Journalist Ambreen Fatima recently interviewed actor and producer Humayun Saeed, asking questions about negative reviews on his dramas. Humayun is unbothered by criticism. He laughs rather than fretting over reviews.
While not shown explicitly, the show Main Manto Nahi Hoon hints towards a romance between Mehmal(Sajal Aly) and Manto(Humayun Saeed). In one scene, Mehmal's aunt teases her for having a crush on her professor by pointing out how much she talks about him, hinting towards a romantic attraction. Public opinion holds that Manto and Mehmal should not be romantically involved with each other. The show has also been criticized for being slow paced.
“Just like we do our dramas, let them do theirs,” he said, acknowledging that reviewers are simply doing their job and likely get paid to do so.
“I request everyone not to direct any negative comments towards them,” he said. He extended a reminder that many of them are senior to him in the industry and have the right to give their opinions.
He praised his co-stars Sajal Aly and Sanam Saeed and said he felt fortunate to work with them in the drama. He said the casting of Saima Noor was a collective decision on the part of himself and writer Khalilur Rehman Qamar.
Humayun is producing and starring in the drama simultaneously. Manto’s role is a complex and morally ambiguous one, which Humayun said he was enjoying.
He teased that the show’s next episodes will be more “eventful” and will include engaging dialogues that fans should look forward to.
Fans are disappointed by Sajal and Humayun's choice of script that is one the verge of normalising such dynamics. One Instagram user wrote, "I don't understand how A-listers agree to doing crap like this, do you people not read scripts?" Another Sajal-stan commented on her Instagram: "I expected better script from you."
Some pointed out the respect a student-teacher relationship demands. "The heroines who haven't studied in university wouldn't know the respect teachers hold," read a YouTube comment. "Students also have their own dignity, teachers are your spiritual parents. Such a poor script Sajal worked on."a
The show is directed by Nadeem Baig. It is being distributed by Six Sigma Plus and Next Level Entertainment and aired on ARY Digital. Main Manto Nahi Hoon has been on air since 18 July and released its 12th episode this past weekend.
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