Pakistani television has a peculiar habit of turning its fictional villains into real-life punching bags.
Anayah Shahid, the young actress portraying the scheming maid Shireen in Hum TV's Zanjeerain, recently spoke out against severe online backlash directed at her over the character's actions. Shireen reportedly plotted the killing of Bano in the drama, a storyline that sent parts of the show's audience into a frenzy. In her response, Anayah described herself as "a loyal employee of the script" and urged viewers to stop conflating her with the role she plays on screen.
Zanjeerain is one of the most popular Pakistani dramas currently airing on Hum TV, picking up pace after the death of Mudassir and Rabiya's emotional breakdown. Written by acclaimed screenwriter Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Shahzad Kashmiri, the serial stars Sajal Aly, Ahsan Khan, Danyal Zafar, and Ameer Gilani in lead roles. It is produced by Momina Duraid.
Its strong storyline has pushed supporting characters into equal popularity, with fans eager to learn more about the new faces. Among the breakout roles receiving immense attention are Shireen and Shahnoor Bhabi, portrayed by Anayah and Anam Husain, respectively.
Anayah is a young Pakistani digital influencer, model, and actor who gained significant public attention through her strong role in the serial. Beyond acting, she has modeled for brands including Laam Official and Ronin Official. She has around 224 thousand Instagram followers and remains active on social media.
The backlash she faced reflects a recurring problem in Pakistani drama culture. Audiences sometimes direct genuine anger at performers who inhabit morally dark characters. Anayah's plea for separation between performer and character is one many actors before her have echoed. It rarely sticks.
Still, industry support has followed. Fans and fellow professionals have actively praised the performances of the serial's breakout stars online. Anayah's social media stories have featured appreciation posts from viewers celebrating her work.
That the hostility arrived at all speaks to how convincingly she has landed the part. Few newcomers draw this kind of visceral reaction from audiences in their first major television role.
Meanwhile, co-star Sahar Hashmi also drew widespread praise in the latest episode for her portrayal of Sher Bano, a performance that dominated social media discussion. Zanjeerain is a 2026 serial noted for the on-screen chemistry between Sajal Aly and Danyal Zafar, and shows no signs of slowing its momentum.
With the show's growing success, Anayah is emerging as one of the most promising new faces in Pakistan's television industry. Whether that trajectory holds will depend on the roles she chooses next. For now, the script still has her.
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