In a society where mental health is still largely considered a taboo topic, Pakistani dramas are finally taking the initiative to give a first-hand look about how it is like to live with mental disorders.
Portraying various illnesses of the mind to the masses can indeed be a tricky task. After all, these are wounds that can neither be seen nor touched. However, much recently, we saw how Ye Dil Mera discussed the importance of taking therapy while dealing with traumas of the past.
Similarly, Ishq Zahe Naseeb gave a much-needed reality check about the complex ‘dissociative personality disorder’. Its rare story bought an apparent relief to the silent victims of the disease who realized they are not alone in their feelings.
Now Hum TV is gearing up for another ground-breaking story, based on patients suffering from ‘schizophrenia’. Directed by Mohsin Talat and written by Edison Idrees Masih, the drama tentatively titled as ‘Joog’ stars Sami Khan, Sonya Hussayn, Nazish Jahangir, and Ghana Ali in pivotal roles.
Simply described, schizophrenia is a long-term, chronic brain disorder where patients might undergo delusions and visions, compelling them to hear, see, and believe things that don’t exist in reality. While matters like depression and anxiety are still relatively addressed in our tales; schizophrenia remains an untouched topic.
Exactly what Mohsin Talat has up his sleeve with such a complicated mental condition? What’s more, he has united the iconic pair of Sonya and Sami all over again for the drama.
We sat down with the directors and the cast of the drama to talk about schizophrenia. Will the drama get the disorder correctly for viewers to understand? Has prior homework been done before the shooting? We found out!
Acceptance of Schizophrenic Patients in Pakistani Society
There is indeed extreme ambiguity in regards to a syndrome like schizophrenia in Pakistan. Such patients are then deemed ‘dangerous’ or ‘mad’, are ultimately isolated and given no relevant ‘treatment’. Published research states that most Pakistanis hold superstitious and non-biomedical believes for patients with schizophrenic symptoms.
Consequently, a drama on a significant topic that Mohsin and his team are planning is bound to make a difference! But how much will it be impactful towards the audience? We asked Mohsin, Sami, and Nazish!
Mohsin Talat: There is more than 70 percent of the people in our society who still do not understand the concept of mental health. Schizophrenia is also called cancer of the mind, as like cancer, this disease also never ends.
The initial reason for this disease is depression. But there are various incidents in the patient’s life as well that take him or her on a road to this illness. The main aim of this drama is for people to accept this kind of a disease like people consider fever or other ailments as an illness. There is a treatment for it and there are medications and counseling to cure it, despite the fact it is a lifetime condition.
Sami Khan: I believe that issues like mental illness especially ‘schizophrenia’ need to be dealt with sensitivity and care. We are trying to inform people about the patients of schizophrenia, how they behave, and especially how to deal with them. With love, care, and proper treatment you can do a lot. But first, you have to accept this as an illness and then cure it. Hopefully, people will understand patients of schizophrenia a lot better after this project and help them in recovery.
Nazish Jahangir: I am proud to be a part of this project because I have always been a very vocal mental health advocate. Also, there are lots of stigmas and stereotypes attached to every mental health issue, so the same is with schizophrenia. This drama aims to educate the viewers about this illness and how one can empathize with people who are suffering from it. Mohsin Talat has handled this issue very maturely and Sonya has done a terrific job playing the character of a person who is schizophrenic.
Sonya Hussayn to Essay a Schizophrenic
In an earlier interview with Hum Spotlight, Sonya described in immense detail her take on the sensitive matter and why she signed up for this story.
Sonya Hussayn: Four to five out of every 100 in the world are suffering from Schizophrenia, making it more common than any disorder. It’s time we should highlight it instead of labeling all mental illnesses under one category like we have been doing in the past. We must realize that developing extra strength, sitting expressionless, or suffering from insomnia or oversleeping are not passing phases, they might be symptoms of schizophrenia. These people can’t fully cry or laugh, they have trouble maintaining personal hygiene because they have no idea what is real and what isn’t.
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Through this drama, we will try to educate the audience, make them understand that they lack awareness about it, and tell them that if they identify the patient at the right time, this disorder can be cured through proper consultation and medication.
Meanwhile, Sami is our leading hero alongside Sonya in the story. His role will be the most imperative to the plot as it will portray to the audience how he will be dealing with his partner’s devastating illness.
Sami Khan: I can’t give too many details about the character yet because it is better to discuss the character after the teasers are released. But all I can say is that my character is a very straightforward, honest person who believes that love and care can cure anything.
Family education and support in such cases are equally trivial. Nazish Jehangir will be donning the role of Sonya’s sister in the drama. But seems like things will not be all hunky-dory from her end. Looks like a sibling rivalry will come into play.
Nazish Jahangir: It is a very exciting role and again, it’s very different from my previous roles. What I love about this character is that it is quite a multi-layered character. The writer has written it beautifully and I am trying my best to do full justice with it. The best thing about my character is that she is full of passion. She loves her sister (Sonya) a lot, but she goes crazy for Asfand (her cousin) that she loses her sense of right and wrong.
Day, stay indoors, stay safe.
Understanding What Schizophrenia does to Families
Helping a loved one deal with schizophrenia can certainly be a daunting task. People closest to such patients i.e. their parents, siblings, friends, or partners also bear an emotional cost while handling such ailing individuals. There is fear, guilt, anxiety, helplessness, and frustration that rages inside those around.
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While we all need awareness about the disease, equal schooling is required to know how to deal with our mental health while handling those who are suffering from the syndrome.
Mohsin Talat: To prepare for the story, Hum TV and Moomal Entertainment made us attend various workshops. Momal Bhabhi was largely involved in this project. I have done four to five different workshops, met with renowned psychologists and doctors to understand the illness, such patients and their handling. A couple of workshops were also attended by Sonya. With complete homework, we have worked on this topic and I pray we will be successful in delivering the message.
We just didn’t want to portray that what happens around people suffering from schizophrenia. These people don’t even know what’s happening around them. They believe that their point of view and their illusions, visons, or hallucinations are real. In turn, they deny what is true. Equally affected are the people that are around them, their family, and life partner. The companion has to be supportive as he or she also becomes a big victim in this matter. So our objective also included education on how to handle these patients and spread awareness in the society regarding the illness.
The tentatively titled ‘Joog’ will soon be out! Here is to hoping that the drama gets depictions of schizophrenia right and exhibit the struggles of patients suffering from the malady with utter justice. However, it is also a responsibility of the audience to give the story a chance, for it is a topic that is worth our attention. Masala stories and rom-coms come and go. But tales that are poignant, complex, and don’t resort to clichés too need to become a trend on our screens!
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