Kanwal Ahmed, the founder of Soul Sisters Pakistan, a female protagonist organisation, recently took to Twitter to criticise Mahira Khan’s portrayal of submissiveness to abuse in her recent drama series Hum Kahan Ke Sache, claiming that in Pakistani dramas staying in unhealthy relationships is made to look good. Her troubled characters in recent and earlier successful series Humafar were also mentioned.
“Mummy aap Kya keh rahi hain” se “Aswad aap kya keh rahain hain” ka suffer (pun fully intended).
— Kanwal Ahmed (@kanwalful) November 28, 2021
10 years of promoting how to STAY “patiently” in (violently) emotionally abusive marriages on the top drama channel with the highest ratings.#SabrKaDIY #HumKahanKeSachayThay pic.twitter.com/6RAIz5YIUy
Mummy aap kya keh rahi hain’ se ‘Aswad aap kya keh rahain hain’ ka suffer (pun fully intended),’ Kanwal wrote, referring to Mahira’s Humsafar character Khirad’s extremely popular dialogue that she says to her mother-in-law when Khirad has turned away from her home after being arraigned for infidelity.
The accompanying section of tweet is a reference to a scene in Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay in which Mahira’s character speaks to her emotionally abusive husband Aswad, played by Usman Muktar.
She went on to say that “10 years of promoting how to STAY ‘patient’ in (violently) emotionally abusive marriages on the top drama channel with the highest ratings “
“Also Mahira KNOWS and acknowledges the damage caused by regressive content that romanticizes abuse,” she wrote.
Despite this, she continues to play roles that bolster the same harmful narrative. She’s a fantastic actress and a national treasure in our country. “We anticipate and demand a lot more from her,” Kanwal added.
Also Mahira KNOWS and acknowledges the damage caused by regressive content that romanticizes abuse. Yet she repeatedly takes on roles that strengthen that same problematic narrative.
— Kanwal Ahmed (@kanwalful) November 29, 2021
She’s a great actress and an icon in our country. We want and expect much, much better from her. https://t.co/lkBZHPoceA pic.twitter.com/SVYt5bBDHg
The drama series Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay has received critical acclaim for its powerful acting and compelling storyline.
The drama, which stars Mahira Khan, Usman Mukhtar, and Kubra Khan and is written by acclaimed writer Umera Ahmed, is an avalanche of emotions.
