A few days after Pakistani social media influencer Minahil Malik's "obscene" videos leaked online, she was slammed by senior actor Mishi Khan for allegedly orchestrating the whole incident.
Televison-cinema actor Mishi Khan, who has been active in Pakistan's entertainment scene since the 1990s, reportedly claimed that Minahil Malik leaked her private moments online to gain traction. According to Khan, it wasn't a genuine leak as she claims but Malik was influenced by a Bollywood film to plan and execute the whole thing.
The Hindi movie Mishi Khan referred to was Kareena Kapoor Khan-starrer 'Heroine', which was released in 2012. The lead character is shown leaking her private moments with her partner in an effort to reignite her dying career.
Wrong statement at wrong time
“Shameful to see these influencers stooping to the lowest level for fame & disgracing their families, parents & the society. They should be banned from using social media,” Mishi Khan jotted while making the accusations against Manahil Malik.
Khan's statements are problematic as they come at a time when Malik has approached the authorities with a complaint against the circulation of the said content. The TikTok star has claimed that technology was used to morph her face and she had nothing to do with the video. Her family is distraught as a consequence of the development and she hopes the people behind the malicious act are caught and punished at the earliest, Malik had said.
"These videos are completely fake. I have already filed a complaint with the FIA against the person responsible, and they will be arrested soon... Only someone who has no respect for women or doesn’t have a mother or sister at home can do this. I am a witness, and so is my God. I only need your support," Minahil Malik said after filing a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Mishi Khan was unable to provide any evidence to prove that the whole episode was a publicity stunt. To make such a serious accusation against a woman who has been facing cyberbullying for many days now is unfair. Further, Khan asks, "Why would someone spend money to make a deepfake?" Cyberspace and porn websites are grimed with morphed content targeting female celebrities. Edited and AI-generated content is used by cyber trolls to malign the image of women, particularly artists. Mishi Khan, despite her decades of experience in the industry, can't be ignorant of the sexist ways the society works. At a time when Malik is being targeted by bullies and trolls, her statement serves no good but fuel the online kangaroo courts.
Minahil Malik video controversy
Going by her logic, one can question Khan's agenda in questioning Malik. What if she was picking on a soft target to gain traction? Comments are galore thanking and appreciating Mishi Khan's statements, mostly by men and fake accounts. It was like she spilt the words a majority was waiting to hear.
Karachi native Minahil Malik, 30, reportedly has over 18 lakh followers on TikTok. Malik, added that her family was in a depressed state as a consequence of the malicious act. She requested her fans and supporters to report any user spotted sharing the said clip. Karachi native Minahil Malik reportedly has over 18 lakh followers on TikTok.