Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi admits item numbers inspired by Bollywood

Hamza Ali Abbasi has admitted that the item numbers shown in Pakistani cinema are a trend picked up from India, but he doesn't understand the need for it.

While defending himself on a recent Facebook remark, which seemed like him taking a jab at his friend and colleague from the fraternity, Ayesha Omar, who's teaser for an upcoming item number was released recently, said that films like 'Khuda Ke Liye', 'Bol' and 'Waar' didn't need such additions to define their success, and filmmakers had a responsibility to depict the society in a realistic manner, Dawn.com reported.

He further added that despite so unique as an industry, as a country, they had been too influenced by the Indian culture, and he didn't understand why they felt the need to borrow an identity from Bollywood.

Abbasi had faced backlash after he congratuled actress Zhalay Sarhadi for not "taking her clothes off" in her item number for Jalaibee, which happened to be at the same time when Omar's item number, showing her in "not-so-decent" clothes was released.

As far as his status being aimed at Ayesha Omar is concerned, the Pyare Afzal star says "Anyone who knows me, knows how blunt I am. If it was directed towards Ayesha, I would have specifically said Ayesha. I don't imply anything, I'm pretty straightforward."

However, Abbasi, who also said he considers himself an activist, clarified that if his comment was directed towards Omar, he would have said it straightforward, and his status was an invitation for people to come together and "fix ourselves.