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Rehmat Ajmal distances herself from Khalil Ur Rehman's Meray Paas Tum Ho

Rehmat Ajmal distances herself from Khalil Ur Rehman's Meray Paas Tum Ho

Ajmal says new, struggling artists should be given some leeway as they are in the process of learning.
Updated 23 Jan, 2020

ARY Digital’s latest hit, Meray Paas Tum Ho, has caused an uproar—and rightly so.

In a society deeply entrenched with unequal gender relations, the drama depicts infidelity, second marriages and perpetuates the role of 'bad' women in our society by subtly shifting the blame on them.

Its notoriously known writer, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, infamously declared that a man cannot resist a woman tempting him.

Model turned actor, Rehmant Ajmal, who plays the role of Ayesha [the protagonists' friend] has now come out publically distancing herself away from the controversy by explaining her initial choice to work with Rehman and be associated with the drama.

Taking to Instagram, she wrote, "I understand that we as artists have a social responsibility in terms of the content we produce and the messages we put forward— and that I take the responsibility with a lot of seriousness and dignity.”

“I've been receiving a lot of concerned, hateful and confused messages since the past few months and as much as I want to address them individually, I think I'll just give an overview of my perspective for now."

A photo posted by Instagram (@instagram) on

She continued, "I absolutely do not endorse the concepts and viewpoints of Mr Khalil Ur Rehman. I watched Khalil Ur Rehman's interview and got to know about his problematic views on very many things WAY after the project was completed. I am not proud to be part of something that is so compromising and ill-informed.”

“However, I (like many others) was not aware of the entire storyline on Mr Khalil Ur Rehman's ideology at the time this project was shot— which was a year ago. My role in this project is limited so I did not get a chance to see how it'll come together or how it'll eventually unroll on television and that is where I think I slipped a little. It was my first ever telecom project and I am learning — I have learnt to be cautious and more conscious with my creative choices."

Ajmal finished with a request to extend new, struggling artists some leeway as they are in the process of learning.

Meray Pass Tum Ho's double finale is set to air on television and cinemas simultaneously on January 25.

Comments

Asad Jan 23, 2020 10:52am
Why do we have a habit of making a mountain out of a mole hill? It is a drama, let’s all enjoy it. Why create issues over everything? And who asked her? Who is she? Leave the cast if you are concerned rather than whinging about it.
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shakeel mahota Jan 23, 2020 11:03am
A piece of literature or fiction is only a small slice of life. I am at loss to understand that why our people want to see the entire reality in this small piece. To me if a TV play that generates healthy debate on a social issue should be welcome.
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Concerned Jan 23, 2020 11:54am
All actors usually read the script before signing any drama or stage shows. This basically means that she did not even read the script before signing this drama. Also It is strange that right wing in this country want to ban the movies that don't suit their agenda, whereas left wing is almost the same and wants to ban everyone who don't agree with them.
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neo Jan 23, 2020 12:17pm
@Asad Because tv dramas are a powerful tool to shape a society...you might be able to differentiate between a tv show & reality but many struggles with it. When you stereotype women, transgender, men & lack any innovation then society will never grow.
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neo Jan 23, 2020 12:18pm
@Concerned . Typically, the main leads get the full script. Supporting, new, unknown actors get script restricted to the scenes they are in
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Tim Jan 23, 2020 12:18pm
There we go again. The drama does NOT cast "All women" in an unfavorable light, just one, who committed infidelity. Has anyone ever criticized the fate of "Shehwar" in the drama, and how he is being brought to justice by his wife? Marriage is a sacred pact and our dramas lavish criticism on anyone (woman or man) who breaks it. So what's wrong? Are we not allowed to have opinions now, or should we suffer an outrage every time a woman is given a negative role in a drama?
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ali Jan 23, 2020 12:25pm
@Asad exactly
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Abid Khan Jan 23, 2020 12:38pm
It is just a drama... Just enjoy the script and acting. I never saw people getting so edgy about gender bias... This drama has lots of good messages in it... Take the positives and leave negatives out.
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Tariq Jan 23, 2020 12:42pm
Well actress has her own choice and opinion and must be taken as her personnel view.
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Abdul Majid Jan 23, 2020 12:42pm
This world has seven billion individuals all with human relationships. So the combination of ways humans operate is countless. Meray Pas Tum Ho is just one probable way ... why go so crazy about it. I suppose conservative societies get worked up over any relationship that is not the norm.
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Dr.Sadaf Jan 23, 2020 12:45pm
Didn’t she know all this about the story before she agreed to do the project, of course she must have read the script, too late the awakening.
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Salman Jan 23, 2020 01:14pm
For awaam, this just adds to the hype surrounding this drama. Everything else is just detail.
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Saad Jan 23, 2020 01:27pm
@Abdul Majid very well said! I couldn't agree more....
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Helping Hands Jan 23, 2020 02:55pm
That drama is good entertainment. Take it as that! Please don't create a gender debate out of it. It will go nowhere.
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Khaled Jan 23, 2020 04:55pm
In most of the dramas the wretched women in our part of the world, is miserably treated and in almost all dramas she is slapped whether in the role of a daughter, daughter in law, sister , wife , mother,mother in law , maid servant and what not. Why isn't the male artist treated the same way? And all of this we sit and enjoy in the name of entertainment. Why don't the female artist for once stand up and refuse to act in dramas where they are a target of violence? and gender discrimination. I fully support the decision of Rehmat Ajmal. In a recent global survey the gender parity of Pakistan for 2020 is 153 out of 155 globally , that speaks a lot about our TV dramas as well which are full of violence against woman and women.
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Kamran Jan 23, 2020 06:09pm
Its a fiction drama. "Roomi" child character has 22 year old boy brain. How come he speaks with that much intelligent and philosophy. Sometimes it looks Mir Khaleel is talking from inside Roomi.
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Hasan Jan 23, 2020 07:02pm
meanwhile she said one of the most toxic dialogue herself
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Happy Jan 23, 2020 09:17pm
@Asad Content and the message it delivers to he public are very important issues that you take it as 'it's drama, let's enjoy'. You are very ignorant on the importance of content and its delivery. The woman who has filed an FIR, should be heard by the court without pre-conceived ideas.
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Happy Jan 23, 2020 09:20pm
Rehmat, you are right and stay away from arguing with weak minds.
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ivehadit Jan 23, 2020 09:54pm
glad to see this. Too many Pakistani plays present an anti-women narrative, especially this one where a child is brought in as a decision maker as well.
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Bitya Jan 23, 2020 10:30pm
What is the big deal...… its just a play, all fiction, although those type of things do happen in real life.
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Faisal Jan 23, 2020 10:43pm
If people need to be outraged its the lack of coverage of Nawaz in the UK. For a person about to die he seems to have stages a remarkable recovery. Show outrage towards lack or accountability on account of the doctors who sold their profession to declare Nawaz's health perils. Show outrage that LHC worked over a weekend to force a decision to let Nawaz go while majority of poor people languishing in jails have never had their day in court.
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RogerKhan Jan 24, 2020 12:49am
@neo Actually drama's are just for entertainment, its on only in Pakistan that everything is turned into a lesson for life and the entertainment gets thrown out of the window. Remind me, what lessons did you withdraw from Got, TWD, Supernatural etc. etc.? Did they not show Dragon Queen and many other women in bad light? Did you see people going berserk over that? Let entertainment time be for it really is, no need to bombard everything with social issues.
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Moth Jan 24, 2020 03:33am
I watched that serial untill last two episodes as I was unable to find it on YouTube. The only part I did not like is when imthey picked few words about adultry to please Mula. Rest is great About Rehmat Ajmal -- great potential -- great future in this industry -- forget about gender things -- be an actress and be professional
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npath Jan 24, 2020 05:13am
Its a mediocre play with a poor story and no concept as relates to society. However, its the performances of the lead (esp. Adnan and Ayezha) and supporting cast which has made it worth watching. If it were not for their performances, the story would get a 3 out of 10.
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npath Jan 24, 2020 05:15am
@shakeel mahota what is the social issue for you here? Do you think this issue exists in society and is so rampant that a movie/play should be made out of it? How many women you know of in your family who have exhibited such behaviour?
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npath Jan 24, 2020 05:17am
@Asad we all know Khalil is no Amjad islam Amjad or Bachia appa. you are correct, this is only for rtings/trp and has no societal value beyond that.
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Jonathan Jan 24, 2020 08:20am
The entertainment TV is attenuating its quality and standards!
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Awais Jan 24, 2020 08:37am
so stupid. not the actress but the people commenting. the distancing being done here is not from the Show, which is a piece of fiction and/or a dramatic expression. The issue here is with the viewpoints and personality of the director! the series is one show. the director is the manager of many more. Understand the issue and the arguments presented, instead of blabbing away at the slightest hint of an opportunity. so dumb. sad to know these are readers of Dawn news, why am I bundling myself in with such type.
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Shabana Jan 24, 2020 09:12am
@Asad A lot of people wath these serials and got influnced by it.
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Chooran Man Jan 24, 2020 09:24am
Don't worry Mam, this is just a drama. Don't be so defensive and ignore the haters. You are doing a great job
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wkimter Jan 24, 2020 08:42pm
@Tim I agree. Aside from the fact that this is just a drama and a very good one, I am surprised at how people are reacting so immaturely. It showed both, man and woman's betrayal so what's the deal? Just because a woman is given a negative role everyone is offended? People can believe it or not but women can also cheat. And if they don't like it? Don't watch it.
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hakeem Jan 26, 2020 02:28pm
paisay lay kr ab khilaf bolna start krdo. kia bat hai Pakistanyo
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