‘Importance of finding someone who accepts you for who you are’: Sarah Majeed talks about Fairytale

We’ve seen several romance dramas in Pakistan make a splash and then fade away. But this year ‘Fairy Tale’ emerged out of the blue and shifted the Pakistani entertainment scene like nothing else before. It was composed of new actors, and was given a terrible time slot, but a few weeks later it became a stand out drama, and made the writer Sarah Majeed a star overnight.

Pakistani women would never recommend Pakistani dramas to others, but suddenly ‘Fairy Tale’ is the sole drama that created a female fan cult no other drama has developed. There are groups dedicated to fan girling on Hamza Sohail, the internet’s new boyfriend, and fan-fics written online about Umeed and Farjaad, but most importantly Sarah Majeed was hailed by modern women for making a progressive drama at a time there seemed to be a dearth of them.

The Current had a chat with Sarah Majeed about how she formulated the idea of the drama, it’s gorgeous and feisty female lead Umeed and how she created a feminist drama in an entertainment industry known for championing misogynist tropes.

Q. First of all, what inspired you to write a drama like ‘Fairy Tale’? Did you get any inspiration that made you want to write this rom-com?

Sarah: Fantasy always sparks my imagination and inspires me to create a magical world where happiness, pure friendship, family bonds and unconditional love can be found.
I aim to bring laughter and warmth to viewers, reminding them of the beauty of love and the humorous moments that come with it.

Q. Did you have a personal preference for who you wanted to pick to play Umeed and Farjaad? Or did you go with Sehar and Hamza Sohail after their auditions?

Sarah: No, all credit goes to Mahesh Waswani and Saira Ghulam Nabi. But I was very happy to know that Hamza Sohail and Sehar Khan are playing the role of Farjad and Umeed.

Q. No one was expecting ‘Fairy Tale’ to become an overnight success the way it did- because it featured unknown actors and was given a bad time slot- but it exceeded expectations to get international praise. How did you feel about all of that?

Sarah: This is an amazing and incredible success and proof that content is everything and we can gain popularity by creating progressive content too.
I also would like to appreciate the entire team of Fairytale, because of all of them, this journey of success was possible.

Q What is more endearing about Fairy Tale is how it has established a cult following on Twitter- which is not something a lot of Pakistani dramas are remembered for. A lot of young women have fan accounts, group chats and even fan fictions dedicated to Umeed and Farjaad! Why do you think this drama has established such a strong following of women online?

Sarah: The charm of a fairy tale is that it is an ordinary story written and acted in a very special way. I focus on relevant and relatable content and incorporate modern storytelling techniques.
I am grateful to my fans for their amazing support. I am overwhelmed by all the love and support! Thank you, fans, for making our drama trend!

Your support fuels my passion. Sending you all my love and thanks.

Q. When we come to Umeed, what fans love about her most- and the thing she is criticised for- is that she’s super loud and makes mistakes all the time. But every time in interviews this critique is brought up after Season one, you’ve been quick to shut it down. This is quite a shift in how female leads are treated, seeing how another critically acclaimed drama with a loud and bold female lead, but the writer consistently approved the idea that she should be slapped by the male lead.

Sarah: As a writer, I have immense love for all my characters, not just Umeed. Because I spend so much time making and preparing them, they become like my dear friends. I invest in their stories, their growth and their journey. I think that’s the sign of a passionate writer who really cares about his/her craft. I embrace my characters with love and they guide me in making them authentic and compelling characters. My viewers can feel this love too.

Q. Farjaad embodied the literal opposite of what we typically see male leads on screen do, which is that he is a powerful and successful man but he never overshadows Umeed and uplifts her more often. Could you tell us why you chose to craft him in this way?

Sarah: Men like Farjad are rarely seen be it on screen or in real life. That is why I created Farjad. Farjad is a powerful and successful male character who promotes and supports the heroine. By making sure he doesn’t overshadow her, I’ve tried to create a balanced dynamic that celebrates the strengths of both characters.

Farjad allows Umeed to shine and grow, while still showing the positive qualities of the male character.

It’s all about creating a story that empowers and inspires.

Q. ‘Fairy Tale’ can be seen as a feminist rom-com, but it’s made in an entertainment industry where mostly viewer ratings demand screenplays include miserable women rather than happy ones. Writer Syed Mohammad Ahmed made this intelligent insight how entertainment producers- and audiences to an extent- aren’t mostly fond of seeing women happy and independent on screens, and which is why most progressive dramas have a hard time establishing a popular following. Would you agree with him on this?

Sarah: Oh, I understand what you’re saying. It’s true that usually happy female leads on screen may not get as much attention as other types of characters. However, it’s important to remember that representation is key. By showcasing happy and positive female characters,we can inspire and uplift audiences.

Yes, it can be a challenge for progressive dramas to gain popularity initially. Sometimes, it takes time for the audience to tell a new and innovative story. But remember, quality and authenticity always prevail in the long run. I believe in creating thought-provoking content, staying true to my vision, and engaging with my target audience. In time, my progressive drama will find its dedicated fans and make a positive impact.

Q. A lot of drama writers we see achieve fame in Pakistan have written shows that were based on misogynist tropes like Khalil ul Rehman Qamar, which is the anti-thesis of the message surrounding ‘Fairy Tale’. Does this put any kind of pressure on you regarding the kind of dramas you want to write, but also balancing the expectations of what the entertainment industry wants?

Sarah: Yes, I understand exactly what you mean. Misogynist tropes can be harmful and perpetuate negative stereotypes about women. It is very difficult to challenge and avoid such tropes in storytelling. Let’s strive for more inclusive and positive representation on screen!

Q. Among a lot of the secondary characters we’ve seen fleshed out in Season Two, Haya is a beloved one among fans because she steps out of the Sati savitri trope a lot of fans felt she was boxed in during Season One.

Sarah: Of course! Haya has learned from her past experiences and overcome her flaws and has tried to change from a sati savitri girl to a balanced character.

I know watching Haya’s character grow is incredibly satisfying and inspiring for the audience. So, I did not forget to give opportunities to all my characters be it Haya, Pasha Sahab, Umeed, Farjad, Sameer, Niggo, Zeenat Chachi, Hilal Pasha and Aago Jaan all to grow and develop.

Q. A lot of writers talk about using music to get into their characters. Do you do the same thing, or do you do something else to get into the minds of your characters?

Sarah: Not any specific thing I do, it all depends on my mood.

Q. After the success of your drama, what message do you wish the entertainment industry would take from the love story of Farjaad and Umeed?

Sarah: The message from the love story of Farjad and Umeed is that stories can be written and created without evil characters and evil deeds and still be appreciated. Love can be found in unexpected places and is worth taking risks for. Fairytale reminds that relationships can be messy, but they can also bring joy, growth, and connection. This story emphasises the importance of communication, vulnerability, and finding someone who accepts you for who you are.

Q. Will we see you writing more rom-coms in the future?

Sarah: InshAllah