WEB DESK: During a recent appearance on a Ramazan transmission, Pakistani actress Hina Dilpazeer, famous for her portrayal of Momo, in the popular sitcom “Bulbulay,” surprised fans with an unexpected revelation about her iconic character.
Dilpazeer disclosed that she is contractually bound against reprising her “national favourite” role as Momo anywhere else, be it in on-screen projects or off-screen engagements such as events or award ceremonies.
Momo’s character in “Bulbulay” is a delightful yet forgetful elderly woman who often struggles with remembering names, including those of her own family members and common household items. Her charming mix-ups and mispronunciations have captured the hearts of audiences, with her trademark “chup aey” followed by a facepalm becoming a symbolic reaction on the show.
Sharing her predicament, Hina Dilpazeer revealed, “I have this in writing that I cannot do this character (Momo) anywhere else. Yes, I did a commercial where I asked for permission to play Momo and they said yes but it was just a commercial.”
Apart from Dilpazeer, the main cast of “Bulbulay” includes Nabeel, Ayesha Omar, and Mehmood Aslam. Originally airing in 2009, the sitcom has become a resounding success on the small screen, earning the distinction of being the longest-running television series in Pakistan.
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Over the years, Momo’s character has garnered a dedicated following, becoming one of Pakistani television’s most beloved and recognisable figures. Her comedic timing and antics have endeared her to audiences of all ages, making Dilpazeer’s portrayal an integral part of “Bulbulay’s” success.
In a 2021 interview, the actor reflected on the show’s broad appeal. “This show cemented our identities on TV,” remarked Dilpazeer. “Many people recognise us by our characters and not by our real names, and that’s a testament to how successful and relevant the show has been for our audience.”
Speaking about the enduring appeal of Momo’s character, she credited writer Ali Rehman for crafting a brilliant character sketch but also acknowledged her shared comic chemistry with Nabeel. Recalling their time on set, she reminisced, “A lot of times, we had to do multiple takes, which would often irritate Khoobsurat (Ayesha Omar) because Nabeel, Mehmood, and I would constantly laugh at each other’s gestures and cues.”
