Mehreen Jabbar, director of the latest drama serial Doctor Bahu, joined FUCHSIA Magazine for a candid conversation.
Mehreen Jabbar is one name that instantly brings back memories of the golden era of television. You think of Jackson Heights, Daam, Doraha, Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu, Ek Jhooti Love Story – stories that didn’t just entertain but lingered long after the screen faded to black. A Mehreen Jabbar frame speaks for itself; every shot, every silence, every subtle expression carries the unmistakable signature of a storyteller who understands both craft and emotion. Her work quietly tells you that a maestro is behind the lens.
And the same holds true this time with Doctor Bahu. Every detail, every scene, every character beat reflects a careful, thoughtful hand guiding the narrative.
We were fortunate to sit down with Mehreen Jabbar to talk about Doctor Bahu, her creative process, and more.
Why Did Mehreen Jabbar Take On Doctor Bahu?
We were curious – what made Mehreen Jabbar say yes to a project that, at first glance, seems like a familiar mother-in-law, daughter-in-law narrative? When we asked her, she walked us through her thought process with refreshing honesty.
The project, she revealed, had been in the works for a while. “This was pitched to me by Humayun and Nadeem Baig some time ago. I have to give credit to Nadeem – he really pushed me to do it. He convinced me a lot, because I was hesitant. I knew it would take up a whole lot of time, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to a long serial.”
But things shifted when she actually began reading the script.
“When I started reading it, what really interested me were the nuances and layers. Some people are now realizing that this is not just a typical mother-in-law, daughter-in-law story – or even a doctor story. It’s much more layered.”
She elaborated on what those layers looked like: “It’s a story about a father and son relationship, about a husband and wife who don’t really know each other and how their relationship develops. It’s about a marriage that has reached a dead end – how do people come out of it? Even Kubra’s mother, Marina Khan’s character – you start wondering how she became this traditional mother. What’s her backstory?”
For Mehreen, that depth made all the difference. “There were so many layers in the story, and yet on the surface it feels like a typical family drama. But it’s really not. That’s what started appealing to me.”
It’s Not Just Doctor Bahu – It’s About Real People, Real Flaws, and the Grey In Between
As the conversation shifted to how the audience is responding, we mentioned how the story begins to subvert expectations after the initial episodes.
She agreed. “You’re right – maybe in the first couple of episodes, it feels like that typical setup. But then it starts to open up.”
We pointed out how surprising it was to see the depth in Salman’s character, especially his insecurities during the wedding track – something not usually expected in a drama titled Doctor Bahu.
“Exactly,” she responded. “What Sanam (the writer) has done beautifully is that she’s given layers to all the characters. No one is entirely positive all the time. They will do things you may not agree with – just like real people.”
She continued, “Humans don’t walk on a straight path. Sometimes they make mistakes. So if Salman reacts unreasonably with his father on the wedding night, or if Sania’s character is being stubborn, it’s because they are reacting to their circumstances.”
What Does Mehreen Jabbar Hope Doctor Bahu Achieves?
“Of course, everyone wants millions of views,” she said with a smile, “but for me, the project is good, the story is interesting and different – and I just hope people can relate to it and watch it. I’m not saying it has to be a TRP success, I just want it to be seen.”
We then asked if she’s happy with how things are shaping up so far.
“Yeah, I think it’s not bad,” she responded candidly.
But Guess What? Mehreen Jabbar Wanted to Change the Title of Doctor Bahu!
“The funny thing is, I told Nadeem, this title will not be Doctor Bahu. I kept thinking I’ll change it. For five months I thought I have to change this name!” she laughed.
“But then I realized – and people pointed it out too – that it’s actually a very good, catchy title. When I shot it, I thought, okay, this might actually be fun. And the channel also wanted it, so thank God – we stuck with it.”
Want to hear more from Mehreen? Catch up full conversation on FUCHSIA Magazine’s YouTube channel!
