Danish Taimoor’s ‘Filhaal’ remark: Why it outraged fans

Actor Danish Taimoor’s polygamy remarks during a Ramazan show - in the presence of his wife, Ayeza Khan - triggered a firestorm, with fans calling him out for arrogance and insensitivity. Here’s the full scoop on the scandal:

The ‘Filhaal’ Bombshell

On live TV, Taimoor declared, 'I have the right to marry four times—but I’m not doing it yet.' The word ‘filhaal’ (‘for now’) set off alarm bells, as many saw it as a sign he might consider polygamy in the future—right in front of his wife.

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Public Outrage

The backlash was swift:

• Insensitive and Arrogant Tone: Critics accused Taimoor of presenting polygamy as a privilege rather than a responsibility. His remarks were seen as self-centered and disrespectful to his wife. Actress Mishi Khan was among the first to call out Taimoor’s comments, accusing him of arrogance and insensitivity.

• Celebrity Criticism: Former model turned actress and PR executive Frieha Altaf slammed Taimoor for his arrogant tone and misogynistic mindset, arguing that his remarks disrespected Ayeza Khan and promoted outdated beliefs.

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• Influencer Criticism: Social media influencers also weighed in. Bilal Hassan dissected the problematic nature of Taimoor’s remarks in a video, while Sana Saqib argued that women, including Ayeza Khan, enable such behavior by tolerating it.

Sana believes women in society enable and elevate problematic men, perpetuating this behavior for future generations. She mentions Ayeza Khan, claiming she enables Danish Taimoor’s behavior. She also argues that Danish Taimoor’s finances being managed by his father are problematic in themselves.

Impact on His Image

Taimoor’s remarks have severely damaged his public image, with some questioning whether his popularity is solely tied to Ayeza Khan’s success. Some even labeled him a "red flag," with comments like “Ayeza deserves better—that guy is toxic” gaining traction online.

Hamza Ali Abbasi vs. Danish Taimoor: A tale of two takes on polygamy

The controversy intensified when an older video of actor Hamza Ali Abbasi discussing polygamy resurfaced. Abbasi provided a thoughtful explanation of the conditions in Islam for multiple marriages, contrasting sharply with Taimoor’s casual remarks. This comparison further highlighted Taimoor's perceived insensitivity.

Escalation by the Host

The show’s host, Rabia Anum, attempted to defend Taimoor, insisting he merely cited religious facts. But instead of calming the storm, her remarks only intensified the backlash.

Recurring Pattern

This isn’t Taimoor’s first controversy over problematic remarks. His history of unapologetic comments has only intensified the backlash this time.

In an earlier episode of the same show, Danish Taimoor lambasted critics for doing their job when one of his guests was a drama critic. After the episode was aired, veteran journalist Raheal Rao corrected the actor and defended his fellow journalists.

Journalist Raheal Rao emphasized that critics don't need to be actors to judge performances; they are observers and analysts who provide valuable insights. He argued that dismissing criticism based on who delivers it weakens the conversation and that diverse perspectives are essential for growth.

As outrage spread, social media had the final word—with memes flooding in, mocking Taimoor’s statement.