As the family grieves Dr Farheen’s (Saba Hamid) death, the relationship between Salman (Shuja Asad) and Saaniya (Kubra Khan) is taking a fall. While the onus of the upheaval lies with Dr Shahnawaz (Shahzad Nawaz), his traits lingering in his sons are causing more trouble. With high expectations from his pregnant wife, Salman is carrying significant toxic traits of his father, leaving the Doctor Bahu audience wondering: is Salman Dr. Shahnawaz’s spitting image?
While Dr. Farheen’s heartbreak stems solely from her inability to find a place in her husband’s life despite dedicating her life to it, Salman blames Dr. Rubina (Atiqa Odho) and her connection to the family through Saaniya. The young, ambitious doctor who has already wasted a year juggling marriage, in-laws, and work is now expected to safeguard her marriage by quitting her residency with Dr. Rubina.
Salman’s green-flag title is gradually being stripped away as viewers see Dr. Shahnawaz through him; he constantly gaslights his pregnant wife and fixates on getting Saaniya fired to protect his growing family. He is unable to gauge how much Saaniya has already sacrificed to fit into his family; instead, he expects only that she focus on her pregnancy. Saaniya is not only confused by her unplanned pregnancy, but she is also shaken by the thought that she will have to give her life to fulfill her responsibilities as a mother; on top of which, Salman hangs a sword over her head to quit her job.
In the world of complex men of Doctor Bahu, Salman had been the bridge that kept sanity prevailing in the toxic Shahnawaz household. However, after his mother’s death, it can be seen that the peacemaker of the house had been Farheen, who had not only created a balance between the husband and sons but also embedded respect and understanding towards her daughters-in-law. She had ensured that she talked Salman out of his anger, inconsistency, and controlling nature.
This week’s Doctor Bahu episodes have sparked a conversation on social media, with netizens comparing Salman and Dr Shahnawaz. They also dive into the toxic traits of a man who had been gaining praise for his ability to communicate and fix things with his wife from the first episode. Netizens have appreciated the drama serial for its realistic portrayal of Salman and how her compliance with his demands determines his love for Saaniya. Taking to X, a user posted and said:
#drbahu is too realistic to be clubbed with regular dramas. It has made lot of ppl uncomfortable with how salman turned out… a man who loves his wife but on his own terms and how saniya wants to prioritise her goals with lot of confusion re motherhood and wanting someone
— Curiosity died (@CuriosityGone) July 12, 2026
Lauding how the green flag title is chipping off, another user added:
Dr Bahu is slow, dragged, lost the plot. Or..requires deeper thinking? #DrBahu holds up a mirror to patriarchy. It shows how even a “green flag” is a chip off the old block. It exposes our annoyance at a female who won’t compromise….for patriarchy. 🤷♀️ It does what it’s meant to. pic.twitter.com/mTZ4ScUNCg
— SophiaQ (@SophiaAQ) July 12, 2026
What has stood out to the audience is the fact that while Salman and Faizan (Adeel Hussain) claim to be different than Shahnawaz, they carry his traits; an X user posted:
An absolutely brilliantly written scenes. This snippet has Shahnawaz’s two sons claming that the other one is becoming like their father. The irony is, the men in this family are all just various degrees of Shahnawaz. #DrBahu pic.twitter.com/iMi15jw0fU
— DaretoDrama (@DaretoDrama) July 12, 2026
Pointing out how Salman exhibits Shahnawaz’s traits, a netizen added:
Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – Exhibit A.#DrBahu pic.twitter.com/5Jv5R9pMnd
— DaretoDrama (@DaretoDrama) July 12, 2026
Pointing out how Salman gaslights his wife just like his father, one added:
The writter is so brutally brilliant here. Salman wearing his Shahnawaz robes here. Gaslighting 1o1.#DrBahu pic.twitter.com/zCegeg4uv1
— DaretoDrama (@DaretoDrama) July 12, 2026
How Salman chooses to be understanding and committed to his wife when convenient, another netizen said:
Sanam Mehdi Zaryab has masterfully held up a mirror to patriarchy. Shahnawaz, Faizan, Salman, different names, same misogyny. The “green flag” only appears when it’s convenient.#DrBahu
— DaretoDrama (@DaretoDrama) July 12, 2026
Calling him Shahnawaz 2.0, another added:
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