Khaqan Shahnawaz faces backlash over Arshadreels 'exploitation' remarks

Actor and social media influencer Khaqan Shahnawaz shared his perspective on the widespread attention garnered by the popular YouTuber Arshadreels, questioning whether he is being exploited by other content creators for likes and views.

Taking to his Instagram story, Khaqan Shahnawaz opined, “Everyone is just exploiting Arshadreels and his kids. Sadly, that's just the way the world is. I really hope he's charging these people because he doesn't need them, they need him.”

Khaqan directed criticism at content creators shooting content with Arshadreels without naming anyone explicitly.

He expressed concerns for Arshad and his children, who gained attention on the internet with his life lessons videos based on religious teachings, where he engages with his wife and children.

The 'College Gate' actor anticipated that the village YouTuber is compensated for his interviews.

An entertainment website shared Khaqan’s comments on its Instagram page, where content creator Sheikh Umar Saleem, who recently did a podcast with Arshadreels, took aim at Khaqan's comments, stating that collaboration does not count as exploitation.

“We invited @arshadreels to appreciate and give respect he deserves as a genuine hardworking content creator. Collaboration doesn’t mean someone is being exploited. It is done with consent and mutual understanding. Some people are showing their hate and frustration in the name of concern. Let them do it. Halkay ho jayenge [They will calm down],” Sheikh Umer maintained in his comment.

Other social media users also chimed in to suggest to Khaqan that no content creator is taking advantage of Arshadreels. Instead, they criticised him for showing sympathy as a way to gain attention after his competitors produced content with the viral YouTuber.

“Arshad reels is not dumb, he saw that someone was genuine and was actually interested in knowing his struggle that's why he came and gave the interview. Warna tum sab ne sirf uske voice pe reels banane thy aur mazak urana tha [otherwise, you all only make fun of him by making reels on his voice overs].”

The YouTuber Arshadreels himself jumped into the comment section to ease the situation, maintaining that "viewers admire his family. He emphasised that no one should concern themselves with whether he has been provided for by someone or not, as God is the ultimate arbiter of respect and disrespect." According to him, "people are not in a position to provide or take anything from anyone."

In response to online backlash, Khaqan took to Instagram to clarify that his statement was misconstrued, adding that his remarks were targeted at the practices of larger corporate brands, not individual creators.