It’s Real and Relatable”: Samar Jafri on teenage romance in “Parwarish”
Samar Jafri plays Wali in Parwarish, a drama that addresses Gen Z issues such as mental health, parental pressure, and the complexities of parenting. The show also explores themes of young romance and one-sided attraction, portraying them in a realistic way that reflects today’s world. However, some viewers have criticized the depiction of students falling in love. Responding to the backlash, Samar Jafri shared his perspective on Gen Z romance in Parwarish during an interview with Something Haute.
Samar Jafri discussed Amal’s one-sided attraction to Wali, explaining that the drama portrays Amal as a very studious girl with no initial interest in love or romance. He said she viewed Wali as someone she could potentially fall for because he was close to her and very open with her. As a result, her feelings of attraction developed naturally. On the other hand, Wali saw Amal only as a friend and often took her care for granted. He recognized her as a problem solver and a loyal friend—and that’s the lens through which he viewed her.
This is what he shared:
Samar Jafri shared that he isn’t actively seeking roles in mainstream romance dramas, but he’s open to the idea if the script feels right. He emphasized that Pakistani television still doesn’t portray young love as it exists in real life. Referring to his character Wali, he explained how Wali is willing to leave his entire world for Maya—an intense kind of love he has witnessed among his own friends. Samar stressed the need to bring such real and relatable stories to our TV screens, as they reflect the genuine emotions of today’s youth.
