Pakistani actress Durefishan Saleem has become the subject of an online debate over her English accent and dialogue delivery in the drama Dar-e-Nijaat. A scene from the drama has gone viral on social media, with viewers expressing mixed opinions about the way she speaks English.
While some social media users criticised Durefishan’s accent, others defended her and argued that the discussion has become unnecessarily focused on the way she speaks rather than her overall acting performance. The debate has also raised wider questions about whether actors should be judged for having a particular English accent.
Actor Sanam Saeed has spoken in support of Durefishan, criticising what she viewed as excessive online criticism. She suggested that repeatedly targeting an actor over the way they speak can become unnecessary and hurtful, while encouraging audiences to focus more on the performance itself.
Content creator and actor Arslan Naseer also joined the discussion in his usual humorous style. In a social media video, he questioned the amount of attention being given to Durefishan’s accent and joked about the criticism surrounding her English delivery. His comments added another perspective to the growing online conversation.
The controversy has now turned into a broader debate among Pakistani entertainment fans about accents, English pronunciation and acting standards. While some viewers believe dialogue delivery is an important part of a performance, others feel that an actor’s accent should not become a reason for personal trolling.
Durefishan has not been at the centre of the discussion because of the storyline alone; the viral scene has instead shifted attention towards how English is spoken and what audiences consider a “good” accent. The debate continues to generate reactions across social media, with supporters and critics sharing their views.
