ARY Digital’s hit drama Sher has charmed audiences every Wednesday and Thursday at 8 PM. With a powerhouse cast featuring Sarah Khan, Danish Taimoor, Sunita Marshall, Arjumand Rahim, and others, Sher has quickly become one of the most-watched Pakistani dramas on YouTube. Viewers especially love the sizzling on-screen chemistry between Sarah Khan and Danish Taimoor. However, many don’t know that Sarah wasn’t the first choice for the lead role of Doctor Fajar.

In a recent appearance on Fuchsia Magazine’s YouTube show, actress Sehar Hashmi made a surprising revelation. She disclosed that she was initially approached for Sher and was even considered to play the female lead opposite Danish Taimoor. “I had been hearing for over a year that I would be cast with Danish,” she shared.

Sehar mentioned that she had a meeting with Sher’s director Aehsun Talish and was seriously considered. But unfortunately, the opportunity slipped away. According to her, “Due to pressures and the risks of casting a newcomer, the production house eventually backed off.”

While she may have missed out on Sher, Sehar’s journey didn’t stop there. She was soon spotted by the team at 7th Sky, where director Ali Faizan and producer Marry Baji saw potential in her and cast her as Riya in Mann Mast Malang, a move that kickstarted her rising career.

Meanwhile, Sarah Khan stepped into the role of Doctor Fajar and won the audience over with her grace and depth, but now fans are wondering what Sher would’ve looked like with Sehar in the lead.

Read more: Reham Khan Publicly Slams Sarah Khan

Mehreen Jabbar a renowned Pakistani drama and film director, has earned acclaim for her impactful storytelling. She has directed several critically praised dramas, including Daam, Ek Jhooti Love Story, Jackson Heights, and Doraha. Mehreen frequently speaks out about challenges in the industry, such as delayed payments and a lack of professionalism. She is currently directing a new drama featuring a star-studded cast, including Adeel Hussain, Shuja Asad, Hajra Yamin, and others.

Recently, drama director Mehreen Jabbar gave an interview to the YouTube channel Pakistani Drama, where she discussed the ongoing payment struggles in the television industry.

Talking about it, she said, “Although our drama industry has progressed significantly and is producing successful dramas, it still operates in a very unprofessional manner, especially when it comes to payments. You may find many flaws in the USA, but payments there are always on time. In Pakistan, no production house pays on time. Some do, but in most cases, you have to chase them for payment—you end up feeling like a beggar. From actors to directors to spot boys, it’s the same story. The salaries of technical crews are extremely low. They’ve mastered the art of saving money, which enables them to keep productions affordable. I don’t know how this cycle will break. It’s stressful to work in Pakistan.”

Samar Jafri plays Wali in Parwarish, a drama that addresses Gen Z issues such as mental health, parental pressure, and the complexities of parenting. The show also explores themes of young romance and one-sided attraction, portraying them in a realistic way that reflects today’s world. However, some viewers have criticized the depiction of students falling in love. Responding to the backlash, Samar Jafri shared his perspective on Gen Z romance in Parwarish during an interview with Something Haute.

Samar Jafri discussed Amal’s one-sided attraction to Wali, explaining that the drama portrays Amal as a very studious girl with no initial interest in love or romance. He said she viewed Wali as someone she could potentially fall for because he was close to her and very open with her. As a result, her feelings of attraction developed naturally. On the other hand, Wali saw Amal only as a friend and often took her care for granted. He recognized her as a problem solver and a loyal friend—and that’s the lens through which he viewed her.

Samar Jafri shared that he isn’t actively seeking roles in mainstream romance dramas, but he’s open to the idea if the script feels right. He emphasized that Pakistani television still doesn’t portray young love as it exists in real life. Referring to his character Wali, he explained how Wali is willing to leave his entire world for Maya—an intense kind of love he has witnessed among his own friends. Samar stressed the need to bring such real and relatable stories to our as they reflect the genuine emotions of today’s youth.