28-year-old Veena Malik and her husband, 30-year-old businessman Asad Bashir Khattak, were both stunned at the news that a court in Pakistan found them guilty of blasphemy.
On top of that, the two were given a rather harsh 26-year sentence.
“I thought [the controversy] was just something that would die down,” Malik said. “By the time I left [the country, first information reports] were registering in each and every corner of the world.”
First information reports or FIRs are court documents complaining of a criminal offense.
Even though Veena Malik is a native to Pakistan, she owes much of her current fame to her Bollywood stardom.
She experienced major backlash when she and her husband appeared on air in a mock wedding said to celebrate their recent wedding.
According to the Daily Mail, Veena Malik was said to be stunned at the treatment she received “from [her] own people”.
Bollywood actress Veena Malik was sentenced to 26 years jail time for blasphemy. Details here: http://t.co/sgfbsBRiZH pic.twitter.com/okNt9Oy8X8
— PopCrush (@PopCrush) November 27, 2014
The mentioning of the prophet Muhammad’s daughter and supposed giggles was interpreted as a sign of massive disrespect.
As such, citizens across Pakistan were very upset with everyone involved in the production and airing of the scene, including Veena Malik.
The actress was reportedly so distraught by the controversy when it first occurred that she feared she might experience a miscarriage.
Fortunately, she didn’t; Malik gave birth to now two-month old son Abram.
During an exclusive interview with the Mail, Veena Malik continued to speak out about the ruling.
“As a person who has served humanity for 14 years, this is not the treatment I was expecting,” said Malik. “I am still in disbelief that Muslim woman, a daughter, a mother, a sister and a wife can be treated like that.”
Veena added that as a Muslim, she knew “what blasphemy is”, and felt that her actions did not qualify.
She admitted that she fled Pakistan for her own safety and that of her unborn baby. She and her husband are currently living in Dubai.
Even though Veena Malik is a native to Pakistan, she owes much of her current fame to her Bollywood stardom.
Veena Malik has been the subject of controversy in the past, but mainly due to her sexy image.