The incident occurred at an industry gathering attended by senior artists, including Behroze Sabzwari, Rubina Ashraf, and Shabbir Jan, where a seemingly lighthearted exchange turned unexpectedly personal.
Sheikh and Ansari share a long-standing friendship in the entertainment industry spanning nearly five decades, having worked together since their early years. Their bond, celebrated publicly over the years, made the exchange particularly surprising for fans and observers.
During the event, Ansari made a comment widely interpreted as referencing Sheikh’s divorce. “I visited Javed Sheikh, and he didn’t even serve me any food,” she said. “His house was built in front of my eyes and was also broken in front of my eyes - not because of me, but in front of me.”
Sheikh reacted strongly to the remark, stating, “Bushra taunted at my broken marriage as a joke, but a broken home is not a joke.”
He added that he had never publicly commented on Ansari’s own marital history and questioned why his personal life was made the subject of humour.
“Next time, whenever you share my story, mention your own,” Sheikh said. “Your marriage did not work out either,” referring to Ansari’s divorce from Iqbal Ansari in 2014.
The exchange quickly circulated on social media, with many users supporting Sheikh and criticizing the comment as unnecessary and insensitive.
Clips from the event prompted discussions about decorum in public gatherings and respect for personal experiences, highlighting how private matters can become the focus of public scrutiny.
Sheikh’s response underscored the importance of sensitivity when discussing personal lives, especially in professional settings, and reaffirmed his stance that respect and empathy should guide interactions among colleagues, even during lighthearted moments.