Pakistani actor and filmmaker Shamoon Abbasi has spoken out in support of veteran actor and writer Syed Mohammad Ahmed, warning an unnamed fellow actor over allegations of disrespectful behaviour on a drama set.
Shamoon Abbasi said he is aware of the identity of the actor involved in the alleged incident and demanded that the individual apologize to Mohammad Ahmed. He further stated that he would publicly reveal the actor’s name if an apology was not issued.
The statement has drawn attention within Pakistan’s entertainment industry, where discussions about professionalism, respect for senior artists, and changing workplace dynamics continue to remain important topics.
The controversy emerged after Mohammad Ahmed recently shared his concerns about the challenges facing Pakistan’s television drama industry. During an appearance on Sheeba Khan’s Dareecha podcast, the veteran writer discussed issues including the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in drama writing and the impact of changing production practices.
Mohammad Ahmed expressed concerns that some writers are now using AI tools to generate complete drama serial scripts, including long-format 26-episode projects. He questioned whether artificial intelligence can truly understand Pakistan’s cultural values, language patterns, and everyday social experiences.
The veteran writer explained that quality storytelling requires time, creativity, and emotional understanding. He said that writing a meaningful drama can take many months and that producing multiple complete dramas simultaneously is not realistically possible through traditional human writing methods.
Ahmed also criticized the practice of making significant changes to original scripts during production. He claimed that writers sometimes lose control over their creative work when producers modify storylines to increase ratings or create viral moments.
Recalling an experience from one of his own projects, Ahmed said he had written 17 episodes before being asked to remove the content after the 11th episode. He suggested that such decisions can affect the original vision of writers and weaken the storytelling process.
The actor and writer further highlighted concerns about AI-generated scripts, saying that automated content often lacks natural dialogue and fails to reflect the cultural details that make Pakistani dramas relatable to audiences.
While acknowledging that technology can assist creative industries, Mohammad Ahmed emphasized that artificial intelligence still cannot fully replace human emotions, cultural awareness, and personal experiences required for authentic storytelling.
Shamoon Abbasi’s support for Ahmed has added another dimension to the ongoing conversation about respect for senior artists and the future direction of Pakistan’s television industry. The issue has sparked discussions among entertainment professionals about maintaining creative standards while adapting to new technologies.
As artificial intelligence continues to influence various industries, Pakistan’s drama sector is also facing questions about balancing innovation with originality. Many artists believe technology should support writers rather than replace the human creativity that forms the foundation of meaningful storytelling.
