Veteran Pakistani actor Rashid Mahmood, a respected figure and recipient of the ‘Pride of Performance’ award, has revealed an incident he deemed deeply insulting, leading him to boycott the state broadcaster PTV’s Lahore station indefinitely. The actor stated he was paid a mere 620 rupees (approximately $2) for a recital, which he viewed as a profound disrespect to his craft.
Appearing on a recent podcast, the senior artist recounted the incident, which involved him reciting a challenging Marsiya (elegy) by Mir Anees during the holy month of Muharram. Rashid Mahmood clarified that he never demands payment for such spiritual work, viewing it as a voluntary service.
Recalling the moment of the insult, he explained that when his assistant presented the check for Rs 620, he was intensely angered, especially upon learning that other reciters had been compensated with significantly higher amounts.
Although PTV management subsequently called to offer an apology, the actor refused to withdraw his boycott. He maintained that the incident was not a simple mistake but symptomatic of a long-standing pattern of undervaluing artists. He unequivocally declared that he would not work in a place where his “dignity and respect” were compromised. However, Rashid Mahmood clarified that his struggle is not with the state of Pakistan but with the negligent authorities. He confirmed that while he maintains his boycott of the Lahore station, he continues to work for PTV Islamabad’s national interest programs without charge, emphasizing his loyalty to the country.
