Senior actor Bakhtawar Mazhar, who is currently earning praise for her portrayal of a cancer survivor in the drama ‘Dr Bahu’, recently reflected on the emotional depth and personal responsibility that informed her performance.
Taking to Instagram, Bakhtawar shared a heartfelt note alongside behind-the-scenes photos and videos, giving audiences a glimpse into the emotional and physical process of portraying the character of Saeeda.
In her candid post, the actor revealed that her connection to the role was deeply personal.
“Having lost four close family members and a childhood friend to cancer, while also seeing two young cousins bravely fight the disease, I was extremely mindful,” she wrote. She added that her primary goal was to preserve authenticity – not only in Saeeda’s physical appearance, but also in depicting the emotional realities faced by cancer patients, survivors and their families. Bakhtawar also praised the creative team behind the project, crediting writer Sanam Zaryab for crafting the story with “tenderness and thoughtfulness,” while applauding director Mehreen Jabbar for handling the sensitive subject matter with “clarity and sensitivity.”
She further acknowledged cinematographer Tayyab Shah for capturing Saeeda’s journey honestly, without diminishing either her physical and emotional pain or her sense of humour.
Describing herself as “a director’s actor,” Bakhtawar humbly credited Jabbar and her team for the appreciation her scenes have received.
Her moving performance has resonated strongly with audiences nationwide, with many viewers praising the realism, compassion and emotional sensitivity she brought to the role.
The portrayal has emerged as not only a standout dramatic performance, but also a reminder of the impact of storytelling handled with empathy and care.