Renowned director and actress Sangeeta has criticized the judges’ panel of Pakistan Idol, claiming that its members were mostly selected based on friendships rather than merit.
While Pakistan Idol, Pakistan’s biggest music competition, has been widely appreciated by fans, its judges’ panel—including Fawad Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Zeb Bangash, and Bilal Maqsood—has faced criticism.
Last month, Hamira Arshad questioned Fawad Khan’s role as a judge, arguing that artists without a direct connection to music should not be appointed as judges. Her statement sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some supporting her and others disagreeing.
Recently, Sangeeta appeared on Suno News, where she shared her opinion about the show’s judges. She stated that she had no objections to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan being on the panel, but she felt that senior musicians should have been appointed instead of the remaining judges.
Sangeeta added that, as a senior actress whose films often feature popular songs, she feels that the show’s administration and producers fail to recognize the value of experienced artists.
According to her, the judges’ selection for Pakistan Idol is largely influenced by personal friendships.
She also criticized modern award shows, saying that while older award shows maintained high standards, today’s ceremonies often lack quality and distribute awards too easily.
