Pakistani dramas are the best way we have been able to propagate a softer side of the country, showcase our culture to the world, and promote our art and content to the world. A good heroine is the basis for a drama to become a hit and win hearts. The female lead character makes or breaks the drama especially since our content is mostly women-driven and men-oriented stories are less. Though damsels in distress get a lot of ratings, stories with women who are bold in both positive and negative manner are the ones who stand out and are unforgettable for the audience. Here is a list of bold and unforgettable women from Pakistani dramas:
Zarghuna From Sang e Mah
Zarghuna played by Sania Saeed in Sang e Mah is the bold baddie everyone aspires to be. She was dealt the worst hand by fate as she lost not only her husband but also her unborn child, came out of an abusive relationship before this and her own sister did not support her but she converted all of this into her strength. She fought the world single-handedly and stood firm on her principles. She also had the strength to forgive when it was necessary and she proved to be the catalyst to bring change in society.
Momina Sultan From Alif
Momina Sultan played by Sajal Aly is another unforgettable character. Sajal Aly brought out the strength in Momina with a very subtle performance and everyone could connect with her. We all felt Momina’s pain when she lost her brother when she was pushed to become an actress against her will, and when she was dealing with her mother’s health. The way she stood strong and how she was a complete person in herself was a lesson for all the women out there.
Kashaf Murtaza From Zindagi Gulzar Hai
Zindagi Gulzar Hai is a cult classic. Kashaf Murtaza played by Sanam Saeed became a role model for all the girls. She dealt with patriarchy, her emotionally and financially abusive father, and class differences in society and still came out on top. She was bitter and realistic but she was still able to find love and lead a normal life in the end.
Noori From Ranjha Ranjha Kardi
Ranjha Ranjha Kardi was an out of box story with very out of box leads. Imran Ashraf’s Bhola was appreciated a lot but Noor Bano aka Noori played by Iqra Aziz is equally important and bold. The way she showcased themes of exploitation, violence and helplessness while still carrying her inner strength is commendable. Noori taught strength to everyone and she is one character that will always be unforgettable due to the soul she had.
Mannat From Cheekh
Cheekh was a thriller and Saba Qamar’s performance was one of the saving graces of a drama that was unnecessarily dragged otherwise. Saba was brilliant as Mannat who loses everything in her life but does not compromise on her principles. She fights for justice and she ends up achieving everything that she stood for.
Zamda From Khaie
Zamda played by Durefishan Saleem in Khaie made her a superstar and this is one role that will be remembered for ages. A girl who was kidnapped, her family slaughtered, raped and made to live with her captor finally seeks revenge and unlike normal Pakistani heroines who believe in forgiving, she really kills all who had tormented her and extract her revenge without thinking whether it was right or wrong.
Hajra From Inkaar
Hajra played by Yumna Zaidi in Inkaar also reminded people of a real life braveheart and lawyer Khadija Siddiqui. Hajra stood firm in her stance and her father played by Rehan Sheikh was her strength. This drama is a lesson on how a father and daughter’s relationship should be propagated and how a woman can raise hell if she is denied her due justice. A beautiful story with a bold heroine that taught lessons of strength to young girls.
Kiran From Kankar
A drama based on domestic abuse and a story that was based in reality, Kankar starred Sanam Baloch as the protagonist Kiran. Kiran went through abuse and her husband made her life hell. But unlike what generally happens, she comes out from that abusive relationship and she does find love and a respectful man and she leads a beautiful and fulfilled life.
Khajista From Mere Humnasheen
Khajista from Mere Humnasheen played by Hiba Bukhari was epitome of women empowerment. She showed the importance of education for everyone, how a girl from a small town going to a city for higher education can open doors for other girls from her area and was a well-balanced character between obedience and defiance. A game changer for Hiba’s career and definitely one bold woman who can take a stand against society.
Inspector Sabiha From Jurm and Inspector Sabiha Series
Jurm and Inspector Sabiha are two mini-series with stunning stories and Rabia Butt as the fearless Sabiha. She is a single mother who has been through a lot in her life but she never bows down to situations. A great addition to bold women characters in Pakistani dramas and one which will hopefully pave the way for others like her.
Sahmim From Kabli Pulao
A very complex character performed beautifully by Nadia Afghan. Kabli Pulao was a sleeper hit and Shamim was a woman who always picked herself up whatever the circumstances may be. Her love remained unrequited but she was still a complete person and she showed us how boldness lies in grey and not just in black and white.
Razia From Razia
Razia played by Shaheera Jalil Al Basit in the mini-series Razia was a bold and brave character. She fights the norms, she fights the abuse and the partiality. Razia finally rescues herself and breaks the cycle of abuse for her own baby girl. A beautiful character that will be remembered for ages and a message on how good content will always work.
Miraal From Sabaat
A negative character played by Sarah Khan in Sabaat changed the game for how negative characters can be portrayed on screen. A woman with complexities in her mind and a negative outlook of life who ends up destroying the ones she loves the most and how she recovers from the losses and heals from her complexes is a story to watch out for. Miraal is a full baddie who is not scared of the consequences of her actions.
Sonia From Jo Bichar Gaye
Sonia played by Maya Ali was based on someone from real life and the way she brought the strength and resilience of that Bengali girl on screen is commendable. Maya Ali put her hundred percent in the drama and Jo Bichar Gaye as well as Sonia ended up becoming the finest on television that was made on a true story from the most painful part of our history.
Natasha From Jaisay Aapki Marzi
Kiran Malik nailed Natasha from Jaisay Aapki Marzi. A complex and dark character, Natasha was a typical narcissist but the way Kiran made this bold and independent woman come on the screen made her someone to look forward to. Natasha was powerful and people listened to her. She was definitely the boldest of the bold and a negative character we all loved.
Anmol From Dillagi
Anmol played by Mehwish Hayat in Dillagi brought a very bold and brave heroine to our screens. People loved her and she had the strength and aura that she radiated in every scene. Her strong values, good head on her shoulders and the way she stood on principles was what made Anmol unforgettable.
Rania From Sar e Rah
Saba Qamar became the main protagonist in the anthology series Sar e Rah. She played Rania who starts driving a taxi to support her family and ailing father and how her strength makes her into a woman of substance. She finds herself and also encounters stories of other people finding their own selves through difficult journeys. Rania is a stand out character and will be remembered for ages.
Which other women in Pakistani dramas did you find bold and unforgettable? Share in comments!
