Saba Hameed’s TV Casting Under Spotlight, Sparks Debate
Key Developments:
- Saba Hameed’s contrasting roles opposite the same actor have sparked a nationwide debate on age-appropriate casting in Pakistani television.
- Prominent actors Zhalay Sarhadi, Atiqa Odho and Juggun Kazim have shared differing views on gender bias, realism and acting versatility.
- The discussion has widened into a broader conversation about representation of ageing women and casting practices in the entertainment industry.
LAHORE (The Express Tribune) — August 06, 2026: Veteran actor Saba Hameed has become the centre of a growing discussion within Pakistan’s entertainment industry after appearing in two television dramas opposite the same co-star in entirely different family roles.
Hameed currently stars alongside Faran Tahir in Bas Tera Saath Ho as his wife, while in the recently released Dar-e-Nijaat she portrays his mother. The contrasting casting choices have triggered debate among viewers, actors and industry observers over age representation, casting decisions and gender expectations in television.
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The conversation gained momentum after a digital content creator questioned whether audiences should focus on an actor’s age or judge performances solely on acting ability.
Actor Zhalay Sarhadi argued that the discussion reflects broader challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry as they grow older. “Ageing is only for women! When we reach an older age, we unfortunately do not get out of the ‘boys’ realm,” Sarhadi wrote in a social media post.
She further added: “All us female artists should take over and get suitable, more appropriate roles written for us with better, more realistic casting. It’s the only solution.”
Sarhadi also made a light-hearted remark about the issue, joking that after expressing her opinion, she might end up playing actor Humayun Saeed’s mother in a future project.
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Veteran actor Atiqa Odho offered a different perspective during a recent interview, questioning the realism of the casting decision.
“I don’t understand how Saba Hameed can play Faran Tahir’s mother. I don’t get it. She does not look like a grandmother,” Odho said, suggesting that the role portrayed Hameed as significantly older than her appearance suggests.
Meanwhile, television host and actor Juggun Kazim defended the casting, saying it highlighted Hameed’s exceptional acting range rather than exposing inconsistencies.
“That’s a testament to Saba Hameed’s extraordinary talent. She has the rare ability to make you forget the actor and believe the character every single time,” Kazim wrote.
The debate has generated mixed reactions on social media. Some viewers believe the casting reflects long-standing gender biases in television, where women often transition into parental roles earlier than male actors. Others argue that an actor’s performance should remain the primary criterion, regardless of age or previous on-screen relationships.
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Recent discussions across Pakistani entertainment platforms have also highlighted increasing calls for more age-appropriate casting and greater diversity in roles available to senior female actors. Industry commentators note that conversations around representation and realism in television continue to gain momentum as audiences become more vocal about casting choices.
While opinions remain divided, the discussion surrounding Saba Hameed‘s performances has renewed focus on how Pakistan’s television industry portrays ageing actors and whether stronger emphasis should be placed on performance, realism or traditional casting conventions.
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