From saintly mothers to scene-stealers: how older actresses are changing Pakistani dramas

For years, an actress over 45 in a Pakistani drama could expect one of two roles: the saintly mother or the scheming mother-in-law. That’s finally changing, according to a detailed Dawn feature by Maliha Rehman, and this year’s dramas are full of examples.

The roles people are talking about

• Saba Hameed in Noor Jahan, as a domineering matriarch who controls family politics, and in Dr Bahu.
• Sania Saeed in Aap Ki Izzat, as a mother who bends her own ethics to keep control of her son.
• Nadia Afgan as Shadda Gujjri in ARY’s Dar-e-Nijaat, plus Tann Mann Neelo Neel, Aik Aur Pakeezah and Sharpasand.
• Arjumand Rahim as Taj Bibi in Sher, a spinster haunted by an old romance.
• Savera Nadeem in Bismil, confronting an unfaithful husband.
• Hina Khawaja Bayat in Aik Aur Pakeezah and Case Number 9.
• Sakina Samo and Tazeen Hussain in Qarz-i-Jaan, playing two very different women.

What the actresses say

• Nadia Afgan: older characters now have depth and proper story arcs, thanks to a new generation of writers.
• Arjumand Rahim: prime-time 8pm dramas give older women better roles, but the 7pm and 9pm serials remain formulaic. She blames “lazy writing”.
• Atiqa Odho: experienced actresses are now being offered mature, challenging roles, including title roles.
• Bushra Ansari is less convinced: most older roles are still monotonous, and an elderly woman is usually cast as a cruel figure.

Why it’s happening

The feature points to a few reasons:

• Viewers who watch global shows on streaming now expect nuanced characters.
• Ensemble dramas that give every generation a meaningful story are doing well in prime time.
• Clips of older characters’ sharp lines go viral, proving that good writing for them draws an audience.
• Real women in their 50s work, travel and run their own lives, and audiences want to see that.

What hasn’t changed

Older women are still defined mainly as mothers, in-laws and grandmothers. Pakistani dramas rarely show them in politics or business, in lasting friendships, or in romance after 50, while older male actors still headline as romantic leads opposite much younger women.

The question the feature leaves us with is a fair one: when will a 55-year-old woman be the hero of the story, not just its best supporting character?