Nadia Afgan spoke out about the long-standing issue of delayed payments in the entertainment industry, a problem she described as persistent “forever.” In a recent appearance on Something Haute’s podcast, the Jafaa actor shared her frustrations, revealing that despite knowing the producers, she had not been paid for several dramas. She emphasized that this had led her to keep a “black book” of actors, directors, and producers she would refuse to work with again. “Everyone is going in the black book,” she said, laughing.
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Afgan explained that new actors often face delayed payments, and while they eventually get used to it, they end up passing on the same experience to newcomers. “Sometimes you get a jolt because you’ve worked so much but never received the money,” she added.
Reflecting on the conditions for timely payments, Afgan noted that senior actors like Nauman Ijaz are less likely to face delays. “I am where I am because of Samina Ahmed and Nauman Ijaz’s advice. They told me, ‘Raise your voice, don’t be afraid,'” she said, stating that she now fights for her payment. She also expressed her desire to help young actors facing similar challenges and highlighted how both young and seasoned actors, as well as crew members, are often mistreated.
Afgan also described how, on many sets, crew members would leave because they hadn’t been paid and were afraid to speak up. “My energy should go towards my creative work, not being the mother of the set,” she said, noting how she had to clean set bathrooms herself when they were neglected.
The actor pointed out the inequalities on set, with junior actors often being treated poorly, sitting in the heat or crammed in rooms without fans. Despite these challenges, she has set boundaries and finds strength in her authority.
Afgan’s comments come in the wake of other actors like Ramsha Khan and Khushhal Khan raising similar concerns about delayed payments. She echoed their sentiments, mentioning on social media that she now only works with two production houses due to the consistent payment delays she faced.
Discussing her transition to older roles, particularly playing mothers in dramas, Afgan revealed that she was comfortable with the change. She recalled being asked to play Saba Qamar’s mother in Sannata and accepting the role without hesitation. Samina Ahmed’s advice to take on challenging roles, regardless of age, resonated with her, and she always aimed to give her best performance.
Afgan also mentioned how some women in the industry struggled with their transition from leading roles to playing supporting characters, as the lack of age-diverse roles in dramas left them with limited options. Despite this, she remains passionate about her career, saying, “You search for small gems, but you have to work because this is the work we know.”
Afgan’s openness about the industry’s issues, combined with her drive to fight for fair treatment, highlights the ongoing struggle many face within Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
