Veteran actress and director Marina Khan recently shared her thoughts on the state of Pakistani television dramas, the importance of constructive criticism, and the need for protecting artists’ rights.

Speaking on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, Marina opened up about various issues currently facing the entertainment industry. Known for her iconic roles in dramas like Tanhaiyaan, Dhoop kinareand Jackson HeightsMarina is now actively involved in directing.

Discussing the production quality of today’s dramas, she expressed concern that standards have declined. According to her, most of the production budget now goes toward paying actors, leaving little room for quality technical work. “Because of this imbalance, good quality productions are suffering,” she said.

She also addressed a recurring complaint from actors—that they don’t receive their payments on time. Marina confirmed that this issue is real and valid. She shared that efforts are being made to establish a union that would protect the rights of actors and all crew members involved in a project. Even if a formal union isn’t formed, she insisted that some system must be implemented to ensure everyone is paid fairly and on time, according to their contracts.

Speaking about the show Kya drama hai—a program in which senior actresses critique recent TV dramas—Marina said the show has started to attract more interest from people within the industry. Initially, she noted, industry insiders didn’t take the show seriously, but gradually, that perception is changing.

Marina also reflected on her approach to drama criticism. She said she always tries to be respectful and careful not to hurt anyone’s feelings. “I make a conscious effort to control my words, especially when commenting on the work of friends,” she explained.

She contrasted her approach with that of her fellow actress Atiqa Odho, who, according to Marina, speaks more openly and directly—sometimes causing friction with others in the industry. “People often get upset with Atiqa for her blunt opinions,” Marina added with a smile.

Recently, both Atiqa Odho and Nadia Khan have faced criticism from fellow artists for their outspoken reviews on Kya drama hai.

The program features well-known senior actresses offering their views on current television dramas and has sparked both praise and controversy in the entertainment world.

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