LAHORE , June 5, 2023: In a recent episode of Mazaaq Raat, acclaimed actor Mohammed Ahmed opened up about the prevalent trend of toxic content that dominates the preferences of a significant portion of the audience.
Ahmed delved into the repercussions faced when a narrative deviates from this genre, shedding light on the challenges faced by artists in such circumstances. Furthermore, he candidly addressed the issue of repetitive roles that he has encountered throughout his career.
The veteran actor talked about the connection between scripts and audience ratings. “When, in the serial, the woman was being beaten, the rating was high. In this episode, at the eighth minute, the woman held her mother-in-law’s hand and proclaimed that she will no longer be beaten – the rating fell. This means that our audience, like habitual drug addicts whom you can’t fault, is used to this. You keep giving them an oppressed, beaten woman or a love triangle, and the audience will be happy.”
Continuing further, he said, “As soon as you give the woman power, or show her being strong the audience changes the channel.” When asked by Chaudhry whether this pattern was a microcosm of the larger sociopolitical scenario, Ahmed agreed. “It is like this. We have a habit of beating ourselves up. We like crying. Tragedy is filled inside us. Making our people laugh is very difficult. But our people cry easily.”
When asked about his doing and seeing changing roles on television, Ahmed stated, “I became used to this – in every serial, I had to cry, and then die in the 18th episode. Either the 12th or the 18th,” prompting laughter from host Vasay Chaudhry and the audience. He went on to state, “When I said that I will no longer die, they cast me in a serial in which I wished I was dead.”
Ahmed also stated that if one is a writer, one should refrain from writing, given that certain approval-giving bodies will not let that content be actualised. “We must have the habit of saying yes,” he stated solemnly, with undertones of sombre sarcasm.
Ahmed’s honest and insightful remarks shed light on the broader issue of content preferences and creative limitations prevalent in the entertainment industry. By addressing these concerns, he has sparked a significant discussion about the need for fresh narratives, meaningful character development, and the importance of embracing diverse storytelling.