Renowned Pakistani actor Faysal Quraishi expressed visible frustration during a live television show when a participant criticized the repetitive themes in Pakistani dramas, particularly the dominance of “saas-bahu” (mother-in-law vs. daughter-in-law) storylines.
Quraishi, who appeared on the show to promote his latest film Deemak, was answering audience questions when a young woman questioned how Deemak differs from the typical Pakistani dramas, which she claimed often revolve around the same themes and pacing.
The question drew a sharp response from the veteran actor, who challenged the claim and asked the participant to name which dramas she was referring to.
“Which dramas are the same? Give me names,” Quraishi said. “For the past three years, we’ve been telling diverse stories—Khayi, Ishq Murshid, Kabuli Pulao, Behrupiya, Dunyapur, Faraar, Saraab, and Raja Rani—none of these are typical saas-bahu stories. When did we last make the same kind of drama again and again?”
The actor’s reaction has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users supported his defense of the industry, others found his tone unnecessarily aggressive.
Meanwhile, Quraishi’s horror film Deemak, released over Eid-ul-Adha, has been well-received by audiences and is enjoying commercial success.
