Actor Iffat Omar has joined growing public criticism of Main Manto Nahi Hoon after a recent episode sparked backlash for depicting a romantic relationship between a teacher and his student.
The controversy began when human rights lawyer Reema Omer shared a clip on X showing university students urging their professor, Manto, to marry his student, Mehmal. The scene drew widespread condemnation, with many questioning the appropriateness of portraying such a dynamic on screen.
Resharing Omer’s post, Iffat Omar voiced her disapproval, noting the involvement of some of Pakistan’s most celebrated actors, writers, and directors. Her response amplified the criticism, which largely targeted writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and lead actors Humayun Saeed and Sajal Aly.
Critics argued that normalizing teacher–student relationships could distort social perceptions and negatively affect women in higher education. Others defended the drama as fictional, but the majority focused on its ethical and cultural insensitivity.
