“Me, Aina, with the family I come from, it’s very different from the characters that I played. I cannot even imagine kai meri mama and baba ek din aakar mujhe kahay, mujhe specially is age mein, kai yeh tumhara liye rishta aya hai. Tu woh pain samajhna, dard samajhna merey liye thora mushkil tha. Lekin jab ek dafa hit hua na tu, tu woh bohot zyada hi hit hua.”
A Privileged Reality vs. On-Screen Pain
These words were shared by young actress Aina Asif in a recent interview, where she spoke about the emotional weight of playing sensitive roles at a young age. Coming from a loving and secure background, she found it hard to relate to characters dealing with forced marriage or family pressure. But once she emotionally connected with the role, especially in Mayi Ri as a child bride, it deeply affected her. The silence, helplessness, and emotional trauma shown in such characters made her realize how real and painful these stories are for many girls in Pakistan.
The Real Face of Child Marriage in Pakistan
Child marriage is still a harsh reality in the country. A 2021 UNICEF report revealed that nearly 18% of girls in Pakistan are married before turning 18. These girls are often forced into adult roles as wives and daughters-in-law with no say in their future. These decisions are usually driven by tradition, poverty, or pressure, while the girls’ voices go unheard. Though dramas now explore these themes more often, the real challenge is helping society understand the emotional damage caused by such practices.
Dramas as a Tool for Social Change
Portraying these stories on screen plays a big role in raising awareness. When told honestly, they spark important conversations and help people empathize with what many young girls endure in silence. And for actors, such roles often lead to emotional growth, teaching them the depth of struggles they haven’t personally lived but now understand.
