Yasir Hussain thanks Akif Ilyas despite comedy criticism

Actor, director and playwright Yasir Hussain has responded to recent criticism from celebrity stylist and photographer Akif Ilyas by thanking him for the support he received earlier in his career.

Hussain shared two Instagram stories on Friday, addressing Ilyas’ comments while also recalling the important role the stylist played when he was still establishing himself in the entertainment industry.

In a video message, Hussain said he remained grateful to Ilyas and had appreciated his support for many years. He recalled that Ilyas had conducted his first-ever professional photo shoot without charging him any money.

“He did my first-ever photo shoot and didn’t charge a single rupee for it,” Hussain said while remembering the early days of his career.

The actor also praised Ilyas’ reputation and talent at the time, saying he was extremely successful as both a makeup artist and photographer.

Hussain explained that he often talks about the senior artists and professionals who helped him reach his current position. He said Ilyas was among those people who supported him during the early stages of his career and that he would continue to acknowledge their contribution.

Addressing Ilyas’ recent remarks, Hussain said he was unsure why his senior had spoken about him in that way. He suggested that Ilyas may have been influenced by someone else but did not make any direct accusation.

Despite the criticism, Hussain said he respected Ilyas’ opinion because of the senior artist’s place in his career. He ended his message on a positive note by expressing his affection and respect for Ilyas.

“I love you, Akif bhai,” Hussain said.

The comments came after Ilyas discussed the current state of comedy during an appearance on the television programme Rise & Shine.

During the programme, Ilyas criticised what he described as a growing “cheap sense of humour” in entertainment. He argued that some comedians rely on making fun of other people and then consider their jokes a major achievement.

The stylist also pointed to legendary performers Anwar Maqsood and Moin Akhtar as examples of comedians who could entertain audiences without relying heavily on foul language or double entendres.

Ilyas specifically mentioned Hussain while discussing people who had approached him earlier in their careers. He claimed that some of those individuals repeatedly contacted him for professional assistance, including photography, portfolio work and other services that could help them establish themselves in the industry.

According to Ilyas, some people later changed their attitude after becoming successful and building their own platforms. He said that instead of respecting other artists, they sometimes went on stage and mocked them.

Ilyas also alleged that he had personally been targeted by such jokes, saying that people had mimicked him, made negative comments about him and discussed his friendships in inappropriate ways.

He further compared the entertainment industry in Pakistan with international brands, arguing that companies abroad generally allow their work to speak for itself rather than publicly attacking competitors.

The remarks sparked attention because of Ilyas’ direct reference to Hussain. However, Hussain’s response remained focused on gratitude and respect rather than escalating the disagreement.

By recalling the support he received at the beginning of his career, Hussain acknowledged Ilyas’ contribution while making it clear that he had heard and respected his criticism.

The exchange has drawn attention to the relationship between established industry figures and newer generations of entertainers, particularly around differing views on comedy, criticism and professional respect.