When social evils aren’t tackled in dramas, they appear in the news: Yumna Zaidi

Actor explains why notices issued against shows dealing with societal injustices is wrong

After Omair Rana and Simi Raheal voiced their disapproval of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) notice issued against Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi, actor Yumna Zaidi has expressed her frustration. Lashing out at the organisation, she explained why such notices are alarming and unfair.

Talking to BBC Urdu, Zaidi claimed that she doesn’t understand the reason behind issuing the notice and complaints of viewers against a serial which only depicts the reality. “The issues raised in Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi should be talked about,” said the actor. “I don’t understand how PEMRA can issue a notice against the show’s content.”

Zaidi confessed that whenever she picks up risqué, bold or difficult roles, she does it with the intention of giving back to society. “But if such carefully curated content can receive a notice by PEMRA, I am forced to wonder what would even be allowed,” questioned the celebrity.

“These are problems that occur regularly in our government schools, colleges, small neighbourhoods and villages. When we don’t raise awareness about these social evils and tackle them in our dramas, we will hear about them in the news. And those stories will be real,” asserted Zaidi, undeniably pointing out a hard-hitting fact.

Responding to viewers who question how these stories can contribute to the prevention of horrific incidents such as child abuse and human trafficking, Zaidi retorted, “When we have raised an issue, at least let us complete our story. How can anyone decide the content is obscene when we haven’t even shown anything yet? How can we only make dramas based on saans bahu stories?”

She continued, “When we give space to romance and so many other genres on our screens, why can’t we give space to such stories?” Zaidi shared that she is not happy with PEMRA’s decision, “and I am saying this in a very kind manner right now. She acknowledged that while her previous projects have received similar notices, this one hit different.

Featuring Zaidi, Rana, Yasra Rizvi, Wahaj Ali, Nadia Afgan, Naumaan Ijaz and Samiya Mumtaz, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi has been written by Amna Mufti and directed by Kashif Nisar. It is a haunting tale of child abuse and human trafficking in Pakistan. Weighing in on her character in the serial, Zaid said, “My character is that of a prostitute who has been living that life since the past eight to ten years. So while we were shooting some party scenes – and I treat everything like it’s very real during my shoots – I thanked God that my life isn’t actually like this.”

She went on to express the effect her method acting had on her emotional wellbeing while playing the part. “The feeling was haunting. And I felt so sorry for those women who are entrapped in such lives. But I am happy that I am portraying the character of such a woman, who fights the system and breaks free,” Zaidi concluded.

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