Veteran Pakistani actor, director and filmmaker Sangeeta has revealed that she removed actress Naeema Butt from her upcoming film after disagreements over casting decisions, saying she could not tolerate what she described as “unnecessary tantrums” on set.
Speaking during a recent interview, Sangeeta confirmed that the Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actress was originally cast in one of the lead roles of her upcoming film. However, the collaboration came to an end before filming began due to creative differences between the two.
According to Sangeeta, the situation escalated when Naeema Butt allegedly began suggesting which actors should be cast opposite her in the film. The veteran filmmaker said she believed casting decisions were solely the director’s responsibility and was unwilling to compromise on that principle.
“It is true that I was initially working with Naeema Butt, but I am a director who can’t tolerate unnecessary tantrums from actresses,” Sangeeta said during the interview.
She explained that after refusing the actress’s reported suggestions regarding the male lead, she decided it would be better to end the collaboration rather than continue with creative disagreements.
Sangeeta said she handled the matter professionally by apologizing to Naeema Butt and requesting the return of the advance payment that had already been made. According to the filmmaker, the actress returned the money without any dispute.
“She started giving suggestions about casting the heroes of her choice, which I refused. I then apologised to her and asked for my advance back, and she returned the advance money,” Sangeeta stated.
Reflecting on her own journey in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, Sangeeta said professionalism has always been a priority throughout her five-decade-long career. She noted that during her years as one of the country’s leading actresses, performers respected the director’s authority and rarely interfered in production decisions.
“I have been in this field for 50 years. As actors, we never showed tantrums or attitude on set,” she said.
The veteran filmmaker added that while the role was an important opportunity, maintaining discipline and creative control over the project was more important than working with any particular actor.
Sangeeta’s comments have sparked discussion on social media, where fans have debated the balance between an actor’s creative input and a director’s authority. While some users supported Sangeeta’s stance, arguing that casting decisions should remain with the filmmaker, others said actors should be free to express opinions during the creative process.
The controversy has also drawn attention because Naeema Butt has emerged as one of Pakistan’s rising television stars in recent years. Her performance in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum earned praise from audiences and helped strengthen her position in the entertainment industry.
Despite the claims made by Sangeeta, Naeema Butt has not publicly responded to the allegations or commented on the reported disagreement. It remains unclear whether she intends to address the matter in the coming days.
Sangeeta, meanwhile, continues to stay active behind the camera with multiple projects in development. She is currently directing the film Mukho, featuring prominent actors including Saima, Moammar Rana, Meera and Layla. In addition, she is working on the television drama Bhulley Shah, marking another major production in her long career.
Known for her contributions as both an actress and filmmaker, Sangeeta has played a significant role in Pakistan’s film and television industry for decades. Her latest remarks have once again placed her in the spotlight, highlighting the challenges filmmakers sometimes face when managing casting decisions and creative differences.
Whether Naeema Butt responds publicly or chooses to remain silent, the incident has generated considerable interest within Pakistan’s entertainment industry and among fans following both artists’ careers.
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