In an interview with Madeha Naqvi, actor Mariyam Nafees dropped some truth bombs. “I don’t know how this will be interpreted, but I will genuinely say that our society is very patriarchal,” she said. “People do not like women who are confident.”

Mariyam related her insights to her own experiences, noting that society can’t stomach a woman who speaks her mind. “Even some of the people watching us right now would have a problem with us having a conversation so early in the morning. They’d want us to stay inside our kitchens and take care of our children. It’s so unfortunate because people say things like, “Girls like this don’t attract boys. They don’t like dominant, opinionated women.'”

She observed that often women feed into the narrative. “I get to hear this so many times, that I’m too opinionated. And this is something women say to me, even the ones who live abroad and have access to education.”

Unapologetic about how she carries herself, she added, “I’m entitled to my opinion. Why can I not be opinionated? People can’t digest this.”

The Yaqeen Ka Safar actor believes that his mindset is extended to those who work in the entertainment industry at large. She feels that people have uninformed, biased perceptions of how celebrities and media personalities act, which stem from a general sense of contempt towards showbiz professions.

“People don’t like women in the industry, and we come from a variety of different backgrounds. They pour scorn on our work,” she said. “What are we doing wrong? We offer prayers diligently at our sets, we have our meals together, and we make the most of the 12 hours we are required to spend with each other. No one at our sets and studios considers other people and professions to be beneath them.”

Meaningful bonds

Seated opposite to Mariyam, Rabab Hashim chimed in, adding that it’s impractical to imagine crew members isolating themselves when working so closely. “We spend most of the week working together for six to eight months. So it’s impossible to be that person all the time. You can’t do it.”

She added, “I’m sure some people might still do it, as there are always exceptions. But for the majority of us, we live, breathe, and eat together. Everything’s happening all at once.”

The two actors took the opportunity to look back on how their friendship blossomed on set. Mariyam began by sharing that she doesn’t have many close friends in the industry, but having shared a lot of screentime with Rabab brought the two closer in a way Mariyam didn’t expect.

“[Rabab] takes time to open up to people, but when does, she unravels all at once,” the Neem actor enthused. “Because I’m originally from Islamabad, she would bring homemade curry and bhindi for me. And I’d think, ‘Yes, this girl! I’m going to keep her with me.”

Rabab agreed that she’s an introvert who gets comfortable with people at her own pace. Voicing her admiration of Mariyam, the Meray Mohsin actor said, “She’s amazing. We became friends fairly quickly and the set was also a fun place to be. We had lovely co-stars, so our days would be spent well and we would hang out often.”

Sharing her honest first impression of Mariyam Nafees, Rabab said with a laugh, “I found her very overwhelming. I kept wondering, ‘Is she actually like this?’ But as I got to know her, I realised that you need at least one friend in your life who’s this energetic.”

Also Read: Mariyam Nafees Hits Back at Intrusive Fan Question

Actress Aymen Saleem has spoken out against the troubling portrayal of abuse in a recent drama, calling it out for romanticising harmful behaviour in the name of storytelling.

Taking to Instagram, Aymen posted a strong statement criticising the way a female character was shown tied up with ropes by her husband a scene that was framed with romantic music and gestures. Without naming the drama, she expressed her deep concern over how such content is being normalised.

In a powerful Instagram story, she said, “Enough is enough. I’m deeply disturbed by the way a recent drama is portraying abuse  tying up a woman with ropes, showing it in romantic or bold light, and then normalising it as part of a love story.”

She criticised how such scenes are being packaged as entertainment and said this trend is harmful, not harmless fiction. “This isn’t entertainment. It’s dangerous storytelling,” she added.

Aymen pointed out that women in Pakistan already face many struggles within marriage including patriarchy, emotional and physical abuse, and societal pressure. In such a reality, media has a major responsibility.

She wrote that dramas should promote relief, strength, and progress not show harmful acts as expressions of love. “We’ve made strides in showcasing strong, self-aware female leads and breaking generational curses. Why are we slipping back?” she asked.

Aymen Saleem’s Key Take

Calling for change, she urged writers, producers, channels, and especially actors to be mindful about the stories they support and choose.

“This is not just fiction – this shapes culture,” Aymen warned.She ended by reminding everyone that scenes like these do not reflect love they only make abuse look normal.

Aymen’s statement has sparked conversations across social media, with many supporting her stance and calling for more responsible storytelling in Pakistani television.

Also Read: Aymen Saleem Slams Trolls for Criticizing Kubra & Gohar’s Wedding

In a week where criticism roared louder than applause, Danish Taimoor stood tall — not in defiance, but in triumph; the popular actor is riding high on the unprecedented success of his drama serial Mann Mast Malang, which has claimed the second spot among Pakistan’s most-watched shows this week, even as debates swirl around its controversial themes.

While the drama has come under scrutiny for what many consider a troubling glorification of toxic relationships, audiences appear to be tuning in with persistent interest. The storyline’s bold portrayal of possessiveness and masculinity has sparked widespread concern among critics and celebrities alike; many have raised red flags over how Mann Mast Malang walks the tightrope between intense romance and psychological abuse, and whether it crosses a dangerous line.

Despite this, the numbers speak volumes; Taimoor recently took to Instagram to share a celebratory poster, revealing jaw-dropping viewership stats: 25 million views for his new drama Sher, and a solid 15 million for Mann Mast Malang. Captioning the post with a telling statement—“1st“ and 2nd. Success does not need a spotlight. It speaks loud and clear.” — He made it clear that his focus remains on audience response, not controversy.

On one hand, Danish’s starrer is being dissected by critics for promoting regressive narratives. On the other hand, it is dominating the charts, outperforming even family-oriented serials with socially responsible themes.

Read more: Danish Taimoor Under Fire: Is Mann Mast Malang Crossing the Line of Cultural Integrity?