TV drama Parvarish has stirred significant debate, gaining both praise and criticism for its modern storytelling and depiction of generational tensions within a joint family. While lauded for addressing Gen Z struggles in a traditional setting, the show has faced backlash for allegedly promoting LGBTQ themes in Pakistan.
Written by Kiran Siddiqui and directed by Meesam Naqvi, Parvarish earned acclaim for moving beyond stereotypical plots. However, controversy erupted over a brief scene in episode 31 where the character Wali performs at a café. During his performance, the camera pans to a wall poster featuring a heart in rainbow colors—a symbol associated with the LGBTQ+ community.
This brief moment sparked outrage online, with some viewers accusing the show’s creators of subtly introducing LGBTQ messaging in a family-oriented drama. The scene went viral, leading to a flood of critical comments on social media.
“I really liked this drama, but after seeing the pride symbol, I’m done,” one user wrote. Another claimed the media is “trying to normalize these ideas among youth,” calling it unacceptable.
The creators have not yet addressed the criticism publicly. The incident reflects the growing tension in Pakistan’s entertainment industry between progressive narratives and conservative audiences, a debate that continues to surface in local productions.
