Pakistani fashion models Abeer Asad Khan and Suleiman Hussain landed in the spotlight after their latest high-fashion campaign triggered a wave of reactions across social media.
Created for designer Malik Yasir, the visually dramatic shoot blends old-world South Asian grandeur with contemporary fashion and intimate cinematic look. The campaign allegedly takes inspiration from the lavish visual world of Ram-Leela and traditional royal aesthetics.
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The shoot unfolds against an elaborate backdrop featuring carved sandstone-style arches, intricate jaali detailing and flowing amber drapes. Warm, grainy sepia tones give the photographs a vintage, almost period-film appearance. Abeer appears in a pastel printed fusion lehenga, paired with a backless corset-inspired tie-up top. Tribal-style silver jewellery and a traditional nose ring add a distinctly South Asian touch to her look.
Suleiman appears shirtless in classic white dhoti, accessorised with silver baajuband-style armlets. The duo photographed in a series of dramatic compositions, including close embraces and theatrical poses, creating the romantic, cinematic mood that has become the campaign’s defining feature.
The intimate visuals prompted criticism from several social media users, with some calling content inappropriate and accusing the creative team of crossing cultural boundaries. Others questioned the decision to adopt an aesthetic strongly associated with Bollywood romantic cinema.
Some users compared Abeer and Suleiman to Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, while others said the imagery reminded them of films associated with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Among the more critical reactions were comments describing the shoot as excessive, inappropriate and an example of the fashion industry pushing boundaries for commercial attention. Some users also questioned whether increasingly bold fashion campaigns are changing the standards of Pakistan’s entertainment scene.
At the same time, other viewers appeared to appreciate the artistic concept, praising the production value, styling and elaborate visual direction.
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