There was once a time when Pakistan experienced mesmerizing dramas, dramas that used to be so popular that the shopkeepers used to close down their shops just for the sake of watching them once a week. With the introduction of private tv channels the literary content of the dramas were compromised. The more private tv channels were introduced more was the content of dramas compromised, it came to such an extent that Pakistani’s were left with no choice but to watch Indian “infinite” soaps. By 2010 Pakistan’s drama industry suffered the negligence and it was crumbling down to the level of Lollywood. Like a breath of fresh air Hum tv made a few dramas that were worth watching, dramas like Dastaan, Humsafar, Zindagi gulzar hai, Dil e muztar were so captivating that they brought back the attention of the audience from the Indian soaps.
Sadly, today the trend of ratings and TRPs is now bringing back the compromised writing issue. The writers of dramas have turned into such pathetic people that they are making fun of our religion. For example the trend of divorce is very common in the dramas, without watching the first episode one can easily judge that the drama will have atleast one character divorced.
Another issue is the method of divorce in Islam giving three Talaks consecutively is forbidden that is why a time limit is set for reconciliation but hats off to our writers who make sure the guy says “Talak, talak, talak” in a single breath, without even considering what will be the effect of such irresponsible understanding of religion on the audience.
Third problem is that the writers have made Halala a joke in their dramas. An example of this issue is Zara yaad kar, what type of image are the writers portraying to the audience? That halala is easy? It’s that simple? Anyone can do it without any restriction? Today almost every drama ends up in halala, why? Because people want a happy ending, so the writers feel free to make fun of much serious matters.
The issue of living with na-mehrams. I don’t want to sound like a very clergy person but last time I checked majority of people in Pakistan are muslims, I fail understand how mothers in Mann Mayal are ok with their daughter who was in idaat to live with a na-mehram. How Jeena thought it was ok for a divorced couple to live together back again under the same roof? How the mature character of Pakeeza thought it was her duty to stay in the same house with her ex-husband just because her daughter is mentally retarded grownup girl who happens to be getting married? How it is going to be ok with her in laws that that Pakeeza was living with a na-mehram all this time? Just a general question to the audience, would you people do that? If no, then why is such culture being shoved in our faces via TV?
Though a minor matter not that big of deal but when did we all started wearing whites on a death? I am sure that at time of such great loss and depression no one has enough time to search their wardrobe to pick out white only for a death! This is completely bored! Don’t portray what isn’t ours please!
I have request our drama writers humbly, that if you don’t know your religion please please don’t make fun of it at least. Our dramas are watched throughout the world just for the sake of TRPs don’t give a wrong image of your religion to the world. Writers have the power to bring about changes in the thinking of a society. Please don’t ruin ours. We already have a lot of sexual harassment and abuse cases, don’t promote a culture which doesn’t belong to us, don’t write dramas like Bashar Momin, Sangat and Chup Raho to promote the romanticizing rapists culture.
A kind request from a Pakistani muslim girl.
Maria Mufti
