Ahmed Ali Butt defends Bhatti in Meera row, social media shuts it down

Ahmed Ali Butt has stepped into the ongoing controversy surrounding Meera’s walkout from Irshad Bhatti’s podcast — but his take has only added more fuel to the fire.

Taking to Instagram Stories, Butt shared his “50 cents,” defending Bhatti’s line of questioning and arguing that Meera, having agreed to a paid appearance, should have been prepared for the format.

“It was a paid podcast. Once you pay someone, you’re bound to oblige to the show’s format,” he wrote, adding that Bhatti is known for his direct style and that nothing asked in the interview was new or unheard of.

He also questioned the public outrage, saying that while Meera had every right to walk out, others reacting on her behalf were overdoing it. According to Butt, Bhatti maintained a “modest tone,” especially compared to other TV hosts.

That reasoning didn’t land well.

Social media users quickly pushed back, calling the “paid podcast” argument flawed and missing the point. Many argued that payment does not override personal boundaries, especially when it comes to repeatedly probing someone’s private life.

Others highlighted that Meera had appeared to promote her film, not revisit past controversies — and had clearly attempted to steer the conversation back to her work before eventually walking out.

Some responses were blunt. Others sarcastic. A few turned Butt’s logic back on him, questioning whether he would be comfortable being subjected to similar treatment on a public platform.

The broader sentiment, however, remained consistent: respect and consent don’t come with conditions.

The controversy itself began when Meera appeared on Bhatti’s podcast to promote her upcoming film Psycho, but the interview quickly shifted toward her personal life. Despite repeatedly deflecting, she was pressed further — eventually removing her mic and calmly exiting the set.

That moment earned her widespread praise online.

And now, anyone stepping in to defend the opposite side is learning just how firmly the internet has already made up its mind.