What really happened behind Mahira Khan's viral look – and why did it get so much hate? Babar Zaheer, the makeup artist, has finally broken his silence, and his account of what happened paints a very different picture from what social media thought.

During the promotion of Neelofar, Mahira was surrounded by rumors of cosmetic surgery. But it was no Botox, no fillers just a styling trick, says Zaheer. “She styled her hair in a certain way, and it gave a more lifted, ‘snatched’ look, which is widely used in global fashion shoots.

“People assumed she had Botox or fillers done. No—it was purely a look we wanted to create. Yes, I take responsibility for that look, but that doesn’t justify the level of hate that followed.” Zaheer said.

What happened next, however, was not so glamorous.

The backlash soon turned toxic, Zaheer revealed. Like Mahira, he too had to deal with harsh comments, some of which were even personal attacks. “People were sending me messages telling me to die or saying I had ruined someone’s face.”

And the timing made it worse. He admitted he had recently come off antidepressants and that the barrage of negativity had taken a major toll on his mental health.

“People will always talk—that’s their job,” he said. “But the intensity of it can be damaging.”

But Zaheer decided to focus on growth. “I have been inspired by working with such influential actresses as Mahira and Hania Aamir, who have helped me to shape my perspective,” he says. “It has been an eye-opener for me as a professional and a father”.

And his message is larger than one controversy.

He challenged society’s obsession with “perfection” and “perfect” looks, reminding people that real beauty is flawed, lined and individual. More importantly, he denounced the rise of shallow online conversations that reward judgment rather than understanding.

In the end, it's not just about a viral photo, it’s about how fast admiration can turn into outrage and how much more empathy we need online.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)