Actors Zhalay Sarhadi, Atiqa Odho and Juggun Kazim have weighed in on the debate surrounding Saba Hameed's portrayal of two vastly different roles opposite the same co-star, reigniting conversations about age, casting and gender bias in Pakistan's television industry.
Hameed is currently appearing in two dramas airing on the same channel. In Bas Tera Saath Ho, she plays the wife of Faran Tahir, while in the recently released Dar-e-Nijaat, she portrays the mother of the same actor.
The unusual casting choice gained attention after a content creator questioned the contrast between the two roles, asking whether audiences should focus on an actor's age or simply appreciate the performance.
Among those responding was Zhalay, who argued that the discussion reflected the entertainment industry's double standards for ageing women.
"Ageing is only for women! When we reach an older age, we unfortunately do not get out of the 'boys' realm. Hence, our society keeps on submitting to this cultural and generational brainwashing," she wrote.
"All over the world, it's changing, just not in this part of the planet. All us female artists should take over and get suitable, more appropriate roles written for us with better, more realistic casting. It's the only solution," she added.
She later added a humorous remark: "Now that I have said this, I might be playing Humayun's mum in my next project."
Atiqa Odho, meanwhile, questioned the casting itself during a recent interview, saying she found it difficult to accept Hameed as Tahir's mother.
"I don't understand how Saba Hameed can play Faran Tahir's mother. I don't get it. She does not look like a grandmother. Her look is too 'fast'," she said, suggesting the role aged the actor beyond her natural appearance.
Juggun Kazim took the opposite view, arguing that the contrasting roles showcased Hameed's versatility rather than exposing a casting flaw.
"People are talking about the fact that she's playing Faran's wife in one drama and his mother in another. To me, that's not confusing. That's a testament to Saba Hameed's extraordinary talent. She has the rare ability to make you forget the actor and believe the character every single time. We are so lucky to have artists like her," Kazim wrote.
The discussion has since divided audiences. While some believe the casting highlights long-standing gender biases and unrealistic expectations surrounding ageing women on screen, others argue that Hameed's performances demonstrate that strong acting can transcend age and on-screen relationships.
The debate has also renewed broader conversations about age-appropriate casting, representation and whether an actor's talent should take precedence over conventional perceptions of age in television dramas.
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