(Web Desk) - Saba Hameed's recent roles have started a new debate about age, casting, and gender bias in Pakistan's TV industry.
She is currently appearing in two dramas on the same channel. In ‘Bas Tera Saath Ho’, she plays the wife of actor Faran Tahir. In ‘Dar-e-Nijaat’, she plays his mother. This unusual casting caught people's attention and led to discussions on social media.
Actor Zhalay Sarhadi said the debate shows the double standards faced by older women in the entertainment industry. She said women are often judged by their age, while men continue to get younger or leading roles.
Zhalay believes female actors deserve more realistic and age-appropriate characters. She also joked that after speaking out, she might end up playing Humayun Saeed's mother in her next project.
Actor Atiqa Odho also questioned the casting. She said she found it hard to believe Saba Hameed as Faran Tahir's mother because she does not look old enough for the role. According to Atiqa, the character made Hameed appear much older than she actually is.
On the other hand, Juggun Kazim praised Hameed's acting. She said the two different roles show Hameed's great talent, not a casting mistake. According to Juggun, Hameed makes viewers believe every character she plays, whether she is a wife or a mother.
The debate has divided viewers. Some feel it highlights unfair expectations and gender bias against older women in television. Others believe an actor's skill is more important than age or on-screen relationships.
Overall, the discussion has raised important questions about age-appropriate casting, better representation of older women, and whether talent should matter more than traditional ideas about age in TV dramas.