KARACHI: Senior actor and acclaimed writer Syed Muhammad Ahmed has raised serious concerns over the growing influence of artificial intelligence and producer interference in Pakistan’s drama industry.
Speaking in a recent podcast, the veteran writer said that several writers in the industry are now writing dramas with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), which is affecting the quality and authenticity of content.
He pointed out that dialogues generated with AI often fail to reflect the local language, culture, and social context of Pakistani society.
Ahmed, who is known for his thoughtful and socially relevant scripts, also criticized producers for making arbitrary changes to original scripts in pursuit of higher ratings and viral content.
“There are very talented writers in Pakistan, but producers often make arbitrary changes to their writings for the sake of ratings and viral content,” he said.
Sharing his personal experience, Ahmed revealed that 17 episodes of one of his dramas had already been completed when he was asked to delete all content after the 11th episode.
He said scriptwriters in Pakistan do not have complete control over their work. He admitted that he himself had eventually allowed producers to modify his scripts.
“If their thinking was not understood despite repeated explanations, then they themselves change and modify the script,” he explained.
The senior writer further said that writing a standard, quality play requires considerable time and effort, stating that it takes him around 10 to 11 months to complete one drama.
In that context, he questioned how it could be humanly possible for some writers to write multiple plays simultaneously, indirectly pointing towards the use of AI tools to meet deadlines.
His remarks have sparked a fresh debate on creativity, originality, and writer autonomy in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
