Sajal might not have been able to do what Sehar did, says Tan Man Neel O Neel director

Some casting choices seem set in stone until fate intervenes. As Tan Man Neel o Neel ends its spectacular run, director Saife Hassan has revealed surprising details about how the beloved characters Rabi and Sonu came to life on screen.

In a recent interview, Saife Hassan revealed that superstar Sajal Aly was his top pick to portray Rabi. Recognized for her impressive performances, Sajal aligned perfectly with the director's vision. Unfortunately, because of her busy schedule, she couldn't take on the project. At one stage, she became so engrossed in her other obligations that she was unable to answer some of the team’s calls.

With Sajal out of the picture, the hunt for Rabi led to Sehar Khan, who eventually took on the role. In contemplating the casting, Hassan stated, "Its possible that Sajal might not have been able to do what Sehar did, or if she had, it would have turned into something completely different," he remarked in an interview.

The director of the trailblazing show revealed that Shuja Asad was not the first option for the part of Sonu. Instead, the makers initially had their eyes set on Danyal Zafar, Ali Zafar's younger brother.

"We thought he'd be ideal because he can sing and dance," the director explained. However, when asked, Danyal stated that, while he could sing, dancing was not his strong point. This caused the team to reconsider their decision.

During a trip to the UK for the HUM Awards, Saife Hassan happened to be watching a promo showcasing Shuja Asad. Impressed by his performance and further encouraged by his manager, he decided to cast the actor and just like that, Shuja Asad transformed into Sonu, a breakout role. 

Looking back, it's difficult to picture anyone else portraying Sonu with the sincerity and depth that Shuja Asad did. His depiction captured audiences' hearts, making them laugh, cry, and eventually feel the weight of the drama's tremendous message. While Danyal Zafar is undeniably a superb actor, the world did not get to see him in this role but it did get a taste of Shuja Asad's extraordinary skill.