Nadia Afgan has something important to say about misogynistic dramas — just stop making them.
During a fun interview with Ayesha Jahanzeb for A Plus Entertainment’s Chocolate Times, Afgan spoke about a number of interesting topics, like the “shelf life” for female actors, playing her most beloved role in Suno Chanda and playing a mother-in-law.
“I was skeptical when I was first offered the role [of the mother-in-law in Suno Chanda] but Aehsun Talish pushed me to do it. It was not a matter of playing a saas or a mother, it was a matter of whether I’d be able to pull off the Punjabi character,” she explained. For her, it was a team effort.
The actor also discussed her upcoming projects and how her large fan base in Indian Punjab tell her they want her to play a good character.
The conversation naturally veered to controversies, which are part and parcel of an actor’s life in the Pakistani entertainment industry. While Afgan doesn’t seek them out, she said if she sees a need to speak, she certainly does so. “People’s comments don’t matter to me,” she asserted.
As in all talk shows that feature celebrity guests, Chocolate Times had a segment in which the host asked Afgan some ‘spicy’ questions. Ironically, the segment had green chillies and chocolate, and Afgan was given a chocolate for answering a question and a chilli if she didn’t.
She was asked several questions about actors in the industry, their attitude and who she believed wasn’t a good actor. Then came a far more interesting question — if you were given the authority, what drama would you ban?
Afgan demurred initially, saying she doesn’t think any art should be banned and she doesn’t watch any dramas in the first place, but then opened up about the type of dramas she thinks should be banned — misogynistic ones.
“I hate these misogynistic types of dramas. There was a Danish Taimoor one, a very Kabir Singh type of drama. The ones in which they show male figures beating people up and that kind of love. This type of love is bakwas!” said Afgan.
“They’re putting this in people’s minds, or kid’s minds, that you should chase after someone or or turn up with guns. I would ban any drama like that, it’s wrong,” she said.
Stressing the importance of taking no for an answer, the actor said this goes both way.
“If a girl is saying something, or for that matter, even if a boy is saying no — girls also chase after men — you should understand what they’re saying. There’s no need to become overly passionate,” she said.
We agree with her! Our industry needs less misogynistic dramas showcasing this type of ‘love’ and more dramas that feature healthy, loving relationships!