Sajal Aly, Ahad Raza Mir's new drama criticised for 'romanticising workplace harassment'

Couple's obvious chemistry never fails to wow the audience and the duo did deliver it. Well, more or less

Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir's fans were in for a treat late Saturday night, when the starlet shared a glimpse of their upcoming drama Ye Dil Mera on social media.

The public was ecstatic and couldn't wait to see their favourite on and off-screen couple sharing screen space for the third time. Aly and Mir have previously worked together on Yakeen Ka Safar and Aangan.

Their obvious chemistry never fails to wow the audience and that was exactly what was expected in Ye Dil Mera. And the duo did deliver it. Well, more or less.

#YehDilMera pic.twitter.com/UoXFOyRVY9

— Sajal Ali (@Iamsajalali) October 19, 2019

The show, written by Humsafar and Diyar-e-Dil famed writer Farhat Ishtiaq, is being accused of glorifying and romanticising workplace harassment.

Many have taken to Twitter since Saturday to explain how Ye Dil Mera is disguising workplace and sexual harassment as romance. "I think they did a good job at representing Pakistani culture here. There's biryani, there's workplace harassment. What else do you need?" a user wrote.

i think they did a good job at representing pakistani culture here. there's biryani. there's workplace harassment. what else do you need? https://t.co/6WuejcsCGP

— tarbooza kharbooz (@nakaamrade) October 20, 2019

"If someone spoke to me like that at a job interview, I'd leave right away. And I can do that because I have the privilege to walk away from a sleazy boss. How many girls would be able to take a stand up like that for themselves? This isn't romantic. It's sleazy," shared another user.

https://twitter.com/Sindhu_Abasi/status/1185862427180765187

https://twitter.com/ghafra_zara/status/1185855846984667137

Oh boy. So much going on here. She's dressing up in trousers before the interview but goes dressed as a behn ji with jhumkay and a hairstyle fit for an evening date. Employer is a grade A tharki asking inappropriate questions that she should've walked away from without answering https://t.co/v7fv5EK6NN

— Nadia (@novocainerush) October 20, 2019

First of all who wear jhumkas and long frauks to the interview and secondly which HR representative interviews in such a stupid way? Dramas are meant to be fictitious and are not to meant to be in 'parallel world' we all refer to. https://t.co/X3NzHxDLh2

— Biya Ali Zaib. (@BiyaAli9) October 20, 2019

We all knew the TV writing in this country had declined but not to this point. I’m disappointed Sajal and Ahad - who are so talented - would take on such vapid roles and romanticize sexual harassment in the workplace. https://t.co/EOKNOE65oC

— Iman Sultan (@karachiiite) October 20, 2019

Soon after the backlash, many came forward to defend Ishtiaq, whose female characters are usually strong and independent. The writer herself clarified she would never romanticise rape and harassment.

The onscreen couple sparked dating rumours since the time they first shared screen together in Yakeen Ka Safar. Th very show was penned by the same writer.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.