Actor Durefishan Saleem has drawn praise for her portrayal of a panic attack in the latest episode of Dar-e-Nijaat, with viewers calling the scene realistic and emotionally intense.
The latest episode of the hit drama showed an overwhelmed Zaryab having a panic attack in front of Abubakar. Her ears start ringing as she struggles to breathe, trembles and appears unable to control her fear before the episode reaches its peak.
The depiction drew significant praise as viewers lauded Durefishan’s performance.
One called it “a very real depiction of panic attack” and said the actor’s portrayal of Zaryab was so convincing that it was difficult to imagine anyone else playing the character.
Another viewer said that Durefishan was “so good” throughout the sequence and that the audience could see how badly everything had affected Zaryab mentally. The viewer also questioned why the character was not receiving therapy, arguing that marriage was not a solution to what she was experiencing.
Several viewers focused on the physical details of the performance. “The way she portrayed that panic attack, the trembling the breathlessness, the fear in her eyes. Absolutely nailed it,” one comment read.
Another viewer said that the scene was so realistic that it triggered anxiety after watching it, while another wrote that they could “literally” feel their chest tightening during the sequence.
The portrayal also resonated with viewers who had experienced panic attacks themselves. One person mentioned that the scene brought back memories of seeing a hostel resident suffer from panic attacks, describing how difficult it was to watch a lively person appear frightened and unresponsive.
The scene also received praise for showing Zaryab’s inability to breathe and hear during the episode. One viewer described the portrayal as an “accurate representation”, while another said it was rare to see such a depiction on Pakistani television, praising Durefishan for showing how the experience feels.
“Panic Attacks are not joke. I’m feeling goosebumps right now even when I am writing this tweet,” one viewer wrote, adding that many people experience similar situations
Another viewer praised the sequence for showing Zaryab’s fear, breathlessness and sense of losing control, while also noting Abubakar’s calm response as he tried to ground her.
Not everyone focused only on the performance. One reaction described Zaryab as having a “proper nervous breakdown” and praised Durefishan’s acting but criticised the way the drama presented the solution to her problems.
Another viewer said that the scene showed the mental toll Zaryab had faced after “days of fear, suppression and holding it all together”, adding that her trembling, difficulty breathing and eventual breakdown made the performance feel real.
