Faysal Quraishi, Hareem Farooq speak out over alleged paid campaign against Mango Jutt

Pakistani actors Faysal Quraishi and Hareem Farooq have raised concerns about an alleged paid negative publicity campaign targeting their Punjabi-language film Mango Jutt warning that coordinated online criticism could further damage Pakistan’s struggling film industry.

Pakistani actors Faysal Quraishi and Hareem Farooq have raised concerns about an alleged paid negative publicity campaign targeting their Punjabi-language film Mango Jutt warning that coordinated online criticism could further damage Pakistan’s struggling film industry.

Quraishi addressed the issue in a video shared on Instagram questioning the practice of reviewing films without watching them and suggesting that commercially motivated criticism could discourage audiences from returning to cinemas.

The actor expressed concern that people pursuing their own interests through negative publicity could harm filmmakers, artists and others associated with the entertainment industry.

He also questioned the timing of some reviews saying that established film critics often wait until the opening weekend has passed before publishing their assessments. In contrast he claimed that negative reviews linked to paid campaigns can begin appearing shortly after a film’s release.

Quraishi acknowledged that audiences and critics may have different opinions about a production. However he argued that genuine criticism should be distinguished from deliberately coordinated negativity intended to influence public perception.

He also highlighted the financial risks facing Pakistan’s film industry which continues to operate in a challenging market. According to the actor misleading online narratives could weaken audience confidence and affect cinema attendance.

Hareem Farooq raises questions over online posts

Farooq, who produced and stars in Mango Jutt also addressed the controversy through her social media accounts. She shared screenshots that appeared to raise questions about whether certain negative posts concerning the film had been sponsored.

One exchange included a question about whether a negative post was paid content. The response indicated that it was followed by a discussion about its cost or budget. However, the screenshots alone do not establish the full circumstances behind the posts or the extent of any alleged campaign.

In another Instagram post, Farooq highlighted reports that some cinemas had stopped screening the film, while others had reduced its showtimes or shifted screenings away from peak viewing hours.

The post pointed to competition from Hollywood releases and negative word of mouth as possible factors affecting the film’s theatrical performance.

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The controversy has renewed discussion about the impact of social media on film releases and the distinction between independent reviews and commercially motivated content.

While audiences have every right to express their opinions about movies, the actors’ concerns focus on whether paid criticism if established could unfairly influence public perception and place additional pressure on Pakistan’s already struggling cinema industry.

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