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The drama Parwarish has captured viewers’ attention with its heartfelt storytelling and meaningful themes. Praised for shedding light on important societal issues, the show has sparked conversations around various plot points—one of which involves a touching scene between the characters Amal and Sameer.

In the episode, Amal confides in her brother Sameer about her feelings for Wali. In response, Sameer offers her a comforting hug—an act that led to both appreciation and criticism on social media. While many viewers lauded the scene for portraying a supportive, emotionally intelligent brother, others questioned the decision to show such physical affection between the two characters.

Addressing the controversy, director Meesam Naqvi explained the intention behind the scene. “We wanted to show that kind, understanding brothers also exist in our society,” he said. “Usually, Pakistani dramas focus on controlling or toxic brothers, often justifying harmful behavior in the name of honour. But in Parwarish, we chose to portray a brother who listens, supports, and respects his sister’s emotions.”

He emphasized that the hug was a natural and genuine gesture between two siblings. “Amal and Sameer are shown as real siblings—Mehram to each other. If a sister is in emotional pain, a loving brother will console her. That’s what we wanted to show.”

Naqvi also highlighted the lack of representation of emotionally secure male characters in mainstream Pakistani media. “We’ve normalized the idea of brothers who resort to violence over honour, but rarely do we showcase those who provide emotional safety to their sisters. This scene was an effort to change that narrative.”

The cast’s performance, especially Reham Rafiq and Abul Hassan in these roles, has been praised by many for bringing this sensitive moment to life with sincerity. Despite the debate, the scene continues to spark reflection on how gender roles and family relationships are portrayed in Pakistani dramas.

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