Actor and filmmaker Shahood Alvi has rejected criticism over his remarks on women, saying comments he made during a television programme were taken out of context and misrepresented on social media.
In a statement on Tuesday, Alvi said the remarks circulating online did not reflect his personal views and argued that social media users had focused on comments that represented attitudes held by “the majority of men in our society”.
He said he supported strong, confident and empowered women, adding that his approach was reflected in his treatment of his wife and daughter.
Alvi faced backlash following his appearance on Good Morning Pakistan, where a discussion on marital relationships turned to the expectations placed on women at home.
During the programme, he suggested that women should make efforts to attract their husbands’ attention, including preparing meals. Later, while discussing physical appearance and intellectual engagement in marriage, Alvi remarked that a husband might not want to talk to his wife if she returned home smelling of cooking ingredients, contrasting this with women he works with who wear perfume.
The comments sparked criticism online, prompting Alvi to defend himself and accuse social media users of twisting his words to damage his reputation for views.
