Noor-us-Sabah
Mehreen Jabbar, one of Pakistan’s most respected directors, is no stranger to speaking her mind. Known for delivering powerful stories through hit dramas like Daam, Doraha, Jackson Heights, and Ek Jhooti Love Story, she has long been a voice for both creative excellence and industry reform. Currently, she’s working on an upcoming drama featuring a stellar cast including Adeel Hussain, Shuja Asad, and Hajra Yamin.
In a recent interview with the YouTube channel Pakistani Drama, Mehreen broke her silence on an ongoing issue plaguing the entertainment industry—delayed payments. While Pakistani dramas continue to achieve massive success and global popularity, she revealed that the working environment behind the scenes tells a very different story.
“Despite all this progress, our drama industry remains extremely unprofessional when it comes to payments,” she shared. Drawing a comparison, she said, “In the U.S., you’ll find many flaws, but at least payments are timely. In Pakistan, most production houses don’t pay on time. Some do—but they’re the exception, not the rule.”
According to Mehreen, this issue affects everyone—from actors and directors to the spot boys and technicians. “You feel like you’re begging for your own money,” she added. She also highlighted how poorly paid technical crews are, revealing a troubling trend where producers cut corners to save money at the cost of workers’ financial well-being.
Moreover, she expressed concern over how normalized this cycle of underpayment has become. “It’s mentally exhausting to work under such stress,” she said candidly.
Her honest take has sparked conversations online, with many praising her for shedding light on a problem that often goes unspoken. Clearly, it’s time for meaningful change—not just on-screen, but behind the scenes too.
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