Actress Alizeh Shah has revealed that the relentless criticism she has faced has taken a toll on both, her emotional and physical health, leading to a point where she not only withdrew from social media but distanced herself from those around her. In a story shared to her Instagram, Shah stated that she felt “broken, exhausted and overwhelmed” in ways she couldn’t explain.

After facing “constant criticism”, the Ehd-e-Wafa actress unfollowed everyone on Instagram and removed all her posts earlier this month, leaving two highlights behind, one stating that she was not on Snapchat and another about Gaza. She said, “I quit. This place is worse than hell.” Shortly after, Shah said people began to spread rumours, and news channels contacted her parents asking if she was alive despite her Instagram bio stating that she was “not dead.”

“Imagine what that does to a family, to a mother’s heart. Please, understand how much this has hurt me and the people I love.” Shah was unsure if she would ever return to Instagram or television shows because the pressure was too much, and the weight of it made her “physically sick.” She further added, “All I ask is for some space. Please stop contacting my family. Please stop making up stories. Please just let me breathe.” The actress has repeatedly faced criticism for her basic actions, including smoking a cigarette in her car, cutting her hair short, setting workplace boundaries and wearing a tank top.