Pakistani actress Sarwat Gilani has revealed that the makers of the drama Biryani envisioned her character to resemble prominent political figures Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif and former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
In a podcast with Something Haute, Sarwat shared behind-the-scenes insights into her character Gul’s styling and the creative choices that shaped the show.
According to Gilani, the drama’s makers initially presented her with two reference images, one of Maryam and another of Hina as inspiration for Gul’s look. While she appreciated Khar’s grace and poise, calling her “a stylish and well-spoken politician”, she humorously rejected the idea of wearing heavy fabrics in the sweltering heat.
“Maryam just comes out of her AC car, does meetings and goes back,” she quipped. “I couldn’t wear silk in June-July with sweat patches and stuff.”
Eventually, she asked the team to visit her home and explore her personal wardrobe. “Luckily, they all liked it,” she said, confirming that most of what she wore on-screen came from her own closet but her appearance in the drama was mostly inspired by Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz.
The actress also opened up about her return to television after seven years and the unexpected success of the show.
Reflecting on her return to television after a seven-year hiatus, Gilani said she didn’t expect Biryani to become as popular as it has. “I think that wasn’t our intention. Our intention was to talk about some things in our society, especially cousin marriages and early marriages. We didn’t plan for it to become a hit but it did so well.”
Biryani is a socially-driven drama that explores themes of forced marriages, women’s agency and complex family dynamics. Sarwat Gilani’s nuanced performance as Gul has been widely praised for its emotional depth and authenticity, marking a strong return to television for her.