Sheeba Butt hits back at Veena Malik

Actress Sheeba Butt lashed out at actress Veena Malik at a news conference at the weekend, calling her a “cheap and ugly” woman whose misdemeanours in India gave Pakistan a bad name. Her husband, actor Tariq Javed, and actor Ashraf Rahi accompanied Ms Butt.

Her remarks were in retaliation to comments Ms Malik made two days ago at a press conference, when she accused Ms Butt of tainting Pakistan’s image because of what Veena said; 'her bad behaviour had caused Indian film producer Iqbal Singh Dhillon a loss of Rs 700,000.'

Both actresses worked together in Indian Punjabi film ‘Pind di Kuri’ [Village Girl] along with Javed and Rahi.

Ms Malik had developed differences with the other three during their stay in India. Pakistani and Indian actors worked together in the film. Saurnjeet Cheema, a Canadian was the hero, while Sheeba Bhagri was the heroine.

Veena Malik played a leading role in the film, which was directed by Sakhwant Dhadda. The film is to be released in India, Pakistan, the USA and Canada in August, the actors said.

Ms Malik told newsmen that Sheeba Bhagri as the heroine of ‘Pind di Kuri’, but avoided mentioning that Ms Butt was also part of the film.

Ms Butt was particularly annoyed about the accusation that she had tarnished Pakistan’s image by causing a loss to the producer and that Ms Malik had compensated the producer from her own pocket.

Ms Butt challenged Ms Malik to divulge the details of the “huge amount” she had received from the producer for her acting. “Ms Malik was not included in the film on merit, rather she had been backed by recommendations and references. She probably had to pay to get the role.”

“When the film is released, the people will see for themselves that Ms Malik is not ‘Pind di Kuri’, but 'Pind di Choori,” Ms Butt said contemptuously. “That is what her real character is like. It is a matter of disrespect for us,” she said.

Narrates Perspective

Ms Butt said she and the other two actors could not complete the dubbing of their scenes in India because of visa problems. “Tariq and Ashraf had 56 scenes each and I had 35 scenes left, but we had to return as our visas were going to expire.

The producer will send for us in a few days and we will go back and complete it.” She said the producer had not brought up the issue with her over the phone. “We had a talk yesterday but he did not mention it.”

Umar Sharif Joins

Actor and comedian Umar Sharif later joined the press conference and censured Ms Malik’s statement about Ms Butt. “I have worked and travelled with her to many foreign countries and have never found her involved in any dirty work.”

Asked whether he would condemn Ms Butt’s remarks against Ms Malik, he said he had not worked or travelled with Ms Malik and could not comment.

He said whatever had passed between the actresses should have been left in India and should not have been made a public affair. Mr Sharif acted as a facilitator during Ms Malik’s press conference.

Umar Sharif said he had not worked in stage dramas in Lahore for the past three years to protest at the vulgarity and obscenity in the plays.●