KARACHI:
Screenwriter Rida Bilal has publicly distanced herself from the TV series Behroopia, stating that the story currently airing no longer reflects her work. In a strongly worded Instagram post on Friday, Rida alleged that her script had been significantly altered without her consent.
“When your name is on something that no longer reflects your voice, it’s time to speak up,” she wrote. “Scenes changed, characters twisted, and intentions lost. The writing you see now? It’s not mine.”
With Faysal Quraishi and Madiha Imam in lead roles, Behroopia centres on Mahnoor, a woman who enters a second marriage only to discover that her new husband harbours a disturbing secret. Framed as a psychological thriller, the series explores themes of deception, betrayal, and societal taboos surrounding divorce and remarriage.
In her post, Rida claimed the story has now veered far from her vision. “I have tried to state a lot of things in a dignified manner before, but everyone has their limit and I have finally reached mine,” she wrote. “Behroopia no longer reflects my ideas, writing, or the emotion with which it was created for the audiences.”
Rida further criticised the network and director, writing, “It, however, does reflect the channel’s lack of ownership, the director’s unfulfilled desires and his knack for writing, which he should practise more often so that the industry can completely go down the drain.”
This is not the first time a writer in the Pakistani television industry has raised concerns about creative interference. Bee Gul has previously stated similar challenges. Her 2014 series Zid, which centred on a woman resisting forced marriage and societal pressure, was reportedly undermined by producer interference. Gul said the pressure compromised the show’s potential and contributed to its critical failure.
Rida’s post has drawn widespread attention online, with many industry professionals and viewers expressing support. As of Saturday, neither the private channel nor the director of Behroopia issued a public response.
Rida is known for her work on dramas such as Khudgarz and Do Bol, and has often been praised for her character-driven narratives and emotionally grounded writing.
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