Saleem has received praise for her portrayal of Zaryab in the drama. However, her appearance became a topic of online discussion after she wore a sleeveless dress in the 20th episode, which aired on Friday.
In an Instagram story posted on Sunday, Riaz expressed disappointment over the criticism, saying Saleem’s performance and dedication to her craft were being overshadowed by comments about her body.
“It genuinely breaks my heart to see a woman as beautiful and talented as Durefishan being reduced to a conversation about her arms,” Riaz wrote.
She also criticised the tendency to judge women by their physical appearance despite frequent calls for women’s empowerment.
“We speak so much about empowering women, yet we’re often the first to make another woman feel like her body isn’t good enough,” she said, adding that unrealistic beauty expectations put pressure on women and can make it harder for young girls to feel comfortable in their own skin.
Riaz said she hoped future generations of girls would understand that their worth was not determined by how closely they matched society’s beauty standards.
This is not the first time Saleem has faced body shaming comments. According to Dawn Images, the actor has discussed the issue in previous interviews.
The incident has renewed discussion about body-shaming in the entertainment industry, where actors, particularly women, often face scrutiny over their physical appearance.
Riaz’s comments emphasised the importance of recognising performers for their work and talent rather than judging them against narrow standards of beauty.
