Nabeel Zafar asks why women watch dramas promoting abuse

Actor says unpleasant men on screen prevent him from taking father roles

Pakistani actor Nabeel Zafar has sparked a heated discussion about the portrayal of toxic relationships in TV dramas. Appearing on the FHM podcast, Nabeel expressed his deep concern over the way these dramas romanticise and normalise abuse.

“I have one question from women: Why do they watch these [abusive] plays? First, you talk about women’s empowerment. At night, you watch women getting beat up and divorced. Why?” Nabeel questioned, highlighting a stark contrast between the ideals of empowerment and the realities depicted on screen.

Nabeel stated that he cannot bring himself to participate in projects that perpetuate harmful messages. “Is the typical Pakistani man this cruel?” he asked, reflecting on the troubling stereotypes often portrayed in these dramas.

He also addressed the types of roles he is offered, particularly those as the heroine’s father. “I get offers to play the heroine’s father. I say I have no objection to playing fatherly roles, God made me a father (in real life) many years ago. But will I say dialogues like, ‘Oh, you got a divorce? I’ll get you remarried’ or ‘Have you had lunch?’ Why would I play these roles then?”

Earlier, Nabeel offered a brutally honest take on the current state of awards in the entertainment industry. Swerving comments related to lobbies, when asked about awards, the star asserted that winners should not have to justify their accolades.

“Shall I tell you?” he began. “The problem is that when you get an award and have to keep justifying...saying this is why you have received the award...then...” He trailed off with a laugh. The actor also added, “I think such awards should be in Pakistan. What is an award? Appreciation, right? You perform appreciation wrong when you don’t award a genuine person. You create injustice in society.”