When Jafaa unraveled Zara and Hassan’s story, there were many among us who watched with bated breath, unsure on what would happen next? Will Hassan be healed with therapy/ Was Zara right in giving her marriage a second chance? Were her parents right in being so vocal to her about Hassan’s mental health? Should Hassan’s dadi have protected Zara and told her family the truth? And most importantly, are empowered, independent, career women like Zara able to keep themselves safe in the face of domestic abuse? Join us as actor Mawra Hocane, who essays Zara in Jafaa takes our questions.
Mawra Hocane has proved time and again that her role choices vis a vis the women she essays onscreen have a lot to do with navigating the rocky road towards women empowerment, as well as touching upon topics that spark debate in a society that is divided, or perhaps, hesitant to address many of the pressure points that need to be addressed up close and personal.
But not Mawra; from taking on marital rape in Qissa Meherbano Ka with a sensitive spin on the taboo topic, to now portraying the challenges of a victim of domestic violence, caught in a marriage she’s desperately trying to figure out, Mawra has once again shown us that it is the tough topics she takes on with a sensitivity and commitment to making a dent in the roadmap for women’s rights. If it’s hard to do, Mawra will have a go at it. And that’s exactly what Zara’s character is doing in Jafaa.
Here’s the conversation that gives insight into the story and role that has most Pakistani drama viewers hugely invested:
How did the role come to you and when it did, did you take time to say yes?
Mawra responds with the balanced approach that has made her a trusted name in the industry: “Initially I was reluctant due to some issues with the script but then as per our usual drill we resolved all the issues one by one.” She added that: “Momina Duraid my producer reached out to me & she was very keen I do it. She wanted me to be a part of script development & she categorically told me that she can only trust me with such a sensitive matter.”
Mawra continued with a nod to the director: “I was also lucky to have Danish Nawaz who was on the same page as us from the get-go. I knew the script was in safe hands.” Mawra acknowledged that: “It (the drama) had its ups & downs & we have actively tried to resolve all the issues to our best.”
Which is precisely why we wanted to ask:
Such a sensitive story, it could be mishandled, even by the best creators. What guided your decision, or did you ask for the full script?
Mawra offers some insights into the creative process behind Jafaa: “Many scenes were re-written many times which doesn’t happen usually, but we were all willing to tirelessly go through the process over & over again.”
It has to be said that the due diligence in the making of Jafaa is quite apparent, at least in Zara and Hassan’s story. Mawra went on to explain the teamwork behind the effort: “We’ve had very long, endless meetings & discussions for its development. We developed the script together we knew the story with a lot of clarity for Zara’s track.”
We had to ask, because, like most of the audience, we kept hoping Zara would at least confide in Numair!
Why can she not talk to Numair, an outsider, isn’t he safer?
Mawra Hocane responds with a deeply Perseptive insight: “Women are emotional as well as ambitious about saving their marriages, so in case they are successful they wouldn’t want to reveal their partners shortcomings to their friends. It’s a common mistake all women make, even the strongest ones.”
Do you feel we should feel sympathy for men like Hassan?
Given that Mohib Mirza has essayed the character with all its nuances, one had to ask if Hassan tugs at your heart strings ever, in his weakest moments? But Mawra responds emphatically: “I don’t & to each his own.” And she goes on to add: “But I strongly advocate against emotional & physical abusers whether it’s friends/family members/spouses. It can put someone’s life at risk or damage their mental & physical wellbeing. It’s our duty to at least protect our own selves.”
And that settles the debate for all of us who need perspective. Hassan might garner some sympathy, especially when he tears up, but for all of us advocating for victims of domestic violence, Zara’s safety comes first.
Mawra goes on to add the best POV to the argument: “Humans are grey, but it should not be our job to solve the puzzle for every mysterious person, especially when it is the life of a girl who’s married into such people.”
Did you feel Zara’s story needed to progress faster than a real life story lest you lose the audience or, were you confident that this is how it should be?
“We knew that audiences attention span is very short these days, but we were sure we didn’t want to rush such a sensitive matter,” responded Mawra. She went on to pay tribute to survivors of domestic abuse: “We kept it as close to reality as possible & honor the survivors of domestic violence, to show them they’re not alone if they found it hard to walk away or if they forgave many times.”
She highlighted the storytelling and how the script incorporated multiples viewpoints by emphasizing that: “We did advocate otherwise with the help of different characters, especially Zara’s parents & Numair but we had to respect the process.”
Mawra’s insights above added depth to the narrative. It is impressive to see for sure that the cast had undergone a thorough process to take in possible audience response and employ multiple cast members to advocate for the DV victim, yet staying true to life with her story.
Mawra went on to reveal the fan feedback on Jafaa and specifically Zara’s character: “Many women found it relatable, I know someone who identified her issues while watching Jafaa & hopes to find a solution. I also received a lot of fan mail as to how they felt it represented them or people they knew.” Explained Mawra...”And that, for me is a big victory.” She caps off elatedly, and we agree.
A scene that was really hard to do
Mawra responds almost instantly: “Oh there were many! Playing Zara truly broke my heart at many many instances.” And we get it.
Mawra continues to shed light on an issue that might have been debated to death, but we still struggle to grasp in its entirety: “It’s the emotional abuse that one can’t put a finger on. That’s what disturbed me the most because it’s a lot more common than the physical one & no one other than the victim can call it out.”
Girls like Zara might stay with men like Hassan their entire lives. Have you met or know such women? Was there ever a positive resolution that gives you hope?
Mawra responds passionately: “Of course I have & no, it’s never given me hope, if anything it makes me feel disheartened & weak as a woman to see another woman so helpless.” And then she removes the judgement we portray for Domestic Violence victims, often urging them to exit their situation, despite not having much of an exit strategy: “But of course, many factors come into play & each woman has to cater to her own limitations. Many times, it’s lack of financial independence or mostly its emotional dependence.”
She goes on to elaborate: “I do advise them to first gain financial independence before taking a grave step as women can’t walk out especially with kids unless they have a bare minimum source of income,” which is why, she adds, “I am also a huge advocate of education for girls.”
We hear you Mawra, right up our alley!
Do you know of such men?
Mawra: “I know these men through the women I know but no, fortunately I’m not friends with such men and Alhumdulillah, there aren’t any in my family.”
Women like Zara often avoid advice. Did you feel frustrated when you were playing her?
Mawra Hocane responds with compassion yet understands the significance of getting it right on screen: “Yes I did, but we needed to stay close to reality just how we did in Qissa Meherbano Ka, my producer Momina & director Danish Nawaz were very clear that it can’t be too good to be true. We have to think of women at large & make it relatable so that the lessons showcased are also practical.”
A final word of advice for all the Zaras and their parents and in-laws we know. And perhaps for Hassan?
And finally, Mawra has advice for all of us, for the Zaras and Hassans of this world: “The idea is to visually give advice as to what happens when you don’t take necessary, timely measures to protect yourself. We often watch a project where the heroine walks away at first instance & it’s met with criticism as to why women have become so radical & aren’t willing to build homes due to their independence.” Mawra’s words reveal the sense of responsibility with which the creators planned the script and execution of Zara’s journey.
But she is quick to show how they attempted covered all their bases: “The answer to that lies in what we tried to attempt here. You cannot & must not live with a person who abuses you whether it’s a man abusing a woman or otherwise.”
And that settles the debate!
Mawra caps off with a nod to her team
“It’s been teamwork all along, my team has been very receptive & we’ve worked a lot on script & I had great support from the makers & the director alike . It wouldn’t be possible without them.”
And the director whom, we have to agree, has done an incredible job with Jafaa so far. Mawra pays tribute:
“Danish Nawaz is a delight to work with & his sense of humour has been the best part about Jafaa which was otherwise a very serious set & emotionally stimulating at many instances, But once a scene is done he knows how to create a warm lively space for his actors so that was very therapeutic for me as a performer.”
And that rounds off our conversation on Zara’s story. Drop us a comment to tell us if you’re watching Jafaa and if you’re invested in Zara’s story wholeheartedly, just like us!
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Jafaa is written by Samira Fazal and directed by Danish Nawaz. It is produced by Momina Duraid Productions. The cast features Mawra Hocane, Usman Mukhtar, Sehar Khan, Mohib Mirza, Zarrar Khan, Farah Sadia, Nadia Afgan, and others. The drama airs every Friday at 8 pm on HUM TV.
