Actor Moammar Rana recently shared an anecdote about his meeting with global star Priyanka Chopra on a podcast with Nadir Ali – which turned out to be for all the wrong reasons. Rana and Ali’s exchange was called out for being in bad taste, bordering on misogyny and objectification.

Ali, who has been at the receiving end of controversies several times for asking objectionable questions on his shows, has once again instigated an unsavory conversation about the appearance of women without makeup. He asked Rana to comment on women whobhayanak (Scary)” in showbiz without makeup. To this the actor replied in the negative. “I don’t think anyone sees bhayanak In Pakistan,” he confirmed.

But when asked about women in India, Rana told of meeting the former Miss World, who had a crush on him until he saw her in person. On this, Ali compared Priyanka to a ‘maid’ and said that she looks like a maid.bhayanak, While Rana believed that he could not recognize Priyanka in person, he did not comment on why and simply praised Ameesha Patel for being “really beautiful”.

Now Rana’s wife Mehnaz Moammar has come to the rescue of her husband. In a statement shared on her Instagram Stories, Mehnaz has said that Moammar cannot be held responsible for her attempt to create controversy for the host’s comments and views. “It’s not as big a deal as people are making it out to be – as always. Moammar never commented on that [Priyanka’s] skin tone/colour, [even though] The host tried hard to get him there. [He] Just said that he could not recognize her, because onscreen beauty is completely different.

Mehnaz gave a reference do It was created by Chopra as a UNICEF ambassador for peace in support of the Indian armed forces on February 26, 2019, the same day India carried out airstrikes in Pakistan. He said, “I have not seen any of our dear Pakistanis speaking against his comments on Pakistan and Kashmir, while he is a ‘human rights activist’, as much as you are taking his side in this matter.” Again, Moammar could not recognize him and was honestly sharing his experience with the host about it. He is not responsible for the comments of the host. This is being taken out of context because for all you can see the host was looking for controversy and found one. Thanday hojayein (Please cool it), lots of love and peace.”

Prior to Mehnaz’s justification, several people from the showbiz fraternity had called out Ali for his ostracism and Rana for participating in it. Host Mathira had commented on the exchange – a comment that prompted Mehnaz to shout. She wrote, “How can this poor man comment on people’s skin colour. Why do they all think that being a maid equates to being ugly? Shame on this host! Why do you all glorify fair skin?” Sad, useless society.

Model Natasha Hussain had also shared on Instagram, “This host needs to be a little more educated on how to be a host! Shame on how color shaming he is [calling her] A maid and all! Society is choking! this type of social media [banter] does not help!”

Ali and Rana are yet to comment on the response.