Shahood Alvi sparks controversy with candid marriage remarks

Pakistani television actor and director Shahood Alvi has once again found himself at the centre of social media discussions following his candid remarks about marriage, relationships and the role of women in maintaining a healthy relationship.

Shahood began his showbiz career at Pakistan Television as a boom operator alongside his maternal uncle, Iqbal Ansari. He later moved into acting and gradually established himself as a recognised performer through his work in several popular television dramas.

The actor is married to Saima Shahood, and the couple has three daughters, Areeba, Sajal and Arija, all of whom are now married. Shahood frequently appears on morning shows, particularly programmes that feature discussions about marriage, relationships and family life.

During a recent television appearance alongside actresses Laila Zuberi and Fariha Awan, Shahood shared his views on why some husbands may lose interest in their wives. His comments, however, quickly attracted attention and divided opinions online.

Discussing the possible reasons behind a decline in a husband’s interest, Shahood suggested that women who spend most of their time at home may sometimes carry the smell of ingredients such as ginger and garlic from cooking. He contrasted this with men working in offices, where they may encounter women wearing perfumes.

He questioned why a husband would remain attracted if his wife smelled of cooking ingredients, while women in offices might be dressed up and wearing fragrance.

The actor also made another controversial remark when the discussion turned towards seeking professional help for marital problems. When Fariha Awan suggested therapy as an option for couples facing difficulties, Shahood jokingly questioned what would happen if a therapist ran away with someone’s wife. He repeated the warning while referring to psychiatrists, describing it as a humorous concern.

Shahood further said that spending excessive amounts of time on a mobile phone could be a negative sign in a marriage. He suggested that women should also make an effort to regain their husbands’ attention by preparing food they enjoy and getting ready before their husbands return home.

Laila Zuberi agreed that making an effort to look presentable for one’s spouse has traditionally been viewed positively. Recalling her childhood, she said she remembered her mother applying lipstick before her father returned home.

Fariha Awan also supported the idea that women could make additional efforts to present themselves well before their husbands came home.

Shahood went on to discuss his own marriage, saying he had tried to teach his wife several practical tasks, including paying bills, shopping for groceries and driving. However, he said jokingly that she never learned these skills and referred to her humorously as a “stubborn one.”

He also recalled advice from actress Bushra Ansari, who had discouraged his wife from learning how to drive. According to Shahood, Bushra believed that once housewives learned to drive, their responsibilities could increase because they might then be expected to take children to school and bring them back.

Following the television appearance, Shahood’s comments have sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users criticised his remarks as outdated or insensitive, others viewed them as part of the informal and humorous nature of morning-show conversations.

Despite the debate, Shahood’s comments have once again placed discussions surrounding marriage, expectations from spouses and gender roles in the spotlight.