KARACHI, Oct. 5 -- Actor and novelist Mira Sethi has revealed that she turned down a major role in the drama Main Manto Nahi Hoon because of the writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar's "regressive and troubling" views about women. Speaking candidly in a recent conversation, Sethi said she was initially offered the role of Miss Maria, a character later played by Sanam Saeed. The project also stars Humayun Saeed and Sajal Ali, two of Pakistan's leading television actors.

While she admitted she was "very tempted" to join such a high-profile cast, Sethi said she ultimately declined after reflecting on her values and public advocacy for women's rights. "Because of the writer of the show, I just thought to myself, if I go on and do this role, despite ...