As fans applaud “Sar-e- Rah’s” compassionate approach to trans advocacy, Maria B becomes agitated

A limited drama series called Sar-e-Rah is reshaping viewers’ perceptions by examining the lives of diverse marginalised people as they negotiate the strict demands of society.

A departure from the saas-bahu genre, the Adeel Bhatti-directed series has addressed a number of societal issues in its four episodes.

It has also emphasised the issue of gender identity and the important role that empathy can play in navigating such difficulties.

The latest episode featuring a conversation between a father (Nabeel Zafar) and his intersex son, Sarang (Muneeb Butt), has won hearts for its sensitive approach towards representing transgenders and intersex people onscreen.

It also sets the tone for how gender-binary folks should be treated so that they don’t feel invalidated or threatened.

Also Read: After a sewage line explosion, a wall at Muneeb Butt and Aiman Khan’s home in Karachi collapses.

While everyone loved the show for touching upon the challenging life of an intersex person with such grounded empathy, designer Maria B had issues. Taking to Instagram, she posted a screenshot of Nabeel and Muneeb and wrote, “This is how you sell your soul… Well done, Pakistan. So, this kid is intersex? And instead of following sharia and getting corrective help to become male or female, his dad is telling him to be gender fluid, like transgenders. Now, will you wake up Pakistan? Is the agenda still not clear? Laanat on all the people who sold their souls and will contribute to the destruction of our kids.”

Twitter users re-posted her previous comments to expose her hypocrisy. The designer once stated that while she supports intersex people, she opposes transgender persons. “Maria B is a vengeful woman. In one report, she claims that Sharia requires trans intersex people to undergo a medical transition to a particular gender. On another, she criticises a transgender person for medically changing their gender. Tweet: “Please report her Instagram.

However, most users have now started taking Maria’s “transphobic meltdown” in their stride. “It’s funny how Maria B ke sarne se ab full on dil ko thand parhti hai (It’s funny how triggering Maria B is almost cathartic for me now.) Sar-e-Rah depicted a message of general kindness, empathy and acceptance, so of course, she’s deeply offended by it.”

A limited drama series called Sar-e-Rah is reshaping viewers’ perceptions by examining the lives of diverse marginalised people as they negotiate the strict demands of society.