I have it in writing that I cannot do Momo’s character anywhere else: Hina Dilpazeer

In a surprising revelation during a recent appearance on a Ramazan transmission, Pakistani actress Hina Dilpazeer, renowned for her portrayal of Mumtaz, fondly known as Momo, in the hit sitcom Bulbulay, unveiled an unexpected contractual restriction related to her iconic character. Dilpazeer disclosed that she is contractually obligated against reprising her beloved role as Momo anywhere else, whether in on-screen projects or off-screen engagements such as events or award ceremonies.

Momo's character in Bulbulay is a charming yet absent-minded elderly woman who frequently forgets names, including those of her own family members and common household items. Her endearing mix-ups and mispronunciations have captured the hearts of audiences, with her trademark "oof" followed by a facepalm becoming an emblematic reaction on the show.

Expressing her situation, Dilpazeer stated, “I have this in writing that I cannot do this character (Momo) anywhere else. Yes, I did a commercial where I asked for permission to play Momo and they said yes but it was just a commercial.”

Aside from Dilpazeer, the regular cast of Bulbulay includes Nabeel, Ayesha Omar and Mehmood Aslam. Originally premiering in 2009, the sitcom has emerged as a triumphant small-screen offering with the distinction of being the longest-running television series in Pakistan.

Momo's character has amassed a devoted following over the years, becoming one of Pakistani television's most beloved and recognisable figures. Her comedic timing and antics have endeared her to audiences of all demographics, making Dilpazeer's portrayal an indispensable element of Bulbulay's success.

In a 2021 interview, the actor remarked on the show’s wide appeal. “This show cemented our identities on TV,” said Dilpazeer. “Many people recognise us by our characters and not by our real names and that's a statement for how successful and relevant the show has been for our audience.”

Delving on Momo’s ever-loved character, she credited the writer Ali Rehman for a brilliant character sketch but also gave a shout-out to her shared comic chemistry with Nabeel. Since the duo had shared the screen before as well, it was. “A lot of times, we had to do multiple takes, which would often irritate Khoobsurat (Ayesha Omar) because Nabeel, Mehmood and I would constantly laugh at each other’s gestures and cues,” reminisced Dilpazeer.

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