Shamoon Abbasi Challenges Shaan on TikTokers in Films

Actor Shamoon Abbasi challenges Shaan Shahid, the veteran Pakistani film star, over his stance on social media personalities entering the film industry. Abbasi posted a video on Instagram pushing back on the idea that TikTokers should be dismissed before audiences even get the chance to judge their work.

The debate has touched a nerve because it goes beyond one person. It forces Pakistani cinema to ask a question it has been avoiding for a while now: if the industry is already struggling, who exactly gets to decide who is allowed in?

Quick Facts

Shaan Shahid argued that online fame can be temporary and that digital creators entering showbiz must learn the craft to stay relevant.
Shamoon Abbasi responded via an Instagram video, addressing Shaan respectfully and keeping his comments focused on the debate itself.
Abbasi questioned how much progress Pakistani cinema has actually made before criticising new entrants.
The controversy also touched on social media personality Rajab Butt and his upcoming film project.
Abbasi argued that the public debate around Butt’s film, positive or negative, was keeping it in the spotlight and could work in its favour.

What Actually Happened With Shaan

Shaan Shahid made comments questioning whether social media fame could translate into a sustainable career in acting and filmmaking. His position was clear: online popularity can be temporary, and anyone coming from the world of TikTok into cinema would need to properly learn the craft if they wanted to stick around long term.

Abbasi did not let that slide. In a video shared on Instagram, he addressed Shaan respectfully, making it clear he was responding to the argument and not attacking the person. His tone was measured but his point was sharp.

He directly quoted the veteran actor’s argument that TikTokers making films would prevent the industry from going anywhere. His response? Ask where the industry has gone in the first place. As Abbasi put it, “Shaan brother gave this statement that if Tik Tokers make films, the film industry won’t go anywhere but please tell us where the industry has even reached?”

That line sums up the core of his argument. Before gatekeeping who gets to enter Pakistani cinema, established figures should take a hard look at the challenges already facing those trying to build a career in Pakistan and the broader shortcomings within the system itself.

Why It Matters

This is not just a spat between two actors. It is a conversation about who holds power in an industry that, by Abbasi’s own account, has not exactly set the world on fire. If Pakistani cinema is struggling, the argument that new digital voices will drag it down does not hold up easily under scrutiny.

Abbasi also raised a genuinely interesting point about Rajab Butt’s upcoming film. He admitted he had not personally followed Butt on social media, but acknowledged that prominent digital personalities naturally pull attention online. More importantly, he argued that all the noise around the film, whether it was praise or criticism, was free publicity. The debate itself was keeping the project alive in public conversations.

That is a fairly savvy read of how attention works in 2025. As reported by Tribune.com.pk, Abbasi also questioned the assumption that a TikToker entering cinema would automatically be a short-lived phenomenon, asking who exactly gets to make that call before the audience has even weighed in.

Why This Debate Is Bigger Than One Video

Pakistani cinema has been trying to find its footing for years. International content, streaming platforms, and shifting audience habits have all put pressure on local film production. In that context, shutting the door on any potential audience or talent pool seems like a strange move.

The rise of digital creators is not unique to Pakistan. Across the region and globally, platforms like TikTok have launched people into mainstream entertainment careers. Some have flopped. Some have surprised everyone. The point Abbasi is making is simple: let the audience decide, which is what the audience was always going to do anyway. Similar conversations about opening up new opportunities and not dismissing emerging players too quickly are happening in industries far beyond entertainment.

What Happens Next

All eyes are now on Rajab Butt’s film, which has inadvertently become the test case for this entire argument. If it performs well, it will be used as proof that digital creators can cross over. If it struggles, those who agree with Shaan will point to it as validation.

Either way, the conversation Abbasi has started is not going away. Pakistani cinema has bigger structural questions to answer, and this debate has put a spotlight on them whether the industry likes it or not. It also remains to be seen whether Shaan Shahid responds to Abbasi’s remarks directly.

About Shaan

Shaan Shahid is one of Pakistan’s most recognised veteran actors, with a long career in Pakistani cinema spanning decades. He has been a vocal commentator on the state of the local film industry and has frequently spoken about what he believes it takes to build a lasting career in showbiz.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Shamoon Abbasi say about Shaan Shahid’s comments on TikTokers?

Shamoon Abbasi posted an Instagram video respectfully pushing back on Shaan Shahid’s stance that TikTokers entering films could harm the industry. He questioned how much progress Pakistani cinema had actually made before dismissing new entrants, and argued that audiences should be allowed to decide for themselves.

What was Shaan Shahid’s original argument about TikTokers in Pakistani films?

Shaan Shahid argued that social media fame can be temporary and that digital creators who enter showbiz need to properly learn the craft of acting and filmmaking to remain relevant. He suggested that TikTokers making films could prevent the industry from progressing.

Who is Rajab Butt and why is he part of this debate?

Rajab Butt is a prominent social media personality with an upcoming film project that became a focal point in this discussion. Abbasi acknowledged that he had not personally followed Butt online but argued that the attention surrounding Butt’s film, whether positive or negative, was generating useful publicity for the project.

Does Shamoon Abbasi think TikTokers can have lasting film careers?

Abbasi explicitly questioned the assumption that a TikToker entering cinema would automatically be a temporary presence. His position is that it is too early to make that judgment and that the audience, not established industry figures, should be the ones to decide.

Where did Shamoon Abbasi share his response to Shaan Shahid?

Abbasi shared his response in a video posted on his Instagram account. He addressed Shaan directly but made it clear that his comments were about the debate itself rather than a personal attack on the veteran actor.

What challenges is Pakistan’s film industry currently facing according to this debate?

Abbasi pointed to the broader shortcomings of Pakistani cinema as part of his argument, suggesting that the industry has not reached the heights that would justify being selective about new talent. He urged established figures to examine existing problems before criticising those trying to enter the space.

Has Shaan Shahid responded to Shamoon Abbasi’s Instagram video?

Based on available reports, there is no confirmed public response from Shaan Shahid to Abbasi’s Instagram video as yet. The situation remains developing and it is unclear whether a direct reply will follow.

Final Thoughts

Shamoon Abbasi has done something useful here. He has taken a conversation that could have stayed in the gossip lane and turned it into a genuine question about power, access, and accountability in Pakistani cinema. Whether you side with Shaan’s caution or Abbasi’s openness, the debate itself is worth having. And if Rajab Butt’s film ends up doing well at the box office, that will say more than any Instagram video ever could.

Source: tribune.com.pk

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