The latest buzz on the net has to do with Pakistani actor Raza’s unbuttoned shirt flex and actor- drama critic Atiqa Odho not finding it much of a flex. Here’s all you need to know and head over to the poll below.
It so happened that Ali’s ‘look’ came under scrutiny as apparently, hairy chests are so not in, according to the critique on drama Dastak. While we advocate that everyone has a right to strike a pose as and how they feel —it’s a free world, or so we’d like to believe—netizens are certainly sitting on both sides of the fence, some calling Ms. Odho’s remarks as body shaming and others agreeing with her that this look was so not needed, and someone finally and (thankfully) said it!
Ali Raza has been gaining quite a fandom and popularity as he gradually takes on mainstream roles; from Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri where the Pakistani drama world discovered his acting prowess, to Gunah, Noor Jahan, Iqtidaar, Duniyapur and now Dastak, among others.
While the debate heats up on whether it is permissible to wear a half unbuttoned shirt on prime time TV, and whether the trend only works if one has waxed their chest or not, it remains a matter of personal style preferences.
Now imagine if the tables were turned, retort netizens. Would a male actor publicly suggest a female co-star to ‘cover up’ on national TV? The internet would likely explode with rage—and rightly so. But then why is it considered okay the other way around? The debate has sparked conversations on double standards in the society and how we critique male vs. female appearances. With the influx of so many comments on the internet – one would think style is a personal statement but apparently not.
But fashion is rarely just fashion. It’s self-expression, rebellion, mood, branding, and in the entertainment world—strategy. Whether we love or loathe the half-buttoned shirt look, it’s part of the actor’s persona. Are we judging the shirt or the confidence /daring/style it takes to pull it off?
Yet another school of thought advocates that how about we let fans decide, if they don’t fancy the look, we’re sure the actor will swap it, and if they love it, look forward to more of the same in future projects!
In the age of screenshots and hot takes, every public appearance is fair game for critique. But are we getting too comfortable with turning style choices into public trials?
It is also perhaps relevant to suggest another route for critics who find certain style choices offensive to social sensibilities – try and be sensitive and speak your mind diplomatically, knowing there’s a human being at the other end. Also, a personal observation can be conveyed by speaking to the person directly and not on a public platform which will open up it up to unnecessary public debate and possibly misdirected censure and online trolling.
On another note, with the current debate at its peak, Ali Raza is surely popular on the daily trends and that makes this unbuttoned shirt debate a possible win for him? So while he sits this one out, you can always join the buttoned vs unbuttoned shirt conversation by dropping us a comment below and taking the poll.
Buttoned or Unbuttoned Shirt Conversation
Buttoned or Unbuttoned Shirt?
Maybe the real question isn’t whether chest hair is in or out—but whether we’re ready to let people own their style without needing public approval. Buttoned or unbuttoned—who decides what works?
