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Hina Dilpazeer’s forgetful Momo on ARY Digital’s popular sitcom Bulbulay is one of the most iconic and beloved characters in Pakistani television’s history.

But did you know that she wasn’t originally a part of the main cast?

Actor Ayesha Omar, who plays one of the leads on the show, made this revelation on Wednesday on Good Morning Pakistan. She said when Bulbulay first hit screens in 2009, it was a completely different show. The original cast consisted only of Nabeel Zafar as Nabeel, Omar as Khoobsurat and Mehmood Aslam as Mehmood sahab.

However, the trajectory of the show changed entirely when Dilpazeer was called in as a guest star and her portrayal of the eccentric, loud and utterly lovable Momo struck a chord with audiences instantly.

“In one episode, Hina Dilpazeer was called in as a guest character to play Nabeel’s mother. That episode went on to become a major hit, bringing in remarkable ratings. They (the showrunners) eventually decided to call her in as a stock character,” Omar said.

“What do you mean? She wasn’t a part [of the show]?” exclaimed Adnan Siddiqui, another guest.

“The first 26 episodes were only supposed to have Mehmood sahab, Nabeel and me. Their story was something else entirely,” Omar explained, before pointing out that the three main characters were living under the same roof in an apartment, without marriage in the equation.

“So, we thought this was an odd thing. Then, Hina aapa came into the picture and so Nabeel and I had to get married. And then Hina aapa got married to Mehmood sahab. So, we became a family,” she added.

And that’s how Bulbulay came to be.

During her appearance on Good Morning Pakistan, Omar also disclosed that she didn’t want to do the show as a long-term project as her mother had some apprehensions about the role. But she decided to stay on after Dilpazeer joined in.

The show ended up becoming so popular that it celebrated its 16th anniversary last year, Omar added.

It looks like Dilpazeer’s addition to the show changed more than character arcs for the show — it turned Bulbulay into the juggernaut sitcom it is today.