Actor and model Nadia Hussain has sparked a heated debate on social media after she called Zaryab, the lead character in the smash hit ARY Digital drama Dar-e-Nijaat, a “complete red flag” and said that women like her need therapy, not marriage.
Hussain shared her view in a video on Instagram. She opined that men should not have to deal with toxic women, just as women should not have to deal with toxic men. She pushed for a balanced, healthy relationship.
“Being a die-hard feminist, where I would want equality for a woman, I would want equality for a man as well,” Hussain stated.
She said that Zaryab did not need marriage to fix her life.
Hussain pointed to Zaryab’s behavior toward her ex, her breakdowns, her rudeness and her suspicion, remarking that she would not wish that kind of wife on any man. “I truly do not believe that the solution for such toxic women is marriage, no way,” she said. “The solution for such mentally troubled toxic women is therapy.”
She also pointed out that Zaryab’s behavior hurts Abu Bakar. “Okay, this is torture. Zaryab is torturing Abubakar,” she said. She ended her video with a plea. “So please, let’s not promote toxic relationships.”
The drama follows three people from very different worlds. Durefishan Saleem plays Zaryab, Sheheryar Munawar plays Abu Bakar and Nameer Nawaz Khan plays Zamil.
Zaryab is a modern, confident young woman and Zamil’s childhood friend. The two are about to get engaged, but Zamil grows deeply envious of Abu Bakar, the son of Zaryab’s grandmother’s friend. Zamil then turns toward a more religious life. He tells Zaryab he wants a practical, religious wife, not a modern one. He also tells her that even Abu Bakar will not marry her [because she is modren and Abu Bakar is religious] either, and he later marries Hamna, played by Romaisa Khan.
Meanwhile, Hamna also liked Abu Bakar. She is the daughter of a cook who worked for Abu Bakar in his apartment.
Zaryab tells her grandmother she wants to marry Abu Bakar, a calm, principled man who shapes his worldview around the teachings of his mother, Khushbakht, played by Sania Saeed. The couple marry, but Zaryab stays stuck in her past and acts arrogantly toward Abu Bakar at the start. She is now trying to change, and changing herself accordingly.
Many viewers disagreed with Hussain and defended the character. Some argued that Zaryab deserves patience. One social media user wrote, “She was collapsing in literally every scene yet Abu Bakr married her. He was in love with her so he married her. So it’s not her fault. People deserve a second chance and she is evolving.”
Another said that Abu Bakar knew about her behavior from the start, “Abu Bakar wasn’t unaware of her activities and still gave her a chance and changed her with his strong personality.”
One post pushed back on the double standard: “Relax just a drama aurty b bhot toxicity bardash krti hy ek mard ne krli tou its ok chill [Relax, it’s just a drama. Women tolerate a lot of toxicity too. If one man did, it’s okay, chill].”
Others defended Zaryab’s healing. A fan commented, “That’s not fair. And she’s just healing. And he’s so patient. He is exactly where he wants to be lol.”
Some posts remarked that her past explains her behavior. “She is not toxic. She has been through a lot in life and faced so many challenges at such a young age. Stop spreading negativity and judging her without knowing what she has been through. Be kind and understanding,” one comment said.
Some viewers also agreed with Hussain.
