Khalilur Rehman Qamar To Cast Mahira Khan In ‘Mirza Jatt’ Despite Past Feud

In a plot twist worthy of a drama itself, celebrated Pakistani scriptwriter, director, and poet Khalilur Rehman Qamar has hinted at casting Mahira Khan in his upcoming film, ‘Mirza Jatt’. This revelation has taken many by surprise, especially given the contentious history between the two. Khalilur Rehman has been vocal about his reluctance to work with Mahira, yet here we are, potentially witnessing a reconciliation.

Khalilur Rehman, known for his provocative statements and stirring scripts, dropped this bombshell during a recent interview. He announced that Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed will be the lead stars in ‘Mirza Jatt’. Addressing their tumultuous past, the director remarked, “Yes, there were differences, but now we just have to work.” When prodded about his past vow never to forgive Mahira, he cryptically stated, “That was my stance. I will stick to it.”

It’ll be interesting to see the ‘Bin Roy’ duo share the screen again, however, Mahira has yet to confirm Khalilur Rehman’s announcement, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.

The tension between the ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho‘ director and Mahira dates back to a heated social media clash in 2020. The conflict erupted when Mahira criticised Khalilur Rehman’s remarks towards social activist Marvi Sirmad. The actress, known for her strong stance on social issues, took to Twitter to denounce Khalilur Rehman’s behaviour, sparking a public feud. She tweeted, 

“I am shocked at what I have just heard and seen! Sick to the core. This same man who abused a woman on TV is revered and given project after project because of what? We are as much to blame, if not more, for perpetuating this thinking!”

Khalilur Rehman, never one to shy away from controversy, responded with equal fervour. In an interview, he said that he would never forgive Mahira and would never work with her again. On Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, he expressed his disdain for Mahira’s actions, stating, while he didn’t hate her, he despised her actions — a sentiment he seemed committed to holding onto. He further suggested that reconciliation would only be possible if Mahira issued a public apology, as the insult was public.

He later elaborated on the issue in several interviews, including Hafiz Ahmed’s podcast, where he expressed his deep hurt over her public criticism. The director emphasised that Mahira had every right to voice her concerns directly to him in private, rather than airing their conflict publicly.

Given this backdrop, Khalilur Rehman’s latest announcement is nothing short of shocking. The public feud, marked by harsh words and strong emotions, seemed to have set a firm barrier between the two. Yet, in the world of showbiz, surprises are never in short supply.

‘Mirza Jatt’ promises to be a significant project, not just for its storyline but also for the drama behind its casting. The film’s narrative will likely delve into deep emotional and societal themes, a trademark of Khalilur Rehman’s writing. With Humayun Saeed and potentially Mahira Khan on board, the film is poised to attract substantial attention.

For now, fans and critics alike are left speculating. Has Khalilur Rehman truly forgiven Mahira, or is this casting decision purely professional? Will Mahira accept the role, setting aside past grievances for the sake of art? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: ‘Mirza Jatt’ is already generating buzz, long before its release.