Noor-us-Sabah
The internet is once again having a field day with a Danish Taimoor drama. This time, it’s not because of him dramatically handcuffing himself to a woman like he did in Mann Mast Malang. Instead, it’s Danish Taimoor’s portrayal of mental illness in the latest episode of Sher that has taken social media by storm.
To recap: Fajar was supposed to marry Sher’s younger brother, but she backed out at the last minute. That triggered a cascade of drama. Sher ended up getting shot—or more accurately, his aunt did. Following the chaos, Sher spiraled into a mental health crisis and landed in a psychiatric hospital.
In the most recent episode, one particular scene managed to dominate TikTok and generate countless memes. In the now-viral clip, Danish Taimoor’s character slumps on the floor of his hospital room, surrounded by scribbles covering the walls. Among the chaotic messages are phrases like “Shut up, I am sad,” “Kill me,” and oddly enough, “Corona Virus” written in Urdu.
Adding to the surrealism, the production team chose to decorate the psych ward room with stock-photo-style diagrams of human brains in shiny frames—presumably to remind patients they’re mentally unwell. It’s a jarring attempt at set design that comes off as anything but sensitive.
To make matters worse, the show depicts Sher shackled to his hospital bed, resembling a dangerous criminal more than a psychiatric patient. This unsettling image leans more into prison-drama territory than anything resembling actual medical care.
With every scene, Sher continues to blur the line between drama and unintentional comedy—and Danish Taimoor remains at the center of it all, whether for his intense performance or the internet’s amused reactions.
Social media buzzes
Meanwhile, one TikTok user perfectly captured the mood, commenting, “This is literally me as a kid sulking in my room after getting scolded by my parents.” And honestly, same.
Similarly, another user joked, “This is exactly how I feel when I try to explain something logical to my desi coworkers.” Honestly, we’ve all been there.
To top it off, one user pointed out, “It literally said coronavirus.” And honestly, we’re still wondering what that was all about.
Another viewer chimed in, “‘Shut up I am sad’ 😭 — I’m using this everywhere now.” Honestly, same — it’s an instant catchphrase.
While the memes are undeniably entertaining and the viral attention serves as free promotion, this scene brings a much more serious issue to light: When will our dramas begin portraying mental health with the depth and sensitivity it deserves? Is this really how we view psychiatric treatment?
It’s disheartening to see such a stark contrast—from the thoughtful and nuanced storytelling of Main Abdul Qadir Hoon, which explored mental health and personal growth with care, to Sher’s chaotic wall of scribbles. This shift feels like a major step backward.
At this point, major production houses, seasoned writers, and leading actors must come together to present mental health struggles with dignity, accuracy, and compassion. We need stories that inform—not just entertain.
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