 |
| Abu Bakar & Zariyab |
Abu Bakar, from the Pakistani serial Dar-e-Nijaat, has become popular with audiences in Bangladesh and India as well as in Pakistan. Many female viewers in particular are praising the character, and some see Abu Bakar as the ideal husband.
Some even say they wish to find a life partner like him in real life. Abu Bakar is played by Pakistani actor Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui.
According to the actor, Abu Bakar's biggest problem is that he wants to keep everyone happy. He even has trouble saying "no" to anyone. Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui finds similarities between the character and himself, saying that he too often fails to give weight to his own wishes while trying to keep others happy. Abu Bakar also has a "saviour complex," meaning an excessive tendency to solve other people's problems or to protect them.
 |
| Abu Bakar is played by Pakistani actor Sheheryar Munawar (from Instagram) |
The actor also pointed to the role of the character's mother. In his words, Abu Bakar's mother taught him certain values from childhood and always made clear what was right and what was wrong. As a result, he feels constant pressure to always do the right thing. Sheheryar said, "Just imagine how much pressure this person has to live with."
In the interview, Sheheryar also spoke about Abu Bakar's love story. He explained that Abu Bakar's feelings for Zariyab had formed long before. His interest in her began when he used to visit her home with his mother. But Abu Bakar never revealed it; instead, he would watch Zariyab from a distance.
Zariyab and Abu Bakar also differ in personality. Because a relationship was becoming possible between two people of opposite natures, Abu Bakar was in a kind of dilemma. He also worried that even if his heart wanted something, reality might not allow him to go down that path.
To make Abu Bakar's feelings clear to the audience, Sheheryar placed hints in various scenes. Mentioning one scene, he said that once, while having lunch, Abu Bakar said to Zariyab, "You like pasta, don't you?" Zariyab asked how he knew. Abu Bakar replied, "Aunt Kishwar mentioned it once."
 |
| Abu Bakar is played by Pakistani actor Sheheryar Munawar (from Instagram) |
In Sheheryar's view, you wouldn't remember someone's favourite food like this unless you liked them. He said, "I have scattered many such hints."
Ever since the serial aired, viewers have been discussing Abu Bakar. Many found his excessive goodness unrealistic. Earlier, however, actress Nadia Afgan had defended the character, saying her own husband shares some of Abu Bakar's traits, so the character's behaviour seemed believable to her.