KARACHI — Veteran Pakistani actor Bushra Ansari has spoken candidly about the rising tide of age-related criticism and online negativity, describing it as a symptom of a deeper societal malaise.
In a recent YouTube conversation, Ansari addressed the discomfort people seem to have with acknowledging age, often turning it into a point of ridicule.
“We are not telling anyone what to do, but this is not just happening here, it is everywhere,” she remarked. “The whole society seems to be suffering from a kind of disease.”
Ageing as a Natural Process
Referring to comments she has personally received, the actor questioned why growing older is treated as an insult. She recalled responding sharply to one such remark in frustration, emphasizing that ageing is a natural process that applies to everyone.
Ansari also expressed pride in her journey and the roles she has played over the decades.
“We started our careers being called ‘bhabhi’ or ‘apa’,” she said, referring to familial terms of respect. “We worked while raising children, and we were happy doing that.” Such titles, she added, were never a source of discomfort.
The Fading Value of Respect
Highlighting a broader concern, Ansari noted that respect as a value appears to be diminishing in society.
“I think respect is a word that holds great meaning, but people are beginning to forget it,” she said.
The conversation around age and appearance has recently resurfaced in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. Earlier, remarks by senior actor Firdous Jamal about what defines a “heroine” sparked widespread online debate, drawing responses from several industry figures including Adnan Siddiqui, who publicly disagreed with his views.
A Storied Career
Bushra Ansari is an actress, comedian, singer, and playwright who has worked extensively in Punjabi and Urdu cinema. She began her career as a child performer in the 1960s and has since become one of Pakistan’s most beloved and respected entertainers.
She appeared on PTV’s most-watched shows, including Aangan Terha, Show Time, Show Sha, Rang Tarang, Emergency Ward, and the sketch comedy series Fifty Fifty.
Ansari has won numerous awards during her career, including the Presidential Pride of Performance Award in 1989 for her contributions to Pakistani television.
Personal Life
Ansari married producer and director Iqbal Ansari in 1978. The couple had two daughters, Meera Ansari and Nariman Ansari. Meera was born in Karachi and now resides in the United States.
In 2019, following her divorce from her first husband, Bushra married Iqbal Hussain, who was previously married to Farah Sadia. Ansari is also stepmother to her second husband’s two sons.
A Voice of Experience
At a time when social media often amplifies harsh judgments about appearance and age, Ansari’s words carry the weight of decades in the industry. Her message is clear: growing older is not an embarrassment, and respect—for oneself and others—should never go out of fashion.
