by LAUREN CODLING
AN AWARD-WINNING surgeon known for his work with Pakistani acid attack victims has commended the Hindi film Chhapaak, claiming it could “make a difference” in society.
The film, which features Bollywood star Deepika Padukone in the lead role, depicts an acid attack survivor coming to terms with her injuries. Since Chhapaak’s release last Friday (10), Padukone has garnered widespread praise for her portrayal of Indian activist and survivor Laxmi Agarwal.
Dr Asim Shahmalak, who has travelled numerous times to his native Pakistan to perform free surgery on acid attack victims, believes the film will have a positive influence on the issue. “These kinds of powerful messages coming through a big industry like Bollywood will have an impact and make a difference,” he told Eastern Eye. “I am glad they are using it to touch upon these kinds of incidents. Acid attacks are rife in south Asia and I really appreciate the efforts made by the makers of this film.”
Since he first travelled to Pakistan in 2013 to treat acid attack victims, Dr Shahmalak has helped 26 women and one man who suffered horrific scarring. He has performed numerous hair transplants including work on eyelashes and eyebrows. Every survivor had a story, he said, and each one was devastating.
Niaz Bano, 53, lost her left eye after having acid thrown over her following a row with relatives over her 16-year-old daughter’s wedding. Another woman, Fatima Muneer, a mother of two, was soaked in sulphuric acid following a family feud.
The youngest patient Dr Shahmalak has seen is a four-year-old girl. She had been doused in acid by a family member after she refused to go to school one morning.
“I have heard all kinds of stories and I can’t tell you how terrible I feel for (victims). They are scarred for life and do not feel accepted in society,” he said. “I can’t believe someone could do such a cruel act to another individual.”
Many survivors did not feel they were able to live normal lives, he explained. Some could not secure jobs as they were shunned by society because of their physical appearance and so ended up begging on the streets for money. “Some hide their faces by veils, even to their close family and friends,” Dr Shahmalak added.
Although acid attacks in Pakistan became illegal in 2010, sometimes carrying punishments of life sentences, Dr Shahmalak said many attackers still walked free. Some of those who suffered attacks faced social pressure or emotional blackmail, especially if the perpetrator was a family member, and they were too afraid to go to the police.
The surgeon undertakes annual voluntary trips to Pakistan where he meets patients and shortlists those who he can help. He then returns with his staff from Manchester’s Crown Clinic for approximately five days, performing hair transplants to a number of patients in need.
Despite being approached by more than 80 survivors requesting surgery, many have suffered from such catastrophic injuries that Dr Shahmalak is unable to treat them.
The father-of-two said it was heartbreaking to have to tell someone that he could not offer them help. “It is a shock for them,” he said. “They come with a hope and I want to give them that, to help give them their life back, but sadly, I can’t do that for a majority of patients.”
For his humanitarian work with acid attack survivors, the surgeon was recently honoured by prime minister Boris Johnson with the Points of Light award. It recognises outstanding individual volunteers or people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.
Although he was “delighted and humbled” by the news, Dr Shahmalak stressed that he did not work with survivors in order to “reap any reward”. Having been brought up and educated in Pakistan, he wanted to give something back to the country he still felt deep ties to, he revealed.
“Since I left the country 30 years ago, I have never worked there,” he explained. “I wanted to do something for the society where I grew up. For me, it was about paying Pakistan back and that is why I decided to do this.”
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)