Zayb Khan and Esra Ayesha have become one of the duos fans can’t seem to get enough of since their time on Tamasha Season 5. What started as two contestants trying to figure each other out inside the house eventually turned into a friendship that viewers are still talking about, and the two have now opened up about how it all began, what changed their perceptions of each other, and why their bond became so special.
From Esra looking after Zayb when he was unwell to the two standing up for each other during tasks and disagreements, their friendship was not something that happened overnight. In fact, their first impressions were far from what their relationship would eventually become.
This article is an excerpt form FUCHSIA Magazine’s YouTube interview.
From Thinking the Other Was Playing a Game to Finding a Genuine Friend
Zayb admitted that his first impression of Esra was not exactly a warm one. He found her talkative and initially wasn’t sure what to make of her personality. Inside the house, where everyone was trying to understand the people around them while also playing the game, it was easy to question whether someone was being completely themselves or putting on a show.
Esra, on the other hand, initially found Zayb a little difficult to read. During one of the early tasks, contestants had to convince their fellow housemates to vote for them as wazir. Esra received more votes, while Zayb was actively going around trying to secure support. She wondered why he was making so much effort when he already appeared to have enough people on his side.
Their perceptions began to change when Zayb fell ill. Esra noticed that he was sitting alone and not feeling well, so she went over and gave him a glass of water. It might have seemed like a small gesture, but it stayed with him. Zayb began to see a softer, more genuine side to Esra, and the friendship slowly started taking shape. There were other little moments, too. Zayb recalled asking for something sweet after the lights had gone off when Esra was the minister, and she made kheer for him. Between these small acts of care and the time they spent together, the two gradually became closer.
Zayb also spoke about how he initially observed everyone in the house, paying attention to how they spoke, behaved and played the game. He had heard people suggest that Esra was putting on an act or deliberately getting into fights, but as he got to know her, he came to believe that she was simply being herself. What some people perceived as too much personality, he eventually recognised as Esra being unapologetically Esra.
The Little Things That Turned Into a Strong Bond
What stands out about Zayb and Esra’s friendship is that it did not grow through grand gestures alone. A glass of water, a plate of food and someone noticing when you are not doing well might not sound like much, but inside a competitive environment like Tamasha, those moments can mean a great deal. Zayb spoke about how Esra would look after people around her, making extra parathas, tea and omelettes and generally ensuring that others were taken care of. He realised that her kindness was not reserved for one person; it was simply part of who she was. That, in turn, made him and others develop a soft corner for her.
Their friendship also showed up during the game itself. Esra recalled standing up for Zayb when other contestants were distracting him during a task, wanting him to be able to take his turn without unnecessary interference. She also explained how she had defended him in situations where it meant going against people she was close to. Her actions made it clear that once she considered someone her own, she was willing to speak up for them.
Zayb, too, reflected on how Esra would fight for her friends even when they might not react to a situation in the same way. He shared an instance in which Esra became upset with him after he used an expression while defending Samia. Although Zayb did not think much of the wording himself, Esra felt that it was disrespectful and took offence on his behalf. He explained that he generally does not let insults get to him because he knows who he is and what he stands for. Esra, however, was more affected by what she felt was disrespectful behaviour towards someone she cared about. The disagreement left Zayb a little hurt, particularly because he felt that she knew his personality, but he also acknowledged where she was coming from.
When Dr. Zee told him that Esra was upset and he should make things right, Zayb said he tried several times to get her attention and reconcile with her. He was not entirely sure what had upset her so much, but he wanted to sort things out. It was another glimpse into a friendship where differences did not necessarily mean that the care between them had disappeared.
Zayb and Esra on Love, Commitment and Why People Keep Looking for Something Better
Away from the conversations about their friendship, Zayb and Esra also shared their thoughts on why commitment seems increasingly difficult for people today. For Zayb, one of the reasons is the sheer number of options people feel they have, particularly in industries shaped by social media, including acting, modelling and influencing. With so many people and possibilities constantly in front of us, it can become easy to wonder whether something better is waiting elsewhere. Instead of appreciating the person in front of us, we may find ourselves comparing, second-guessing and searching for an ideal that might not even exist.
Zayb believes that finding someone genuine, someone who genuinely cares about you and wants to build a life with you, is something worth valuing. He stressed the importance of peace in a relationship, pointing out that life already comes with enough difficulties without a relationship becoming another source of constant chaos.
Esra echoed the importance of appreciating what one already has. She spoke about how people can become so focused on wanting more that they fail to recognise the good in their lives. In constantly searching for something better, there is always the risk of losing something meaningful that was already there. For her, gratitude and being thankful to God for what one has are important parts of finding contentment.
The two also discussed compromise, with Zayb making the point that it should not be expected from women alone. Both people in a relationship need to make an effort, respect each other’s wishes and learn to accommodate one another. Differences are inevitable, but not every disagreement has to become a reason to walk away. Their conversation came back to a fairly simple idea: a relationship should not be about endlessly proving yourself or trying to convince someone that you are good enough for them. Sometimes, it is about being genuine, recognising the effort the other person makes and understanding that a peaceful, caring connection is worth holding on to.
The Friendship Was More Emotional Than Zayb Expected
One of the more surprising things Zayb shared was how emotional he became after leaving Tamasha. While contestants know that their time in the house will eventually end, the experience of stepping outside and seeing the reaction to their time on the show can be very different from what they expect.
Zayb spoke about becoming overwhelmed by the hate he encountered after leaving, particularly as he went through interviews, podcasts and the post-show experience. He did not expect the emotions to hit him as strongly as they did, and he was surprised by how much he cried.
The experience offered a glimpse of what happens after the cameras stop following contestants around the house. The game may be over, but the public’s opinions, reactions and expectations continue, sometimes making it difficult to process everything that has happened.
For Zayb and Esra, however, their story seems to have extended beyond the competition. Their friendship developed through misunderstandings, everyday acts of kindness, disagreements and moments when they chose to stand up for each other. They did not begin Tamasha with an immediate understanding of one another, but getting to know each other changed that.
And perhaps that is what makes their duo so endearing to fans. It is not just about the funny moments or the conversations viewers enjoyed watching. It is also about seeing two people who initially questioned each other’s intentions eventually find something genuine in one another, with a friendship that continued to matter even after the show ended.
