Farhan Saeed says playing Anas in 'Bas Tera Saath Ho' took an emotional toll on him

Actor Farhan Saeed has opened up about the emotional toll of playing Anas in Bas Tera Saath Ho, revealing that the intense audience reaction to his character began affecting his own mood and behaviour.

During a recent meet-and-greet and media interaction for the drama, Saeed spoke about the response to the series and the criticism directed at Anas. He said the constant online bullying of his character became so intense that people around him noticed a change in his behaviour.

“The drama itself has become a drama. People around me also told me that I started to get very irritated because of the constant bullying,” Saeed said. He added, “I also got trauma from playing this character, myself.”

After crossing paths with Ansa, played by Javed, Anas opens up about the hardships he has endured. The two gradually form a close bond, although Anas continues to keep parts of his past and personal struggles hidden.

The character has divided audiences, with some viewers criticising the pace and direction of the story, while others have defended the decision to portray a male lead who is vulnerable rather than traditionally heroic.

One fan came to the character’s defence, writing that Saeed’s acting was strong and that there was no need for every drama to feature a “fake hero” who suddenly changes overnight. The viewer argued that the story was instead about “sharing and understanding”.

At the same time, some viewers have questioned the drama’s plot development, arguing that the story could have focused more closely on its central conflict and characters.

Saeed had previously discussed Anas in an interview with BBC Urdu, challenging the assumption that “men don’t feel pain or they don’t cry”. He acknowledged that women face systemic issues but argued that men also experience suffering and suppression.

His comments came as he spoke about his decision to take on the role. At the time, Saeed revealed that he had initially been hesitant because Anas was unlike any character he had played before.

However, the actor also shared that many fans had reached out to him to say they related to Anas and the hardships he faced. Their messages, he said, showed him that the character’s struggles had resonated with viewers despite the criticism surrounding the drama.

As Bas Tera Saath Ho approaches its conclusion, Saeed is also continuing to balance acting with music. He recently released the songs Pul Gulab Da and Beparwah, while the Bas Tera Saath Ho title track, performed by Saeed, was released in May of this year.