Actor and host Ahmed Ali Butt has publicly defended journalist Irshad Bhatti following the controversy surrounding actress Meera’s walkout from Bhatti’s podcast.
Weighing in on the debate, Ahmed stated that the interview was a paid engagement, which means guests are expected to adhere to the show’s established format once they agree to participate.
Irshad Bhatti’s podcast is widely recognized for its candid and direct interviewing style. According to Ahmed, anyone accepting payment for an appearance should be aware of the nature of the program beforehand. He emphasized that the questions asked during Meera’s interview were not new revelations but were already based on information available in the public domain.
Addressing Meera’s decision to leave the interview, Ahmed said that walking out was her personal choice. However, he questioned why others were reacting strongly to the situation as if they were the ones being interviewed. As someone who works both as an actor and a host, Ahmed added that he understands professional boundaries and mutual respect. In his view, Irshad Bhatti maintained an appropriate and modest tone throughout the conversation.
The controversy began after a clip from Irshad Bhatti’s podcast with Meera went viral online. In the segment, Bhatti asked Meera personal questions, which led to her ending the interview and walking out.
Bhatti later clarified that the podcast was a paid interview, all of Meera’s conditions were met, and that she was informed in advance that personal topics would be discussed. The incident has since sparked widespread discussion on social media about interview ethics, paid appearances, and guest expectations in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
