Pakistan, April 23 -- The drama Qarz-e-Jaan ended on a controversial note as viewers criticized the finale for softening a brutal criminal's image. The show had earlier won praise for boldly showing abuse, rape, and power misuse. However, the last episode gave the main villain Ammar, a rapist and murderer, a tearful monologue that made him look like a victim of bad parenting.

This shift in tone angered many viewers, especially because Ammar had committed horrific crimes like gang rape and murder. Instead of focusing on justice, the finale showed him as regretful and broken. His courtroom breakdown and talk of his troubled childhood led to misplaced sympathy from even the judge and family members.

Fans were especially upset with Nashwa, ...