Actress Ushna Shah took to her Twitter account to condemn drama scripts for stigmatising divorced women- and treat the topic like a taboo. The actress reflected on her own upbringing with a divorced mother, who had worked three jobs to bring her up, and said she would like to be a part of stories that refuse to resort to toxic stereotypes:
“Many scripts I work on perpetuate shame around divorce. While I can’t reshape the conventions of scriptwriting or opt for unemployment, I stand by a vision. As the child of a divorcee who hustled with three jobs to raise us, the stigma on divorced characters feels deeply personal. I’m eager to be part of a story that addresses the stigma of divorce and combats the shame of being single after, celebrating the journey to independence and joy. Convincing producers to back such a risqué script, which may face societal backlash, is very challenging.”
Many scripts I work on perpetuate shame around divorce. While I can't reshape the conventions of scriptwriting or opt for unemployment, I stand by a vision. As the child of a divorcee who hustled with three jobs to raise us, the stigma on divorced characters feels deeply…
— Ushna Shah (@ushnashah) September 22, 2023
Many users on Twitter shared the opinion, stating that they wanted a stop to narratives that actively discourage divorce.
There’s absolutely no shame in divorce or any stigma attached to it in Islam. Our prophet SAW himself married a divorced woman. If only we understood our religion.
— sana mohsin (@sanashau) September 22, 2023
Hope you are successful in bringing your vision to life. The shame attached to divorce needs to be erased.
— Ambareen (@ambarcreates) September 22, 2023
