Pakistani dramas are loved for their realistic and family-oriented stories. The dramas are loved not just in Pakistan but globally, with the South Asian diaspora making up a huge audience for the shows. With the introduction of YouTube views to gauge a show’s success, many formulaic dramas have begun to air. These formulaic dramas do well on the ratings charts but never become classics.
The surge in Pakistani dramas across various channels often overshadows some truly outstanding scripts, causing them to miss out on the recognition they deserve. These underrated dramas rarely make headlines, and audiences typically only appreciate their excellence years after they air.
Here’s a list of some underrated dramas that deserve a chance:
Alif
Alif is a Pakistani drama that became a classic while it was airing on Geo TV. A story about spirituality and a script that made the audience think about the materialism of today and their love for Allah. The show featured outstanding performances by Manzar Sehbai, Kubra Khan, Sajal Aly, Ahsan Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, and Saleem Mairaj, bringing all the characters to life. The show, however, remained underrated as it aired concurrently with Mere Paas Tum Ho, which was a sensational story and captured much of the audience’s attention, diverting it away from Alif. Alif deserved more eyeballs, and it is a drama that will always have rewatch value.
Rehai
Rehai aired on Hum TV and marked the very first show produced by Kashf Foundation. This Pakistani drama was unfiltered and openly depicted the harsh realities of society. It addressed themes such as child marriage, teenage pregnancies, and the societal disdain towards girls. With a compelling story and remarkable performances from Samina Peerzada, Nauman Ijaz, and Maria Wasti, Rehai successfully conveyed a message that many contemporary dramas often neglect. It is an underrated masterpiece that deserves a re-airing to educate people on these critical issues.
Durr e Shehwar
Durr e Shehwar is a Pakistani drama that portrays the reality of marriage in Pakistan. It explored various types of marriages, including forced, arranged, and love marriages, which we often see on our television screens. While most Pakistani dramas concluded with happy wedding events, Durr e Shehwar focused on what happened after the wedding ceremony. The show effectively highlighted misogyny and the burdens that women endured, with outstanding performances by Samina Peerzada and Sanam Baloch, who portrayed the younger and older versions of the same character. Their performances were so compelling that they convincingly felt like different stages of the same person.
Talkhiyan
Talkhiyan is a Pakistani drama inspired by Arundhati Roy’s novel The God of Small Things. It aired at a time when Sanam Saeed was at the peak of her career, following the success of Zindagi Gulzar Hai. Featuring talented actors like Sanam Saeed, Shamim Hilaly, and Hina Bayat, the show was a delight to watch. The narrative explored themes of loss and bitterness. However, Talkhiyan did not receive as much attention during its original airing because it was broadcast on a smaller channel.
Shanakht
Shanakht is another Pakistani drama that showed a Hijabi girl as the lead. Maya Ali played the lead, and she showcased the story of a girl who decides to wear a Hijab. Coming from an elite background, she is belittled for her choices while her fiancé rejects her. It spoke about the spiritual journeys of the leads and how Allah rewards you in ways you did not even see coming. Fahad Mirza played the male lead, and his journey was similar to Maya’s. This is one drama that many others have tried to be, but couldn’t reach the level. It did not become preachy and still sent the message across.
Dil Na Umeed To Nahi
Dil na Umeed To Nahi brought Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi in raw and real roles. Dealing with the themes of prostitution, child trafficking, and drugs, this Pakistani drama had some dark themes, and they were handled brilliantly. Dil Na Umeed To Nahi is actually Yumna and Wahaj’s best project together and not Tere Bin. The bond between Allah Rakhi and Jamshed is something that brought tears to people’s eyes. This is a remarkable drama that, unfortunately, did not garner the recognition it deserved, as it aired on less prominent channels.
Jannat Se Aagay
Jannat Se Aagay is a Pakistani drama that received backlash from morning show hosts when it started. It seems to take a jab at morning show hosts, but that was not actually the case. The drama addresses the exploitation of women in the media industry, often by those close to them. Despite their hard work and dedication, many women find themselves undervalued and taken advantage of. It also highlighted how women from lower social classes may be drawn to the glamour portrayed on television, often failing to recognize the harsh realities behind it.
Raqeeb Se
Raqeeb Se is another masterpiece Pakistani drama which marked the debut of Hadiqa Kiani as an actress. The drama explores women’s empowerment in subtle ways. It’s not overly direct, and while some scenes may make you feel uncomfortable, they ultimately bring you back to a thoughtful place. Raqeeb Se also redefines masculinity through the character of Maqsood Sahab. This show is a real treat to watch and deserves much more appreciation than it received.
Akbari Asghari
Akbari Asghari features a talented cast, including Fawad Khan, Sanam Baloch, Imran Abbas, and Humaima Malick. Many fans admire Fawad Khan for his roles in Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, and Khoobsurat, but it is Akbari Asghari that really showcases his talent. His performance is both strong and hilarious, making it hard not to fall in love with him all over again. The chemistry between Sanam and Fawad is magical, and this drama deserves much more recognition than it currently receives.
Dumpukht – Aatish e Ishq
Dumpukht Aatish-e-Ishq marked the debut of Bilal Abbas Khan in Pakistani dramas. Starring Nauman Ijaz in the lead role, this drama did not receive the recognition it truly deserved. The story revolves around a spiritual leader and explores how such figures exert control over society through their unseen influence. With strong performances and a compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impression, the show unfortunately failed to attract a large viewership, mainly because it did not air on a major network.
Which Pakistani drama among these is the most underrated, according to you? Share in comments!
