Botox rumours, death threats: Babar Zaheer breaks silence on Mahira controversy

Makeup artist Babar Zaheer has spoken out about the intense online backlash that followed Mahira Khan’s appearance during the Neelofar press tour, revealing that the reaction quickly turned abusive.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by Muhammad Fahad Abid, Zaheer said the criticism crossed a line, recalling that people were “sending me messages telling me to die or saying I had ruined someone’s face.”

The look, created for a film music launch event featuring Mahira and Fawad Khan, went viral online, with many assuming the actor had undergone cosmetic procedures. Addressing the speculation, Zaheer explained that the transformation was purely technical, noting that he had “stretched Mahira’s hair to give her a more ‘snatched’ look,” a method he described as common internationally.

He pushed back against Botox rumours directly, saying people “assumed she had Botox or fillers done,” but clarified that “it was purely a look we wanted to create.” While acknowledging his role, he added that “yes, I take responsibility for that look, but that doesn’t justify the level of hate that followed.”

Zaheer also opened up about the personal toll of the backlash, particularly as it came at a vulnerable time. He said he had recently stopped taking antidepressants, adding that while “people will always talk… that’s their job,” the intensity of online criticism “can be damaging.”

Reflecting on the industry, Zaheer said working with actors like Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan has shaped his growth, but also exposed him to the darker side of public visibility.

He also used the moment to challenge rigid beauty standards, saying he values authenticity and “real people—people with lines, pigmentation, expressions,” while stressing that public figures, despite being in the spotlight, are still affected by how they are treated.