While viewers praise ‘Sar-e-Rah’s’ empathetic take on trans advocacy, Maria B gets riled up

The latest episode showcased a father encouraging his son to be confident in who they are and focus on their goals

Sar-e-Rah, a limited drama series exploring the lives of various marginalised folks as they navigate through society's weighty expectations, is single-handedly changing viewer perceptions.

A step away from the saas-bahu drama, the Adeel Bhatti directorial, in its four episodes so far, has dealt with multiple societal problems, and also raised the question of gender identity and how empathy has a huge role to play while dealing with such ambiguities.

The latest episode featuring a conversation between a father (Nabeel Zafar) and his intersex son, Sarang (Muneeb Butt), has won hearts for its sensitive approach towards representing transgenders and intersex people onscreen. It also sets the tone for how gender-binary folks should be treated so that they don’t feel invalidated or threatened.

Sar-e-rah is such a breath of fresh air in Pakistan's drama industry.

Loved this conversation between Nabeel and his son on his gender identity... pic.twitter.com/Mz5UYIqHAC

— Sam (@nofkssgiven) February 26, 2023

“I wasn’t expecting this but what an incredible message by Nabeel Zafar! He beautifully talked about gender differences to his son, something which should’ve been taught way before but we couldn’t because of extremist elements in the society,” wrote a user.

I wasn’t expecting this but what an INCREDIBLE message by Nabeel Zafar! 👏🏼 He beautifully talked about gender differences to his son, something which should’ve been taught WAY before but we couldn’t, all because of extremist elements in the society.pic.twitter.com/kKCRTopdGB

— Saad Kaiser 🇵🇸 (@TheSaadKaiser) February 27, 2023

Another user appreciated the message that all children – no matter the race, sex, age, or features – should be loved and supported. “The relationship between Sarang and his father is beautiful in Sar-e-Rah this week. This father is honest with his son, and loves and supports him - what every child needs– but particularly those struggling against society. Nabeel Zafar and Muneeb Butt are brilliant.”

The relationship between Sarang & his father is beautiful in #SarERah this week. This father is honest with his son, loves & supports him - what every child needs, but particularly those struggling against society. Nabeel Zafar & Muneeb Butt are brilliant. #PakistaniDramas pic.twitter.com/AAMKZ0WGWv

— SophiaQ (@SophiaAQ) February 26, 2023

A tweep, from India shared that the content is “beyond remarkable” and “bold” even for their country.

#SareRah OMFG This show is so amazing. The way they are touching on trans and advocating how they can be something.
How they are advocating fathers support can enable any kid to be anything.
This is beyond remarkable. Hats off to this show

— Supriya (She/Her) (@SUPRIYADEVERKON) February 25, 2023

“This show is so amazing. The way they are touching on trans and advocating how they can be something. And how they are advocating that a father's support can enable any kid to be anything is beyond remarkable. Hats off to this show for showing a father asking his kid to be true to what he identifies with. This is a very bold message even for India. The trans/third gender community needs it so much.”

#SareRah Loved the father's support on how he's asking his kid to be true to what kid identifies itself with. This is a very bold message even for India. The trans/third gender community needs it so much.

— Supriya (She/Her) (@SUPRIYADEVERKON) February 25, 2023

Another user just questioned where writers like Adeel Razzaq have been hiding their whole lives. “There’s no way Sar-e-Rah was written by a man like Mr Adeel Razzaq. Who are you and where have you been my whole life?” read the tweet.

There’s no way sar-e-rah was written by a men like Mr. Adeel Razzaq who are you and where have you been my whole life???

— 𝒮ukiii (taylors version) (@missgilmoree) February 26, 2023

While everyone loved the show for touching upon the challenging life of an intersex person with such grounded empathy, designer Maria B had issues. Taking to Instagram, she posted a screenshot of Nabeel and Muneeb and wrote, “This is how you sell your soul… Well done, Pakistan. So, this kid is intersex? And instead of following sharia and getting corrective help to become male or female, his dad is telling him to be gender fluid, like transgenders. Now, will you wake up Pakistan? Is the agenda still not clear? Laanat on all the people who sold their souls and will contribute to the destruction of our kids.”

Twitter users brought back her old comments to show how hypocritical she is. The designer once said that she’s against transgenders but supports intersex people. “Maria B is out for blood. In one story she's saying Sharia stipulates that trans intersex people need to medically transition to a specific gender. On another, she's attacking a trans person for medically transitioning to a specific gender. Please report her Instagram,” read a tweet.

However, most users have now started taking Maria’s “transphobic meltdown” in their stride. “It’s funny how Maria B ke sarne se ab full on dil ko thand parhti hai (It’s funny how triggering Maria B is almost cathartic for me now.) Sar-e-Rah depicted a message of general kindness, empathy and acceptance, so of course, she’s deeply offended by it.”

Funny how Maria B ke sarne se ab full on dil ko thand parhti he. A message of general kindness, empathy and acceptance …so of course she’s deeply offended by it. pic.twitter.com/9FkuyIEofo

— Maria Amir (@Beentherella) February 27, 2023

In another Instagram Story, the designer also alleged that since Sar-e-Rah is a USAID-sponsored drama, the western world is pushing their gender agendas on our society.

To which, a user sarcastically questioned, “And who funds Maria B for her anti-trans agenda?”

Where is Maria B receiving funding from for her anti trans agenda? She dedicates so much time to it, I wonder who is funding her 🤔
She should answer these questions, the public needs to knowww.

— shmyla (@apniISPdot) February 28, 2023

Another user hoped, “There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing a transphobe like Maria B getting triggered. May our TV shows and films provide multiple opportunities to see her meltdown more often.”

There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing a transphobe like Maria B getting trigerred. May our TV shows and films provide opportunities to see her meltdown more often 👏 pic.twitter.com/fkkEVUsFiV

— Syed Zain Raza (@SydZainRaza) February 27, 2023