Hina Dilpazeer Reveals Why She Gets Limited Roles

Veteran Pakistani actor Hina Dilpazeer has opened up about the limited roles she receives despite being one of the country’s most recognisable television performers.

The actor, who is widely loved for playing Momo in the long-running comedy series Bulbulay, said typecasting and the industry’s “lobby system” have made it difficult for her to secure serious and diverse projects.

Dilpazeer revealed that she continues to look for meaningful scripts but has not been offered many roles that allow her to explore different sides of her acting abilities.

“Serious and good scripts are simply not being offered right now. I’m looking for the reasons behind it, but I haven’t found them yet,” she said.

The actor was particularly critical of what she believes is a repeated pattern in television casting. According to Dilpazeer, channels often rely on a small group of familiar faces, especially for special programmes aired during Eid.

“I think the lobby system is very strong. Every channel has five to seven preferred people who wear white sherwanis for Eidul Fitr programmes and black sherwanis for Eidul Adha programmes,” she said.

Despite her disappointment, Dilpazeer remains hopeful that the industry could eventually become more merit-based. She believes that if casting decisions are made according to talent rather than connections, she may get opportunities to take on more challenging roles.

The actor also explained that having fewer offers has brought an unexpected benefit. Instead of accepting every project, she now has the freedom to reject scripts that do not meet her standards.

“Looking at it now, I feel it has been a blessing in disguise,” she said. Dilpazeer added that she would rather wait for a genuinely good script than continue working on projects she does not believe in.

She also made it clear that the channel would not matter if the right role came her way. According to her, she would accept a strong project regardless of where it airs.

Hina Dilpazeer recalls the PTV era

Dilpazeer also reflected on the golden era of Pakistan Television, remembering a time when actors received proper professional guidance and training.

She said PTV once had educated and experienced professionals who helped newcomers understand acting, language, etiquette and the technical aspects of television production.

According to Dilpazeer, that mentorship played an important role in developing performers and maintaining professional standards across the industry.

She believes much of that foundation has been lost in modern television. The actor also questioned whether the same level of editorial supervision and professional training exists today.

Dilpazeer stressed that an actor’s surroundings and mentors can have a major impact on their professional development. She said etiquette, knowledge and training are essential qualities that performers need to learn throughout their careers.

Commenting on the current condition of PTV, she offered a blunt assessment, saying the state broadcaster is technically still alive but is “in a coma” and continues only as long as its support remains connected.

A career that began by chance

Dilpazeer also recalled how an unexpected opportunity helped launch her acting career.

She had visited the set of another project when she was asked to replace an actress who had failed to arrive for a play titled Bubul. The role was small and required her to play a maid.

She was told that she only had to open a door and ask whether a missing child had been found.

Although she had no time to prepare, Dilpazeer decided to improvise. She remembered a Bengali woman who had worked at her family home and copied her accent for the character.

The spontaneous performance impressed writer Fasi Bari Khan, who immediately decided to work with her on another project. This opportunity eventually led to Burns Road Ki Nilofer and opened the door to a long and successful television career.

What started as an unexpected one-scene appearance ultimately became an 18-year journey, with Dilpazeer growing into one of Pakistan’s most memorable television performers.