Veteran actor questions gender-based comedy tropes, while critics accuse her of overlooking similar roles from her own career.
Image: Minute Mirror
Veteran actor Bushra Ansari has sparked a social media debate after criticising the use of cross-dressing and gender-based portrayals in television comedy.
Speaking on a morning show, Ansari questioned why male comedians often take on female-oriented roles to generate laughs. She said she was tired of seeing such portrayals repeatedly used as a comedy device.
“Why does every actor have to become transgender to make people laugh?” she asked, expressing concern over what she sees as the misuse of gender roles for entertainment.
Ansari also criticised exaggerated performances in which men dress as women and engage in over-the-top comedic acts. She questioned whether such conversations and portrayals should be considered humorous.
Her remarks quickly gained attention online. Many social media users supported her views, arguing that these portrayals have become so common that audiences rarely question them.
Others disagreed, saying the comments ignored the context of comedy and character acting. They argued that many performers portray fictional characters rather than mock gender identity.
Some critics also accused Ansari of hypocrisy. They pointed out that she has played exaggerated comedic characters during different stages of her own career.
The discussion has since expanded into a broader debate about television comedy. Audiences remain divided over whether such portrayals are harmless entertainment, effective satire, or outdated forms of humour that reinforce stereotypes.
