Actor Ayesha Omar has reflected on the unexpected journey of Bulbulay, revealing that the popular sitcom was originally planned as a limited 26-episode project.
Speaking on Good Morning Pakistan, Omar also discussed her two-decade career, personal struggles, painting and the qualities she values in a life partner.
How Momo Changed Bulbulay
Omar joined Bulbulay expecting to appear in only 26 episodes. At the time, the show centred on three characters: Mehmood Sahab, played by Mehmood Aslam; Nabeel, played by Nabeel Zafar; and Omar’s character, Khoobsurat.
The three characters were initially meant to live together in an apartment without being married.
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The format changed after Hina Dilpazeer appeared as a guest. She played Nabeel’s mother in an episode that received a strong response from viewers.
The makers then decided to make Dilpazeer a permanent cast member. Her character, Momo, became one of the sitcom’s most recognisable figures.
Omar said Dilpazeer’s arrival helped give the characters stronger connections and ultimately shaped the Bulbulay audiences came to know.
The sitcom continued for years. Omar said the show had reached its 17th year, while the cast had celebrated its 16th anniversary the previous year.
Omar Considered Leaving the Show
Despite Bulbulay becoming a major television success, Omar said she often considered leaving the sitcom.
She recalled telling the show’s team every few weeks that she wanted to move on because she did not initially enjoy the experience.
Over time, however, Khoobsurat became one of the most recognisable roles of her career. Bulbulay later returned with a second season.
A 20-Year Career in Showbiz
Omar said her career began with music rather than acting. Her first project involved singing a song for an early soap opera.
She has now spent around two decades in the entertainment industry.
Omar also reflected on how her appearance and personal style changed throughout her career. She said playing Khoobsurat influenced her approach to fashion and presentation.
She also discussed her strong sense of independence. Omar said she had been highly independent from an early age and found it difficult to accept help from others.
She said learning to receive support was important, particularly because women often find it easier to help others than to accept help themselves.
Learning to Manage Stress
Omar also spoke openly about trust, overthinking and stress.
She said past experiences had made it difficult for her to trust people easily. She also acknowledged a tendency to focus on negative outcomes.
Omar linked some of these habits to patterns she observed while growing up. She said becoming aware of those patterns helped her manage them.
She now tries to consider positive or best-case scenarios instead of constantly expecting the worst.
Painting Remains Close to Her
Painting remains another important part of Omar’s life. She said she hopes to resume her studies in the field.
Omar described herself as a painter before entering acting. She said she achieved exceptional marks during her studies and received a distinction at the National College of Arts.
She also believes she might have followed a different career path had she continued painting instead of entering the entertainment industry.
What Omar Wants in a Partner
Omar was equally candid when discussing relationships.
She identified kindness as one of the most important qualities she would want in a life partner.
She also said emotional and physical abuse would be unacceptable in a relationship. Omar revealed that she had previously experienced abuse in a relationship.
Her comments added a personal dimension to an interview that covered her career, independence, relationships and personal growth.
Recent Work
Omar has continued to work across acting, producing and television.
Her recent credits include the 2024 film Taxali Gate. In 2026, she starred in Mera Lyari as Behnaz Baloch and also served as its executive producer.
She also hosted Lazawaal Ishq, a dating reality show that premiered on YouTube in 2025.
