Actor Hani Taha, in a recent interview, opened up about the making of the drama serial Aik Mohabbat Aur, in which she stars alongside Ahad Raza Mir and Maya Ali. She touched upon last-minute script changes and the various transformations that occur during the journey from script to screen.

Explaining just how much a script can evolve once it reaches the set, Hani stated, “The whole point of having a really good director and a really good actor is that you improvise together.” She added that not everything written on paper ultimately survives to be shown on screen.

Hani revealed that an early draft of the script for Aik Mohabbat Aur initially took a very different direction for one particular character, who was originally written to influence a male lead. The actor shared that Qudsiya Ali’s character, Maham, was initially intended to develop romantic feelings for Mir’s character, Haroon. She noted that the inspiration for this subplot was traced by the creative team to “a very bad Indian drama.”

Although Hani acknowledged that the subplot was eventually removed “very rightfully, because it would have taken away from the whole story,” she also stated that it ultimately was “such an irresponsible thing” to have been considered in the first place.

Furthermore, she addressed viewers’ criticism regarding a particular scene involving her character, saying that she stood firmly by the director’s creative call. “I am a director’s actor. I completely trust the director. And I completely trusted him with it,” Hani explained.

She added that art remained open to interpretation and that audiences were entitled to their own perspectives. “It’s up to people if someone liked or disliked it. I honestly did not think there was anything wrong with that shot. Otherwise, I would have addressed it at that time that this is not right,” she said.

Moving on to discuss the broader entertainment industry, the actor pushed back against the notion that Pakistan lacked skilled and capable crew members. “There are so many film schools in our country, so you can’t say that there is no talent. People know. People are dying for opportunities,” Hani emphasized.

Regarding her own journey in the field, she shared the setbacks that came with being a struggling actor early in her career, recalling that she lost a project opposite Saba Qamar. “This happens a lot, unfortunately, in business. I cried a lot; I was very young,” Hani shared candidly.

She also described the uncertainty that actors often faced, even after they had signed the relevant contracts. “We even talk about the contract sometimes; the contract is signed, and then they say sorry to you. Or you go on set, you’ve shot for two days, then the director says, I don’t understand this,” the actor said, describing the delays and disappointments she encountered early in her career.

Furthermore, Hani also discussed the sense of responsibility that came with the job. She noted, “The job of an artist is to reform society, and we should do something that has a positive impact on society.”

Hani, who began her career as a filmmaker and documentarian, has previously worked with the BBC and Al Jazeera. She also collaborated closely with Oscar-winning director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy before transitioning to acting. She appeared in the film Motorcycle Girl and the short film In a Hail of Broken Glass, before moving into television with projects such as Saraab and Neem. Hani later featured in Mian Biwi Bachon Samait and Meri Zindagi Hai Tu.

Read more: Faisal Qureshi: Pakistani dramas match Netflix in global popularity

Umera Ahmed is a renowned Pakistani novelist and drama writer, best known for her popular novels Peer-e-Kamil, Man-o-Salwa, Thora Sa Aasman and Zindagi Gulzar Hai. Her notable television dramas include Durr-e-Shehwar, Alif, Daam, Maat, Kankar and several others. Recently, fans have been praising her drama series Aap Ki Izzat, which has captivated audiences with its sensational and relatable storyline.

Umera Ahmed enjoys a huge fan following among novel readers, many of whom love her work and often create pictorial depictions of scenes and characters from her novels on social media. The writer has appreciated fans for showering love on her work, but she appears to be unhappy with the increasing use of AI-generated visuals to depict scenes from her novels, particularly religious and spiritual content such as Peer-e-Kamil.

Taking to her official Instagram account, Umera Ahmed shared a message requesting fans and content creators not to create or share AI-generated visuals based on her work.

She wrote, “Dear Readers, “We are truly grateful for your tremendous love and support for Umera Ahmed’s novels. We have been noticing a lot of AI-generated images, videos, and reels trying to depict scenes, characters, and dialogues from the novels. We kindly ask all the content creators and pages to not generate or share any AI visuals of Umera Ahmed’s work. It is a very personal experience that literature cultivates within you when you read a novel, and AI content deprives you of that deep connection. Especially in the case of Peer-e-Kamil (s.a.w.), we feel that no one should dilute the beauty and sanctity of such a deep, sensitive, and spiritual tale through AI visuals. We value the tremendous creativity and energy that goes into developing and running these wonderful pages. But it would be a great shame if people started diluting the beautiful words of Umera Ahmed. Let the magic of her words touch you and everybody else, just the way it is meant to.” 

Umera Ahmed’s readers are appreciating her stance on the AI generated visuals of her novels. Many loved her warning in a polite tone.

Pakistani dramas have found yet another admirer across the border, with Indian actress Shehnaaz Gill expressing her love for the country’s television industry and calling its portrayal of romance unlike anything else on screen.

During a conversation with entertainment journalist Faridoon Shahryar, the actress spoke candidly about her admiration for Pakistani serials, revealing that their storytelling, emotional depth, and subtle depiction of love continue to leave a lasting impression on her.

Shehnaaz also shared the names of the Pakistani celebrities she enjoys watching, listing Hania Aamir, Bilal Abbas Khan, and Fahad Mustafa among her favourites. The actress praised not only their performances but also the quality of projects they have been a part of over the years.

While discussing the dramas that have particularly stayed with her, Shehnaaz singled out Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum and Meri Zindagi Hai Tu, saying both serials beautifully capture the emotions that make Pakistani television so popular with audiences beyond the country’s borders.

According to the actress, what truly separates Pakistani dramas from other television industries is the way they portray romance. Rather than depending on physical intimacy, she believes the stories focus on emotions, expressions, and meaningful moments that allow relationships to develop naturally.

She explained that the affection shown between characters feels genuine because it is communicated through emotions instead of physical contact. In her view, that understated style gives Pakistani love stories a unique purity and emotional appeal that is becoming increasingly rare in modern entertainment.

Shehnaaz further noted that the slow-paced storytelling and gradual development of relationships make viewers more invested in the characters. She described the emotional restraint seen in Pakistani serials as one of their greatest strengths and concluded that, in her opinion, no other television industry can compete with the standard set by Pakistani dramas.

The actress first became a household name after her appearance on Bigg Boss 13, where her cheerful personality and close friendship with the late actor Sidharth Shukla earned her immense popularity across India. Since then, she has steadily expanded her career beyond reality television.

She made her Bollywood debut opposite Salman Khan in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan before appearing in Thank You for Coming. Alongside acting, Shehnaaz has remained active in the music industry and has also built a strong digital presence through celebrity interviews and online content, further strengthening her connection with audiences.

Read more: Shehnaaz Gill urges artists to confidently demand the pay they deserve