Mawra Hocane on Jafaa initiating a discussion on domestic violence: “Strong women are abused too.”

Mawra Hocane revealed that people she knows, along with members of the entertainment industry, reached out to her after she portrayed Dr. Zara, a domestic abuse survivor, in her latest drama Jafaa.

Speaking on Something Haute’s podcast, the actor shared that powerful women—often perceived as untouchable—confided in her about experiencing domestic abuse, both physical and emotional, at the hands of their spouses.

She emphasized the importance of showcasing that being a doctor or financially independent might support recovery and improve one’s quality of life, but it doesn’t mean strong, self-sufficient women are immune to abuse. Hocane explained that these women, who opened up about their experiences, believed she could understand their pain and found the show relatable. Reflecting on their responses, she described this connection as a “very big achievement.”

Hocane continued that the women who shared their stories with her believed she could truly feel their pain and found the show relatable, describing this connection as a “very big achievement” for her.

She explained that the writer, director, and makers all agreed that the first instance of physical abuse must provoke a reaction because physical abuse cannot be ignored or brushed under the carpet. “It’s always grave, even a touch, even a slap,” she said about the first instance of abuse Dr. Zara faced, which led her to temporarily leave her husband, Hasan (played by Mohib Mirza).

When the host questioned whether a reaction was necessary even if the abuse was unintentional, Hocane affirmed it was. She explained, “You never unintentionally hit your boss or your parents. Why is it that you’re unintentionally— which is advocated a lot in our communities—hitting your wife? Because somewhere in your mind, you think you can, and they should be told you can’t.”

Reflecting on the toll the performance took on her, the actor admitted that it was very painful to even momentarily imagine herself in a situation where she felt completely powerless.

During some shoots, she wanted to portray a more intense reaction to the abuse depicted. However, director Danish Nawaz explained that Dr. Zara’s story represents the struggles many women face in households across the world.

Hocane shared that they received feedback questioning, “If Hasan is like this, why doesn’t Dr. Zara leave him?” She explained that the women who reached out to her admitted they hadn’t left their husbands. “Because it’s very painful for women to leave, and I’m sure it’s also painful for men to have their homes broken, but in this situation, I’m speaking of when men are abusive.”

She further clarified, “It’s very hard for women to walk away, and I think it was important to understand that difficult reality.” She maintained that leaving one’s spouse is a gradual process. Although the show could have depicted Dr. Zara leaving her husband at the first instance of abuse and sent a strong message about walking away at the first sign of trouble, it was easier said than done.