Yasra Rizvi and Yumna Zaidi's next serial is about human trafficking

Yasra Rizvi and Yumna Zaidi's are all geared up to star in their next serial about human trafficking.

A project by Kashf Foundation, Dil Naumeed Tou Nahi revolves around three stories — of a young female cricketer, of child abuse and of human trafficking, with lots of characters and the three lives amalgamating with one another eventually.

"All of the characters are victims of human trafficking. So child labour, child marriage, teenage women used for sex work or domestic slaves — all the struggles of these characters are portrayed and the story revolves around the challenges they face being stuck within the cruel system and their situations," said Rizvi.

The Manto star also gave an insight into her own role.

"Yumna and I are characters living in an elite brothel and go to parties and social gatherings from there. So our lives, the characters who keep pushing us down that hole — namely Naveed Shahzad who runs the brothel — become very important."

"Yumna and I share a very deep relationship in the serial. Usually two women are either sisters, mother-daughters, relatives. But these are two women who are subjected to misery at the hands of their fate and whose lifestyles are very different from that of a usual Pakistani woman. Playing this was very fun. Yumna is a very giving actor and I loved the process. The entire experience has been very rewarding.”

She also took the opportunity to praise the phenomenal directorial skills of Kashif Nisar, saying working with him revealed to her all the reasons why his serials are exemplary and outstanding.

Rizvi also said how serial-wise she has nothing in the pipeline since she tries to do one serial a year and Dunk and Churails were the recent ones she wrapped.

However, she's writing a script of her own, something she will be talking about soon. Consequently, Yumna Zaidi, too, spoke about her experience.

"It’s a cause-based serial and has been made with a lot of care and sensitivity," revealed Zaidi, adding that it's nothing like the mainstream serials on television.

"This is one reason why I've opted to play the role of Allahrakhi — which is what my character is named. Her journey will be followed from childhood all the way till she grows up."

Speaking about her experience, she also added what it was like to be working with the Churails star.

"Working with Yasra Rizvi is always an excellent experience. She might have entered the industry late, but she is extremely talented when it comes to doing justice to any given role whatsoever," she said. "I really appreciate all her skills — both acting and writing."

Revealing that she was initially hesitant, the Dar Si Jati Hai Sila star also mentioned the process of saying yes to the role.

"I was initially really confused in playing the role of someone who eventually becomes a prostitute. But Allahrakhi is a story about a village girl and her struggle. So forming this character was an entirely different experience. I hope and wish that through this, we can convey a positive lesson to our audiences," she concluded.

Directed by Kashif Nisar and written by Amna Mufti, other popular names part of the ensemble cast include Nauman Ejaz, Samiya Mumtaz, Wahaj Ali and Omair Rana.

The serial airs on 18 January, 2021 on TV One.