During a recent candid appearance on Ushna Shah’s talk show, veteran actress Asma Abbas shed light on the lack of romantic representation for older women in Pakistani television dramas and questioned the stereotypes surrounding married life in desi culture.

 

“We’re very chill. Why can’t we have love stories," she asked rhetorically. “Bushra Aapa got married, Samina Aapa got married… why can’t we be romantic? Have we been reduced to just arranging tea," she said, referring to veteran actresses Bushra Ansari and Samina Ahmed, both of whom got remarried at a later age in life.

 

The actress expressed frustration over how television rarely shows mature couples engaging in lighthearted or romantic conversations.

 

“A husband and wife can have romantic conversations too. It’s not necessary that they only talk about children’s issues. Have you ever seen a husband in any drama say to his wife, ‘Let’s go for a drive’ or ‘Let’s go out for tea’? I don’t like what’s currently being shown," she said.

 

Ushna asked what sort of roles she likes more, to which she replied, “I like to play serious roles. Thank God that I was given a chance in one or two shows but I think if I can do comedy, then I can do written comedy. Bushra Aapa’s talent comes from inside, I don’t have that much. I am not like her, I enjoy more serious roles.”

 

Ushna asked Asma if she had ever found a fellow actor attractive. “Yes, I can say that I might have, but there’s no one specific,” Asma responded honestly. Ushna pressed further, suggesting actor Farhan Ali Agha as an example. Asma smiled and said, “He’s younger than me and looks very decent. I look at him more like a younger brother.”

 

When Ushna brought up names like Humayun Saeed and Adnan Siddiqui, Asma replied humorously: “They won’t accept it! Behroze Bhai might, but what kind of romance can you create with him? If I ever said something romantic to him, he’d say, ‘You’ll get a slap from me!’” She added, laughing, “But he’s very cute," of the actor who's mostly played comedy roles.

 

On the mention of the debonair Javed Sheikh, Asma was full of praise: “Yes, Javed Bhai is very dashing.”

 

Asma also spoke about her ongoing show titled Punjabi Kuriyaan (Punjabi Girls), where she plays the lead in a cultural talk-show format called Asma Aapa Ka Verra (Asma Aapa’s Courtyard). She invites guests and mentors two young, spirited girls named Chanko and Manko, who are depicted as relatives learning life skills under her guidance.

 

 

“This show is very close to my heart,” she said with visible affection.