In a surprising yet refreshing move, Sajal Aly and her former father-in-law Asif Raza Mir are appearing together in ARY Digital’s mega project ‘Main Manto Nahi Hoon’, playing a father-daughter duo.
This casting choice has become a major talking point among fans and in the entertainment industry — not only for its on-screen depth but also due to their real-life relationship history.
A Power-Packed Drama with a Stellar Team
‘Main Manto Nahi Hoon’ marks the return of the blockbuster trio: Humayun Saeed, director Nadeem Baig, and writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. The show’s teasers have already created massive buzz online.
The drama features a star-studded cast, and Nadeem Baig revealed that Sajal and Asif’s casting was entirely based on professionalism and mutual respect.
Director Nadeem Baig Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Insight
Speaking on Maliha Rehman’s YouTube show, director Nadeem Baig shared how he approached Asif Raza Mir for the role of Sajal’s father. After a moment of pause, Asif agreed and confirmed his professionalism, saying:
> “I am a professional actor. If Sajal has no objection, I have no issue playing her father.”
Later, Nadeem contacted Sajal Aly, who responded positively:
> “If he suits the role, please cast him. I have no problem at all.”
On-Set Camaraderie and Unexpected Bonding
Nadeem Baig recalled the first day of shooting when Asif and Sajal warmly greeted each other on set. From then on, their scenes were filled with natural chemistry — so much so that Nadeem joked about having to “scold them for talking and laughing too much” during serious scenes.
Their professionalism and comfort with each other set an example for other actors, proving that personal history doesn’t have to impact creative work.
A Strong Cast and a Long-Awaited Collaboration
Nadeem also revealed that Sajal Aly was his first choice for the student role in the drama. Having worked with her before in Kuch Ankahi and Sinf-e-Aahan, he was confident she would do justice to this character as well.
Despite early delays in production, the moment work began on Main Manto Nahi Hoon, Sajal was cast.
Saima Khan Joins the Cast After Reluctance
Another major highlight is Saima Khan joining the cast. Nadeem shared that he had always wanted to work with her and had called her multiple times. She initially refused the offer, but eventually agreed after persuasion — including a request via her husband and filmmaker Syed Noor.
“I always felt Saima was underutilized. In this drama, she gets
the spotlight she truly deserves,” Nadeem emphasized.
