Anger after Pakistan TV legend receives Rs650 cheque from PTV

LAHORE: Pakistani netizens are angry after discovering that legendary TV actor Rashid Mahmood has been paid a meagre amount of Rs650 from the state-run Pakistan Television for his work.

The versatile TV actor himself shared the disturbing news on Twitter.

“Hi. I Received this Cheque from PTV And i can’t understand. Total amount 620/- Pride of Performance Fee. 500/- Payment of my Work. 120/- only. What are the criterias of paying a pride of performance winner in this country and who spend 50 years of life in PTV,” the actor wrote. 

The tweet drew an angry response from social media users who called out the Pakistan Television for insulting the actor with Rs650 cheque.

“This is insane! You are our pride, how can they do this to you. I’m just SHOCKED to see this. More than that you’re like my father sir and I will always stand for you,” Maira Butt, a Twitter user wrote.

Farina Adil said: Sir you are a legend, one of our real actors. I ask PTV why is it so hard to respect our own heroes our legends and give them the stature that they deserve? Rashid Mehmood Sahab Allah aapko salamat rakhay aur aap kay maal mai barkat daalay Ameen!”

“What? So disappointing. I hope you get what you want ameen. Your service are very much above in front of such humiliating rewards,sir. The spark you left is eternal I still rmr you as Jaggu Surang (Jaggu Surang nam hai mera, satt khargosh khata hun din main rozana) lol. Respect,” anther netizen said. 

What a shame…PTV is collecting Fee from every home in the Utlity Bills and what he is paying to the Television artists,Sir Rashid Mahmood living Legend criticizing on PTV insufficient payment.What we are doing with our great stars & what is PTV doing with our Legends. pic.twitter.com/jUKQJDwKlf

— Iqra Pirzada (@iqrapz) September 13, 2020

OMG is this a joke? I've met Mr Rashid Mahmood twice and he's a gem of a person. How could Ptv treat our senior artists like that? Terrible! https://t.co/9fSiiz2OKU

— ??????? (@Alinalogy) September 14, 2020

I remember the day I had visited PTV some years ago and was shocked to see such a senior & respected artist urging for his (very small) payment to be cleared. I had conveyed that I would not take mine until his was cleared with the hope that things would change sooner than later. https://t.co/IiLTgiSJzL

— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) September 13, 2020

Rashid Mahmood is one of the most versatile Pakistania actors. He is known for his role in the drama serial ‘Ilzaam’, which was aired from former channel STN during the 1990s.

The drama was shot in Bangkok and saw Rashid play a difficult role of a transvestite, according to TV.com.pk.

His earliest performances on Pakistan Television (PTV) include ‘Shikan’, ‘Kalmoohi’, ‘Laag’ and ‘Ghuroor’. All of these dramas saw him in different roles and Rashid’s profound acting did complete justice to every role that he has been a part of.

After the introduction of private channels, Rashid signed up a number of dramas on private channels as well. These include drama serials ‘Identity’ (ARY Digital), ‘Lakhon Main Ek’ (TV One), ‘Dil De Ke Jayain Gey’ (Geo TV), ‘Dilruba Nautanki’ (Geo TV), ‘Uss Par’ (ATV) and ‘Khuda Zameen Se Gaya Nahin’ (Hum TV).