Mathira and Sonya Hussyn reconcile after a misunderstanding went viral

For someone who made it to the mainstream by hosting a show too ‘bold’ for its time, Mathira taking trolls and bullies head one shouldn’t come as a surprise. If anything, the actor is known to call spade and spade and share her stories rather publicly. Recently, she took to Instagram and called out actor Sonya Hussyn for bullying her a few years ago.

Recently, the Saraab star made amends with her long-distant father on Father’s Day and shared the video of her call to her father on Instagram. While actors such as Feroze Khan and others lauded Sonya for burying the hatchet, Mathira called her ‘fake’. The VJ recalled how Sonya had made derogatory remarks about her a few years ago.

"I had to do get it off my chest,” Mathira wrote on Instagram. “Many people don't like me in the industry. It's a bit tough. When someone wants to give me some work, the lobby people [in the industry] stand against me but that's nothing because I think Allah finds a way to support you. You don't actually need people.

She further added that “After my divorce, there was a period where I was struggling with depression. I hated the way I looked so I cut my hair and dyed them blonde to feel better,” Mathira wrote on Instagram. During this period the TV personality was invited to attend the International Pakistan Prestige Awards (IPPA) in London along with other celebrities.

Mathira said that when she was on the bus when "other celebrities informed her about how fellow actor Sonya Hussyn thought she was a shemale." The actor added how she felt belittled even though she had been minding her business. "I still managed to help her out because she [Sonya] seemed lost and her English isn't very good. I was still kind but this woman didn't say sorry or thank you," she said adding, "Girl, you are fake. The only person who hugged me and told me to smile was Azfar Rehman."

She further commented, "I was fighting depression. I hated how I looked and people calling me names and making fun of me broke me completely. I have been through hell. All I want to say is girls like her are pretty faces with ugly souls."

In the next Instagram story, Mathira went on to thank the people who extended support. "I have been bullied before but I kept quiet because I had no confidence and didn't believe in myself," she said, adding, "The woman I was back then and the woman I am now - there's a huge difference. I am positive [towards life], out of depression, and know how to take a stand for myself."

Mathira went on by saying, "People bully people and they don't even understand the damage they do. That's why I spoke up. Maybe you are a superstar or a diva or a rockstar, but if you have an ugly personality that bullies people and doesn't even realise their mistake, then you are just trash.

No big deal

When reached out for a comment, Sonya denied all such claims and hearsay and she had herself called Mathira to clear any misunderstanding that might have occurred in the first place. "Just spoke to Mathira over the phone and glad that all misunderstandings have been cleared," she remarked. "Depression is real and very difficult to deal with. Hearing that Mathira had to deal with it alone was indeed heartbreaking. This goes without saying, if anyone ever needs to talk; I am just a call away."

The Ishq Zah-e-Naseeb star further shared, "Lack of communication only leads to housing angst and negativity. Talk it out. Don’t keep anything in your heart please, that’s the key to a healthy mind." Addressing Mathira, Sonya shared, "Mathira, you’re like a sister to me and I’ll always wish you the best."

"On a side note, my request to all…try not to pass judgments without contextualising and hearing the other side," the Meri Guriya actor concluded.

After Sonya clarified the matter, Mathira took to Instagram and lauded the actor for her call. "Yes, sisters forever. United we stand," Mathira penned, adding, "I was hurt hence I spoke up. It's off my chest, I feel better."

Mathira has time and again shared her ordeal with body shaming and image issues. Previously, many also accused her of getting surgeries while slut-shaming her once again. In response to this sudden outburst, Mathira took to her Instagram stories and had written, “I'm chubby and I'm happy like this. Who are you to shame me? Focus on yourself please.”

She went onto assert that she’d had enough of people judging her for her looks, and revealed she had only gained weight because of ‘hormonal imbalances’. "I'm so tired of people asking why I have [gotten] implants and all... Seriously, it's a shame. I have hormonal imbalance issues. Stop it."

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Mathira wants you to stop highlighting Iman Aly's blunder

Actor and model Iman Ali recently received immense backlash for inadvertently equating unattractiveness to looking being a transgender.

After appearing on a local talk show with host Vasay Chaudhry, the super model was called out for her insensitive and disrespectful remarks by popular trans actor and model Kami Sid, as well as anchor Rabia Anam. She was also schooled by numerous users on social media, despite having revealed her body dysmorphia.

Now, popular VJ and host Mathira, who’s been commenting on numerous social issues lately, has shared her two cents on Ali’s remarks. And instead of channeling her anger into her response like everyone else, Mathira has urged the public to take it easy with Ali.

Writing on her Instagram stories, Mathira said, “I don’t know why words like ‘khusra’ or ‘maasi’ are used to insult someone. They’re not swears, please. Iman is a very pretty lady and she needs help mentally. But to all the people, don’t use these words like swears; it’s not right.”

She went on, “Mental health is a major concern in our society and the people who are trolling her [Aly] in the comments section are the same people who must have used these terms to insult others too. Please stop highlighting this when it’s evident she is walking on thin ice mentally.”Mathira asserted that sometimes, it’s okay to forgive and help others forget their mistakes instead of rubbing them in their faces.

Shedding light on her body image issues and her inability to accept compliments during her interview, Aly had said, “People tell me I'm good-looking, but when I stand in front of the mirror I feel everyone is lying.”

Using a rather prejudiced and questionable language, she opened up about her inability to take pictures of herself. "I can't even take pictures of myself. Whatever angle I try, I think 'aye haye, khusra'. People should try to understand that not everyone is supposed to love themselves like I don't like the way I am, which is why I don't take selfies and am not very active on Instagram," she added.

There is no denying Aly's comments reflected her low self-esteem, but they also reflected her sheer ignorance, which would eventually influence the impressionable minds of society who look up to public figures for inspiration. Her confessions are certainly an admittance of her inability to love herself, and a vulnerable person like that should not be trolled and cyber-bullied into hating themselves further. Still, celebrities need to introspect and most importantly, think before they speak on public platforms to ensure they don't hurt the sentiments of any community while voicing their struggles.

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Saying it like Saba

The Lahore Se Agay star is known for her unapologetic personality and say-it-like-it-is attitude towards everything from relationships to her career. In a recent appearance on a local TV show, actor Saba Qamar shed light on her social media persona, as well as her experience in the entertainment industry.

Saba is known for taking on unconventional roles, those that challenge stereotypes around women, and has received an equal amount of criticism for her opinions as well. Speaking about her reluctance to give interviews, Saba spoke about how she feels more at ease on her own platform. The actor shed light on how having her own channel enables her to bypass filters that you have to respect when speaking on other platforms. “On my own show, I don’t need to have a filter. I say what I want to say. I am not scared of repercussions on behalf of the channel or the people involved. That is Saba Qamar’s channel, and that is where I openly say what is in my heart,” explained Saba. The actor added later on, “I show what I feel. You should say what the truth is. If people don’t like it, it’s their problem.”

On her YouTube channel, Saba shares a variety of videos dealing with a vast array of topics including but not limited to the toxicity of desi marriage culture. In an episode titled, ‘Breaking the Stereotypes’, Saba addressed the motivations behind bringing a bahu into a desi family. “The problem with our society is that there are two types of families that approach daughters for their rishtas – the conservatives and the liberals. But both of them want a maid in the form of a daughter-in-law who, if educated, can earn for the family and if uneducated, can work for the family,” she elaborated in the video.

Speaking about social media, the actor shared that she does not like to put too much thought into what she posts. “Isn’t it beautiful that if you have any thoughts about uploading something, you do so without hesitation?” asked the Baaghi star.

Saba also spoke about her experience working with the late Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan. She explained that she had loved his work since she was a child and that she had always wanted to work on a project with the actor. Recalling her first Eid away from home, on the sets of Hindi Medium in New Dehli, Saba shared a sweet story about her interaction with the actor. “That was my first Eid away from home and I told Irrfan that I wanted Eidi, and he gave me the note you see in the picture. I have that note to this day,” she said while referring to a picture she had uploaded on her Instagram in 2016.

She later added, “ I even said this during an interview, that if I am ever offered an Indian film I would want to work with Irrfan Khan. I was very lucky since the first opportunity I got was with him. And I’ve learned a lot from him.”

After a comment from the host about her seeming happier back in 2016, as far as the actor’s Instagram page is concerned, Saba shared that she has changed a lot over the past few years. Likening her experience in the industry to that of a traveller, Saba shared, “It doesn’t really stay the same. It’s kind of like travelling. The person who is going on the trip and the person who comes back is not the same. You collect a lot of new experiences and memories. That is what life is like.”