"Have we run out of stories and concepts?"
ARY’s Meri Zindagi Hai Tu is facing backlash from viewers who expected meaningful roles for Bilal Abbas Khan and Hania Aamir.
The drama is being criticised for repeating a familiar storyline where a wealthy man pursues a woman relentlessly until she eventually gives in.
Audiences questioned the relevance of such a plot in 2025, highlighting that it reinforces the idea that obsessive behaviour is romantic.
Many viewers noted that if a man cannot respect a woman’s refusal, it undermines the concept of mutual respect in relationships.
One social media user commented: “Surely our writers and creators can come up with better, healthier ways to show someone winning another’s heart.”
The male lead, Kamyar, is shown as irresponsible, uninterested in business, and disrespectful toward women, while displaying arrogance and indulgence in alcohol.
After a chance encounter with Arya, Kamyar becomes fixated on making her reciprocate his feelings, exemplifying the “you defy me, I’ll fall for you” trope.
This behaviour includes actions such as blocking Arya’s car on the road, which viewers described as harassment rather than romantic persistence.
Some viewers noted that scenes like these could be frightening if they were to occur in real life, raising concerns about their potential influence on young audiences.
Nadia Khan, in her television review show Kya Drama Hai, highlighted similar issues, criticising the drama’s toxic plotline and declining viewership.
She remarked: “The viewership of the drama has also dropped since the first episode.
“The numbers are still good, but compared to the start, many people have stopped watching, and the reason is the same.
“The audience’s opinion has changed. The reason for this change is the glorification of a toxic hero.
“When we say we don’t want toxic heroes, we mean that, but here they are again, showing a toxic storyline.”
“The main lead is love-bombing the girl, forcing himself on her, and constantly chasing her despite repeated rejections.
“The execution may make it look cute, but this sets a dangerous example. Many people say that boys force girls in real life.
“It’s because they take inspiration from this. I am against such concepts. I am against these types of dramas.
“Have we run out of stories and concepts?
“Look at the star power in this drama, Hania Aamir and Bilal Abbas Khan, powerhouses of performance. Yet, this is a very substandard plot.
“I’m even confused about how to rate this drama. It is a low-quality, meaningless product.”
Audiences expressed disappointment that prime-time television continues to recycle outdated tropes despite featuring top actors.
The response to Meri Zindagi Hai Tu shows that the Pakistani audience is craving something new now.
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