"It's paedophilia being broadcasted"
A scene featuring Aina Asif from Woh Ziddi Si, a drama currently airing on Hum TV, has sparked a storm of criticism online.
In the series, the young actress is portraying Rida, a 19-year-old girl.
Rida is a university student and the daughter of a man who marries her teacher, Ambreen.
The controversy stemmed from a scene in which Rida, as part of a revenge plot, marries her stepmother’s lover.
The role is played by 35-year-old Daniyal Afzal, who is more than double Aina’s age.
This has led many to question whether casting Aina, who is 16 years old, in such a role is appropriate.
Critics argued that Aina is better suited for younger roles.
The backlash intensified as social media users compared other pairings in the industry, citing Faysal Qureshi and Danish Taimoor’s being paired with actresses half their age.
While these actresses were in their 20s, Aina’s case is different because she is still a teenager.
A user said: “I can’t believe this is allowed to go on air. It’s paedophilia being broadcasted on a TV channel.
“No other way to sugar-coat this.”
Another wrote: “She should do age-appropriate roles!
“She’s way too young for such dramas, which could impact her mentally and change her way of thinking.”
Many viewers have also raised concerns about the ethics of the casting process.
They suggested that Aina’s parents should be more vigilant in selecting age-appropriate roles for her.
A viewer commented:
“The adults in Aina’s life are literally minting money by doing this, they only care about money and nothing else.”
The criticism also touched on the broader issue of the limited roles available to young actors in the Pakistani drama industry.
Some have pointed out that Aina Asif herself might be influenced by the potential for fame and pay that comes with these mature roles.
Since most Pakistani dramas are romance-driven, the only substantial roles for young actresses are often in romantic plots. However, these usually don’t align with their actual age.
This creates a dilemma for young actresses like Aina Asif, who may feel pressured to take on such roles to maintain their popularity.
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