Actor Faysal Quraishi recently appeared on Hasna Mana Hai alongside Sonya Hussyn and Samina Peerzada, where he did not hold back when an audience member remarked that Pakistani dramas and films are repetitive.

A young woman from the audience asked Quraishi whether his new film Deemak was any different, given that “all plays and films seem the same.”

In response, Quraishi challenged the claim head-on: “Name a few dramas that are based on the same story,” he asked.

The woman could not name any specific titles but insisted that most dramas revolve around conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. To this, he replied, “For the last three years, we haven’t made dramas based on saas-bahu stories.”

He continued, “This idea that all dramas are the same is simply wrong. Every drama is different.” He cited examples such as Ishq Murshid, Dunyapur, Kabuli Pulao, and his current show, Bahrupiya, as evidence of the industry’s diversity.

Quraishi also defended Pakistani cinema, saying, “All films are different too. Humayun Saeed’s films are different, Fahad Mustafa’s films are different, and my new film Deemak is different.” He referenced older hits like Jawaani Phir Nahi Aani and Punjab Nahi Jaungi, emphasising that none of them follow the same formula.

His defence sparked a debate online, with many viewers applauding his stance.