The legendary writer and actor reflects on his controversial debut script Aurat and his eventual ban by state broadcasters.
Veteran writer and actor Muhammad Ahmed recently opened up about a dramatic turning point in his early career during an appearance on Moneeza Hashmi’s digital talk show, Tum Jo Chaho To Suno. The celebrated artist recalled how state broadcaster PTV issued a complete ban against him following his maiden telefilm script titled Aurat. Unpacking the historic controversy, he revealed how the state censors clamped down on the daring narrative surrounding female exploitation and societal hypocrisy.
Renowned for writing acclaimed television hit series like Kuch Ankahi, Tum Se Kehna Tha, and the popular Barat series, Muhammad Ahmed has firmly established himself as a stalwart of Pakistani entertainment. Over the decades, his nuanced performances in mega-dramas like Ehd-e-Wafa, Sabaat, and Mere Paas Tum Ho earned him widespread critical acclaim. Beyond acting, his storytelling finesse has historically challenged traditional norms while captivating audiences across generations.
Reflecting on the bold themes of his debut play written for theatre icon Sheema Kirmani and directed by Ghazanfar Ali, the writer explained that the script tackled taboo subjects like Halala and economic desperation. Despite PTV banning him after parliamentarians raised objections, private network NTM broadcast the telefilm for six consecutive days. The massive viewership on rival television launched his screenwriting trajectory, even though he has now stepped back from modern television writing due to commercialized content standards.
His candid reflection sheds light on the stringent censors of past eras and how daring storytelling ultimately paves its own path to success. Do you think contemporary Pakistani television needs to revive bold, thought-provoking scripts like his earlier works?
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