When Saba Qamar takes on a role, she doesn’t just act — she inhabits it. But sometimes, that immersion comes with a cost.
In a recent revelation, the acclaimed Pakistani actor opened up about how playing a rape survivor in the drama Case No. 9 left her emotionally and physically drained. “Emotional scenes take a real toll on the mind and the body,” she shared on Instagram, admitting that filming those sequences affected her health and pushed her to rethink how she handles psychologically demanding roles.
A role that demands more than performance
In Case No. 9, Qamar plays Sehar — a strong, ambitious woman whose life takes a devastating turn after she accuses her boss of rape. What follows is a journey through trauma, disbelief, and a justice system that seems more interested in doubting the victim than punishing the perpetrator.
Critics have called Qamar’s performance “raw, unflinching, and painfully real.” One particularly haunting scene between Sehar and her mother (played by veteran actor Hina Bayat) moved audiences to tears, sparking social media conversations about how Pakistani dramas handle the subject of sexual violence.
But for Qamar, embodying that reality wasn’t just emotionally taxing — it was transformative. “I’m learning to breathe through it,” she said, acknowledging that such roles can blur the line between fiction and lived experience.
Beyond the camera: confronting silence
In Pakistan, where conversations about sexual assault are still wrapped in layers of stigma and fear, Case No. 9 stands out for its unflinching portrayal of a survivor’s struggle. It forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions: How do we treat victims? Do our institutions protect them — or punish them again through disbelief and shame?
The show’s creators have been praised for handling the topic with sensitivity and courage, steering clear of melodrama and instead focusing on realism. Still, Qamar’s confession about the emotional fallout behind the scenes highlights another truth: even portraying pain leaves scars.
The price of realism
Actors often talk about “leaving the character at work,” but that’s easier said than done when the story mirrors real-world trauma. Repeatedly reliving distressing scenes, crying on cue, and inhabiting a survivor’s emotional state can take a serious mental toll.
Qamar’s honesty about her struggle shines a light on something rarely discussed in Pakistan’s entertainment industry — the emotional labour of storytelling. When actors like her bring social issues to the screen, they carry the emotional weight of real people’s stories, not just fictional ones.
A reminder for all of us
Saba Qamar’s portrayal of Sehar isn’t just another powerful performance — it’s a cultural statement. It reminds us that art can be more than entertainment; it can be empathy in motion. And that empathy, as Qamar’s journey shows, often comes at a deeply personal price.
As audiences, perhaps the least we can do is watch with a little more understanding — not just of the character, but of the human being behind it.
