All ‘Kabir Singh-like’ Pakistani dramas should be banned immediately: Nadia Afgan

Nadia Afgan wants all Pakistani dramas that follow “Kabir Singh” tropes to be banned immediately. The Suno Chanda actor recently voiced her concerns regarding the proliferation of toxic narratives in local dramas and criticised the industry for blatantly romanticising domestic abuse, harassment and stalking.

Afgan made a guest appearance at the show Chocolate Times where the host asked her about her opinions on the local drama industry. "I hate these misogynistic dramas. There was one Kabir Singh type-drama of Danish Taimoor recently too. These dramas show these male figures and their abuse as love; let me tell you, this kind of love is bullsh*t,” she said, referring to Taimoor’s Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi starring Durefishan Saleem and Nauman Ijaz. The drama was top-rated when it aired last year.

Afgan emphasised the harmful impact such narratives have on young viewers, asserting that they propagate the idea that pursuing someone relentlessly and resorting to aggressive behavior is an “acceptable” manifestation of love. She argued for the immediate ban of all dramas that romanticise or glamorise abusive and psychotic behavior.

“We’re teaching young kids that once you like someone, you should go crazy after them and go with guns to chase them. Imagine!” she added. "It is crucial to teach young individuals the importance of consent," Afgan continued. "Whether it is a girl saying no or even a guy saying no – because girls also chase men – we should respect their decision. Junooni hone ki kya zaroorat hai? There is no need to become obsessive about it."

Earlier this year, in conversation with Urdu News, the Parizaad actor spoke about why she works so selectively now and refrains from frequently taking up more projects. “Most of the scripts that come to me are clichéd. All I get to read are mother-in-law quarrels, sister-in-law quarrels, and cruel brother-in-law quarrels. I don’t feel like I need to act anymore. It’s like I’m reenacting the same scenes over and over again,” she stated.

Afgan feels that she might as well take on lesser projects but more diverse ones, or at least only take up projects that offer her a different role than the ones she’s played before. “I am an actor and every actor wants to try on a new skin, a new costume, find an alter ego. And play it out as well as they can," she said.

Afgan's remarks shed light on the need for responsible storytelling and the promotion of healthy relationship dynamics in Pakistani dramas. By calling for a ban on toxic narratives and stressing the significance of consent, she advocates for a positive change in the industry.