Sanaya Irani-Mohit Sehgal’s micro drama ‘cheap copy’ of Pakistani hit show Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum
Popular TV couple Sanaya Irani and Mohit Sehgal's latest Micro Drama Qabool Hai has been accused of copying the central theme an premise of Hania Aamir and Fahad Mustafa's popular TV drama.
Sanaya Irani and Mohit Sehgal’s latest vertical micro-drama, Qabool Hai, was recently released on Kuku TV. Soon after the show’s clips surfaced on social media, the micro-drama landed in controversy. Internet users have accused the show of being copied from Hania Aamir and Fahad Mustafa’s superhit Pakistani TV Drama Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. The audience has been highlighting the striking similarities in the shows and questioning this mere coincidence.
Sanaya Irani and Mohit Sehgal’s micro-drama copies Hania Aamir-Fahad Mustafa’s hit Pakistani show
Ever since Qabool Hai released, viewers have been drawing parallels between the show and Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. In fact, many have also made reels pointing out the similarities between the two shows. Criticizing the Indian micro drama for copying a hit show from Pakistan, one of the users wrote on X, “India is really running out of original content now started copying Pakistani drama storylines too. Qabool Hai is a total copy-paste of Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum: a jobless husband and an ambitious, hardworking wife carrying the household. Money can’t buy creativity!! Chapa factory at its finest!!!”
Another user wrote on Instagram, “This looks like a very low budget and cheap copy of KMKT…Even the Bangladeshi drama industry made a good copy of KMKT.” One of the netizens commented, “Not just the song; they tried so hard to copy the drama aesthetics and dialogue delivery as well.” A third user wrote, “Indian TV has run out of ideas or lost viewers to PK dramas. So they decided to cash in on the market and make a duplicate. It’ll never be the same.”
From the aesthetics to the central premise, dialogues, and even the performances in Sanaya and Mohit’s drama Qabool Hai are being heavily criticised on social media. A section of the fans have also jumped in defending Qabool Hai, pointing out how Pakistani films are usually copied from Bollywood, citing Dhurandhar and Mera Lyari’s example.
Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum released in 2024 and instantly became a global hit. The show found a huge fan base in India today; it was the emotional storytelling and the chemistry between Sharjeena and Mustafa (Hania and Fahad’s characters) that resonated with the audiences. Talking about the show’s success in 2024, Fahad Mustafa had told Dawn.com, “I’ve become this household name. Everybody knows me. The name Fahad Mustafa is a thing now. Other actors even complain about people calling them by my name. But the real achievement for me was people remembering me as Mustafa, the character from Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. That’s the mark of a strong character and storytelling.”
In another interview to ARY News in 2024, Fahad Mustafa had said, “I am one of Allah’s favorite people. I received major success at 20, repeated it in my 30s, and here I am again in my 40s with another achievement.” Talking about the show’s success, Hania Aamir had told Faridoon Shahriyar, “I feel extremely blessed to receive so much love from everyone. People have been too kind; now a lot of people call Sharjeena instead of Hania, and I respond to it too.”
While the debate over Qabool Hai being copied is blowing up, Sanaya Irani, Mohit Sehgal, and the makers of the micro-drama are yet to respond to it.
Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.
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Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:
The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.
Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.
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Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:
Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.
OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.
Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.
Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.
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With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More
Micro Drama Qabool Hai copies Pakistan Show Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum (Photos: Kuku TV / Instagram, Hania Aamir Fanpage / X)