Writer Rehana Aftab disowns ‘Tapish’ finale, says ending was not her writing
Pakistani screenwriter Rehana Aftab publicly distancing herself from the controversial finale of drama serial ‘Tapish’ and claiming that the dramatic fate of antagonist Shahzer Sultan was not part of her original script.
Taking to social media, Rehana penned a strongly worded note expressing her frustration over what she described as unauthorized creative changes to a writer’s work.
In her post, she wrote: “Whoever wants to end a drama according to their own wishes should work on a script they have written themselves. Do not ditch the writers. You can commit all the bad deeds in the world, but it is not our responsibility to lower you into your grave, shower it with flower petals, and present you as a hero. The villain's suicide has absolutely nothing to do with the writer.”
Rehana further appeared to criticise the way production houses can alter storylines after writers have contributed the dialogues and scenes, suggesting that creative decisions are sometimes made according to the preferences of those handling the production.
She reiterated her position by stating: “The villain's suicide has nothing to do with the writer.”
The controversy comes after Tapish concluded with its central antagonist, Shahzer Sultan, played by Muneeb Butt, taking his own life following his rejection by protagonist Shifa, portrayed by Laiba Khan.
The unexpected conclusion has also generated discussion among viewers, with some expressing disappointment over the abrupt resolution of Shahzer’s storyline. Critics of the ending felt that suddenly concluding the toxic antagonist’s arc through suicide weakened the narrative and failed to provide a more organic resolution to his actions.
Others, however, viewed Shahzer’s tragic fate differently, arguing that his character had caused immense damage to Shifa throughout the drama and that his eventual downfall served as a form of poetic justice.