Mira Sethi is not the type to act against her beliefs. In a recent interview with Muneeb Qadir, the actor revealed that “I was offered the role of Sanam Saeed in Main Manto Nahi Hoon, If you watch this show.
She also explained that the project intrigues it. “I was so tempted because it would have been Humayum Saeed, Sajal Ali and I had already worked with Sajal Kuch Ankahi. But because of the writer of the series, I did not do it. I just thought that I am talking so much about feminism and then if I had ended up playing a role created by a writer who has such problematic opinions on women, so all of this would have been wasted. »»
Had this conversation with Mira Sethi a few weeks ago and I still have the greatest respect for people who stick to their principles. We need many more people in our film industry who have the courage to say and do what is good pic.twitter.com/9gmzp2hq8b
– MUNEEB QADIR (@MUNEBQADIRMMQ) October 3, 2025
Fans made the actor’s decision not to go ahead with the script. “Very few people in the industry have the capacity to stand up,” wrote an IG user. “Love Mira. So much respect.” Another reaffirmed that she made the right decision: “Thank you!” The drama makes no sense, ”they wrote. “Happy you stayed away from this chaotic piece.”
Sanam Saeed who plays Miss Maria, already explained why she had decided to play the role in an interview with Aamna Haider Isani High talk. “I know that Main Manto Nahi Hoon was in preparation for a long time, “she said.” And her casting has changed and evolved over the years. He (Khalil-Ur-Rehman) therefore appointed all the actors in which he had then roped, including Humayun Saeed and Sajal Aly. And I said to myself, I never worked with Humayun or Sajal before.
She admitted that she had refused Baig’s offer twice before due to unavailability and time constraints. “This time, if I had said no, that would be like saying:” Do not ask me anymore “. So, this time, I said to myself, here is a drama that has Humayun and Sajal, it is a Khalilur Rehman Qamar script, but let’s see what we can do.”
Due to the limited time, Saeed said that she had not read the entire script, just the parties involving her character. “This is the first time that I haven’t read the whole script, just my games. And I really enjoyed Miss Maria.”
Khalil-Ur-Rehman was already under fire for his comments on Saba Qamar when he criticized his choice of dress during a prize ceremony, saying that his outfit was against his values and beliefs. Despite the recognition of her talent, he clearly indicated that she could never work in any of her projects because of her fashion choices.
The writer was criticized by the politician of the Pakistan Peoples (PPP) Sharmila Faruqua in April. During his appearance in the show of the television host, Waseem Badami, Faruqui expressed a strong disapproval of the renowned dramatic writer. “I don’t like it,” she said. “Or I don’t want to talk about him. It’s such misogynist.”
Badami followed if she thought that women should refuse to work on her projects. In response, Faruqui said: “I think no one should even watch their dramas and producers should not produce their series either.”
Whether it’s criticizing celebrities for their personal convictions, spreading your grievances on the actors or making daring affirmations on the roles of women in society, Khalil triggered a drama at a time and off screen.
His strong opinions have often led to clashes with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Noman Ijaz, Mahira Khan, Urwa Hocane and Sonya Hussyn, which makes him the subject of many discussions in entertainment circles.
Main Manto Nahi Hoon is produced by Nadeem Baig and distributed by Six Sigma Plus and Next Level Entertainment. He is broadcast on Ary Digital. The drama presents a star cast with Humayun and Sajal taking the lead and Sanam Saeed, Asif Raza Mir, Saba Hamid, Saba Faisal, Saima Noor and Azaan Sami Khan in the roles of support.
