Every season we see new on screen couples in different shows that make us fall in love with them. The chemistry between the leads is what appeals us the most; the romantic dialogues add further charm to their scenes, and finally the innocent eye locks make all the fans go crazy after their favorite leads.

Here are a few on screen couples of this season that have managed to win the heart of viewers:

1)      Qudsiya and Aaliyan:

The chemistry of Qudsiya and Aaliyan was apparent from the promos and the lead pair was declared a hit even before the show went on air. The show might have disappointed us all because of its lack of focus on the main leads, but the scenes that we did get to see between these two were mind blowing. The chemistry has been there from day one and as soon as they appeared in the same frame in a scene, they sizzled and managed to grab the viewers’ attention. There have been only a few scenes that could actually be termed as ‘romantic scenes’ between the two, but what makes this couple stand out is their expressive eyes. The eye locks are enough to make us all go gaga over the leads.

2)      Romaisa and Nabeel:

A guy like Nabeel is every girl’s dream; except Romaisa’s who prefers to stay at least a mile away from him. Romaisa is just the kind of girl who can bring a big flirt like Nabeel to the altar. Nabeel is a hopeless romantic while Romaisa is too innocent and naïve to understand Nabeel’s cheesy romantic dialogues. Nabeel who is aware of the realities of the world find Romaisa, who lives in her own dream land, a refreshing change from the cunning and selfish people around him. There is chemistry, along with some pretty cheesy dialogues, and finally the innocent eye locks to make us fall in love with this couple.

3)      Ehtishaam and Sania:

Many of you might be thinking why I chose Sania instead of Sehrish opposite Ehtishaam. The answer to this question is that I have always wanted to see Sanam Saeed playing Adeel Hussain’s love interest. They have appeared together in serials like Daam, Mera Naseeb, and Mata-e-Jaan before, but they never got a chance to be paired opposite each other. So I was pretty surprised and happy when Sania and Ehtishaam ended up together in Shukk. Their chemistry has been superb in the show since the beginning; I simply loved watching their love-hate relationship. Their relationship went through different phases: from coldness and enmity, to irritation and rudeness, and finally friendship and love, all these emotions were portrayed beautifully by both the actors.

4)      Ayeza and Sheheryar:

Many of you might feel that this couple is ill-suited because of the age difference but frankly, I simply love their chemistry in the show Ishq Mein Tere. Why? Those of you who had seen all their Turkey scenes together would know why. Their heart to heart conversations and their compatibility despite the big age difference is what appealed to me the most. There has been more or less no romantic scene between the two, no cheesy dialogues and no eye locks, but what I like most about this couple is their understanding and trust in each other.

5)      Eshaal and Araiz:

Eshaal and Araiz from Kabhi Kabhi is another couple who has amazing chemistry. Ahsan Khan and Mehwish Hayat always manage to sizzle on screen whenever they come together as a couple in any show. The story of the show is dragging since the past few episodes, and the only episodes that I enjoyed watching were the ones in the beginning when Araiz and Eshaal fell in love and got married. They might not be together anymore in the show, but there are still chances that they might end up together.

6)      Afzal and Farah:

Afzal and Farah are the leads of the show Pyarey Afzal, and they simply cannot be more different from each other. Afzal has this innocence in him that makes you fall in love with his character while Farah is arrogant, rude and pretty out spoken. Afzal’s innocent crush on Farah is extremely adorable and the main reason why he had agreed to help her in the first place. Farah does not have any high opinion of Afzal, and it will be interesting to see how her opinion changes about him once she reads his letters. Can the haughty Farah fall in love with an innocent Afzal?

7)      Asad and Iraj:

This couple from the show Meri Beti is one of the most adorable couple right now. All their scenes before marriage and at the beginning of their marriage always managed to bring a huge grin to my face. It is always a treat to watch the young love birds together. I hope they get back together in the show soon.

Feel free to add to the list!

Mariam Shafiq

Bashar Momin has been in the news for quite some time now. According to news, it has been produced on a grand scale, and its budget is big enough to make it the most expensive drama ever made in Pakistan. It stars Faysal Qureshi, Ushna Shah, Sami Khan, Sundus Tariq, Yasir Mazhar, and Maheen Khaild. It is produced by A&B Production in collaboration with GEO.

Bashar Momin is a saga of romance, hatred, revenge and love. The photos of the first look of the serial that have been released on the internet have managed to impress us all. From the looks of it, it is going to be an extremely unique serial and first of its kind for the Pakistani Drama Industry. The producers and actors have so far remained tight lipped about the show and its story. An air of mystery is created around this new serial to make the viewers’ curious to know more. This can serve as a strong promotional strategy in itself for the show.

The highlight of this show is Faysal Qureshi, one of the finest actors of our Industry. It has been a while since he has been seen in serials except for his small cameo in the show, Mann Ke Moti. It is unusual for him to stay away from TV for more than a short while. There was a time when we used to see him in serials airing on every other channel at one time. Now that he has been away for a while, all the fans are eager to see him back in a central role in some quality drama. The quote ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ perfectly suits this situation. Faysal has been sporting the army haircut and full beard look for quite some time now for his role in this show. Apart from Faysal Qureshi, the rest of the cast did not appeal to me. I wish they had taken better female leads and supporting actors.

The play has been written by Zanjabeel Asim who had written screenplays for plays like ‘Saat Pardon Mein’, ‘Ek Nazer Meri Taraf’ and the hit telefilm ‘Anjuman’. Her writing style is quite different from other writers in our industry since she had written quite unique stories. All her stories have emotional depth that makes the viewers’ feel and experience the raw emotions. She touches bold topics in her writing that most writers refrain from discussing in their stories.

The serial is directed by Syed Ali Raza who has directed countless plays, and one of the best movies of last year, Main Hoon Shahid Afridi. He has also won the 4^th Pakistani Media Award for the best director for this film. After seeing his work in MHSH and how he handled the larger than life movie with such finesse, we can be sure that directing Bashir Momin would have been a piece of cake for him.

It has also been in news that Bashar Momin would be the first serial to hit the Indian Television screen. It will soon air on a popular Indian channel, but the name of the channel has not been disclosed yet. Usually Pakistani dramas air on Indian channels like Rishtey after they have been declared a hit. This is the first time that it has been announced that a Pakistani serial will be shown on an Indian Channel even before it has gone on air in Pakistan.

The expectations are pretty high from this show. Now let’s see if it manages to fulfill the people’s expectations and the hype that is created around it.

So what do you guys think about this show? Share your views!

Mariam Shafiq

Fame is temporary so is the world of showbiz. People appear, amuse the audience and then leave. Not all of the gone artists are forgotten, few of them, secure their place in the hearts of the audience with their mind-blowing performance. Here we are talking about all those leading ladies of Pakistani dramas who no more work for television but are still in our minds and of course we will love to have them back!

Shehnaz Sheikh

The leading lady of classic PTV plays Tanhaiyan and Ankahi, Shehnaz Sheikh has ruled television screens once but left acting because she wanted to maintain her individuality and apparently the new characters offered to her were too monotonous to attract or tempt her. When Marina Khan decides to make a sequel to the super hit play Tanhaiyan, there were rumors that Shehnaz will be performing in it but later on her characters was shown dead. Heesan Moin confirmed the fact during an interview that Shehnaz was earlier approached for the Tanhaiyan sequel but she refused for some unknown reasons. Shehnaz, now is happily married with two sons and living in Lahore.

Shehnaz Khwaja

Shehnaz Khwaja – the Alpha Bravo Charlie fame, probably did only a single acting project but that was powerful enough to keep her alive in the hearts and minds of her audience for decades to follow. Alpha Bravo Charlie was a Shoaib Mansoor project and a sequel to Sunhare Din, a wonderful memory of those days when we used to have enough of Army based plays. Shehnaz played the character of a chirpy young confident woman who got married to Gul Sher Khan. The scenes of this couple are my favourite chunks of the play – what a treat to watch!

Seemi Zaidi

If you remember watching Aashiyana, your childhood was awesome man haha! I was actually meaning to write; if you remember watching Ashiyana, chances are you remember Sapna Ji as well. Yes, yes, the same Sapna Ji who traveled after getting tired of the indifferent attitude of her family and eventually ended up in Waseem Abbas’ workshop, and when he took her home we got to see all that bhangra luddi scene of his siblings to welcome their bhabhi. She was such a beautiful lady, I wonder where has she gone now!

Aarifa Sidique

I remember Aarifa Sidique from the serious character of Chajo Baji and then her comic role in Larki Ek Sharmeli Si opposite Noman Ijaz. I simply adore her acting skills, she was wonderful in both genres. Aarifa has tried her luck in singing as well but her major field was acting. She is also among few of those actresses who just disappeared from screens and never showed up even on talk-shows or celebrity interviews. I’d love her to make a comeback, it would be amazing watching her back on mini screen.

Shariqa Fatima

Shariqa Fatima is not one of those ladies who worked in a continuity but I remember watching her playing some strong roles in my childhood. Her play Sham Se Pehle was my favourite in which in spite of being a doctor she got married to a wadera kind of person (played by Adnan Jilani) due to strict family traditions. Shariqa Fatima kept on appearing here and there including a couple of telefilms but now it’s been long since I last saw her, anybody knows where she is or what was her last project?

Huma Nawab

Remeber Hawaiien anyone? Huma Nawab played the eldest daughter of Ghazal Kaifi and Talat Hussain in that play, the one who was a nurse by profession and got married to a doctor who was almost double her age. Another memorable serial of Huma Nawab was Nijat, again on aired from PTV. Huma Nawab was a very elegant lady and an exceptional performer. Last I heard about her was that she is settled in USA and leading a not-so-amazing life. We wish her all the best, she is the lady who once entertained us well!

In addition to the above mentioned actresses, there are a lot of other ladies who deserved to be added to the list, for instance; Khalida Riyasat, Rohi Bano and many others but the reason of not mentioning them here is that I personally haven’t seen them much since they belong to an era that actually ended way before my birth and my bad, I still am not able to watch their plays. Also their were ladies I remember watching in childhood, their face is in my mind but I can’t recall their names (read Sonia of Jaal here) and of course I intentionally left some ladies because I watched them in an age where I was too young to judge the acting skills of them, I love them as a part of childhood memory but not sure if there was something exceptional in their acting! (read Saima Tahir of Kangan here).

Now it is up to you guys to add your favourite leading ladies to the list, let’s dig out our childhood memories and give the much needed credits and appreciation to all deserving ones!

Zubia Rizvi

It is funny how defensive fans can get some times when they hear something against their favorite celebrities. Sometimes I feel like some of us take the innocent comments made by readers/viewers a little too seriously and find it hard to accept that everyone has their own point of view which they are free to express not because they want to offend anyone but only because they believe in the freedom of speech. Here are some interesting things I have noticed in the past two years or so.

* If you don’t like Fawad Khan keep your mouth shut;)

Yes, most of Fawad Khan’s fans have very little tolerance for criticism. This is the reason why many people do not have the guts to openly criticize him even if they want to do so.

* If you think Mahira Khan is not pretty or cannot act, you must be jealous of her

This has to be the funniest one of all. If a girl especially says anything against Mahira Khan’s acting or looks she has to be jealous of her because why else would she be finding faults in someone who is so perfect!!

*Think 100 times (or even more) before criticizing Umera Ahmed

If you don’t like a play written by Umera Ahmed then you should keep your opinion to yourself otherwise you will get votes down, a lot of bashing and telling off.

*If Hamsafar is not your all time favorite play, there must be something seriously wrong with you

I have openly declared time and again that Hamsafar was a very engaging play but it is not the best play of all times on my list because there are many other plays like Durr-e-Shehwar, Mera Naseeb and Dastaan which are much closer to my heart. But I know it for a fact that people usually do not criticize Hamsafar on online forums because they are too scared that the die-hard Hamsafar fans may tell them off.

*Some dramas are only meant for the “intelligent” crowd with a certain IQ level and people who don’t appreciate such plays are lesser humans

I find this one especially funny because I believe that most of our viewers are intelligent enough to tell a good drama from a bad one and sometimes people try to find the sort of depth in dramas which even the writer probably didn’t think of while penning down the scripts.

*If you don’t like a play, don’t watch it

“Say what?? You can’t be serious!!” is usually my first instinctive response to such comments.

How many of you can relate to the above mentioned observations? Do share the sort of behavior/responses you come across while interacting with people online.

Note: Please don’t take this article very seriously because it is intended to be a fun article. It is meant to instigate debate about things we observe but don’t usually talk about.

Fatima Awan

Ramp walk is the best way for the designers to showcase what they are capable of. I think it’s the best way to promote the designs & cuts the fashion designers are bringing into fashion each season. I have always enjoyed seeing the traditional outfits being worn & shown on the ramps. The most favorite session of mine is the exhibition of Pakistani bridal dresses because each one of them is a masterpiece & to see all that glamour on screen in one frame is a treat to watch.

Where we do get to see the dresses which are enough of an inspiration – sadly, we do get to come across such ensembles which are beyond our understanding. I really actually do not understand the need of showcasing such apparels which are definitely not fit to be worn by the masses. I know the fashion designers come up with certain themes to actually show what they are good at but isn’t it a waste of resources especially with which people can not relate to?

Here are some pictures which left me feeling I have no eye for the fashion:

I know fashion is all about being trendy & I do accept their need to top their creations off with some interesting headgears & accessories but what I really can not understand is the purpose behind such apparels? Have you felt the same way while watching our fashion shows about the fashion sense of our fashion designers? Pour in your say about them.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza. 

Ohkay, yes we all have had our fair share of bad dramas that we ended up watching thinking the story might improve or we will have something to keep with us by the end but sadly we were mistaken. The story went out of the way & even beat the word of unpredictability. I like to watch dramas that are safe & at times predictable but not those which end up becoming a regret wasting the time upon.

So, the list dedicated to such masterpieces is as belows:

Mastana Mahi:

I actually failed to understand what was so ‘mastana’ about the ‘mahi’ in this drama. It started off as a story of two friends taking different paths in their lives but the story had absolutely nothing to offer once it progressed. Mehreen Raheel acted her bit well because it was a role we have seen her playing again & again, of a little pooh girl who likes things her way. She ends up marrying a man double her age & then after having issues she walks out of that marriage. What I actually disliked & never understood was the part where Fahad Mustafa gets himself checked in a motel in South Africa & he comes across a girl who does illegal things to make a living. The character was played by Deepti Gupta & we all have seen what a phenomenal actress she is but it was a farce seeing her wasted in such a role plus it just didn’t make sense. Sajjal Ali was beautiful as Suhai in that role but then the story took a turn & moved to politics of the town. Who would’ve thought that a story which probably started off abroad would end up in a town of Sindh where in the end three ladies on the phone will threaten a goon & they will get the man of their family back. What a waste of time I must say!

Zard Mausam:

The story was about a young girl putting her parents through hell. But I think it wasn’t only confined to her parents who she put through hell, it went on to her siblings, then to her husband & then eventually her unborn child. I think the writer had nothing to tell us & it was more like a drama where the ideas were inflicted at a random thought. No bases, no grounds for anything & the story was just bad with an equally bad execution. I actually by the end of the drama thought why did I do this to myself & wasted a whole lot of weeks on such a bad story? Yes, I did expect that may be Ayeza Khan will earn some brains but the way she kept on moving in her life was totally unrealistic. I, till this date do not get the purpose of the drama & nor do I wish to find out.

Mere Dard Ko Jo Zuban Mile:

What was that drama all about? Miseries of the whole world rolled into one family? I was gutted to see it go down the drain because when I tuned into this drama I thought we got a very nice family drama based on a strong friendship, no doubt all the characters were amazing & the best role was played by Sheheryaar Munawwar of a guy who had a few limitations but I absolutely felt for the character because the approach was different & he wasn’t made to look pitiful in the start but sadly it wasn’t meant to be. He later went on losing one limb after another & nothing in the story made sense. Alishba Yousaf was great in the drama & definitely the only saving grace but sadly she couldn’t pull off such a weak script single handedly because the miseries made all the the other characters vulnerable.

Ek Tamanna La Hasil Si:

Yes, the story & sense was ‘lahasil’ in this drama & I couldn’t ‘hasil’ anything from it. I know it was based on the real life stories where the daughters in law get tortured by their husband’s family but the level of torture & then the accusations were enough of a tick off. I remember leaving reviewing it the midway because I was running out of decent words to speak about the story myself. It had everything from drinking to extramarital affairs to infidelity accusation & in the end a protagonist losing her mind. It would’ve been better if a little less miseries were thrown our way but sorry it was a bad bad drama.

Silvatein:

Never thought that this drama would ever made to my regret-watching list because it started off great & all the characters were realistic but the note it ended on was absolutely ridiculous. Yes, it was just another one of those sister rivalry based stories but I thought the drama had more to offer than just that & yes, it did offer a lot more but in all the negative aspects. A sister getting involved in the black magic against her eldest sister just to get a few pennies of the property, boy I was mistaken to be taking them as literate & sophisticated people. Amina Sheikh tried hard to make a mark but failed miserably. All she had was to pull off a painful face & take all the blame on her, I was bored to death by watching her act all miserable. The drama was a big flop for me at least.

Kadurat:

Despite the production value & a great cast & even the appearance of Deepak Parwani after years & years, this drama was an absolute rubbish. Not that we all are aware of the point where it lead to but the characters were bad. Sanam Saeed tried to act the character of Mina with the best of her ability but sadly she on her own was enough to spoil the whole drama. Yes, we all do like to watch some thrillers & dramas with a tint of negativity but this was capable of spoiling your taste for a whole week. Extremely sad that this drama was what I thought would be different but in the end made me feel I wasted my time upon. I sincerely hope that the writer got a good feedback of this drama & we won’t be seeing her using the imagination in such a way again.

Kabhi Kabhi:

Yes, this drama is on-air right now & I am already regretting watching this. I am not sure why such a good cast opt for such weak scripts making us fall for the trap. The only reason why I tuned into this drama was because of Ahsan/Mehwish Khan’s pairing because they both have a great on-screen chemistry. The drama began with a great characterization making us feel that it had something different to offer. So sad it wasn’t supposed to be & we all know where the story is heading to. I hope it ends ASAP & the Friday night prime time slot is filled with something to look forward to, not something that we dread tuning into.

So, this is what my list comprises of. I know people would expect me to add Mujhe Khuda Pe Yakeen Hai in this list but the truth is as much as I disliked the drama I enjoyed reviewing & then reading the comments of all the people who agreed & felt exactly the same as me about the show. So, yes for that I thank the makers of Mujhe Khuda Pe Yakeen Hai for providing us with a weekly entertainment that we all would laugh ours head off at. Please feel free to share the dramas you regretted watching.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Let’s face it, everyone can manage to look good following the rule of simple is sweet but rocking a red cherry pout, bold statement eyeliner and bouncy curls is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. Apart from the clear distinction of simple and sultry artists, we have a category of finest Pakistani actresses who rock both styles better than anyone else – now this is what we call real talent!

Although for me, the right way of judging an actress is by her acting skills but we definitely cannot exclude fashion from the field of showbiz, can we? So let’s give some credit to those divas of Pakistani drama industry who not only manage to look good in a simple braid and minimal makeup but also rock the party with their all fancy shmancy style and attire.

Mahira Khan

Talk about Pakistani fashionistas and Mahira Khan is already there to ace the list. I have yet to find a Pakistani celeb who look half as good in a red pout as Mahira does. Coral based reds, blue based reds and neons – I have seen Mahira wearing all of these and it’s needless to say that she looks brilliant in all. Not only this but her simple side is equally charming, can we forget the simplicity of Khirad? I’m sure no one can!

Ayesha Omar

One of the prettiest all-rounders of showbiz Ayesha Omar has tried her luck in almost all fields be it ramp, commercial modelling, serious acting, sitcoms or singing. I’m really an admirer of her trendy and chic outfits but at the same time she looks stunningly beautiful in her dramatic makeovers. Khubsurat of Bulbulay is usually all about naturally fresh looks and then we have all dolled up Ayesha Omar in functions and talk shows – both are absolutely brilliant.

Mehwish Hayyat

Mehwish Hayyat is also one of those actresses who pull off both simple and sultry styles like no one else. I particularly love the way she keeps on experimenting with her hair. From pin-straight hair to loose beachy waves to tight bouncy curls, she manages to look good almost in everything.

Aisha Khan

When beauty meets talent, we have Ayesha Khan! Oh God! I’m a personal fan of her. I mean talk about her eyes alone – isn’t she gorg? I can bring thousands of examples from her acting ventures, (from Mehndi to Waar) about her style and she never failed to amaze me. Western or Eastern, Aisha Khan knows the way to rock her attire!

Mehreen Raheel

Talk about timeless beauty man, Mehreen Raheel is the one! As much as I criticize her acting skills, I have got to admit that she is a stunner when it comes to looks and by looks I don’t mean the natural features but the way she carries herself with all the makeup and fancy attires. From the vintage makeup of Dastaan to the hip-hop makeovers of Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Mehreen Raheel is a stunner. And then we have her Ufone commercials where she isn’t that made-up but still rocks the screen.

Sarwat Gillani

Is it just me or all the girls with silky straight hair have a crush on Sarwat’s hair haha! I totally find it justified to add Sarwat Gillani to the list of actresses who look good both in simple and sultry styles. Talk about those bold red and fuchsia pouts in Dil-e-Muztar – we used to hate her character but she really looked good throughout the play.

Sajal Ali

A comparatively new comer Sajal Ali is just the right contestant to be included to the list with almost all full seasoned artists. With her innocent and young looks, she appears as a prime beauty to me.Whether she is keeping it simple or decides to glam up, she knows the right way to do it.

Aamina Sheikh

Aamina Sheikh is the one who bashes the concept of fair is lovely in Pakistan. With her gorg medium – tanned looking complexion, she fits perfectly in almost all makeovers. We have seen her acting in Ek Hatheli Pe Hinna in a very simple black shawl and then we see her setting the ramp on fire with her contemporary outfits, she has got some real guts!

Saba Qamar

A personal favourite Saba Qamar hah! I really hope I’m not being biased and you all will agree that Saba Qamar is an absolute eye-candy. Let it be traditional sarees with  elegant updos or a very simple chic kurta with a rough jeans, she looks effortlessly pretty. You know one of those actresses who walk like a breeze with all those glitter and sparkle without screaming I’m made up!

Juggan Kazim

I’m a fan of the squeaky clean and clear skin of Juggan, please tell us some secrets girl! I have watched her morning shows where unlike others she prefers to stay simple and looks absolutely beautiful. We occasionally get to see her in heavy formals and other than few fails, most of the times she is a hit.

Iman Ali

Although Iman has worked for a very short while for TV and her main identity is ramp and cinema, still not including her to the list wouldn’t be justified. In Khuda Ki Liye, she was mostly wearing traditional tribal dresses or jeans and in her second movie Bol she was all about fancy choridars and long kurtas – I had a hard time to decide which of her look deserved more applause. I think she is wonderful both ways.

Phew, that was long guys! I hope I covered almost all Pakistani actresses who look effortlessly stunning and confident in both simple and sultry style. If I missed anyone, you guys are encouraged to add them to the list, after all this is the charm of discussion, isn’t it?

Do let me know how you like this topic and idea? I’m meaning to do an article on senior celebs as well who still manage to look breathtakingly beautiful, sounds good eh?

Until next time, stay beautiful ladies and dudes of course!

Zubia Rizvi

Who hasn’t had a bad hair day? We all know how annoying it is when our hair refuses to behave. But on the days that it does behave, we couldn’t be happier!

It’s not just women who are constantly worried about hair, men too have started taking greater care and opting for hair weaves as a last resort.

With all the preparation that goes into shooting a serial, hair stylists deserve a special mention since they have a tough task ahead.

Here are some of my picks for great hair styles (female):

1. Syra Shehroze- She’s one of the few actresses who sports a short hair-style and she carries it off beautifully. Her look in her current drama- RUBARU is just lovely.

2. Mahira Khan- Mahira’s look in Humsafar was just perfect. In SeZ, the light waves suited her too. She definitely has a great stylist plus she’s blessed with gorgeous hair.

3. Saba Qamar- Saba has gorgeous hair and doesn’t really need to do anything. It just naturally falls perfectly in place.

4. Mehwish Hayat- I like how Mehwish experiments with her looks and her hair. She looks the best when her hair has volume with a little bounce.

5. Sarwat Gillani- Sarwat’s hair is naturally curly and it suits her a lot. But she looks equally great in straight hair too.

It would be unfair to leave the men behind. So here are some of my picks for great hair (men):

1. Mikaal Zulfiqar- Mikaal has really great hair. I don’t know if that’s his real hair but his hair deserves a mention.

2. Fawad Khan- The heart-throb of millions and owner of a great mane, Fawad Khan has sported many different styles and looks great.

3. Hamza Ali Abbasi- Hamza’s has plenty of volume and smooth, silky hair. I like the length of his hair- it’s perfect for styling in a variety of ways.

4. Danish Taimoor- Somehow his hair always seems perfect. It’s almost as if he never experienced a bad hair day- ever!

5. Emmad Irfani- I’ve just watched him in a serial recently- Ranjish Hi Sahi and his hair looks great! Kudos to his stylist for maintaining that perfect look!

Did any of these make your list? What hair styles do you prefer?

Kanwal Murtaza

Characterization is a very important part of any play. Many of the plays that have been liked by people in the recent past had a character-driven narrative. It doesn’t matter how well the writer etches out the characters if the actors playing the role fail in portraying the feelings of the characters in an apt manner then the character will lose its charm. Good direction also helps the actors understand their characters by bringing out the best in them.

There are many talented actors in our drama industry; they have mesmerized us with their flawless performances over and over again but there are some roles which these actors played which were not like the characters that they usually play. Also, some of these characters were not even the sort of people you fall in love with because of their actions or personalities but you end up liking them only because of the fitting manner in which they are played on screen.

Here is a list of the best roles played by some of the best actors in our industry.

Sanam Baloch in Dastaan

Sanam Baloch is talent personified. Sanam Baloch manages to create a certain kind of chemistry with any of the actors that she is working with. There were number of times when I have felt that Sanam Baloch brings out the best in her co-actors as well. Although, it is vey difficult to choose between the characters she played in Durr-e-Shehwar, Kankar and Dastan in particular but if I sit down to think I can say with all certainty that the role she played in Dastan was the most challenging one because there was a lot of focus on her character and also her character had to portray many different emotions.

Bano was a bubbly girl who was the apple of her family’s eyes but her life changed drastically after partition and her personality underwent a huge transformation. Sanam Baloch portrayed Bano’s expectations, fears and frustrations in a very appropriate way.

Adeel Hussain in Daam

Adeel Hussain is a very fine actor; he does not believe in making mistakes or giving an average performance. Even if he is a part of a play which may not be very impressive as a whole, he is sure to play his part right.

I fell in love with Adeel’s character and acting Daam. In my mind that is the best role which he has played till now. Adeel Hussein played the honest, upright and loving Junaid who became a victim of his sister’s jealousy. No one plays the good guy like Adeel Hussain but he portrayed Junaid’s anger and disappointment after he finds out the truth effortlessly too. Adeel Hussain has a natural aptitude for acting and is definitely among one of my most favorite actors.

Mikaal Zulfiqar in Durr-e-Shehwar

Mikaal has been typecast to the extreme; most of the characters he played were anything but likeable. Moreover, he does not experiment with his looks much because he fits in the stereotypes he plays perfectly as it is, which of course could be the reason why he is typecast so often.

In the play Durr-e-Shehwar however Mikaal experimented with his looks and also played a character that had much more depth than most of the roles he has played. He played the young Mansoor who found it very difficult to balance things between his new wife and a very authoritative mother very impressively. Mansoor’s character was very well etched- out because for once it gave the viewer’s a chance to see things from a man’s perspective. The implicit characterization also left a lot of room for debate which made the drama watching experience worthwhile There were many times when I found myself relating to Mansoor’s dilemmas just as much as Shehwar’s. The weaknesses in Mansoor’s character made it more human because of which many of the viewer’s found it easy to connect to the character.

Fawad Khan in Dastaan

I know most of the people here would much rather vote for Fawad Khan in Hamsafar but personally I have always felt that Dastaan was a class above the rest in every way possible and Bano and Hassan both will always be closer to my heart than any other character played by both these actors.

Hassan was very committed and focused for his age. He was actively involved in the freedom struggle while it was at its peak and Pakistan was created he looked hopelessly for the love of his life. Once he found Bano, he considered it his duty to rescue her, to make everything alright for her. Fawad Khan was perfect for playing the role of Hassan and the chemistry that Fawad Khan and Sanam Baloch shared was very touching at every point. Their journey together for me is unforgettable. He played the brother, son, friend, romantic partner all in one in this play.

Hina Bayat in Talkhiyaan

We have usually seen Hina Bayat playing the sweet and understanding mother in plays. There was nothing sweet about the role she played in Talkhiyaan. Appo G was a spinster with double standards and a secret that made it impossible for her to be nice to the people around her. Appo G was bitter and ruthless but still likeable. Hina Bayat got a chance to show her real talent while playing this role which is the reason why this list would be incomplete without her.

Syed Mohammad Ahmed in Durr-e-Shehwar

Syed Mohammad Ahmed always makes a perfect dignified father in plays but his role as Durr-e-Shehwar’s father has to the one which left a big impact on me. Sami Sahab was an enlightened man who believed in resolving problem rather than aggravating them. He guided his daughter at every step of the way even though he himself wasn’t sure if the issues that his daughter was facing were ever going to get resolved. The father-daughter relationship was the highlight of this play for me and it was made special because of the way Syed Mohammad Ahmed carried out his role. I have seen him in many other plays but I have liked him the best as Shehwar’s father.

Faisal Rehman in Khamoshiyan

I doubt that there are enough praise words in the dictionary to describe what a highly endowed artist Faisal Rehman is. I am a huge fan of his acting because there has hardly been a time when he gave me something to complaint about.

The play Khamoshiyan had a rather bold plot but it was emotionally charged and extremely engaging. Faisal Rehman played a person who could not cope with the problems in his own house but felt a dire need to set things right in the life of another woman who he had fallen in love with. He brought out the best in his character by portraying its vulnerabilities and weaknesses in a way that the viewers could not help but feel everything that his character was going through.

After watching him in Ranjish Hi Sahi, I am fully convinced now that Faisal Rehman can still play the hopeless romantic with the same brilliance with which he played it in Khamoshiyan.

Sajjal Ali in Nanhi

Sajjal Ali played the role of Nanhi in the play Nanhi. It was not an easy character to play at all. I am sure that Sajjal had to come out of her comfort zone in order to perform this character. Nanhi’s character was anything but glamorous and that is what I really appreciate about Sajjal Ali that she has never focused on roles that are all about glitz and glam.

Arij Fatyma in Meri Beti

Characterization and impressive portrayals are what make the play Meri Beti a treat to watch. All the characters have more than their fair share of imperfections and flaws but are still likeable. This play may not be in the same league as Dastaan, Durr-e-Shehwar, Talkhiyaan and some of the other plays in the list but since we are talking about the best roles some of the actors played therefore I must add the role of Irij from Meri Beti who has made me cry a bucket of tears in the past two weeks in particular.

Arij Fatyma plays Irij; a girl who was raised by her grandmother who she always thought of as a mother. Irij’s perfect world falls apart when she finds out who her real mother is; she feels cheated and betrayed. The soft-spoken, soft-hearted girl turns into an entirely different person when she finds out the truth. Arij Fatyma brings out the best in her character. I must say that Arij Fatyma has won me over time and again with her versatility and talent.

Faiza Hassan in Hamnasheen

Yes, I admit, the storyline of drama serial Hamnasheen was anything but impressive! But Asmat Ara; the larger than life aristocratic character who goes through a big transformation as the story progresses forward was played splendidly by the very competent and talented actress Faiza Hassan. Everything about the portrayal was brilliant; from the make-over to the body language and dialogue delivery.

It had to be Faiza Hassan’s performance that made me watch an otherwise average play week after week. The way she swallowed her pride at every step and the manner in which her character had to accept things she could never imagine tolerating was simply brilliant. Not to mention the fact that the antihero  nature of the character also helped in making it more likeable in the end.

Sarwat Gillani in Dil-e-Muzter

There is hardly a play in which the “evil” character who ruins the lives of the primary characters stands out the way Zoya did in Dil-e-Muzter. You couldn’t help but dislike and like the character at the same time!! Sarwat Gillani completely changed her outlook to fit in the role. She added color to the drama and all the hard work that she put into adding the final touches to her character made it remarkably superior.

Syra Yusef in Bilquees Kaur

Syra Yusef has always been my favorite. Lately, she has disappointed me with the kind of projects she has ventured into but that doesn’t change the fact that she has given us some wonderful performances in the past. After playing a very docile character in Mera Naseeb, she really astonished me when she played an entirely different role superbly in the play Bilquess Kaur.

Syra Yuself played the role of Soha in Bilquees Kaur. Soha was an orphan girl who was very smart. Once she got married to Bilquees Kaur’s son, she changed the dynamics in Bilquess kaur’s household. There were times when Soha appeared to be a little too nosy and somewhat annoying but there were also times when I felt like Soha was exactly what Bilquees’ household needed!  It is definitely the most memorable character played by Syra Yusef till now.

Moammar Rana in Mere Pass Pass

Honestly speaking after watching few of Moammar Rana’s plays I came to the conclusion that he cannot act but he definitely stole my heart and the show in the play Mere Pass Pass. He played the sweet and loving Shariq both in the prequel and the sequel brilliantly. The fact  that the play had a strong plot and was very engaging also helped of course. And also he was perfect for playing the role. I would really like to see Moammar Rana being part of some good shows in the future too.

Sanam Saeed in Talkhiyaan

Sanam Saeed played Bibi in Takhiyaan. It wasn’t an easy role to play; Bibi was anything but our conventional drama heroine. Bibi was a woman who was brought up in a house where women were not given any respect at all. Bibi refused to be a part of the system. She made many wrong decisions that eventually took a toll on her. Bibi’s character was very intriguing and it was played marvelously by Sanam Saeed. She carried the sarees she wore in the play so well and depicted every emotion of her character with ease.

I would really like to know which character played by Nauman Ijaz has stood out for the viewers, I found it very tough to point out one character he has played which can be termed as an all time favorite because he does so well in all the plays. I have to say though that he totally stole the show in Mera Saeein and surprised me with his remarkable performance in Bari Apa because it was a character very different from the ones which he usually plays. The only thing that annoys me now is that the stammering that was signature feature of his character in Bari Apa is a part of almost all his characters now.

What do you think about the list? Do feel free to add to it and comment.

I intend to make a list of the worst roles these and some other actors in the list played very soon…and guess who will top the list? Fawad Khan of course because of his roles in Numm and Ashk!!!

Fatima Awan