Sympathy for the devil

Haris Waheed talks fan reactions to his antagonist, Tabraiz, in ‘Jaan e Jahan’

Spoiler alert: Do not proceed if you haven’t watched Jaan e Jahan and want to avoid major plot reveals!

Pakistani actor Haris Waheed—often seen wreaking havoc as the villain—graced the set of Hasna Mana Hai to unravel the enigma of his antagonist Tabrez from hit drama series Jaan e Jahan. For those still catching up, let’s just say, Tabraiz’s fate is a tearjerker, and no, we’re not just talking about his dramatic exit!

When asked if he anticipated the emotional response to his character’s demise, Haris chuckled, “I did not. While I was playing the role, Tabraiz wasn’t a villain or antagonist in my head; he was just a person who’s made mistakes. Maybe that’s what struck a chord with the audiences—Tabrez is one of us.”

He continued, “The drama was written and directed well, and we put in a lot of effort.” Clearly, the effort paid off, transforming a typical villain arc into a poignant, relatable tragedy. Who knew that behind the menacing glare was a heart capable of turning tears into cheers? Now that’s what we call a role reversal!

One of the most popular offerings this year, Jaan e Jahan marked the delightful reunion of Ayeza Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi, who were last seen in Pyarey Afzal (2013). Portraying the characters of Mahnoor and Shehraam, the on-screen duo ignited a renewed spark of romance, prompting an outpouring of excitement from their dedicated fanbase.

Ayeza, in an off-set conversation with the production team (shared on the Next Level Backstage YouTube channel), expressed her joy at collaborating with Hamza after a considerable hiatus. The actor playfully referred to Hamza as the “heroine” of Jaan e Jahan, shedding light on the unique dynamic between their characters.

“I’m the hero of the script,” said Ayeza with a smile, “and Hamza is the heroine.” Laughing, the star added, “Because I keep saving him everywhere and protecting him. It’s a very beautiful story—one that I can’t summarise in words.”