Pakistan: Actors Faysal Quraishi and Madiha Imam recently sat down for an insightful interview with Fuchsia Magazine’s Rabia Mughni to talk about their latest drama Behroopia and the evolving landscape of Pakistani television.
Premiering on Green TV Entertainment on April 24, Behroopia explores the complex themes of mental health, particularly Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), with Quraishi portraying a character with nine distinct personalities. Despite dramas like Zakham tackling similar issues in the past, Quraishi pointed out that Behroopia marks a bold step forward in addressing mental health with such depth.
The actors delved into the industry's challenges, highlighting how single women face undue scrutiny and "character assassination" when interacting with male colleagues. Imam, who married filmmaker Moji Basar in 2023, shared how marriage provided her with a sense of emotional security, offering a supportive partner to turn to in tough moments. She explained that having a "friend to fall back on" made her feel more grounded.
Quraishi and Imam also addressed the stigma surrounding mental health, pointing out how many individuals with conditions like DID often go undiagnosed, with social pressure playing a large part in this. Quraishi drew a parallel with breast cancer diagnoses, emphasizing that women often hide their diagnosis due to fear of judgment. The actors noted that mental health challenges don't just affect the individual but also impact their loved ones, highlighting the ripple effect of untreated psychological conditions.
The conversation moved toward romanticized tropes like "love-bombing," which often shape unrealistic expectations of love. Imam encouraged young girls to approach relationships with a more practical mindset, cautioning against falling for ideals propagated by movies, literature, and societal norms. The interview ended with Quraishi stressing the importance of parents doing their due diligence when it comes to marriage arrangements, especially in the traditional "rishta" process.
