Author Nemrah Ahmed livid over glorification of abuse, narcissistic men onscreen

The debate on problematic content being shown in Pakistani dramas has been highlighted one too many times. The constant bickering of lead women onscreen and females pitted against each other are narratives the audience has seen repeatedly. They are also narratives the audience is now finding tiresome.

In order to combat this stance, in comes Feroze Khan with his continual take on playing the 'spoiled rich brat' in his latest offering Aye-Musht-e-Khaak, starring his Khaani co-star, Sana Javed. However, one of the episodes of the show did not just show an angry toxic male lead but also glorified domestic abuse in a conflicting relationship.

Trigger warning!

The graphically belligerent scene between Mustajab (Feroze) and Shiza (Nimra Khan) begins as he drags her by the neck and pulls her into the room screaming at the top of his lungs. The scene shows him sweating, his pupils dilated and bloodshot veins popping on his forehead, with Nimra's character being shown as adding fuel to his wrath by fighting back. 

Many found the clip extremely triggering and called out the makers of the show. Famed author, Nemrah Ahmed, of Jannat Ke Pattay, took to social media and rightfully lashed out on the troublesome storylines in today's drama serials.

"Shamless media promoting violent and obsessed heroes, who run after a girl and do not understand that no means no," Nemrah shared on her Instagram stories. "These heroes are physically abusing in dramas (every other show of Feroze Khan) and the audience is applauding. This is how Bollywood has raised a generation. Present violent heroes, make girls believe that a man who consistently runs after them is a loving man and ger applause. This is dangerous. Toxic. A man who runs after you even when you've said no is a red flag. Never settle for that man." She then added, "Grow up, Pakistani media. Grow up."

She went on to add how time has changed her thinking about previous shows she had liked at that time. She commented how old age Urdu novels portrayed a man who would kidnap a girl and the girl would end up falling in love with him and forgive him. "It's not love, it's Stockholm syndrome," she said.

In another story, Nemrah went on to talk about toxic male leads in the dramas.

"A wealthy and handsome playboy keeps pursuing a middle-class girl. He kidnaps her, stalks her, abuses her, he shouts at her, physically assaults her but he is still the hero In the end the hero wins over the girl. That is where these dramas end. Love wins. They call it Ishq," the author commented, adding, "He only plays one kind of role and in the end, he is just glorified as a lover. He needs to be responsible enough to choose roles wisely."

She highlighted the impact on the audience of showing toxic abusive partners onscreen. "They become Zahir Jaffer. They pursue Noor Mukadams and they don't let go of them," she penned. "On one side we are fighting Zahir Jaffers and on the other hand, we are glorifying these narcissistic men?"

Nemrah went on to discuss Danish Taimoor's dramas as well. "What was the story of Deewangi? Ishq Hai?" she questioned. "Both dramas starred Danish Taimoor. He should have thought twice before accepting these plays."

The writer even pointed towards telefilm Ruposh that has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. "Now this new kid in this silly telefilm Ruposh. He literally pulls the heroine with her hair. Yes, he did. And they showed it on national television. Yet he is a hero," she said.

Nemrah concluded with, "Stop teaching women that they need to settle for such men because it is love. This is not love. This is obsession and psychopathic behaviour."