Danish Taimoor latest TV drama Sher has sparked a social media storm this time not for romantic clichés or over-the-top action, but for its questionable depiction of mental illness.
The drama, currently airing on a major entertainment channel, has gone viral online but not for the reasons its creators might have hoped.
To recap: Fajar was initially set to marry Sher’s younger sibling but backed out, triggering a chaotic chain of events. Amid the fallout, Sher suffered a psychological breakdown and is now shown confined to a psychiatric facility.
It was a particular scene from the most recent episode that ignited the internet.
In it, Sher aka Danish Taimoor, is shown sitting disoriented on the floor of his hospital room, surrounded by dramatic scribbles on the walls, phrases like “Shut up, I am sad,” “Kill me,” and inexplicably, “Corona Virus” written in Urdu.
Adding to the confusion was the room’s decor, which included odd framed images of brain diagrams, seemingly inserted to underline the setting’s psychiatric nature.
However, the use of such props—and the overall portrayal—came across as tone-deaf and theatrically absurd to many viewers.
One of the most heavily criticized aspects was the visual of Sher being physically restrained to his hospital bed.
The choice to depict him in shackles struck many as harsh, evoking the imagery of imprisonment rather than a compassionate healthcare environment.
The scene quickly became a goldmine for meme-makers on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). Comments poured in, with one user joking, “Me in my room after getting scolded by mom,” while another added, “Explaining logic to desi coworkers be like…” Others fixated on the random “coronavirus” reference, expressing both confusion and amusement.
Despite the entertainment value fans are finding in the unintended comedy, a deeper concern is being voiced. Many viewers are asking when Pakistani television will begin portraying mental health with the sensitivity and seriousness it deserves.
