Famous stylist and makeup artist Khawar Riaz recently criticized the Western-style attire worn by actresses at local award shows, emphasizing that these events are not the Academy Awards but our own country’s celebrations. He urged artists to represent their culture and traditions, rather than mimic foreign trends.

In an appearance on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, Khawar Riaz candidly discussed societal behavior, the influence of social media, and the growing hypocrisy within the showbiz industry. He explained how social media has completely transformed society, noting that the emphasis on show-off and outward appearances was not as pronounced in the past. Today, however, people are obsessed with displaying wealth and status, even during moments of worship, when they take photos and videos to post online.

Khawar Riaz expressed concern that excessive showcasing on social media has led to an increase in self-pity among individuals. Those who cannot afford such luxuries are often driven to pursue them, fueling the rise of TikTokers and social media influencers. He lamented that in the past, society admired intellectuals, thinkers, and scientists, but now it is dominated by influencers and TikTok stars.

The makeup artist also criticized actresses for wearing Western-style outfits at local award ceremonies, pointing out that these events are not international awards but Pakistani awards. He stressed that artists should take pride in their culture, clothing, and language, as they are representatives of their country. By doing so, they can leave a positive impression on the global audience.

Additionally, Khawar Riaz criticized the tendency of local celebrities to speak in English at award shows, often without any English-speaking audience present. He argued that speaking English in such situations only creates a sense of inferiority among the public. He concluded by urging Pakistanis to embrace their identity, speak their language with pride, and stop mocking those who make mistakes in English.

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