Comedian Shakeel Siddiqui criticizes rise of family vlogging in Pakistan

KARACHI: Renowned comedian and actor Shakeel Siddiqui has strongly criticized the growing trend of family vlogging in Pakistan, calling it harmful for the younger generation.

Speaking during a podcast, Siddiqui said, “In the name of entertainment, mothers and sisters are being unnecessarily shown on camera, which is not appropriate.” He clarified that showing a mother cooking in the kitchen is understandable, but much of the current vlogging content has crossed acceptable boundaries.

Referring to his personal experience, Siddiqui revealed, “Even my 12-year-old son watches family vlogs, and it deeply concerns me. Whenever I see him watching such content, I take his phone away because this trend needs to stop.”

The veteran comedian stressed the need for responsible content creation and urged vloggers to consider the cultural and social impact of their content, particularly on impressionable audiences.

Legendary Pakistani comedian and stage actor Shakeel Siddiqui, known for his sharp wit and decades-long contribution to comedy both at home and abroad, has voiced strong criticism against the growing trend of family vlogging in Pakistan.

He believes the phenomenon is having a negative impact on the younger generation and is urging families to reconsider what they share online.

Speaking during a recent podcast, Siddiqui expressed his concern over how private family life is being broadcast in the name of entertainment. “Women from our families, like mothers and sisters, are being put on display unnecessarily. This is simply not appropriate,” he remarked.

While he clarified that showing a mother cooking or sharing simple family moments is not objectionable, he stressed that much of today’s vlogging content crosses cultural and ethical lines. Citing a personal example, he shared his discomfort upon seeing his 12-year-old son watching such videos.

“When I notice him watching these vlogs, I take the phone away. This trend needs to stop,” he said firmly.

Commenting on the decline of the Pakistani film industry, Siddiqui suggested that things might have been different if Karachi had been established as the industry’s production hub. He attributed much of the decline to poor dubbing, substandard filmmaking, and careless production decisions.

Challenging the idea that comedians are not given due respect in Pakistan, Siddiqui disagreed, saying, “I’ve received immense love in this country. That recognition led to opportunities abroad. If I wasn’t valued here, no one would’ve sent me tickets or granted visas to perform internationally.”

Reflecting on his career, Siddiqui admitted he had to focus more on television than film, due to the lack of meaningful roles in cinema. He noted that better opportunities and stronger scripts could have allowed him to contribute more significantly to the big screen.