An old drama clip featuring Pakistani actor Aashir Wajahat as a child actor has resurfaced online after the massive success of his recent project Kafeel.
The viral video is being widely shared as a “then and now” comparison, reminding viewers that long before becoming a recognized young star, Aashir Wajahat had already delivered emotionally intense performances as a child actor.
The resurfaced scenes are from the 2014 drama Soteli, where Aashir Wajahat played a young child traumatized and suffering emotional and physical abuse after the death of his biological mother.
The clips highlight some of the drama’s most heartbreaking moments.
In one scene, the stepmother, played by former actress Ayesha Khan, aggressively accuses him of being “dirty” like his late mother while physically restraining him.
Another emotional moment shows her accusing the child of stealing noodles before threatening to burn his hands and repeatedly slapping him despite his desperate denial.
One of the most disturbing sequences shows the young child locked alone in darkness, crying and banging on a door, begging his “Choti Mama” to let him out because he is terrified of the dark.
Other scenes reveal the child visibly trembling in fear while being threatened into silence, making the character’s psychological trauma painfully clear.
Fans revisiting the drama are now praising Aashir Wajahat for displaying such strong acting abilities at a very young age.
The drama also featured Deepak Perwani as the child’s father, alongside Sabreen Hisbani.
The serial explored family tensions, trauma, and the harsh realities faced by children in toxic households.
Being the son of filmmaker Wajahat Rauf, Aashir Wajahat initially entered the industry at a young age, but many fans now believe his performances prove he earned recognition through talent and screen presence rather than just family connections.