The drama Parwarish has garnered attention for its willingness to explore a range of contemporary social issues, from parenting struggles and the generation gap to drug use and self-harm. However, one storyline, in particular, has sparked significant discussion: the on-screen romance between teenagers Wali and Maya.
Portrayed by Samar Jafri and Aina Asif, the love story of Wali and Maya has been a central focus of the show. Fans, who enjoyed the pair’s chemistry in their previous project Mayi Ri, have been thrilled to see them reunite. But their young romance has also drawn a considerable amount of criticism from viewers who believe such relationships should not be depicted on television, especially between young characters.
In a recent interview, director Syed Meesam Naqvi addressed the debate head-on, explaining his reasoning for including the storyline. He stated that it is a widespread social taboo to discuss teenage relationships, and society often fails to acknowledge that kids as young as 15 or 16 are having affairs.
He clarified that the show is not condoning these relationships but is instead portraying a reality that is often hidden from parents.
Naqvi emphasized that his goal was to show parents how to handle such a sensitive situation constructively. He explained that since children often hide these relationships, he wanted to demonstrate a positive approach to parenting, in contrast to threats of negative consequences, such as suicide or abandonment. By using Maya and Wali's story, he intended to show parents a healthier way to navigate this common challenge.
