Writer Umera Ahmed has said that writers do not decide casting, after a viewer criticised Mehwish Hayat’s role in the drama serial “Rutba”.
The exchange took place on X. A viewer said that the casting in the drama disappointed them, questioning Mehwish’s pairing with younger co-stars. The viewer also called the actress “an aunty” in a dismissive way.
Umera replied with a short message. “Choosing and selecting artists for any role is not done by the writer. Thank you,” she wrote.
Umera wrote “Rutba” which is directed by Haseeb Hasan. The drama mixes crime, suspense and romance.
Talha Chahour plays Hadi, a principled police officer who takes on powerful and corrupt forces. Mehwish plays Shehnaz, also known as Shelly, a sharp-witted character at the center of the story.
Hiba Bukhari and Zahid Ahmed also appear in the cast.
