Haroon Shahid speaks out on unpaid dues and industry exploitation

Pakistani actor and musician Haroon Shahid has opened up about delayed payments, struggling musicians, and influencer casting trends.

Pakistani actor and musician Haroon Shahid has spoken openly about delayed payments in the entertainment industry, the collapse of financial opportunities for independent musicians, and the growing trend of casting influencers over trained actors. His words have resonated with artists who have long felt these issues but rarely found a platform to address them.
Speaking during a podcast interview, Shahid alleged that delayed payments have become routine practice across the industry, with performers and crew members regularly waiting months for money they are contractually owed. “It’s a pattern now,” he said. “Production houses delay payments for months on end. Junior artists suffer the most, but even those of us who have established a name are left constantly chasing what is contractually ours.” He pointed to a broader culture of unaccountability, arguing that many workers stay silent out of fear that speaking up could cost them future work.
Shahid also turned his attention to the music industry, describing the financial model supporting independent musicians in Pakistan as having largely collapsed. He cited shrinking live performance opportunities and the near total absence of reliable royalty structures as key reasons behind the decline. “The music industry is ending,” he said. “There is simply no more financial scope in it for independent artists.” According to Shahid, this reality has pushed many musicians toward acting as a more stable source of income, reflecting not personal preference but economic necessity.
He also addressed the growing trend of casting social media personalities in lead acting roles. As a former frontman of the band Symt who made his acting debut opposite Mahira Khan in Shoaib Mansoor’s 2017 film Verna, Shahid argued that talent and craft cannot be replaced by a follower count. “An influencer or a TikToker cannot automatically be treated as an actor,” he said. “An actor relies on craft, script comprehension and emotional depth.” He warned that prioritising online popularity over ability risks weakening storytelling quality and doing long-term damage to the industry.
On a more personal note, Shahid reflected on advice he received early in his career from Mahira Khan, who encouraged him to stay grounded and focus on his craft rather than allowing industry pressures to define his sense of worth.
He also spoke about his move from Lahore to Karachi, describing it as a turning point that opened new professional doors and eventually gave him a city he could genuinely call home. Despite the city’s fast pace, he said Karachi provided the creative environment and opportunities that helped him establish himself as an actor.