The latest episode of the drama Main Manto Nahi Hoon has come under fire from viewers who were quick to criticize its use of body-shaming humor and its problematic depiction of gender dynamics within a university setting.

The scene in question unfolds in a classroom where the character Manto, played by Humayun Saeed, is giving a lecture on motivation theory. His session is interrupted by Mehmal, portrayed by Sajal Aly, who disrupts the academic atmosphere with a flirtatious question about his marital status. When Manto declines to answer, she makes a joke implying he must be married to “a fat wife,” linking his appearance to a lack of personal motivation. Her comment elicits laughter from the other students.

While seemingly intended as light comedy, many viewers found the joke tasteless and harmful. Social media erupted with criticism, as fans condemned the writers for perpetuating body-shaming—especially toward a character who doesn’t even exist on screen. The criticism extended to Sajal Aly, with some fans expressing disappointment that an actress known for portraying empowered female characters would participate in delivering such dialogue.

One viewer wrote: “Sajal usually chooses her roles wisely. It’s upsetting to see her contribute to this kind of narrative.”

The drama is also being scrutinized for its portrayal of a flirtatious student making inappropriate advances toward her teacher. Critics argue that such scenes risk normalizing behavior that is already a sensitive issue in real-world educational institutions, where harassment is a growing concern.

The backlash has sparked wider discussions about responsibility in scriptwriting and the influence of media portrayals on social attitudes, particularly in contexts involving body image and power dynamics in educational settings.

As the controversy grows, fans are calling for more thoughtful and progressive storytelling that doesn’t rely on outdated tropes or insensitive humor.