Nasir Adeeb retracts his statement linking Reema Khan to Heeramandi

Renowned filmmaker and scriptwriter Nasir Adeeb apologised to veteran actress Reema Khan over his statement regarding his first meeting with her at Lahore’s redlight district Heeramandi.

Nasir Adeeb marked his appearance in Suno TV’s podcast, where he claimed that he and director Yunus Malik first met with Reema in the redlight district when they were searching for talent for a new project. 

While scouting talent, they met a girl whose “name was Reema”, but they did not cast her because they found her sweetness and smile fiction, which did not extend to her eyes and "the artist without it was useless”.

However, Nasir Adeeb had to retreat after a social media backlash. Another appearance in the same podcast allowed him to say “I apologise to Reema for spreading this information without knowing the fact.” 

The scriptwriter said he does have the idea that she’s Pashtun, but after this statement, he researched and came to know that “she’s part of the Qizilbash family.” 

He found details about the film star that she was born in Lahore, one of her four siblings and faced such poverty that did not allow her to pursue education, and she had to drop school.

Adeeb stated that there was a misunderstanding when Yunus Malik invited him to Heeramandi. He clarified, "I don't know the area we visited, as I have never been to the redlight district."

Earlier, after Adeeb’s previous statement, Reema herself shared a video clip, indirectly responding to him, sharing the words of Jaun Elia.

Subsequently, Adeeb faced a severe backlash from the entertainment industry as well. 

“These podcasts undermine people's respect and allow anyone to say whatever they wish. Strong action must be taken," says Fahad Mustafa.

Rabia Anum and Bushra Ansari also came to support Reema and slammed Naseeb Adeeb over his comments.