One of the best on-screen couples these days is that of Balaaj and Hooriya played by Mirza Zain Baig and actress Azekah Daniel respectively. This couple from the serial “Malaal e Yaar” holds importance not only because it incorporates two young, attractive performers of the existing times, but because it represents types instead of individuals. To be more specific, the constant row between Balaaj and Hooriya is actually a clash between two ideologies; one being a traditional ideology rooted in the culture of feudalism, not ready to separate itself from centuries old, rigid family values, and the other being a progressive ideology, not ready to surrender to abominable customs and trying its best to rebel against gendered violence. Daily Times caught up with the actors performing these two interesting roles and asked them about their challenges in executing them as well as their views on their respective characters. When asked about the difficulty in trying to come to terms with the rebellious character of Hooriya, Azekah Daniel said, “Hooriya’s character is quite different from my own personality. People may call Azekah stubborn but I am not as rebellious as shown in the drama. Being loud and aggressive as I happen to be in “Malaal e Yaar” is totally opposite to what I am in actual life.” When Mirza Zain Baig was asked how much effort a character that is entirely different from his personality required, he responded in the following words: “Balaaj is different from my real personality to such an extent that at times, I have been led to question the existence of such men. I read the script several times since it demanded extra effort and observation. It was not possible at all without the practice that went into it. A change of Urdu accent was also required from my side. The most difficult decision for me was to decide what kind of dressing would suit the character of “Balaaj”. Then I discussed it with Umar Sayeed who took the responsibility of designing my complete wardrobe. Small things such as my heavy shalwar and my long, thick moustaches which may apparently seem insignificant have helped in adding finesse to the character.” As said before, the characters of Balaaj and Hooriya symbolize cultural clashes. Regarding this, Azekah Daniel has to say that Hooriya voices all those Pakistani women who are trying to fight traditional, conservative values. She says: “In the current age, a lot of women out there know their rights and they are standing up for themselves by breaking the societal stereotypes. Hooriya’s character also gives the message that families should be more supportive if their daughter is going through a toxic relationship rather than forcing her to make the relationship work somehow.” Zain Baig is of the view that apart from the clash between feudalism and modernity, the story addresses a lot of other conflicts. He says: “One clash is between literacy and illiteracy, the former depicted through Hooriya’s character and the latter depicted through mine. “Malaal e Year” also talks about inculcated gender roles. Balaaj actually wants Hooriya to take care of her as the other women of the family have taken care of their husbands.” Azekah and Zain were also asked if “Malaal e Yaar” might also disappoint the viewers like other serials do by depicting a surrender on the part of the female gender and reinforcing the status quo. In response to this, Azekah hinted that it is not going to be an idealistic ending but positive all the same. The result won’t disappoint the viewers and the female character, that of Hooriya will stay a rebel and get her way with a change of tactics. She told that Hooriya’s impulsiveness might change but her true nature won’t. Zain seconded by saying that the ending will be positive but that is for the viewers to see how it will turn out to be positive. “Apparently, Zain’s character is aggressive but he has a story that justifies his attitude: his parents’ death at an early age and his brought up done by his uncle according to his own values. The innocent, orphaned child inside Balaaj is still there and emerges at times and that is when he evinces a weakness that was subtly visible in the recent episodes. But he can’t express it openly, considering the traditional gender roles he has been taught. There will come a time in the story when he will realize the wrongs he has been taught and the wrongs he has done, and he will have to decide which side to take and why.” “Malaal e Yaar” has been directed by Asad Jabal for Hum TV. Both Azekah and Zain accept that their characters in this serial were extremely difficult to execute and that Asad Jabal lent a helping hand to both of them in bringing out the best of those characters. Azekah says, “When I read the script, I knew the character was too intense and required handwork from my end. I had to put an extra effort to keep the anger consistent as it does not come naturally to me. Asad Jabal has been a great teacher and helped a lot in making Hooriya’s character more life-like to the audience. He always briefed me before the scenes how he wanted me to act and set the tone of the character. I couldn’t have done it without his consistent guidance as I am surely a director’s actor.” Just like Azekah who has mostly done soft roles prior to “Malaal e Yaar”, Mirza Zain Baig also never played this kind of character before. He tells how Asad Jabal was supportive at every step and had it not been for his helping hand, the character might not have gained as much as popularity as it has succeeded in garnering. “Asad’s qualities are that he is active, jolly and demands homework. That homework is extensive and is also helpful to the actors who work with him.” ‘Malaal-e-Yaar’ is a production of Moomal Entertainment and MD Productions and goes on air at 9:10pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The writer is a freelance journalist and can be reached at m.ali_aquarius85@yahoo.com. He Tweets at @MuhammadAli_DT