The advent of social media has democratized the platform for people to voice their opinions and perspectives on a wide array of subjects. Although, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing but occasionally it leads to instances where people may overstep boundaries. One such case has arisen recently, concerning a drama character of the revered actress Bushra Ansari, known for her exceptional talents in acting, writing, and hosting.
The controversy stems from a dialogue in a drama where Bushra Ansari refers to a transgender character using the pronouns “they” or “them,” in line with contemporary language preferences within the transgender community. This dialogue, originally part of the acclaimed international web series “Our Big Punjabi Family,” resurfaced on social media, provoking intense discussion among netizens.
It is worth mentioning that in the parlance of our times, traditional pronouns are being discouraged, as the transgender community mostly prefers “they” and “them,” or they ascribe specific pronouns to themselves.
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Some viewers interpreted Ansari’s portrayal of this character as an endorsement of LGBTQ rights, disregarding the distinction between her personal beliefs and the character she portrayed. While some acknowledged the nuanced portrayal within the context of the drama, others criticized Ansari for allegedly compromising Islamic values by participating in such content.
The ensuing debate highlighted the tension between artistic expression and societal norms, with some questioning Ansari’s priorities in choosing roles. The reactions from netizens varied, reflecting a spectrum of opinions on the matter.