"I can't play the character Momo anywhere else."
Pakistani actress Hina Dilpazeer appeared on Life Green Hai recently.
She is famously known for her role as Mumtaz, or Momo, in the sitcom Bulbulay.
Hina revealed an unexpected contractual restriction related to her iconic character.
She disclosed that she is contractually prohibited from portraying Momo elsewhere, whether in on-screen projects or off-screen engagements like events or award ceremonies.
Hina Dilpazeer explained her situation, stating:
“I have a written agreement that says I can’t play the character Momo anywhere else.
“Although I did a commercial where I asked for permission to play Momo, it was only for that commercial.”
Momo is a charming elderly woman who often forgets names, including those of her own family members and common household items.
Her mix-ups and mispronunciations have endeared her to audiences, with her trademark ‘ouf’ followed by a facepalm. This has become an iconic reaction on the show.
Aside from Hina Dilpazeer, the regular cast of Bulbulay includes Nabeel, Ayesha Omar and Mehmood Aslam.
Premiering in 2009, the sitcom has become one of the longest-running television series in Pakistan.
Momo has garnered a devoted following, becoming one of Pakistani television’s most beloved figures.
Her comedic timing and antics have endeared her to audiences of all ages, making Hina’s portrayal crucial to Bulbulay’s success.
In a 2021 interview, the actress reflected on the show’s wide appeal.
Hina mentioned:
“This show made us well-known on TV. People know us by our characters, not our real names.”
“It shows how successful the show is.”
Regarding the character of Momo, she credited writer Ali Rehman for a brilliant character sketch and highlighted her comic chemistry with Nabeel.
Since the duo had shared the screen before, they often needed multiple takes, leading to moments of laughter on set.
“Many times, we had to repeat scenes, annoying Khoobsurat (Ayesha Omar) because Nabeel, Mehmood, and I would often laugh at each other’s actions and signals.”
Fans of Bulbulay were thrilled to get some insights into the show.
A user wrote: “It is justified. They are paying a heavy amount to Hina.”
One said: “Well obviously. Why is it such a surprise to people? They created Momo, why shouldn’t they keep the character to themselves?”
Another commented: “This happens with all characters. Otherwise, channels would copy each other’s famous characters.”
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