Mira Sethi reveals she refused major role in Main Manto Nahi Hoon because of Khalil ur Rehman Qamar

Novelist, actor and outspoken feminist Mira Sethi has made it clear that she refuses to work with individuals whose values clash with her own. During a conversation with author Muneeb Qadir in August about women’s rights, Sethi shared that she had been offered a role in ARY Digital’s Main Manto Nahi Hoon but chose to decline it due to the misogynistic views of the show’s writer, Khalilur Rehman Qamar.

A clip of the discussion recently circulated on social media, showing Sethi explaining that she had been eager to join the project and act alongside Humayun Saeed and Sajal Ali, her co-stars from Kuch Ankahi. However, she ultimately turned down the offer, saying her feminism would lose its integrity if she collaborated with someone who “said such strange things about women.”

The part Sethi refused was a significant one — Miss Maria, the trusted friend and confidante of the main character, Manto, played by Humayun Saeed. The role eventually went to Sanam Saeed, who later admitted she had her own concerns about the project but took it on after promising herself to challenge anything that conflicted with her beliefs.

The drama has faced controversy since its early episodes, including backlash over a fat-shaming joke that ignited outrage on social media. Many viewers expressed disappointment that Sajal Ali delivered the line, though few were surprised it appeared in one of Qamar’s scripts.

Sethi’s decision to avoid working with Qamar aligns with her long-standing criticism of his public statements and conduct. Over the years, he has faced condemnation for verbally attacking activist Marvi Sirmed on live television and for blaming feminism in the aftermath of Noor Mukadam’s brutal murder.

Reflecting on his rhetoric, Sethi has previously said, “He has done a disservice to himself, though he doesn’t think so, because now he is a cheerleader for very, very ugly conservative, problematic thoughts in this country. He has unmasked himself, and what he has revealed is deeply ugly.”