Behroopia starring Faysal Quraishi and Madiha Imam has just hit the screens, and we’ve got them with us today for an exclusive chitchat about the show—and so much more!
Faysal Quraishi has been the face of many popular dramas like Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan, Muqaddar, and Bashar Momin, and is appreciated for his strong acting skills. Madiha Imam has also made an indelible mark with her roles in Mujhe Vida Kar, Ishq Jalebi, and Dil-e-Momin, bringing a natural charm to her characters. The two actors have worked together before in projects including Zakham and Muqaddar, where audiences enjoyed their on-screen connection. Now, they return in Behroopia, a new drama that brings them together once again for a fresh and engaging story.
Here’s what the lead couple had to say about Behroopia and so much more in our exclusive chat!
Why Faysal And Madiha Said Yes To Behroopia
Faysal Quraishi was immediately drawn to Behroopia the moment he read the script. He found it emotionally engaging and different from what he had done before. However, he initially hesitated because the character seemed to be written for someone much younger. He even told director (Shaqielle Khan) that he might be too old for the role. But since he truly connected with the story and didn’t want anyone else to take it on, he stayed involved. After a couple of months, with some character tweaks to fit his age and personality, the role transformed into a perfect match. What intrigued him most was the challenge of portraying nine different characters—each with unique body language and expressions but the same voice. The creative challenge and depth of the role ultimately convinced him to take it on.
Madiha Imam, on the other hand, was captivated by the story during its narration. She didn’t read the script herself but was deeply affected by the situation presented—one that mirrored real-life issues often seen in the news. The script resonated with her especially as a woman, and she found the subject matter both disturbing and important. She felt the story explored a deeply-rooted societal issue that needed attention. Moreover, when she found out that Faysal was involved, she was immediately on board. She believed that his involvement guaranteed a meaningful project. Being a newly married woman herself, she also saw reflections of the drama’s themes in the lives of her friends, which made the project even more personal and relevant. This powerful connection to the story and its potential to spark important conversations made her say yes without hesitation.
Were There Any Difficult Scenes To Perform?
Faysal Quraishi and Madiha Imam shared that Behroopia is filled with scenes that were both difficult and disturbing to perform. While the experience was emotionally intense for the actors, Faysal believes the audience will find the story gripping and engaging. From an actor’s point of view, the disturbing nature of some scenes added depth and excitement to the performance. Faysal pointed out that the story isn’t dependent on just one character—rather, it’s constantly moving forward with twists and emotional turns that make it fast-paced and unpredictable. He described it as a love story of a man who is mentally unstable but doesn’t see himself that way, which adds a unique layer to the narrative. For him, despite the emotional weight, the complexity made it all the more fun to perform and will certainly give viewers a lot to think and talk about.
Did Faysal Consult A Psychiatrist Or Psychologist For The Role?
Faysal Quraishi revealed that he did consult with a professional while preparing for his role in Behroopia. The team provided him with a real-life case study involving a woman based in the USA who reportedly had 119 different personalities. Though he couldn’t directly speak to her, he read about her extensively and found the case deeply unsettling yet fascinating. What struck him most was how the woman’s fractured mind had created multiple personalities as a survival mechanism—to defend herself and simply stay alive. This psychological aspect added a powerful layer to his character, Mikail, who also develops a similar coping mechanism. Faysal explained that Mikail’s journey is centered around his subconscious effort to live and survive through these various personalities.
Did Madiha Imam Do Any Research For Her Role?
Madiha Imam shared that she went through an intense emotional journey while researching for her role in Behroopia. Unlike Faysal, who focused on a specific case, Madiha explored real-life stories of people dealing with dissociative identity disorder—especially those who were aware of their condition and could articulate it. She watched countless interviews online, particularly on platforms like YouTube, where people openly discussed how trauma shaped their multiple identities.
One story that stayed with her involved a girl who had suffered abuse by a teacher and developed an alternate personality as a defense mechanism. The girl used this identity to survive the trauma and later apologized to her mother on camera, saying it wasn’t really her—it was her “friend.” Madiha also watched how such mental health struggles affect the people around them—parents, siblings, and friends—who often suffer in silence. She emphasized the emotional toll not just on the person with the condition but also on those who choose to stay by their side. This deeper understanding helped Madiha connect with her character on a personal level and made her portrayal more grounded and heartfelt.
Want to hear more? Stay tuned for full conversation coming out soon on FUCHSIA Magazine’s YouTube channel!
