Saba Faisal speaks out on viral clips and industry culture

Veteran Pakistani actor Saba Faisal has opened up about the growing culture of viral clips, revealing how edited videos and comments taken out of context can affect an artist’s reputation and public image.

Faisal said that her remarks are often edited in ways that change their original meaning, creating unnecessary controversy online. According to the actor, the issue is not always what she says but how certain parts of her conversations are selected, shortened and presented on social media.

She explained that the constant circulation of such clips has also influenced how frequently she appears in public. Faisal said she has started taking longer breaks from public appearances because even ordinary comments can be turned into controversial content once they are edited for social media.

The actor expressed concern about the impact of such practices on the reputation that artists spend years building. She said a person’s respect and honour can be seriously affected when a few sentences are taken from a longer conversation and stitched together to create a different impression.

Faisal also criticised what she described as an increasing obsession with social media virality. In her view, people have become so focused on gaining attention and becoming viral that the truth or context behind a statement can easily be ignored.

Her comments also touched on the changing culture within Pakistan’s entertainment industry. Faisal said disagreements between artists and professionals should ideally be handled privately instead of becoming public discussions on television or social media.

She stressed that senior artists who have spent years building their careers deserve professional respect. Referring to established actors including Sajal Aly, Faisal argued that artists should not be publicly criticised in a way that disregards their contribution to the industry.

According to Faisal, everyone working in the entertainment industry is part of the same professional community and should support one another rather than creating unnecessary divisions.

The veteran actor also spoke about the importance of punctuality and professionalism. She described respecting time as one of the key qualities of a successful person. Faisal said people who want to succeed should be punctual, consistent and capable of keeping their personal ego separate from their professional responsibilities.

She further discussed the continued popularity of saas-bahu dramas on Pakistani television. Faisal said the popularity of these stories is not simply because actors choose to work in them. Instead, she believes production houses continue investing in the genre because a large section of the television audience relates to the family conflicts and situations portrayed in such dramas.

When discussing her own career choices, Faisal was equally straightforward. She said she looks for roles that offer good financial compensation and substantial screen time, making both payment and the opportunity to remain visible important factors in deciding which projects to accept.

Looking back at her acting journey, Faisal credited Humsafar with becoming a major turning point in her career. She recalled that she had previously been offered roles focused largely on glamorous appearances, including characters dressed in sarees and heavy makeup.

However, Humsafar gave her the opportunity to explore a more meaningful performance and understand what she truly wanted as an actor. She described the drama as a milestone that changed her approach to acting.

Beyond her professional career, Faisal also highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive mindset during difficult periods. She believes positivity can help people cope with setbacks and difficult phases of life.

The actor said that challenges can ultimately strengthen a person’s character. She also encouraged people to value the present rather than constantly idealising the past.

For Faisal, the present moment holds the greatest value, while nostalgia can sometimes make earlier periods of life appear better than they actually were. Her outlook continues to reflect her belief in resilience, professionalism, family values and mutual respect.