Saba Hameed’s double role as mom and wife sparks confusion

Saba Hameed is essentially Faran Tahir's wife in one show and his mother in another, with both airing simultaneously.

Saba Hameed continues to prove her versatility as an actor, appearing in more projects than most of her peers. Her latest casting choices, though, have left fans and colleagues puzzled.

In ARY Digital’s Bas Tera Saath Ho, now 28 episodes deep, Saba portrays the wife of the male lead’s uncle, played by Faran Tahir. Around the same time, she plays the mother of the female lead’s father in Dar-e-Nijaat, another ARY production, again opposite Tahir. She is essentially his wife in one show and his mother in another, with both airing simultaneously.

Content creator K Khan raised the issue in an Instagram reel on Monday. He questioned how the makers of Dar-e-Nijaat decided she suited the role of Tahir’s mother, given that she plays his spouse elsewhere on the same channel.

Actor Zhalay Sarhadi weighed in through the comments, arguing that only women seem to age in Pakistani show business, while men remain perpetually youthful on screen. She said the industry keeps reinforcing this outdated mindset, even as attitudes shift elsewhere in the world. Sarhadi called for better, more realistic roles written for female actors, and joked she might soon end up playing Humayun Saeed’s mother if the trend continues.

Atiqa Odho voiced similar frustration on her show Kya Drama Hai, posted to YouTube on Tuesday. She praised the overall cast but admitted she could not understand the casting logic behind Hameed’s role. She added that Hameed’s look in the part felt unconvincing, since she does not resemble a grandmother.

Not everyone agreed. TV host Juggun Kazim defended the casting, calling it proof of Hameed’s exceptional range as a performer. She said Hameed has a rare gift for making audiences forget she is acting and fully believe each character.

This is not the first time ageism has stirred debate in Pakistani television. Atiqa herself was previously targeted over remarks about her appearance. Critics often point out that male actors in their 40s still land lead roles as young men, such as Fahad Mustafa in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, frequently paired with much younger actresses. Women of similar age, meanwhile, are routinely pushed into roles as mothers or older relatives, underscoring a persistent double standard in casting across the industry.