Friday’s episode of Jaffaa took a different approach from other dramas. It featured a domestic abuse scene like many dramas do, but what stood out was how the abuse was handled afterwards.
Usman Mukhtar, one of the stars of the show, explained on instgram that one reason he joined the show was to highlight the serious issue of domestic violence, something he had witnessed with someone close to him.
He wrote, “You know, every week after Jaffaa’s episode airs, I post a picture of myself and ask for your thoughts on the recent episode. But today is a bit different. One of the two main reasons I took on Jaffaa was to highlight the devastating issue of domestic violence, something I’ve witnessed firsthand through someone very close to me. While I’m not directly part of this storyline, @mohibmirza and @mawrellous amazing performances beautifully capture the emotional weight of abuse. Their portrayal speaks to the suffering so many women endure in silence, and I hope it resonates with viewers in a way that encourages change.
Thank you to our incredible director, @danishnawazofficial , and our producer, @momina.duraid , for their remarkable work on Jaffaa. Tackling the sensitive issue of domestic violence is no small feat, and both Danish bhai and Momina Bhabi approached it with immense care and responsibility.”
In episode 21, Mirza’s character Hassan attacks Hocane’s Zara during an argument about his anger and her use of birth control. What made the episode unique was the reaction to the abuse — Hassan’s grandmother tries to hide it, but Mukhtar’s character immediately understands what happened when he sees Zara. He confronts Hassan, telling him there’s no excuse for hitting a woman.
By the end of the episode, Zara’s father arrives and slaps Hassan, ordering the police to arrest him.
While violence is often shown in Pakistani dramas, it’s rare to see consequences for abusers. Jaffaa took a different path by showing people around the abuser speaking out and ensuring there are real consequences for his actions.
