courage. She acknowledged, however, that despite their resilience, she herself had faced a casting couch situation once. The aftermath, she admitted, caused significant setbacks to her career.
Malik further explained her decision to move her children to the United States, saying she does not want them to be part of an environment where such issues persist. While she now lives abroad, her family remains in Pakistan. Out of concern for their safety, she clarified, she has refrained from revealing the details of the incident or naming the person involved.
Her revelations have reignited conversations about harassment and exploitation in Pakistan’s entertainment sector, an issue that continues to remain largely unaddressed in public discourse.
