Pakistani actor Urwa Hocane has questioned the entertainment industry’s tendency to compare local productions with Netflix, arguing that Pakistani projects have their own creative strengths and should be recognised for their storytelling rather than their glamour or commercial appeal.
Speaking in an interview, Hocane criticised the phrase “Netflix quality” as a standard for evaluating Pakistani entertainment projects. She said local productions were capable of delivering strong content without seeking validation through comparisons with an international streaming platform.
“When someone says a project is ‘Netflix quality’, I find it so lame. I think we are doing better than that,” she said.
Urwa Hocane Challenges Netflix as an Industry Benchmark
Hocane also questioned whether Netflix should continue to be considered the gold standard for entertainment, suggesting that the platform’s reputation should not overshadow the work being produced in Pakistan.
“It is just an app or a portal that came along and worked for a couple of years. I don’t think they know what they are doing anymore,” she remarked.
Her comments highlight a broader debate about how Pakistani television dramas and films are evaluated, particularly when international streaming platforms are used as a measure of production quality.
According to Hocane, Pakistan’s entertainment industry already has quality projects to offer and should focus on developing its own creative identity rather than attempting to replicate international trends.
Storytelling Should Come Before Glamour
The actor emphasised that the strength of Pakistani productions lies in their stories and the creative processes behind them. She argued that visual presentation and commercial considerations should support a narrative instead of becoming the primary measures of success.
“There is quality in what we are making and showing. Why do we need more Netflix, and why are we comparing ourselves to it anyway?” she said.
Hocane added that the creative vision behind a project should remain central throughout its development.
Mehwish Hayat Clarifies: My Career Isn’t as Long as People Think
“The soul of our projects lies in the stories and in how we prioritise our work process. We are not all about the glamour,” she said, adding that commercialisation and visual appeal could come later.
For the actor, storytelling remains the defining element of a successful production, regardless of the platform on which it is released.
“I think the simple thing is our stories,” she said.
From Acting to Film Production
Hocane began her career as a video jockey before establishing herself in Pakistani television and cinema. Her acting credits include popular projects such as Udaari, Mushk, Punjab Nahi Jaungi, Na Maloom Afraad and Rangreza.
She has also explored filmmaking behind the camera. In 2022, she produced Tich Button, a romantic comedy featuring Farhan Saeed, Iman Ali, Sonya Hussyn and Feroze Khan.
Hocane has previously spoken about the importance of strong scripts and the need to improve storytelling in the entertainment industry. Her latest remarks reinforce her view that Pakistani productions should build on their own strengths and creative traditions rather than rely on comparisons with global streaming platforms.
