KARACHI: Mahira Khan is one of the few actresses in the industry who has spoken against Pakistan’s fixation with fair complexion. In an interview with BBC Urdu, the actress reveals that she will never endorse beauty creams because we need to break free from this ‘complex’.

She believes that the concept of beauty in Pakistan is restricted to complexion only. “I don’t know if we have a complex of being fair or whether we are just fond of fair complexion,” she said.

“I don’t judge people who use or endorse fairness creams but it is dangerous when this whole concept gives you a complex. Which, I know for a fact, it does because when women talk [about girls] in our society, they ask ‘gori hay’? what sort of a question is that?

“We have a very powerful entertainment industry, we are the media. We are watched everyday in every household. If we don’t break this concept, we will drive it in more. I have strictly decided not to do a commercial that has anything to do with fairness creams,” the actress shared.

“Forget fairness, unfortunately our dramas constantly glorify every kind of stereotype,” she added. “She is a bad girl if she is wearing jeans and a good girl if her head is covered.”