Pakistani drama serials tend to revamp or reimagine the same rundown ‘boy-meets-girl‘ and ‘saas-bahu conflict‘ themes. Its no wonder then that many Pakistani artists end up being typecast in the same sort of roles they have done before.
The reason certain Pakistani actors are typecast might not entirely be due to the lack of diversity when it comes to stories. Actors are typecast due to their physical appearance or due to the popularity of previous roles.
While it may sound convenient to be able to play the same kind of role (because practice makes perfect), however this actually damages an artist’s potential to diversify their portfolio. This is unfair to artists who are capable of doing better.
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Some folks may rationalize this attitude as playing it safe, but the lack of options is why audiences lose interest in dramas in the long run. To add to that, typecasting makes drama serials even more monotonous and uninteresting like a broken record.
Here’s a list of Pakistani artists that are often typecast.
Saba Hameed
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-7veeplv4M/
This veteran actress is immensely talented. Whenever we see her in a different role, it is refreshing. Unfortunately, the Dil Lagi actress is often typecast as the ‘bad-guy‘ or more specifically the ‘bad mom‘ in many dramas.
Whether she’s the ‘monster-in-law’ or unaffectionate mother or evil step-mother, the actress ends up being typecast.
We’ve seen her do better in Family Front, Dastaan, Khuda Mera Bhi Hai, etc.
Ayeza Khan
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_CgoNhF-Oh/
The destitute wife in a loveless marriage or the woman that turned her back on love? Somehow all of Ayeza Khan’s characters are of docile women in loveless marriages, or as villainous heart breakers.
Her hit serials like Sari Bhool Hmari Thi, Mere Mehrban, Koi Chand Rakh, Thora Sa Haq, etc. prove that she is more than what meets the eye.
She was playing a heart breaker long before Mere Pass Tum Ho, with drama serials like Pyarey Afzal, Yaariyan, etc
Mikaal Zulfiqar
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_C3LYtFWu9/
A confused and clueless husband. Mikaal Zulfiqar has been playing a selfish partner since his Durr-e-Shehwar and Iztarab days.
He remained clueless in Talafi, Laa, Sang-e-Marmar, Alif Allah aur Insan, etc. While his selfishness isn’t deliberate at times, it is a result of his ignorance.
We really haven’t seen him in play another type of character.
Hania Amir
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-FlDnyFEkk/
When Hania Mair was initially cast as the cute, naive girl in Titli, she became a fan favorite. Since then the actress has not been given the opportunity to play a different character.
She always plays a flamboyant young woman who suffers due to her naivety and brashness. We’ve been down that role with Phir Wohi Mohabbat, Anaa, Inshqiya, and now Dilruba.
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Alizey Shah
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_DtHrCFve4/
While Alizey Shah’s innocent look is the reason behind her popularity it is also the reason why she gets typecast as the damsel in distress. Since her debut in Ishq Tamasha she hasn’t played a different character until she was cast as Dua in Ehd-e-Wafa.
Even now she continues to plays the damsel in Mera Dil Mera Dushman, and Jo Tu Chahay. The actress fell prey to typecasting early on her career, but hopefully she can still turn things around now.
Got any other Pakistani artists who fell victim to playing the same role again and again? Let us know in the comments below.
