Dukhtaar is an award-winning feature film by Afia Nathaniel. It screend at the United Nations on Wednesday and sources revealed that it attracted a large audience.
Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Ambassador to the UN, organised this as a side event in the Trusteeship Council Chamber during the 61th annual session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
Ambassador Lodhi in her opening remarks said that the Pakistani film industry’s revival is being spearheaded by young filmmakers, including women, who are producing films on diverse topics, be it entertainment or social issues.
The ambassador introduced Khawar Mumtaz, chairperson of Pakistan’s National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), who is also the mother of the lead actress in the film, Samiya Mumtaz.
The NCSW chairperson briefly talked about how her daughter developed interest in acting. Mumtaz said that her daughter was a dedicated actress and only acted in movies with an inspirational message.
Film director Afia Nathaniel said that the film is about a mother’s love and sacrifice to save her daughter from a child marriage. She also said that the film has a universal message and its exhibition at the UN will help build bridges and bring people together.
The event was attended by a large number of diplomats, UN Secretariat officials and the Pakistani diaspora. The Deputy Executive Director of UN women, Lakshmi Puri, was also present.
Last year, Oscar-winning Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s documentary “A Girl in the River” was also screened to coincide with CSW.
Deemak is a horror movie released on Eid. The film was written by Ayesha Mazaffar and directed by Rafay Rashdi, with Syed Murad Ali serving as the producer. It features a stellar cast, including Faysal Quraishi, Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada, Bushra Ansari, Saman Ansari, Javed Sheikh, and others. The story revolves around black magic and the paranormal behavior of people possessed in a haunted place. The film also marks the comeback of popular television and film actress Samina Peerzada after her acclaimed appearance in the drama serial Balaa.
According to box office reports, Deemak has so far collected 6 crore rupees and is performing decently. The film’s team celebrated its success with a party last night; however, fans and the general public have expressed critical and analytical opinions about the film.
The film viewers are not satisfied with the storytelling of Deemak. Many are saying that Deemak isn’t a proper horror genre rather it’s a psychological horror genre. A fan wrote, “Don’t watch it. It’s a complete waste of time. Only Samina Peerzada’s acting is better in the movie”. Another fan wrote, “It has stellar acting performances with weak and boring script”. A fan wrote, “It is a bad movie, one can watch cartoons instead of Deemak”. Another wrote, “I have just watched Deemak and it is one of the worst movies”. A fan said, “Pakistani dramas are way better than these cartoonish movies” A fan wrote, “Deemak shouldn’t have been released opposite Love Guru”. Another stated, “Samina Peerzada and Sonya Hussyn’s acting was fabulous. The story wasn’t that great. It could have been written in a better way. There was no proper backstory. They could have shown the actors as ghosts with good get up CGI was bad. It looked like a scene from cartoons.”
The sequel of blockbuster film Aina will begin shooting in September this year. The first instalment was a huge success and now we’re all set to witness the golden couple on our screens once again.
Aina 2 will be directed by Syed Noor, and the cast includes Nadeem Baig, Shabnam and Shahroze Sabzwari.
Here’s what the director, Syed Noor, had to say about the sequel:
“I’ve been contemplating Aina 2 for many years now. I recently discussed it with Nadeem and Shabnam and I think now is the right time to begin working on it,”
“Of course, Aina 2 will further the story told in Aina with the original star cast members as well as some new faces. Also, we’re planning on filming it in Canada this time.”
“At this point in the life of Pakistani cinema, I believe Aina 2 will be a good addition. I am still in the process of finalizing the details of the project. Hopefully, I’ll get to share them soon, once everything is sorted,” said Noor.
The Pakistani film industry was flourishing in the 60s and 70s. It is known as the golden period of cinema in the country. From the national language, Urdu, to all regional languages, we had multiple films coming out every year. Many big names were established both on and off camera with starlets who have ruled both the silver screens and later on television screens.
The film industry then went into shambles for multiple reasons, and for around two decades, we did not get to see proper films being released in cinema houses. With the revival era, we got new names who became film stars, and the audience was naturally interested in their work as well as their personal lives. What came as a weird coincidence was how many of those big names of the Pakistani film industry turned out to be unlucky in love. They had millions of fans, but they did not find romantic happiness in their own lives.
Anjuman
Filmstar Anjuman is among the most successful names of the Pakistani cinema. She has worked in hundreds of films as the lead actress and ruled the cinema in 70s. She is hands down one of the most successful artists, including both males and females, when it comes to films. But the actress has struggled in her love life. She was married to Income Tax Officer Mobin Malik, and the couple shared three children. They were together till he was tragically assassinated during a robbery in 2013. She later got married to former actor Lucky Ali, but the marriage ended in divorce.
Babra Sharif
Babra Sharif is another big star of the Pakistani film industry. She is the OG diva of Pakistani showbiz, known for her stylish looks and extraordinary talent. She started acting at a young age and kept working in quality films. The actress stopped acting as she did not want to work anymore, and her era never declined. She is also a star who has remained unlucky in love. She got married to actor Shahid at the peak of her career when she was the dream girl for millions. She became his second wife, but that marriage did not last long, and she nerve married again. She has been single till now by choice. Her name was linked to many other co-stars, including Faisal Rehman, but the diva never confirmed any such rumours.
Resham
Resham is among a handful of Pakistani film stars who were able to successfully transition from the declining film industry into the flourishing television industry. She is still loved for her strong roles, screen presence and talent. The actress has time and again shared how once her heart was broken, and she has since been sceptical. She is also disappointed by still being single, and she aspires to get married one day when she finds someone she can love and trust. The actress said in an interview that she feels that she is not destined to have a husband’s income.
This is what she said:
Khushboo Khan
Khushboo Khan is a Pakistani actress who has worked in films, television and theatre. She started working as a child artist in movies, and she later transitioned to lead roles. She has been working all her life, and her fame has never declined. The starlet was married to film actor Arbaz Khan, and they made a power couple in the film industry. Love did not end too well for her as she recently shared how her husband left their home a few years back, and he has not returned. They just speak about their two sons. She still loves him, and they are not officially divorced. But she has been raising their sons alone, and she spoke about how she has only received deception and pain in life.
Her story:
Sana Nawaz
Sana Nawaz is another big name in the Pakistani film industry. She also successfully moved to the television industry, and she has been working in dramas for a few years now. She got married to Fakhar Imam at the peak of her career. They had two kids, and they remained together for years. She got divorced in 2022, and she has been doing everything in her power to raise her two sons. She is a private person, but she has shared that showing your wounds won’t help. You have to hold yourself with strength and be resilient in life despite the pain you have been going through.
This is how she spoke about her divorce:
Nargis
Nargis is a big name in Pakistani showbiz. She had a long and successful career where he worked in films, and she later ruled the theatres in Punjab. She was loved for her beauty, dancing talent and the way she could do comedy and drama with ease. She has now turned into a businesswoman as she has left showbiz for the sake of Islam. The actress has been married twice. She was first married to Zubair Shah, and she has children from that marriage. It did not work out, and she later on married a police officer, Majid Bashir. She suffered alleged physical abuse and cheating in this marriage.
Here is what went down:
Laila
Laila is another star of the Pakistani film industry. She worked as a lead actress, and she was also known for performing item numbers in Punjabi films. She also worked on a reality TV show and then took a break due to personal tragedies. Laila is still single, and she once again shared in her latest interview that she feels that she lost good time when she did not get married before because she was going through so much in her life. She dated Ahsan Khan in her youth, but they both broke up. She would love to marry someone if she finds a handsome and nice guy, and she is open to finding love.
Listen to her thoughts:
Meera
Meera is a very interesting person, in addition to being one of the most recognised faces from the Pakistani film industry. She has been unlucky in love multiple times as she had a marriage with Attiq ur Rehman which she never recognized to the whole Captain Naveed fiasco. She even held a wedding show on Geo TV. Whether Meera is single or not is a mysterious question, as she has been spotted with Captain Naveed on and off again over the years. But the lady has not been lucky in love.
Nirma
Nirma was once a known name of Pakistani showbiz. Films, television and music videos, she was everywhere. She then disappeared from the screens, and a few years later, it was discovered that she was exploited by her own family as they took money from her, and she has not gotten married or found love.
Zara Sheikh
Zara Sheikh was loved by everyone from her very debut. Her beauty and on-screen grace were phenomenal. Zara has shared that she did not want to do subpar work, and she has therefore always worked selectively. The actress has remained single despite having millions of followers. She was once linked to Mikaal Zulfiqar, but the pair never got married. Mikaal married Sara Bhatti, and Zara has chosen to remain single. She said that her age for marriage has passed, and she is not too focused on it now.
Here is her choice:
All these starlets worked in an era when heroines preferred not to marry earlier, a practice which has thankfully lessened. All these ladies are also resilient and strong, and they have shown the world that they do not need anyone to define themselves. They have stood on their own and never backed down despite experiencing difficulties in love.
The Pakistani film Waar was highly appreciated by the film going audience. It was rated as the most expensive film ever made in Pakistan and it also won many awards. According to the news Faisal Bukhari’s upcoming film Sultanat is going to break that record because 22 crores were spent in making the film.
Mustafa Qureshi, who is a big name in Pakistani film industry said that the upcoming film Sultanat is going to set new standards for the filmmakers.
Pakistani Film Industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Most of the films that were a hit were filled with patriotism. The film “Freedom Sound” is no different. The film is all set to be released this year. The film has been produced by Sehban Zaidi, it has been directed by Nadir Hussain Shah and Sehban Zaidi. The story of the film is very interesting. The film shows the future, and tells the story of a man who sees Pakistan under the command of a powerful leader 30 years from now.
The visual effects of the film are provided by Lucid Studios in Pakistan and stars Adeel Hussain and Mehreen Raheel.
Saudia Arabia, is a country with no theater and cinema house and rarely appears in any entertainment headline. No entertainment is organized by Saudi government, however Asian Council General in Jeddah privately arranges a film festival every year.
This year films from Japan, India, Singapore, Brunei, Korea, Sri Lanka, Philippine, China, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are showcased in the festival. From Pakistan, film Ramchand Pakistani is chosen for this festival. Ramchand Pakistani will be screened on Saturday 29th March 2014.
Ramchand Pakistani is directed by Mehreen Jabbar. Leading cast of film consists of Nandita Daas, Rashid Farooqi, Nauman Ejaz, Fazal and Maria Wasti.
Full content of news report from VOA Urdu
پاکستانی پروڈیوسر مہرین جبار کی فلم ’رام چند پاکستانی‘ ہفتے کے روز جدہ میں جاری ساتویں ایشین فلم فیسٹیول میں دکھائی جائے گی۔
سعودی عرب میں ایک بھی سنیما ہال نہیں ہے۔ نہ ہی وہاں سرکاری سطح پر کسی فلم یا اس سے جڑی کسی بھی سرگرمی کو پذیرائی ملتی ہے۔ البتہ، ایشین قونصلزجنرل کلب اپنے طور پر فیسٹیول کا اہتمام کرتا رہا ہے۔
سعودی عرب میں مقیم سینئر صحافی، شاہد نعیم نے وی اواے کو بتایا ’ساحلی شہر جدہ میں ان دنوں بھی اسی کے تحت ساتواں ایشین فلم فیسٹیول جاری ہے، جس میں ہفتے کو پاکستانی پروڈیوسر مہرین جبار کی ایوارڈ یافتہ فلم ’رام چند پاکستانی‘ کی نمائش ہوگی۔ ’رام چند‘ 2010ء میں بھی کئی ایوارڈز حاصل کرچکی ہے۔‘
فیسٹیول میں اب تک جاپان، برونائی، کوریا، ملیشیا، سری لنکا، فلپائن، چین، سنگاپوراور انڈونیشیا کی فلمیں دکھائی جا چکی ہیں۔
فیسٹیول میں بھارت کی جانب سے فلم ’بھاگ ملکھا بھاگ‘ اور بنگلہ دیش سے مشاہد الاسلام کی ’آماربندھو راشد‘ شرکت کے لئے بھیجی گئی ہے۔
جدہ میں مقیم پاکستانی قونصل جنرل پاکستان، آفتاب کھوکھرکا کہنا ہے ’اس فیسٹیول کا مقصد اپنے اپنے ملکوں کی ثقافت اور تہذیب کو ممبر ممالک کے سامنے پیش کرنا ہے، تاکہ یہ ممالک ایک دوسرے کے مزید قریب آسکیں۔‘
رام چندر پاکستانی میں بھارتی اداکارہ نندیتا داس، پاکستان کے راشد فاروقی، سید فضل حسین، نوید جبار اور فضل حسین نے مرکزی کردار ادا کئے ہیں
An upcoming Pakistani film ‘Azaadi’ starring Moammar Rana and Sonya Hussayn is making headlines across the border. Azaadi highlights the story of a man who sacrifices it all for the freedom of Kashmir and how his vision is carried forward by young people he inspires, the film will show the struggle of Kashmiris.
Hence, it did not go well with the neighbouring country. Indian media is not happy with the film because it highlights the issue of Kashmir and also because the actors working in the film have also worked in India before and according to them, are now featuring in an anti-India movie.
The news is highly exaggerated, as the reporters said:
“Azaadi is an unholy design to malign Kashmir and paint a picture that is far from facts!”
“Two of the lead actors have done several films in Bollywood. The lead actress is hoping to do a role in Bollywood, while they all are being part of the propaganda machinery in Pakistan to romanticize this cause”
Meanwhile, in an earlier interview with Dawn, the director Imran Malik revealed about the film:
“The film has elements of patriotism, a very powerful love story, some action scenes – a film has never been attempted on such a big canvas in Pakistan before”
Here’s the teaser of Azaadi:
Starring Nadeem Baig, Moammar Rana and Sonya Hussayn, Azaadi will mark the directorial debut of Imran Malik, the son of veteran film producer/director Pervez Malik. Imran has also written the story while his brother Irfan Malik has produced the film. Azaadi is expected to release this year.
Shaded lenses and an expensive eye makeup can make anyone look good by making their eyes the most beautiful feature. It has been said that eyes sometimes reveal more than the words or expressions can and when it comes to the entertainment industry, acting needs much of this beauty. Here are a few of actresses that possess beautiful eyes which are loved and adored by their followers.
Note: The list is based on my personal judgment; there is no intention of ranking any celebrity on the basis of their features!
So that was my list of most beautiful eyes that we see on screen, Share your views and add any if you have some examples in your mind.
Pakistani female celebrities just like many celebrities the world over, turn to tobacco and alcohol when they are out enjoying with their friends. Pakistani female celebrities however face much more criticism for doing so then the celebrities do in some other countries. The Pakistani people do not think that women should smoke. Drinking is seen as bad whether it is done by male or female celebrities. These Pakistani female celebrities have never talked about their smoking and also have never smoked openly in public but many of them were seem smoking and even drinking in the pictures which were exposed by people they were partying with. Many years back the female celebrities did not reply to such comments and criticism but now they reply to the critics.
Mahira Khan
Mahira Khan’s leaked pictures were controversial not only because she was smoking but also because she was doing it in the middle of the night with Ranbir Kapoor. In one of the leaked videos from her talk show TUC The Lighter Side Of Life, Mahira Khan was saying that she badly needed a smoke. Mahira Khan may not talk about her smoking openly but it is known fact that she smokes regularly
Saba Qamar
Saba Qamar answered the haters with this picture and asked why was it not okay for women to smoke. Saba Qamar also smokes and she does not feel the need to hide this.
Sarwat Gillani
A few pictures leaked few years ago showed Sarwat Gillani enjoyed a drink with cigarette which invited a lot of hate.
Urwa Hocane
Urwa Hocane is also known for her modern outlook but she was seen enjoys drinks with friend only once when the pictures from a friend’s wedding across the border went viral. Urwa was enjoying herself while she shared drinks with friends.
Humaima Malick
Humaima Malick is another bold Pakistani female celebrity who does not think she needs to answer anyone who questions those pictures in which she is seen smoking.
Ayesha Khan
Ayesha Khan’s leaked picture in a party in which she was smoking were a shocker for all those people who are used to seeing her in a totally different avatar on television.
Nausheen Shah
Nausheen Shah’s pictures from a private party revealed that she also smokes just like many other Pakistani female celebrities in this list. Nausheen Shah did not reply to those people who criticized these pictures because of her modern dressing and smoking.
Sana Tariq
Sana Tariq is a well-known television anchorperson who was also seen with a cigarette in her hand in a picture which quickly went viral and got all kind of criticism.
Sanam Baloch
Who would have thought that Sanam Baloch also smokes. Her image from dramas and hosting does not suggest that she is someone who would do so but she does.
Meera Sethi
Meera Sethi is an actress, model and a writer. She was seen enjoying a cigarette in one of her videos.
Amna Illyas
Amna Illyas is a popular model and actress. She was seen smoking backstage in one of her shows. She could not keep her smoking habits a secret like many other models.
Ayyan Ali
Ayyan Ali is someone who has been in the middle of many controversies and bold photo shoots with cigar is one of them! Models smoke to stay fit and we are guessing that is why Ayyan smokes too.
Veena Malik
Veena Malik, the queen of controversy does not shy away from showing that she not only smokes but also drinks.
Fans of Pakistani celebrities often wish that their favourite on-screen pairs could be together in real life. Lately, several of these celebs have tied the knot, much to the delight of their fans. Seeing them together makes their fans ecstatic, and they hope that these celebrities remain happy together forever.
We are witnessing a shift in the types of couples that are becoming more common nowadays. Traditionally, people who are of the same age tend to form relationships and get married, but this is no longer the norm. In recent times, many famous personalities are choosing to tie the knot with partners who have a significant age difference, particularly when the woman is older than the man.
Here is a list of female celebrities who married younger men.
Reham Khan
Reham Khan, a Pakistani host and writer, made headlines after her third marriage to Mirza Bilal. Reham Khan is quite open and expressive about her marriage to a younger man. She shared her opinion on the topic saying, “Society has no issues with an elder man marrying a younger lady, but they call out older women for marrying younger spouses”.
Yasra Rizvi
Yasra Rizvi, a brilliant Pakistani television and film actor who has appeared in numerous hit Pakistani dramas including Dunk, Manto, Aangan, and others, tied the knot with Abdul Hadi in 2016. Yasra is older than Abdul Hadi by ten years. Although she doesn’t look older than him in their wedding pictures, she openly speaks about their age difference with her husband. The couple has a lovely son and they respect each other’s personal space.
Bushra Ansari
Bushra Ansari, is a brilliant Pakistani television and film actor, host, and writer. She got married to the brilliant Pakistani director and actor Iqbal Hussain a few years ago. The couple met on the set of Seeta Bhagri. Bushra Ansari was previously married to Iqbal Ansari for thirty-six years. This is her second marriage. Bushra Ansari and Iqbal Hussain are of the view that age doesn’t matter if the two people have the same level of maturity. They think that society needs to get rid of the stigma related to marrying an older woman.
Arifa Siddiqui
Arifa Siddiqui is a brilliant Pakistani singer who has appeared in numerous hit Pakistani dramas. She also got married to Tabeer Ali after the death of her first husband, who was quite older than her. Her husband was in his late seventies when he passed away. Arifa Siddiqui and Tabeer share an amazing bond and are popular YouTube Vloggers.
Hina Rizvi
Hina Rizvi is known for her brilliant acting in famous Pakistani dramas. Her performances in dramas like Tishnagi Dil Ki, Umeed, College Gate Hari Hari Churiyaan, Neeli Zinda Hai, and Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah were loved by the fans. Her latest claim to fame project was Fairy Tale 1 & 2. Hina Rizvi recently got married to a relatively younger man Ammar Ahmed Khan in an intimate and simple wedding event which was attended by her close family members and friends.
Fariha Parvaiz
Fariha Parvaiz and Nauman Javed tied the knot in 2016. They were close colleagues who decided to marry after developing an understanding of each other; however, their marriage didn’t work, and they parted ways within a year of getting married. Fariha Parvaiz and Nauman Javed are both single now. Fariha Parvaiz lives abroad.
Saba Hameed
Saba Hameed got married to Waseem Abbas after her divorce from her husband Parvaiz, with whom she had two kids, Meesha Shaafi and Faris Shaafi. Waseem Abbas was also married and a father when he chose Saba Hamid as a life partner. Saba Hamid is three years older than Waseem Abbas, which is a decent age gap. The two never talked about their marriage openly.
Madiha Rizvi
Madiha Rizvi is a popular Pakistani television actress who recently made headlines after her marriage. Madiha Rizvi has so far appeared in famous Pakistani dramas including Kahin Deep Jaley, Piya Naam Ka Diya and Mere Meherbaan, Aatish, and Parizaad. Madiha Rizvi is the daughter of veteran film and television actress Deeba Begum. In November 2022, Madiha Rizvi finalized divorce with her first husband Hassan Nauman. A few months ago, Madiha tied the knot with Junaid Ali Perwez with whom she shares a decent age gap. Madiha will soon turn 41 and her second husband JP was born in 1986 as per one of his Instagram post.
Trends of fashion have changed drastically in Pakistan in the previous few years. These changes are however greatly influenced by styles and fashion of Hollywood. Ironically Pakistani Fashion Industry (PDI) has multitudes of extraordinarily gifted designers who without any doubt have the abilities to compete and give tough competition to their competitors from all over the world. Yet all major brands in Pakistan and even designers are putting forward apparels and accessories that are highly influenced by western trends. Pakistani culture itself is very unique and highly diverse, without change everything becomes stagnant and consequently fades away but these changes should be according to our own requirements and values.
PDI has adopted many trends from Hollywood e.g. lace gown, nude color, and neon color; both in dresses and accessories, strapless or off shoulder dresses. These colors and trends don’t belong to a particular area or industry obviously but using them very frequently when they become popular in the west is copying. Any style which becomes prevalent in Hollywood becomes a rage in Pakistan after a year or two. Major Pakistani designers, brands and celebs are deliberately promoting this trend of imitation and copying. Kurtis now have been replaced by tops, shalwar and churidar by skinny jeans and frock and kameez by gowns, skirts and jumpsuits.
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We are losing our individuality and cultural heritage. PDI should burrow styles from international arena but instead of adopting those trends and styles they should be adapted in our unique and exclusive fashion. For example High low skirts and dresses that were and still are a rage in Hollywood have been taken by our designers and have been assimilated in frocks and kameez according to our culture. Adapting this style elegantly instead of copying it shows that it can be done with other trends as well.
have been adapted as
It is high time we should start taking pride in our culture and heritage and change it according to our needs and changing fashion trends instead of adopting foreign attire. Faiza Cheema
Hania Aamir has gradually become an intenational star from Pakistan. Starting her career with Janaan, Hania Aamir rose to fame for her beauty, talent and her social media presence. Hania Aamir became a big name in India after her drama Mere Humsafar became a hit there. She has become friends with many Indian celebrities and she is still herself and shares her travels and content on her Instagram.
Hania Aamir is taking some time off and she was in Bali with her friends. She like always had a lot of fun and she kept sharing pictures and videos from her travels with the world. Here are some moments that Hania has been sharing lately:
Hina Khan is an Indian starlet who has a huge following in Pakistan as well. Hina Khan rose to fame with a lead role in a drama Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. The drama went on to become a cult classic in India and many used to watch it in Pakistan as well. Hina Khan then left that show and started working in other projects and films. Hina Khan has a massive following of over 19 million on Instagram and she has always received love and support from her fans.
Hina is a self-made star and she has managed to win the audience every time. She is right now going through a huge trial in life as Hina has been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. The diagnosis is a big shock for her fans and they are worried for their favourite star.
Here is the statement released by Hina Khan:
Fans from Pakistan are also sending best wishes and prayers to Hina Khan for recovery as she is staying strong through this phase:
Hollywood star Nick Jonas gave a special greeting to his Pakistani fans in a promotion video for his upcoming film Jumanji: The Next Level. In the brief video, the singer says, “Salam Pakistan! See Jumanji: The Next Level in theatres this December.”
Nick Jonas, plays the character named Jefferson McDonough, the avatar of a kid from 1996 who became trapped in the game – much like Robin Williams’ character Alan Parrish in the original movie.
The Jumanji franchise is a huge thing and has been lauded by fans since the first part graced the screens. The adventure board game has gone on to become a proper movie franchise. We had the 1995 Jumanji starring the great Robin Williams followed by 2005’s Zathura: A Space Adventure and in 2017 we had Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
The movies kept the fans on the edge and they simply loved them. Another great adventure is about to begin on December 13th as Jumanji: The Next Level is about to hit the theaters and singer/actor Nick Jonas really impressed his fans by the above message. The movie is set to hit theatres this December 13th, starring big names like Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.
The action-adventure tells of four unlikely friends who are sucked into the world of Jumanji. When they discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of, they decide to play and are immediately thrust into the game’s jungle setting, in the bodies of their avatars, played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.
What they discover is that you don’t just play Jumanji – Jumanji plays you. They’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, or they’ll be stuck in Jumanji forever
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4SMB9YFr6a/
Unlike the missus – Nick Jonas has made sure to not leave out Pakistani audience. He is much loved in the country and looks like his recent meeting with Mehwish Hayat must have made him take some interest in the country that is bound to succeed in the coming years.
Here’s the trailer of the newest Jumanji and are you as eager to watch the film as we are?
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Sl9ngFT-M/
Let us know if you’re headed to the theatre to watch the movie with your loved one!
Pakistan’s media industry was never this strong before as it is now a days. Thanks to the private channels who have given a new meaning to the showbiz industry in Pakistan, the local audience has now started loving not only the local content, but the celebrities too. There was a time when the Indian channels were enjoying a great fan following in Pakistan where every house was following either ‘Star Plus’ or SONY TV, however, there was seen a drastic fall in the viewership as the local channels groomed gradually.
Now that the Pakistani audience is following its own celebrities, it is always a treat to share more about the famous ones, sharing the latest happenings of their career and updating the readers about some cute and spicy news about their family lives.
We have been sharing much about the families of some famous artists and here we are again with 17 rare seen photos of your favorite celebrities whom you love to watch on screen and adore them for being not only a dedicated actor, but a devoted family member.
Have a look!
If you have a younger brother and you love him like anything, you would also love this picture of Sanam Jang and her younger brother too. Cute click!
It would not be wrong to call Hadiqa one of the Pakistan’s leading music icon. Hadiqa is proud mom of a son.
Khaled Anam is one of the multitalented icons of the nation who is known for his humor, music and acting. The jack of all trades is happily settled and has two sons out of his marriage.
The man of the industry, the very talented Faisal Qureshi is now happily settled with his wife and has a beautiful daughter out of his current marriage.
Being a politician often makes it difficult to be a dedicated mother. However, Hina Rabbani Khar has always tried to keep a good balance in between work and family life. She is a mother of a cute daughter.
Mahmood Sahab of Bulbulay, Mehmood Aslam and his wife on their wedding’s reception.
Whether they have work or not, Mani and Hira always manage to be in limelight through the cute family photographs which are often seen on their social media fan page. Mani, hira and their son!
Tooba has always forced the viewers to love her for her roles on screen but in real life, she is even sweeter as a mother of a son.
One with money, one with talent, always make a great couple together and a good example of this is Humayun Saeed and Samina Humayun Saeed’s wedlock!
Fast bowler Umer Gul with his daughter
Fahad Mustafa and his daughter
One of my all time favorite celebrities, Nadia Jameel with her two sons
Noor and her husband with their cute daughter on her first birthday
Moammar Rana’s wife and both daughters
Fawad Khan is, for sure , the perfect example of a husband every woman craves for. Fawad with his wife Sadaf.
News Anchor Meher Bukhari with her daughter
It is certainly a great feeling to see our celebrities happily settled. We wish them all a very happy life ahead.
Pakistani celebrities who died in 2018 left a void in the hearts of their fans and followers forever. These Pakistani celebrities who died in 2018 were outstanding individuals who had made a big place in the hearts of many people. Most of them contributed for decades in their respective fields and were considered experts. Some of these legends had been a part of our daily lives because they were the people who were constantly contributing in our lives in some way or the other. All of them were popular, talented and hard working individuals who will forever be remembered. Their place can never be taken by another. Death is a sad reality and no matter how talented or loved someone is they cannot escape death. People mourned the deaths of these amazing individuals and will miss them forever.
Here is the list of those Pakistani celebrities who died in 2018.
Zubaida Tariq
Zubaida Tariq who was knows as Zubaida Aapa was certainly a household name. She was a chef, cooking expert and a health adviser who was known more for giving home remedies for many things relating to daily life. Whether someone had a constant headache or a serious ailment, they would turn to Zubaida Aapa for advice. She lived to the fullest right till the end. She was also known for her style. She had Parkinson’s disease but she did not hinder her life goals. Zubaida Aapa passed away due to heart failure on January 4, 2018. She was 72 years old when she left this world. Her death came as a shock to all those people who were so used to watching her on television almost on daily basis. Zubaida Aapa generously shared everything she had learned in her life with her audience. She was also known for her amazing recipes and the changes she made to traditional dishes. Zubaida Aapa was a self-taught home maker and expert who will live in people’s hearts forever.
Asma Jahangir
Asma Jahangir was a human rights lawyer who also co-founded and chaired the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. She was also a social activist who was known for her bold stance. She never let anyone stand in the way of her struggle. She served her country for many years and in the end she died suddenly due to cardiac arrest in Lahore on February 11,2018. She was 66 years old and she dedicated most of her life furthering the principles she believed in. Asma Jahangir’s sudden death came as a complete shock to everyone. Some very emotional scenes were seen when her body was carried from the hospital.
Qazi Wajid
Qazi Wajid was a legendary actor who started his career from radio, he was considered one of the pioneers. Later on, he joined television in 1966 and in 1988, he was awarded Pride of Performance Award by the government of Pakistan. He was part of some of the most popular dramas which aired in the golden era of PTV. Qazi Wajid passed away on February 11,2018 after he was admitted to hospital with the complaint of heart palpitations. He was 87 years old at the time of his demise and his loss was mourned by one and all. His colleagues termed his death an irreplaceable loss and the end of an era. He continued to work in dramas right till the end and had a massive fan following. He was also known for his sense of humor and positive approach.
Anam Tanoli
Anam Tanoli is the only celebrity in this list who did not die of natural causes, she is also the youngest celebrity in this list. Anam Tanoli committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan on September 1, 2018, in her house in Lahore. Anam Tanoli suffered from severe depression due to the bullying she faced. She was only 26 years old and only a day before she died she made a video in which she urged people to stop bullying. Many celebrities expressed their opinion against cyber and all other forms of bullying after Anam’s tragic death. This was one of the most talked about topics in talk shows and social media after Anam’s death because of constant bullying. Celebrities also talked about depression and how important it was to take mental illness seriously.
Tahir Chaudhry
Chef Tahir Chaudhry was an internationally certified chef who started his career working at an international hotel in Dubai, UAE. Before moving to Pakistan, he also worked in France and Italy. He hosted many cooking shows and was known for sharing recipes for cooking on a budget. Chef Tahir passed away due to cardiac arrest on October 6, 2018. His death was sudden and unexpected because earlier in the day he had done a recording for one of his shows and appeared to be perfectly fine. His death was another great loss since he had so much to give and was an expert in his field.
Fahmida Riaz
Fahmida Riaz was a renowned progressive Urdu poet, writer and she was also a human rights activist. She wrote more than 15 books on fiction and poetry and her death was considered a huge loss because of her major contributions in different fields. Fahmida Riaz was 72 years old when she passed away on 21 November, 2018. Celebrities from all fields of showbiz expressed their grief on her sad demise.
All these wonderful people will be greatly missed. May their souls rest in eternal peace.
In Pakistan, organizing and exhibiting lavish weddings has become a trend, people want to spend more and more money on the the weddings, people do every possible stunt to do show off in weddings. Unfortunately, many do it by putting themselves into a trouble, in order to get accepted in the society. Well, the trend is flourishing as we have been witnessing extravagant weddings very frequently.
In past, we updated you about a wedding in which groom’s family showered money, we also updated you about a lavish destination wedding of a Hindu Pakistani Couple.
Just before Ramadan, anchor Yasir Shami bombed yet another extremely lavish, expensive and an extravagantly show-off wedding in which a lot of expensive gifts along with currency notes were thrown on people, people caught those gifts with merriment. The family gifted 13 I Phones to the relatives, they distributed 300 shoes, Many branded suits & Dollars, Riyal and Rupees. They said that the shoes and dresses only costed around 40 lac rupees, normal mobile phones and Iphones costed a lot lacs of rupees. Here are the pictures of what they gifted in the wedding.
The family said that the extravagant weddings and show-off is their trend and they do it by going out of the way just to express their joy and in order to compete with family. Here is video link.
Public severely criticized the trend of such an extravagant show off which is done to humiliate the poor people. Public said that they could have helped any poor by contributing into his marriage instead of throwing it and making them fight. They said that it is a shameful act and foolish trend which needs to be stopped, they called out Yasir Shami on promoting such kind of stuff, here are comments.
In April 2026, Somali armed pirates hijacked the oil tanker MT Honour 25, carrying around 10–11 Pakistani nationals. The abducted Pakistanis and their families appealed to the Pakistani government to save their lives, while the Somali pirates demanded a hefty amount. Unfortunately, the Pakistani government did not do anything for the families, and three of the 10 Pakistanis have reportedly been killed.
Now, the families of the deceased are asking for their bodies. Family members are making appeals to Shehbaz Sharif and other authorities to at least bring back the dead bodies.
Ansar Burney, head of Ansar Burney Trust International, also expressed grief over the loss of lives among the crew of MT Honour 25, stating that his organization had been warning relevant authorities for months regarding the life-threatening risks faced by the abducted crew and appealing for immediate action. Ansar Burney said that today there is mourning in the homes of the affected families, and the priority now should be the safe return of the injured crew and the prompt delivery of the bodies of the deceased to their families.
The deceased engineer’s son said, “How will we spend our lives without our father? I have sisters. How will we be able to get their dead bodies back?”
One deceased man’s mother said, “All I want to say to the Minister is that you didn’t save our children’s lives. Now, for God’s sake, bring back his body so we can at least see our child’s face. We pleaded and screamed many times, but the government didn’t pay any heed.”
Hijab or veil is a piece of cloth worn by women, mostly Muslim women, to cover their head, chest and sometimes also face. Some women wear a headscarf to cover their head and hair, while others wear a burka or niqab, which also covers up their face. The word hijab describes the act of covering up generally but is often used to describe the headscarves worn by Muslim women. These scarves come in many styles and colors. Wearing hijab in public is required by law in Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Indonesian province of Aceh. Other countries, both in Europe and in the Muslim world, have passed laws banning some or all types of hijab in public or in certain types of locales. Women in different parts of the world have also experienced unofficial pressure to wear or not wear hijab.
It is a woman’s choice whether she opts for wearing a hijab or not. It should be completely her own decision. That is why women all around the world are often seen protesting this deliberate violation of their basic right and rebelling against it by wearing a hijab. Even in a Muslim country like Pakistan, not many celebrities wear hijab, and when they do, it becomes an instant matter of conversation and critique. Some choose it as a lifestyle and some wear it for fun or fashion and sometime it’s the demand of their character that they wear a hijab. Where some celebrities were highly appreciated and adored for wearing hijab, some faced harsh and critical backlash for their hijabi look.
Here we are sharing catchy pictures of few Pakistani Celebrities wearing hijab. Have a look!
Maya Ali
This might be a bit shocking name for this list for some of you but yes, its Maya Ali we are talking about. Maya Ali is a very bold and beautiful Pakistani Actress. She is very famous for her remarkable acting skills in hit drama serials notably Man Mayal, Diyar-e-dil, Dur-e-shehwar, Sanam, Shanakht and Zid. She is also admired for her chickest looks. She has also done a number of Pakistani films, winning the hearts of many. We saw her wearing hijab in the drama serial Shanakht in which she did a splendid job. Here are a few elegant clicks of Maya wearing a hijab.
Sanam Chaudhary
Sanam Chaudhry is a young Pakistani model turned actress who has worked in television as well as on big screen. She was born on 27 August 1991, in Lahore. She is admired widely for her sweet and stunning looks. She has done some commendably good work in various drama serials such as Aasmanon Pe Likha, Bhool, Ab Dekh Khuda Kya Kerta Hai and Meer Abru. She is also in our list of actresses in a hijabi look.
Aiman Khan
Aiman Khan needs no introduction. She is one of the most loved actresses of Pakistan. She also made it to the list of actresses wearing a hijab. After her marriage with the handsome Muneeb Butt, she went for umrah with her husband and we got her pictures wearing a hijab and she looks absolutely elegant in that abaya.
Sanam Baloch
Sanam Baloch, the beautiful lady with dimples. Sanam has the cutest face and a heart-warming smile. She wins every heart with her impeccable acting skills. She garnered fame for her remarkable work in drama serials like Dastaan, Kankar, Dur-e-shehwar, Akbari Asghari and Khaas. She has confined herself to the morning shows now and she also hosts Ramadan transmissions.
Iqra Aziz
Iqra Aziz is a profound Pakistani actress who has appeared in some most applauded and praised drama serials that left a long-lasting impression including Tabeer, Choti Si Zindagi, Muqaddas, Ranjha Ranjha Kerdi, Khamoshi, Jhooti and the most favorite of many Suno Chanda. In present her drama Raqeeb Se is coming soon on air and we are sure this drama is going to be another hit. Iqra was also seen wearing hijab during the shoot of a drama serial.
Sajal and Saboor Aly
Sajal Aly is a Pakistani actress noted for playing a variety of characters in a range of serials, from contemporary social to romantic dramas. She started her career at a young age. By far her journey includes Mere Qatil Mere Dildar, Aasmanon Pe Likha, Chup Raho, O Rangreza, Aangan, Gul-e-Rana, Yakeen Ka Safar and Yeh Dil Mera. She also appeared in a Bollywood movie Mom in which she acted along with Late Indian Diva, Sri Devi. Saboor Aly is also a Pakistani actress who appears in Urdu films and television series. Her notable work projects are Tum Ho Wajah, Gul-o-gulzar, Naqab Zan and Bhool. Both sisters were seen in Hijab when they went for Umrah along with their family.
Noor Bukhari
Former film actress Noor is basically known for her acting in Pakistani movies. She her career as a film-star and was known as a very good dancer. She has worked in 44 Urdu films and 20 Punjabi films. After leaving the film world, she started working on television and hosted a morning show. Later, she left the industry and currently she is working as a youtuber. She moved towards a religious life and started wearing hijab.
Urooj Nasir
Urooj Nasir is a former Pakistani actress, model and a TV host. She started her career at a very young age. She walked on the runway for many top Pakistani fashion designers and has remained the cover feature of many famous magazines. She amazed her fans by her amazing acting skills in drama serials such as Lunda Bazar, Darar, Najany Kyun and comedy sitcom Family Front. She has a beautiful daughter. Unfortunately, she had a divorce due to some personal issues. Urooj was at the peak of her career when she made the life changing decision and left the showbiz industry. She is now running a hijab store named Hijabeaze. In her store, different varieties of abayas and hijabs are available. She has introduced her brand in many fashion festivals. She looks very elegant in her hijab look.
We hope that you like this article. Is there any favorite of yours in this list? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Pakistani dramas are loved globally now. Within the last decade, our dramas have increased their international audience. The down-to-earth storytelling, sweet romantic tracks, and melodrama attract the audience towards them. Though scripts became stagnant for a while and we started seeing many formulaic stories to gain ratings, things are changing again as the audience increases. Among all the changes, the change in how romance is portrayed on-screen is a welcome one.
Pakistani dramas are known for their hit on-screen couples. There have been instances when these on-screen couples became off-screen couples too. If we speak about the kind of love stories that generally work on Pakistani television, then we can push them into several categories:
Shahmeer & Shibra From Ishq Murshid
Shahmeer and Shibra, played by Bilal Abbas Khan and Durefishan Saleem, is a type of fantasy romance that we can see on Pakistani television. The boy is rich, while the girl is from a middle-class family. They are at most in their mid-20s, and they fall in love. Love stories of this genre are loved by millions, and it is among the most loved romantic tropes of Pakistani dramas.
Mustafa & Sharjeena From Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum
Mustafa and Sharjeena are another beloved couple from Pakistani dramas who gained worldwide recognition. Their romance showcases a different dynamic that resonates with audiences. In this story, we have a poor young man and a beautiful middle-class woman, and we witness their gradual journey to falling in love. Both characters are in their mid to late 20s. Fahad Mustafa designed his character in a way that made him appear at least a decade younger than his actual age.
Nosherwan Ghaznavi & Dua From Jaan Nisar
In Pakistani dramas, another common type of romance features a man in his early 30s from an elite background who falls in love with a girl from a poor financial situation. Typically, the girl is a college student. This storyline consistently attracts high viewership on television. Although this trope has been used extensively, it continues to resonate with audiences.
Romance is often at the center of television storytelling. However, many dramas present a limited view of love. They suggest that love belongs only to the young. Once a person crosses the age of 35, love is no longer part of the narrative. This applies to both men and women. In most stories, love ends with a wedding. The focus is on celebrations—flowers, music, and bright lights. The emotion itself is not explored beyond that point. Real-life complexities and mature relationships are rarely shown. Some dramas, such as Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, make an effort to go deeper. But overall, love is treated more as a destination than a journey.
Fortunately, trends are changing, and we are finally seeing couples who are older. Some find love later in life, while others have kept their romance fresh and strengthened it after years of companionship. These heartwarming stories about everyday people resonate with many and are gaining attention. Here are a few examples of how romance is evolving on television, and this change is certainly welcome:
Iqbal & Zulfi In Yunhi
Yunhi was an underrated drama that conveyed many important messages and depicted real issues faced by families. The portrayal of Tazeen Hussain as Iqbal, who yearns for love for years and finally finds happiness in her 40s, was commendable. It was refreshing to see that life does not end at 35. The show emphasized that individuals in their 40s are just as deserving of love and companionship, and they have the right to marry. While there was a young couple, Maya Ali and Bilal Ashraf, featured in the show, audiences also appreciated the mature love story. It received positive feedback and acceptance, marking a welcome change from the typical narrative of 19-year-olds eager to get married.
Asim & Bisma From Qarz e Jaan
A recent mature love story we saw on our screens was Qarz e Jaan, featuring Bisma and Asim. This series showcased the talents of Tazeen Hussain, paired with romance king Faisal Rehman. The plot revolves around a woman with a daughter of marriageable age who decides to remarry. On her wedding day, she dresses as a beautiful bride, with her daughter standing behind her, hoping to find happiness once again. It was refreshing to see how the love story of the older couple, in their 40s and 50s, was received more positively than that of the younger cast.
Mehnaz and Ahsan From Tan Man Neelo Neel
Tan Man Neelo Neel was a drama that touched upon so many sensitive topics and it shook the audience with a strong finale. But one more track in the show that won everyone was how it focused on the relationship of an older couple. Mehnaz and Ahsan played by Nadia Afgan and Noman Masood had their own life, they had angst, they had romance and they still loved each other. Being older in age did not stop their hearts. People loved watching a woman still in love with her husband despite being mom to a grown up daughter and they loved how Ahsan had other character traits and he was not just a father asking for tea. A complex track which showcased love of an older married couple and it was not only appreciated but once again ACCEPTED by the audience.
Roshi’s Grandparents In Meem Se Mohabbat
Arshad Mehmood and Beo Zafar played the grandparents of Dananeer Mobeen in Meem Se Mohabbat. They were not just showpieces or cry babies in the show. They had mutual respect and they loved each other. They discussed life and had opinions. An older couple still looking bomb and having real personalities was refreshing for the audience.
Sameer’s Parents In Parwarish
Parwarish is a television drama that primarily explores the experiences of Generation Z. One prominent character, Sameer, is supported by his parents, portrayed by Saman Ansari and Saad Zameer. This couple is responsible for raising two teenagers while managing the common challenges associated with a joint family structure. Despite these difficulties, they prioritize their relationship, demonstrating a commitment to each other. The development of their characters is robust, engaging the audience and fostering a connection to their narrative. The series effectively depicts the distinct challenges encountered by both husbands and wives, contributing to its relatability and resonance with viewers.
Ibrahim And Aliyah From Mann Jogi
Ibrahim and Aliyah portray an unconventional romance in Pakistani dramas. The creators opted to cast Bilal Abbas Khan in a softer role that strays from the typical heroic character. Unlike traditional leads, he is uneducated and marries a divorcee who is likely older than him. In contrast, the female lead is fierce, highly educated, and excels in many ways compared to the male lead. Despite their differences, the romance unfolds through a compelling script that fans genuinely appreciate.
Haji Mushtaq & Barbeena In Kabli Pulao
Haji Mushtaq and Barbeena, played by Mohammad Ehteshamuddin and Sabeena Farooq, took the fans and the industry by storm. No one expected such a show to resonate so deeply with the audience. The hero was considerably older, while the heroine appeared without any makeup, sporting simple attire instead of glamorous outfits. Despite not speaking each other’s language, their romance was remarkably engaging. This unconventional pairing succeeded and encouraged other drama creators to take risks in their storytelling. The couple transformed how audiences perceive romance in Pakistani dramas, and a straightforward narrative ultimately sparked a subtle shift in the thinking of producers.
The growing acceptance of mature, well-developed romances marks a positive shift. Audiences are moving beyond the chaos of love at first sight. Viewers have shown their maturity. It is now up to creators to respond and deliver more thoughtful, sophisticated love stories on screen.
Pakistani dramas are loved not only in Pakistan but also worldwide. In the year 2024, many top-rated Pakistani shows also received a lot of love internationally. Viewership records were broken, and some mega comebacks happened on television. Good performances are a big part of why dramas become hits, and often, good performances are what save mediocre stories with poorly written conclusions.
The list of worst performances in 2024 Pakistani dramas is a parade of actors who seemed to forget why they were hired in the first place. From disastrous wardrobe choices to acting that made us cringe, these stars truly gave us the “what NOT to do” handbook for television. It’s baffling, considering some of them have delivered stellar performances in the past. Perhaps they assumed their star power alone would do the heavy lifting, or maybe they simply skimmed their scripts during coffee breaks. Whatever the reason, these performances in 2024 Pakistani dramas were proof that when characters are treated like afterthoughts, the audience ends up with a comedy of errors — and not the intentional kind!
Here are the worst performances of Pakistani dramas in 2024:
Sonya Hussyn In Akhara
Akhara was an innovative Pakistani drama that carved a niche as a sports thriller. The cast made impressive efforts to achieve remarkable fitness levels, which significantly contributed to the show’s appeal and drew audiences in with its engaging storyline. The unique aspects of Akhara included the actors’ physical transformations, the incorporation of Punjabi accents, and the varied locations that enriched the viewing experience.
However, despite these strengths, Sonya Hussyn, who played the leading role, was often perceived as a weak link. Many viewers felt that she struggled to integrate into the fabric of the narrative, and her character’s styling did not complement the story’s overall tone or intensity. She did not fit into the role of the modern rich college-going girl at all. Sonya Hussyn completely missed the mark when it came to adding the elegance her character so desperately needed—a basic requirement she somehow overlooked. To make matters worse, the ever-so-dapper Shehzad Nawaz, playing her father, unintentionally highlighted just how out of place she looked. His refined demeanor only made her portrayal seem even more clumsy, like a high school theater performance sharing the stage with a seasoned actor. It was as if the class her character needed got lost somewhere between the script and the wardrobe department!
While Sonya is undeniably a talented actress known for her versatility, her performance in Akhara fell short of the expectations set by her previous work. This created a disconnect between her and the audience, ultimately affecting the story’s effectiveness. This was one of the most disappointing performance in 2024 Pakistani dramas.
Neelam Muneer In Khumar
Neelam Muneer’s character in Khumar, another popular Pakistani drama this year, was simple and positive. Neelam Muneer’s performance in this drama left viewers wondering if she accidentally stumbled onto the wrong set. Her overly expressive eyes seemed more suited for a horror movie than a romantic or emotional scene. Every glance was dialed up to 11, making simple moments feel like she was reacting to a ghost lurking behind the curtains. Subtlety was clearly not on the menu here, as her exaggerated expressions turned even routine dialogue into an unintended parody.
Right from the start, Neelam Muneer’s overly glamorous appearance seemed entirely out of sync with the character she was supposed to portray. It felt like the stylist and the scriptwriter had a serious communication gap, leaving viewers to wonder if her character was heading to a wedding event rather than dealing with the everyday struggles the story demanded. The mismatch was so glaring that it almost seemed like her character’s biggest challenge wasn’t the plot but deciding which highlighter to use!
Arsalan Naseer In Radd
Radd was another Pakistani drama that achieved good ratings. Sheheryar Munawar and Hiba Bukhari both performed well in their respective roles. However, Arsalan Naseer’s performance was a big miss! Arsalan Naseer’s performance in Radd felt like a never-ending inside joke—except no one else was in on it. Mediocrity has always been his comfort zone, so his lackluster acting did not shock anyone. What did leave us scratching our heads, though, was how he keeps scoring these big-ticket dramas alongside A-listers. Is there a secret casting lottery we don’t know about? In Radd, his performance spiraled from just “meh” to outright absurd, as if he was actively competing with himself for the “Most Confusing Actor” award. By the end, we found ourselves wishing he had stuck to his YouTube career.
Amar Khan In Dil e Nadan
Dil e Nadan was a 2024 Pakistani drama that lacked purpose and direction. The storyline was fragile and unconvincing, making it difficult for viewers to stay engaged. The casting decisions also appeared misguided, leading to a sense that the actors may have taken on their roles primarily for financial reasons rather than a genuine passion for the project!
Amar Khan, known for her past performances in shows like Belapur Ki Dayan, significantly missed the mark in this drama. Instead of enhancing her character, her dramatic antics and overly theatrical expressions only muddled what should have been a more subtle performance. She was unable to translate Nayyab’s innocence on-screen and was constantly criticized for it. Her attempt to play a young and naive girl was as believable as a kid wearing a fake mustache to look older—nobody bought it. The innocence her character required was replaced with an exhausting level of overacting that made every scene feel twice as long. Amar Khan was a total miscast, and it showed. To make up for it, she pushed so hard to be convincing that it turned into a full-blown disaster—a messy performance that only highlighted how out of place she really was.
Azekah Daniel In Mein
Mein is another Pakistani drama that received a lot of attention. Ayeza Khan and Shahzad Nawaz were the most loved actors on the show. Wahaj Ali and Azekah Daniel on the other hand failed to impress. Azekah’s character Ayra was supposed to be a positive one for the most part. However, right from the beginning Azekah’s performance made it difficult to like and connect to this character. Azekah Daniel’s monotonous dialogue delivery and blank expressions left a lot to be desired. She struggled to deliver even the most basic dialogues and her acting looked a lot like acting! It was disappointing watching such a decline in Azekah’s performance this year.
Adnan Jaffar In Ishq Murshid
Ishq Murshid was one of the most popular Pakistani dramas this year. It started as an engaging drama with a compelling premise, capturing the audience’s attention from the beginning. However, after the leading couple’s wedding, the plot started going off-track and ultimately lost its focus. The storyline became increasingly drawn out, leaving viewers feeling that it had strayed off course without a meaningful direction. Despite this decline in narrative quality, the performances from the cast remained impressive throughout the series. Each actor brought their character to life with skill and dedication, which was a highlight even as the plot faltered.
One character that left a particularly negative impression was Adnan Jaffar’s portrayal of a corrupt politician. His performance deviated from authenticity, resembling more of a caricature than a believable character. The addition of a fake mustache made things worse, making his performance feel exaggerated and, at times, difficult to watch. Overall, while the drama had its strengths, it ultimately suffered from a lack of coherent storytelling in the latter stages. We expect better from an actor who has worked in so many highly rated Pakistani dramas.
Yashmeera Jan In Ghair
Yashmeera Jan, daughter of the iconic Shabbir Jan and Fareeda Shabbir, is currently playing the character Shifa in the drama Ghair. While her character is meant to be the villain, her performance takes it to a whole new level of “Wait, what?” Her expressions are so out of sync with the scenes that it feels like she’s in a different drama altogether—maybe even a different genre. While everyone else is breezing through summer in casual lawn outfits, Yashmeera’s wardrobe seems to have time-traveled from a winter collection—always decked out in heavy eastern formal suits, as if she’s preparing for a wedding in the middle of a heatwave. To top it off, her hair and makeup seem as confused as her character, offering little to no help in making her role any more believable. She definitely deserves a spot on this list of worst performances in Pakistani dramas this year.
Ushna Shah In Ghair
Ushna Shah, widely regarded for her exceptional performances in Pakistani dramas such as Balaa and Alif Allah Aur Insaan, falls surprisingly short in her portrayal of Wafa in Ghair. Her performance lacks the emotional depth and conviction expected from an actress of her caliber. Weak expressions and a noticeable disconnect from the character’s struggles make it difficult for viewers to empathize with Wafa. Additionally, her perfectly styled hair and immaculate makeup feel entirely out of place, diminishing the believability of the role. The lack of effort in embodying the character is evident, leaving Wafa feeling one-dimensional and unconvincing. For an actress known for delivering complex and nuanced performances, this is a significant letdown. Wafa deserved complexity but we got a character stuck in autopilot mode!
Maya Ali In Sunn Mere Dil
Sunn Mere Dil is a Pakistani drama that became a huge disappointment for all the fans though it was highly anticipated. It does not make any sense and fans are hating different things about it. Maya Ali’s performance is one such thing. Maya is an actress who has given shows like Diyar e Dil, Jo Bichay Gaye, Yunhi, and even Mann Mayal but her acting is not up to the mark in Sunn Mere Dil. Her expressions and dialogue delivery come across as forced in every scene and she has not been able to win anyone as Sadaf.
Sarah Khan In Namak Haram
2024 Pakistani drama Namak Haram was like an unfinished script that was forced to run on TV due to time constraints. It was highly repetitive and the actors were not able to save it either. Sarah Khan’s performance was not great in it. She looked like a robot who just kept moving between two rooms and had nothing else to do. Not a great choice or performance by the actress.
Sherbano Rehmani In Bismil
Bismil is one of the biggest hits of the season. It is one of the most-watched Pakistani dramas right now. All the main characters and the supporting characters have made Bismil such a big hit. Sherbano Rehmani is a newcomer who played Momal in the show but her performance was not is strong as her co-actors. She is a newcomer and this is her debut project so she will improve with time but in Bismil she was the weakest link.
This list goes to show that even the best actors sometimes do not perform well. Pakistani drama producers and directors definitely need to do a little more homework when it comes to casting and directing. Which other actors do you think did not give decent performances in Pakistani Dramas of 2024? Share in the comments!
Local channels have opened new doors of entertainment for the viewers who have had been limited to the national channels if you look 15 years back. These days when we get tired of changing channels but the list doesn’t comes to an end, It must be admitted that Pakistani Media has also been flourished in the last decade. Having more opportunities to show their talents, artists find themselves in a safer position, having a good list of options to choose as their next project. However, as a viewer, if you sit and analyze about where our drama industry is heading towards, you will notice that almost every next project is a replica of a previous hit.
By saying so, I do not mean in any way that the industry is not producing or rather introducing new storylines, in fact, a variety of dramas that have just launched or are about to, are capable of attracting huge audience on the basis of their uniqueness.
Most of the Pakistani dramas revolve around marriages. There is nothing wrong with that as long as the subject is used either to entertain or to educate. There are also so many women who get married to men much older than them. In Pakistan even a 10 year age difference between husband and wife is considered acceptable. The reason for this is that men are more settled and mature at that age. Therefore, there is absolutely nothing wrong with girls getting married to men who are older than them.
The problem is that in Pakistani dramas the reasons and the circumstances that lead to such marriages are most of the times wrong. First of all such marriages are most often forced marriages, a woman’s consent is not given consideration. Now in dramas such as Mujhay Jeenay Du and Rehaii, this issue was raised to show the affect of child marriages in dramas. We are not talking about child marriages here, what this article focuses on is teenage girls getting married to older men by forced or out of greed.
While most certainly such marriages do take place in Pakistan but some of these dramas showed these marriages like there was nothing wrong with an older man kidnapping a girl and getting married to her or bribing her family to get married to her. These stories were shown as love stories or stories which were meant for entertainment purposes only! Some of the actors on the list have been part of such dramas more than once which is rather sad.
Here is a list of Pakistani dramas with older husbands and really young wives.
Mera Dil Mera Dushman
Mera Dil Mera Dushman is a popular drama that shows how a well-off man Zafar gets married to a teenager Mairah after bribing her brother and sister-in-law. Mairah is in love with Zafar’s nephew and only finds out after the marriage that he is related to Zafar. The whole premise of the story is based on this marriage and how Zafar intimidates this young girl repeatedly so that he can have his own way. Although Mairah protests silently and sobs all the time, the drama however is pure ‘entertainment’! There is no lesson involved and no bigger purpose. The makers have shown everything like it is a complicated love triangle!
Muqaddar
Muqaddar stars one such couple in which an older man Saif, who is rich and influential falls in love with a girl who is old enough to be his daughter. Raima interviews Saif and is really impressed by his personality. She is happily engaged and is a working woman. When Saif falls in love with her and she does not accept her proposal, he kidnaps her and gets married to her forcefully. The entire drama is based on forced marriage yet Saif is shown as someone who is certain that one day Raima will fall in love with her. This is definitely an odd couple. Just like many other such dramas, Saif’s younger nephew who also happens to be Raima’s class fellow is in love with her too!
Ishq Mein Teray
Ishq Mein Teray is a relatively older drama in which the leading man got married to his daughter’s friend. Sheheryar Hamdani, played by the very graceful Shahzad Nawaz falls in love with Aiza, played by Mehwish Hayat. Aiza is his daughter’s friend. This was another marriage which took place because the needy girl wanted money to pay off her brother’s gambling debts. As a result of that, she ends up getting married to a man who is old enough to be her father. As is the case with all such dramas, Aiza is actually in love with Saad, played by Azfar Ali who happened to be Sheheryar’s relative! Although the age difference and the overall context of the drama were more or less the same as all the other dramas in this list, it was executed in a much more decent manner.
Beqasoor
Beqasoor was another drama serial that showed how a really young girl Sehar, played by Aiman Khan gets married to Shehryar, played by Sajid Hasan. Sehar is a materialistic girl who marries the rich man for money. Shehryar has no morals and principles, he is a corrupt man who takes up the opportunity and does not even take the marriage seriously. Out of all the older husbands and young wives tracks, this one had the most disgusting romantic scenes. Although Sajid Hasan and Aiman Khan performed so well but watching them as a couple was not pleasing to the eyes especially because of the way their scenes were shot.
Bunty I Love You
Bunty I Love You was one of the most unusual stories out of all the dramas in this list. Dania, played by Saba Qamar, gets married to an extremely rich businessman Patel, played by Abid Ali, when she is only 17 years old. There is a huge age difference between the couple. Patel buys off the love of Dania’s life so that he can have her in his life. Dania also comes from a lower-middle-class household and hence is forced into this marriage. While she is married to Patel for 12 years, she stays loyal to him but once he dies things change! This was another one of the dramas which showed how a rich man managed to marry a girl even younger than his own children because of his status and wealth.
Waada
Waada was another drama starring Faysal Qureshi in which his character Shahab enters into a nikkah with a girl much younger than him because he is literally blackmailed into doing so. Janaa, played by Saboor Aly is Shahab’s housemaid and she does whatever it takes to ‘trap’ a married man. Shahab’s innocence and naive nature for the most part were highly unconvincing. This was another one of those marriages which had a great age difference and involved the most strange circumstances.
Aap Ki Kaneez
Aap Ki Kaneez was yet another drama which revolved around a marriage that had both class difference and a huge age difference. Shah Mir Afandi, played by Aly Khan, is a rich business tycoon who married Kaneez, Yumna Zaidi, a simple girl from a backward village after he unknowingly becomes the reason for all of Kaneez’s troubles. Just like all the other older husbands in this list, this one too was really rich, the only big difference was that Kaneez was not interested in the wealth and the marriage happened purely by chance. The circumstances were much more logical but later on, it was Kaneez who had to struggle to win her older husband over since he was still in love with his deceased wife.
Beqasoor
Beqasoor had another couple with the most humongous age difference we have seen in dramas. The circumstances under which this marriage took place were equally ridiculous. Ameen, Salahuddin Tunio, has a sick wife but even in this old age he really wants to be a father. He eventually gets married to Hira, Saboor Aly, after bribing her step-father. Since Hira is shown as the kind of daughter who would do anything to please her step-father, she gets married to him. It was really difficult accepting these two as a couple!
Nanhi
Nanhi was a powerful drama but its ending left many people dumbfounded. Nani, played by Sajal Aly, was shown as a troubled girl who is raped and abused all through her life. She dreams of having her own child someday so that she can give him the love she never got. Allaudino, played by Javed Sheikh, is a teacher and a neighbor who throughout stood by Nanhi and was the only one who sheltered her and gave her the right advice. Allaudino and his wife really want to have a child but his wife cannot conceive for medical reasons. In the end, Nanhi and Allaudino get married and have a child with the blessings of Allaudino’s wife! This was the kind of married couple that haunts us till date, not the kind of happy ending most people thought this drama would have!
Zara Yaad Kar
This was one of the most shocking husbands and wive duo in Pakistani dramas! There was just not age difference but also clearly many other differences among this couple. Mahnoor, Sana Javed, was shown as a selfish girl who leaves her husband Haadi, Zahid Ahmed, for someone else. Eventually, she realizes she wants him back but Haadi takes his revenge by telling her to enter into nikkah with their servant Murad for halala. After the nikkah takes place, Mahnoor finds out that this marriage was meant to last because Murad did not want to divorce her!
Have you watched these dramas? What do you think? Share your views.
Pakistani drama industry is blessed with the best. There are so many actors in the industry who have always impressed the viewers with their mind-blowing performances. There are no acting institutions in Pakistan therefore most of these actors have learned through their work experience in the industry. Just like in any other field, these actors have polished their acting skills more based on the feedback they got from viewers and critics. Apart from that many of these young actors have also learned from their senior co-stars as well. A skilled director also plays a major role in mentoring the actors.
The choice of dramas an actor decides to be a part of is also extremely crucial. There are so many actors who have been associated with the industry for the longest times yet they did not get the kind of recognition they deserved until they were part of a drama that brought out the best in them. A well-written script and team can surely bring out the best in an actor. No matter how much money a production house spends on marketing and visuals, at the end of the day content is the king. Even the best actors in the industry came under severe criticism when they were part of mediocre dramas. The most brilliant actors have given the most disappointing performances because the dramas they chose to be a part of the lacked substance.
There are some dramas, very few of them, which give actors a new identity, a recognition like no other. Through these characters, we get to see a side of these actors which we have never witnessed before. Some of these performances prove that an actor can always surprise his viewers even after decades of being part of innumerable dramas. That is the power of quality content!
Here is a list of actors who got more popularity than ever because of certain dramas. It would also be right to say that these were some of their performances which will never be forgotten.
Ayeza Khan
Ayeza Khan has worked in many dramas over the years yet there is one drama which gave her more recognition than any other. Pyare Afzal was definitely the drama that gave Ayeza Khan a new identity. It was a super hit drama serial that brought out the best in her. Since then she has been part of many dramas that completely won the viewers over. Pyare Afzal was the first tragic love story of its kind and Ayeza’s role in it was simply unforgettable.
Ayeza Khan herself considers it the best experience of her life. Even though she also played the leading role in the mega-hit drama serial Mere Pass Tum Ho yet if given a choice, Ayeza Khan would prefer to work with Pyare Afzal’s dream team again. Nadeem Baig is an iconic actor who has brought out the best in many actors, Ayeza it seems is one of those actors too. Ayeza also mentioned herself in an interview that Pyare Afzal was the drama which gave her a new recognition.
Adnan Siddiqui
Adnan Siddiqui has been around for decades, one would think that at this point of his career he just couldn’t get any more popular. Well, he proved everyone wrong when he played a negative character in the most convincing manner in Mere Pass Tum Ho. In many interviews, Adnan admitted that Mere Pass Tum Ho gave him the kind of fame which he had never experienced in his vast career.
He was also truly thankful to be given the opportunity to play Shehwar’s role since it opened new horizons for him. He was actually quite surprised by the kind of response he got after he played this character. He was expecting nothing but hate after doing the role but on the contrary, many women were of the opinion that he was extremely charming in the role.
Ahad Raza Mir
Ahad Raza Mir is a new actor when we compare him to the rest of the actors on this list. He doesn’t have the same experience in the industry as these actors yet his star power is unmatchable. He has superb acting skills and after Yakeen Ka Safar, he has not chosen a single mediocre drama to work in. Yakeen Ka Safar gave Ahad such unprecedented success that his graph changed altogether. Many people still see him as Dr. Asfandyar, that is the kind of impact his character had on the viewers. Ahad had already worked in drama serial Sammi before Yakeen Ka Safar but he did not get the kind of recognition from that drama which he did from Yakeen Ka Safar.
In an interview, he himself admitted that even when he signed Parwaz Hei Junoon, he wasn’t enjoying the kind of fame which came only after Yakeen Ka Safar went on air. This was definitely the drama that gave him popularity and recognition like no other. People who watched this drama were already looking forward to his next drama because he proved himself as a brilliant actor.
Ahsan Khan
Ahsan Khan has worked in dramas and films, he has been associated with the acting industry for decades. The role Ahsan played in Udaari got him unimaginable recognition. He played the role of a child molester and he did so with a specific purpose of spreading awareness. He had never imagined that his role as Pa Imtiaz will get so much recognition that it would literally overshadow every single character he had ever played in his vast career.
This was not the first time that Ahsan had played a negative character but it was the first time that he had played a villainous character of the sort. Even those people who do not watch Pakistani dramas on a regular basis were well-acquainted with the character he played and applauded his acting. When he was initially offered the serial, it was nothing short of a shock for him since until then he had always played the ‘hero’ roles. As it turned out, this experience changed the way he perceived his role in the media industry.
Bilal Abbas Khan
Bilal Abbas Khan is blessed with good looks and he has also been part of many popular dramas. The one character which made him a household name is that of Abdullah which he plays in drama serial Pyar Ke Sadqay. When Cheekh aired, many people criticized Bilal’s dialogue delivery which was barely audible. His expressions and body language never disappointed in any of the dramas but his dialogues delivery at times was not the best.
His role in Pyar Ke Sadqay has won everyone over. It is a challenging role yet Bilal Abbad has done complete justice to it. Even those viewers who were criticizing him for his performance in Cheekh find themselves raving about his amazing performance in Pyar Ke Sadqay. This was actually a project he wasn’t too sure about yet it resulted in increasing his fan following and made him more popular than ever before. It just goes to prove that sometimes the most unusual characters make the actors stand out like never before.
Fawad Khan
Fawad Khan super hit drama Hamsafar made him a household name and a national crush! The actor and singer who has been around for so many years was suddenly noticed like never before when he played the leading role in Hamsafar. Although the character he played didn’t offer a great deal, it definitely turned out to be a huge deal for Fawad Khan. Since Hamsafar was mainly a hit because of Fawad and Mahira’s on-screen couple, they became a sensation like no other.
Hamsafar’s popularity did not just give Fawad Khan popularity within Pakistan but it was also the main reason for his success in India. Hamsafar was a bigger hit in India than it was in Pakistan therefore this was the drama that carved the path for Fawad to work in Bollywood.
Hamza Ali Abbasi
Hamza Ali Abbasi is the most sought-after actor at the moment. The drama which opened new doors for him and gave him unprecedented recognition was Pyare Afzal. Pyare Afzal was a massive hit, Hamza played the role of a gangster who was madly in love. His character had people rooting for him even though it wasn’t flawless. The way Afzal’s journey ended made for one of the most unforgettable endings in television dramas.
After Hamsafar, Pyare Afzal was the only drama that had a massive viewership. After this drama ended, Hamza’s fans multiplied and they were waiting to watch him in another drama. It definitely took his fan following to the next level.
Hira Mani
Hira Mani is also one of those actresses who got more fame from one drama than she did from any other. Like most of the actors in this list that one drama was the beginning of something great and brand new for her. Do Bol proved to be a game-changer for Hira. Hira’s performance, even the dresses she wore in Do Bol were so popular that she herself was overwhelmed by the response. Her on-screen chemistry with Affan Waheed made their couple an instant hit. That was the reason why they were once again seen in Ghalati which also turned out to be a major hit.
It won’t be wrong to say that Hira Mani’s career took off completely after the success of Do Bol. She also shared this fact in an interview saying that it was a life-changing experience for her. She also discussed the reasons behind Do Bol’s success.
Humayun Saeed
Humayun Saeed has proved that an intelligent actor who knows how to further his career, does not have a shelf-life! Even after all these decades, Humayun Saeed manages to become more popular than ever by choosing the right projects to work in. Humayun made the most impressive comeback on television with drama serial Dillagi, the viewers fell in love with him all over again after watching the play.
Many viewers thought that they had seen the best of Humayun Saeed but that was certainly not the case. Humayun made his viewers cry buckets of tears when he played the role of Danish in Mere Pass Tum Ho. He simply nailed his character and became the most popular actor once again. He definitely gave ‘back with a bang’ a whole new meaning. His popularity increased after this and the love he got from the viewers was unprecedented. This play was really close to Humayun Saeed’s heart for many reasons because he took it up as a challenge and lived it for many years.
Imran Ashraf
Imran Ashraf is considered one of the most versatile actors today but only a few years back he didn’t enjoy the kind of recognition and popularity he enjoys today. Although Dillagi and Alif Allah and Insan proved to be major breakthroughs for the actor, it was his role in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi which made him a household name. The kind of love and respect he got as Bhola was such that only a few actors get this sort of admiration.
Imran Ashraf’s portrayal in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi made him a star almost overnight. Bhola’s clips went viral on social media, even those people who were not watching the play were fully acquainted with the character and as a result, were in awe of Imran’s brilliant acting skills. Even though Imran Ashraf had been in the industry for an entire decade yet Ranjha Ranjha Kardi was his first drama in which he played a leading role. The response he got from the critics and viewers was like a dream come true for him.
Iqra Aziz
Iqra Aziz has done different kinds of roles in her entire career but none of her dramas got her as much of recognition as Ranjha Ranjha Kardi did. For once Iqra was seen in a role entirely different from the ones she had played before. It won’t be wrong to say that it was her performance in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi that established her as a serious performer.
The fact that Noori’s journey was penned down so interestingly definitely added to the charm. She was the center of attraction and the one who moved the plot forward. It was the kind of grey character which we rarely get to see in Pakistani dramas. Noori’s character started debates on social media and different forums which added to her popularity. Iqra’s entire look for the drama was also appreciated by the viewers a lot.
Noman Ijaz
Noman Ijaz makes every character he plays memorable. In all these years he has played all kinds of characters from the romantic hero to the ruthless politician yet the character he played in Dar Si Jati Hei Sila showed an entirely different side of him. There was never a doubt in anyone’s mind about his outstanding acting skills but his performance in Dar Si Jati Hei Sila proved that he still had so much more to offer.
Out of all the negative characters Noman Ijaz has played in his career, Joi mamu was the most manipulative and conniving one. Noman’s look and mannerisms were also completely different from all his other plays. He basically proved that his versatility was limitless. This character made the characters hate the character he was playing but they were in awe of Noman Ijaz’s superb acting skills.
Sajal Ali
Sajal Ali was always a brilliant performer ever since she starred in her first drama. However, Yakeen Ka Safar turned out to be a turning point in Sajal’s career. The character she played in Yakeen Ka Safar was different from all the other she had played in her career. Dr. Zubia’s entire journey and her track with Dr.Asfandyar captivated the viewers throughout.
It won’t be wrong to say that Sajal and Ahad’s sizzling on-screen chemistry helped both these actors become a force to reckon with. That is the reason why Sajal continued signing projects with Ahad. Even now, there are so many people who talk about Yakeen Ka Safar and Sajal’s performance in it. It was also another drama that was equally popular across the border.
Sana Javed
Sana Javed has also worked in many dramas and over the years she has learned a lot. More than anything else, she has learned how to choose the scripts carefully. This is the reason why Sana Javed has recently played the leading role in some of the best dramas. It won’t be wrong to say that Pyare Afzal was the drama that brought Sana Javed into the limelight like never before. However, it was Khaani which gave Sana Javed more popularity than ever.
In an interview, Sana Javed shared that she was never expecting Khaani to get the kind of popularity which it got. She gave the drama her best and the fact that Khaani’s character was such a strong one gave Sana Javed a new identity. Since then, she has been part of a few other dramas in which she played strong characters.
Sanam Saeed
Sanam Saeed has a vast acting career and not all the choices she has made over the years have been wise. Some of her dramas were complete disappointments but the play Zindagi Gulzar Hei made her more popular as an actress. Most of the viewers in Pakistan and across the border loved her portrayal as Kashaf, a young woman whose journey had the audience captivated for weeks. Alia Bhatt also revealed that she took inspiration from Sanam Saeed’s portrayal in Zindagi Gulzar Hei for her film Kalank.
Mahira Khan
Mahira Khan is another actress who gained more popularity when she starred as a lead in drama serial Hamsafar. Her character in Hamsafar was so popular that so many people knew her as Khirad. The character she played in the drama started an entire debate but there were definitely more people defending Khirad than the ones speaking against her. Hamsafar was the iconic drama that started the journey of Mahira Khan as the ultimate superstar she is today.
If it wasn’t for Hamsafar, it might have taken Mahira longer to get where she is today. Hamsafar was most certainly her lucky charm which led to one quality project after the other. Even today, so many years after Hamsafar ended, people still want to see Mahira and Fawad together in a project. Mahira Khan shared in an interview that before Hamsafar, she had a really difficult time focusing on the characters she was playing, she found it difficult to take directions. Hamsafar happened at a time when she was going through something similar in her private life therefore it was a project close to her heart and one she gave her all. Hamsafar in her own words was the point when she became a serious actress.
Nadia Afgan
Nadia Afgan is another versatile actress who has never been afraid of experimenting with different roles. She started her acting career with a comic role but whenever she was seen playing a serious character, she was equally convincing. Her role in Suno Chanda definitely got her more recognition than ever. Shahana’s character was the highlight of the show. The viewers looked forward to Shahana’s scenes more than any other and there were so many viewers who tuned into Suno Chanda because of Nadia Afgan. If it wasn’t for her perfect portrayal and comic timing, Shahana’s character wouldn’t have come to life on-screen the way it did.
Neelam Muneer
Neelam Muneer started acting when she was really young and since then she has been part of so many quality dramas. It was the drama Dil Mom Ka Diya which made her more popular than ever. Even though the character she played in the drama wasn’t perfect but Neelam’s portrayal was always flawless. She made the viewers hate and later on forgive Ulfat because of her convincing acting. Neelam Muneer’s acting definitely added to the popularity of the drama itself and it gave her more recognition than ever before.
Ushna Shah
Ushna Shah was recognized as a serious actor when she played a meaty role in the drama Alif Allah aur Insan. The drama itself was really popular and Ushna got more popularity than ever when she played the role of Rani in the play. Her character went through major transitions and in each one of these phases, Ushna’s performance was on point. After this drama, the viewers started looking forward to Ushna’s upcoming performances more than ever.
Yumna Zaidi
Yumna Zaidi gives every role she plays her best. She is a natural actor who loves playing challenging roles and she always nails these roles. Although Yumna was always a popular actress, her role and performance in the drama Pyar Ke Sadqay made her more popular than ever. The viewers are in love with Mahjabeen’s innocence and her antics, Yumna has made this role remarkable by nailing every scene and gesture. Even those people who are not watching the drama are fully acquainted with Yumna as Mahjabeen because of the video clips from the drama which went viral on social media.
Share your thoughts, which drama in your opinion made these actors most popular?
Pakistani dramas continue to give the viewers something or the other to get excited about. Whether it is a star cast or a novel script, we always have a reason to look forward to these dramas. Not all Pakistani dramas are worth looking forward to. Some of them have us more excited than others because even their first looks seem promising. Nowadays many actors and directors go out of their way to promote their dramas. These promotions don’t always mean that the final product will be an appealing one. Sometimes, the dramas with a star cast too can be very disappointing. There are however certain actors who choose their projects carefully. That is how we know that any drama starring them is sure to be a success.
These 5 Pakistani dramas seem exciting and here are the reasons why.
Mushq
There are so many reasons why we can’t wait to tune in to Mushq. It will be Imran Ashraf’s comeback on television as a writer. Imran Ashraf is really excited about this project because he hasn’t just written the script but will also be playing the lead in it. Imran Ashraf has proved himself as an outstanding performer time and again. Apart from this, big names like Kubra Khan and Goher Rasheed will also be seen playing leading roles in the drama. The news is that Urwa Hocane too will be making an appearance on television after a long time in Mushq. Mushq is being produced by MD Productions and Ahson Talish will be directing it. Ahson Talish and MD Productions have given the viewers many hit dramas in the recent past. Alif Allah aur Insan, Suno Chanda and Yeh Dil Mera are their recent projects together.
Kubra Khan was all praises for the script when she was asked about her upcoming project. The cast and the team is not revealing much about the project which means they have something grand in store. Ahson Talish too praised Imran Ashraf for his soul stirring character writing. It seems like everyone involved is more excited about the script than anything else. In an interview Imran Ashraf shared that the title of the drama was inspired by Ishq Mushq because the drama was as much about ishq as it was about mushq.
Imran Ashraf’s first drama as a writer Tabeer was also directed by Ahson Talish. Mushq promises to be a love story more than anything else. Imran Ashraf and Urwa Hocane will be the main leads in the drama.
Khuda aur Mohabbat 3
Khuda aur Mohabbat 3 is going to be a sequel of the drama with the same name, 2 different versions of which the viewers have already watched on screen. Both these versions of Khuda aur Mohabbat aired on Geo television. These dramas were based on the novel written by Hashim Nadeem. Recently there was an announcement that Geo was once again coming up with a third season of the drama. Since the first two seasons were such a massive success, we are pretty sure the makers of this serial once again will give the viewers something exciting to watch.
Iqra Aziz and Feroze Khan will be playing the leading roles in Khuda aur Mohabbat 3. Iqra Aziz recently won the viewers over by giving outstanding performances in two different dramas. Her performances in Suno Chanda and Ranjha Ranjha Kardi were loved by the viewers. Feroze Khan’s solid performance in Khaani was also appreciated by the viewers and critics. Both these actors have proved that they can give powerful performances in layered roles. This is the first time that they will seen sharing screen space.
The shooting for season 3 has started. Director Syed Wajahat Hussain who recently directed drama serials Do Bol and Yaariyan will be directing this one. 7th Sky Entertainment is going to be heading this project unlike the last time when Babar Javed produced the series.
Kashf
Junaid Khan and Hira Mani have shared screen space more than once. Their on-screen chemistry made every drama they starred in together a success. Sun Yaara, Thays and Mohabbat Na Kariyo are few such dramas which were a commercial success. They are coming together for another drama titled Kashf. This drama is going to be directed by Danish Nawaz, the same director who also directed Sun Yaara. Kashf will be airing on HUM. Danish Nawaz recently directed Khaas for HUM, which was also liked by the viewers.
Junaid Khan and Hira Mani’s look for the drama serial also suggests that they might be seen in different avatars in Kashf. The team so far hasn’t talked much about the project but we are definitely excited to watch what they have to offer. Junaid Khan is excited to work with Hira Mani and Danish Nawaz once again.
Prem Gali
Prem Gali is another drama which is on our must-watch list for multiple reasons. Drama serial Prem Gali is going to be Aangan’s sequel. Aangan on ARY Digital provided the viewers with the perfect family entertainment. Prem Gali will have some of the old characters and few new ones but the central theme will more or less be the same. This script is really close to Faiza iftikhar’s heart, it has been directed by the same director who was behind Aangan i.e Qasim Ali Mureed. This drama has been produced by Six Sigma Plus. Farhan Saeed and Sohai Ali Abro are the latest addition in this sequel. They will be playing the leading roles in the drama. Apart from this, Anoushey Abbasi will also be seen in the drama.
The cast is really excited about this project. The shooting of the project started few months back and it should be on air soon. The number one reason why we are looking forward to this one is that it is the sequel of a drama which won us over completely.
Jhooti
Jhooti is an upcoming drama serial starring Ahmed Ali Butt, who is known for his wit and comic timing but this time around he will be seen playing a serious role alongside Iqra Aziz, who won the viewers over completely with her performance in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi. Sharing details about his character and the story in general, Ahmed Ali Butt said that he will be playing the role of a shop owner, a man who works hard to make ends meet but is in a troubled marriage because his wife (Iqra Aziz) is a compulsive liar.
Ahmed Ali Butt will hence be the perfect husband who has to cope with a complicated relationship. The play has been written by Ali Moeen, directed by Ramish Rizvi and also stars Asma Abbas, Abid Ali and Yasir Hussein. It would be interesting watching Ahmed Ali Butt in a serious role but we also hope that this won’t be another Balaa since while talking to The News, Ahmed Ali Butt shared, “There are some major shockers in the play and how my character is affected by them.” The most interesting bit is that so far only Ahmed Ali Butt has been talking about this drama and Iqra Aziz has not shared her views at all!
Noman Ijaz and Savera Nadeem’s Yet-To-Be-Titled Drama
Noman Ijaz and Savera Nadeem are phenomenal actors. Every time they have been seen in a drama together, they have left the viewers in awe of their brilliant acting skills. The good news for all the fans out there is that they are doing another drama together. Noman Ijaz shared a BTS picture from this project. Bilal Abbas Khan is also going to be a part of this project. This drama is going to be directed by Anjum Shehzad, the man behind the blockbuster Khaani.
The few pictures from the sets which were shared by Bilal Abbas Khan and Noman Ijaz definitely are intriguing. The background and their get-ups suggest that these might be scenes from inside a prison. The captions with these pictures show the excitement of the actors involved in the project. We can’t wait to find out more details and watch this drama once it airs.
BeZuban
Hania Aamir is one of our favorite actresses who always breathes life into her characters. Feroze Khan and Hania Aamir will be pairing up for drama serial BeZuban. The drama has been directed by Badar Mahmood of Meri Beti and Aisi Hei Tanhai fame. It has been written by Mohsin Ali. Not much has been revealed about this drama but we are looking forward to this fresh pairing. It is good to know that in the upcoming year Feroze Khan will be playing the lead with different actresses and has some interesting projects coming up.
Which one of these dramas are you looking forward to the most and why? Do add more names to the list.
Drama making is an art in itself. It takes a huge team to conceive and execute a story and then make it into a drama. Dramas have been a huge part of people’s lives for decades, because they are the kind of entertainment that engages people and allows them to unwind after a long day of work and busy schedule. This is the reason why evening slots are the most popular and suitable timings for the drama viewers because they get to enjoy watching something entertaining with their families or by themselves as well. All over the world, media has invested a lot in drama making and it has been a business of its own kind. Drama industry is an industry in itself and it also opens domains for the actors the moment they step into this world. There are a lot of countries all around the world who produce dramas such as America, South Korea, Iran, Turkey, Australia, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Philippines, Japan, China and last but not the least Pakistan. Dramas not only serve as an entertainment but they also help in promoting the culture of the countries. This is the reason why dramas have also contributed a lot in the rise of tourism in some countries because of the way the drama makers promoted their country and made people fall in love with their culture.
Pakistani dramas have always been on another level of popularity because of the stories that depict real life events and happenings in a most convincing manner. In recent years, Pakistani dramas have reached all over the world where people from different walks of life, irrespective of their nationalities have found them relatable. However, Pakistani dramas have always been popular in India. Indians have also found Pakistani dramas closer to reality because the demographics of both the countries are more or less the same. Another factor that plays a huge part in making Pakistani dramas popular in India is the language because wide population of India can understand Urdu really well.
India has also been producing dramas for decades now. There was a time when Star Plus was quite popular in Pakistan as well. That was the time when not a lot of Pakistani channels were making dramas plus people were actually addicted to never-ending Indian soap operas. In mid 2000’s all the Balaji Produced K-league dramas like Kasauti Zindagi Ki, Kum Kum, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kahin To Hoga were widely watched all over Pakistan. That was the time when people preferred Indian content over Pakistani dramas, because not a lot of Pakistani dramas were being produced. However, it was during the end of the decade when Pakistani drama industry picked up the pace and started making a lot of dramas which caught people’s attention and the rest is history. Now, it is a done deal that no one in Pakistan would tune to Indian content, because it not only hard to follow but is never-ending, which means a life-long commitment to watching a drama.
It won’t be wrong to say that Pakistani dramas are a class apart in comparison to Indian dramas. This is something that the people across the border also agree with and this is the reason why channel Zee Zindagi garnered so much ratings and TRP’s when they started airing Pakistani dramas. During that time, people could not stop talking about Pakistani dramas, but unfortunately, on the basis of political grounds and cross border tensions, Indian Media banned Pakistani content. Although Indians and Pakistanis have a lot in common but it is a fact that there’s nothing common in Indian and Pakistani dramas. The dramas produced in these countries are very different, where one is a pure work of fiction and the other only focuses on bringing reality to the TV screens.
Let’s draw a comparison and see who wins the battle of Indian Dramas VS Pakistani Dramas:
Duration
The biggest difference between Indian and Pakistani dramas is the duration. Pakistani dramas are based on few episodes whereas Indian dramas, the moment they become popular are stretched for not only weeks or months, they continue to air for years. Pakistani drama industry has also produced some soap operas but they definitely do not come close to Indian dramas when it comes to air time. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi has aired for 8 years starting from July 2000 to November 2006. Similarly all the widely followed dramas of Star Plus have run for 7 – 8 years. They aired because people loved watching these characters, however the story is a whole different subject. Watching Indian dramas is nothing short of a life-long commitment because they demand you to invest your precious time in them for years. Watching an Indian drama from start to finish will mean you will not only lose your eye-sights, you will end up attaining the status of a couch potato in your family. Dramas should be practically durated and should come to an end at the right time so that people get the satisfaction of watching the ending after they have invested their time. We are sure not many people remember the ending of these popular K-league dramas because by the time they ended, those kids who were in school grew into college or university students busy with their assignments, therefore they must not have bothered picking up the details of Tulsi and her 5 generations that followed at the end.
Stories
Hands down, Pakistani dramas win this one. The stories in Pakistani dramas are closer to reality and this is one of the main reasons why they have been popular among the drama-viewers. They depict real life happenings in a more simple and realistic manner that people end up relating to those characters and situations that they come across on their TV screens. Realistic dialogues, simple scenarios, stories that hit home for most of the people, social issue based stories which do justice to the subject that is being address in the drama – all these factors set Pakistani dramas and their stories apart. Indian dramas however, rely solely on saas bahu saga and family politics. Indian dramas take up a woman as a central character, but then put her through every kind of scrutiny only to show that she is capable of fighting whatever comes her way – which mostly is family politics and a negative character that is on her case. It is good that they show women as such supernatural beings, however the situations which they are put through leave you scratching your head.
In famous Indian drama Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, to portray the female lead Akshara as one intelligent woman, they showed her checking the license of the guy who showed up at her door to get the job of a driver and don’t be surprised, they dedicated one whole episode to this scenario. The next episode focused on closeups and zoom ins of all the family members of Akshara who were just smiling ear to ear at her intelligence. The very next episode was dedicated to her husband Naitik praising Akshara for it too. These kinds of situations actually make one wonder about the time that has been wasted while watching that entire episode. In Indian dramas, the stories have perfect imbalance because men are hardly seen doing the heavy lifting. They end up looking like stooges who are ready to be treated as one at the hands of female characters and they actually have no say in household dynamics.
Direction & Camera Work
There is a huge difference between the way Pakistani and Indian dramas are directed. Thinking about Indian dramas, we are pretty sure the dhishoom dhishoom and dhoom tanananananananana soundtracks must be playing in your head. Zoom in zoom out, sorry, the ‘never-ending’ zoom in zoom out with actors eyes popping bigger and bigger with each zoom in have scarred a lot of children in mid 2000’s who have watched Indian dramas. If it would’ve been a competition of making people laugh while showing serious scenarios, Indian drama makers would’ve bagged an award for this one because they have the talent of making their dramas amusing.
Pakistani dramas are well directed and each frame tells a story. Currently on air drama Alif is a classic example of brilliant direction. Imagine comparing the direction of Alif with either of K-league dramas like Kasauti Zindagi Ki or Sasural Simar Ka…we are sure drama viewers are shedding a tear at this incomparable comparison. Pakistani drama viewers also have seen some poorly directed dramas like Mujhe Khuda Pe Yakeen Hai and Aahista Aahista but it still never got as bad as the Indian dramas. For reference, watch the clip from the India-wide popular drama Sasural Simar Ka:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCoJ86oFmlA
Characters; Makeup and Age
Pakistani drama characters look like people from the real world. Some makeup, tamed hair, decent dresses and they are good to go. Indian drama characters look like people from the outerworld who even go to sleep with full makeup on and wake up early in the morning with their hair silky straight, creaseless sarees and makeup in place. It seems Indian drama characters go to parlour in stead of their beds to sleep because they wake up looking flawless than the day before. Every female character, be it dadi ma or chachi or mami or bahu, each one of them is overly made up to the point that one finds it very hard to even imagine being in their shoes for one day. Being glamorous is a part of an actor’s job and life but Indian drama actors take it literally and seriously. They show women doing all the housework, such as cleaning their husband’s laptop while looking like they have just arrived from their sister’s walima.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95sZd6PiLn0
Indian characters also defy age. This is the reason in K-league dramas such Kasauti Zindagi Ki, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and many others, grandmothers did not age and they ended up looking like age fellows of their university going grandchildren. By the time Kasauti Zindagi Ki ended, the main character of Prerna was a grandmother but she was flaunting slim waistline, black than ever hair and skin as if she had gone through a face lift cosmetic procedure. When it comes to Indian dramas, the viewers are bound to leave their mind, logic and common sense to rest otherwise they won’t be able to grasp what is being shown because it is far from reality. We have yet to see a grandmother in Pakistani dramas who looks as young as her grandchildren. C’mon Pakistani grandmothers, you have a new record to break, but well, even if you don’t we will still love and appreciate you the way you are. Indian character of Baa from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahi Thi has made it to the Guiness Book of World Record for living upto 400 years to see her 5 or 6 generations – no jokes!
Acting
This has to be another hands down point where Pakistani drama actors are above and beyond Indian TV actors. In Pakistani dramas, actors have to showcase the emotions, every single emotion that the character is going through. This is the reason why we come across phenomenal acting in every other Pakistani drama. We have such big names who have given their all to the characters they have played but they never cross the line and always make sure to keep their acting realistic. However, when it comes to Indian dramas, popping eyes, exaggerated expressions, over the top display of emotions, hair flips and moving necks to the tune of dhoom tananananana is what constitutes to their acting.
Plastic Surgeries, Reincarnation & Tribute to Snakes
Pakistani dramas have yet to explore this domain because so far the stories that have made it to our TV screens, none of these scenarios fit in a 30 week drama. However, for a drama that runs for as long as 7 years, it is a fact that living beings might end up being dead, similarly, the dead end up becoming alive. Indian dramas have seen a lot such characters who came back from the dead, had plastic surgeries to make someone else’s life a living hell or even had reincarnation to get back to their families or avenge their undue or untimely deaths in punar janams. Karishma Kapoor also worked in one of the dramas named Karishma which aired on Sahara Network, in that drama, her daughter in law goes through plastic surgery to look like Karishma, her mother in law, only to rule the family. Imagine being so miserable that you end up becoming someone else only to make people’s lives miserable? No, no, no, just when you thought you’ve heard it enough, let us tell you that the daughter in law also opts for a reconstructive surgery and goes back to her original self. LOL!
Reincarnation is another myth which is heavily promoted in Indian dramas. The best part is getting to see the character picking up hints from this life and linking it to the previous ones miraculously to find everything very much in its place so that he remembers who he was before. This is some other level of storytelling that Pakistani drama makers have yet to explore. Naagin is another Indian drama which crosses all the limits of logic and common sense. It just doesn’t end there, what’s important to note is that this iconic tale of snakes is so popular that the drama makers are already onto the 4th season of Naagin. With graphics as bad as ever seen on Television, they still sell stories like these and expect viewers to feel proud of the content they are coming up with. No wonder why Zee Zindagi put the drama makers in so much danger that when it stopped airing Pakistani content, they all sighed with relief because Pakistani dramas were raising the bar very high and setting a new precedent of drama making in India.
Original Soundtracks
Let us admit, the only good OST that Indian dramas have produced is probably of the drama Kasauti Zindagi Ki, apart from that, none of their soundtracks are memorable. Pakistani dramas are a complete package, where starting from direction to story to acting to original soundtracks, everything is top-notch. This is the reason why OSTs of Pakistani dramas reach millions of views on YouTube in no time. In the comment section, there are a lot of Indian fans of Pakistani dramas who themselves praise the OSTs of our dramas.
Indian Actors Praising Pakistani Dramas
After stating the obvious, it does not come as a surprise that Indian celebrities themselves have been a fan of Pakistani dramas and content. This is the reason why Zee Zindagi picked up so much viewership in such a short span of time because they were showing Pakistani dramas. They did change the name to make them click for the Indian audience but the Pakistani content shined in all its glory in the original form. Pakistani dramas not only picked up popularity among the regular drama viewers in India, even the Indian TV actors and celebrities were in awe of our dramas. They took it to twitter to appreciate the beauty of Pakistani dramas and story-telling. A lot of Indian actors have also shared their desire of working in Pakistani dramas. This is also the reason why our actors like Fawad Khan, Imran Abbas, Saba Qamar, Sajal Aly, Mahira Khan became so popular in India that they got to work in substantial projects and they also proved their mettle in India and showed the Indian audience how talented Pakistanis are. Take a look at what Indian Actors have said about Pakistani content over the years:
Sidharth Malhotra Prasising Shakeel Siddique & His Character Teeli
Aditya Pancholi Praising Ahsan Khan For Udaari
Indian Film Director & TV Actors Praising Pakistani Dramas
So, with all these comparisons, the results are quite clear but we will still leave it upto you to decide which dramas are the best? In the battle of Indian Dramas VS Pakistani Dramas, which country outbids the other? We are proud of Pakistani drama industry and appreciate the fact that they are not only giving their viewers amazing dramas every single year, but are also contributing a lot in changing the perception of the people about Pakistan. They are enabling the viewers worldwide to see the beauty of Pakistani culture and also educates them about our society and its norms. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Pakistani Drama Industry (PDI) is doing way better than Indian Drama Industry (IDI). We all know that there was a time when Indian dramas were penetrating our society. At that time, revival of the PDI was needed. Then there came a period when PDI started to flourish and started to produce good dramas that became very popular among the people. Viewers started to switch back to Pakistani dramas and turned down the Indian culture. This period is termed as the “REVIVAL OF PDI”. There were some very basic reasons which drove the Pakistani viewers to start accepting the Pakistani dramas v/s Indian dramas. Some of them are:
i) Realistic v/s Unrealistic depiction
ii) Focus on story line v/s focus on make-overs
iii) Short time period v/s lengthy time period
iv) Sensible choice v/s Insensible choice of actors
v) Strong plot v/s weak plot
i) Realistic v/s Unrealistic depiction:
The Pakistani dramas were more realistic than the Indian dramas. The viewers can relate to the dramas. They depicted the true picture of their society, their problem and their issues whereas the Indian Dramas were un-realistic in nature so slowly and gradually they went unpopular and finally died out e.g Kasauti Zindagi Ki, Kyunki saas bhi kabhi bahu the, kahani ghar ghar ki etc. Today a great number of people from our society want to tune in Pakistani dramas channels rather than Indian drama channels because of this major reason
ii) Focus on story line v/s focus on make-overs:
There was more focus on make-overs, styles, costumes of the drama actors and renovation of sets in Indian dramas rather than storyline but Pakistani dramas were based on stories and the sets were also designed accordingly. Also the costumes chosen for the actors of a particular drama filmed in Pakistan was in relevance to the story line of the drama. This was lacking in Indian drama
iii) Limited & short time period v/s unlimited or lengthy time period:
The traditional Indian soap serials usually used to last for a long time (a year or two or even more sometimes). The viewers usually lost interest in watching such long engaging serials whereas Pakistani dramas were prepared with a defined scope, time period and were lesson oriented. Usually these lesson-oriented dramas got more popularity and acceptance from the viewers than former ones.
iv) Sensible choice v/s insensible choice of actors:
The choice of actors as per the role’s need and demand was ensured in Pakistani dramas. This aspect was lacked in Indian drama from the core. You would usually see a girly looked female actor performing the role of a mother in Indian dramas. Obviously, this kind of lack of sensibility from the selectors of actor was noticed by the viewers and was unacceptable, so people inclined towards Pakistani dramas which were more sensibly fabricated.
v) Strong plot v/s weak plot:
This is the fore-most triad which led to successful Pakistani Dramas. You can easily imagine a drama which consists of finest cast and crew and lacks a strong story-line, such kind of drama most probably never survives and fails to win over people.
By lying out some of the many factors which led to the triumph of PDI, I by no mean, claim that there weren’t and aren’t any unsuccessful Pakistani dramas. All I want to say is viewers, accept only those dramas which they think will live up to their expectations.
The PDI should understand, now to produce good stuff for their people else their efforts will go vain. I have seen some Pakistani dramas recently that are not doing well. The storyline is far away from reality, to name some “Rishtay kuch adhory se”, “Ishq hamari galioun mein” etc. It is high-time that the PDI realizes their flaws and try to fill up the left gaps else they will again loose their potential viewers.
What do you think about the current situation of PDI?
Knowing when to end a drama is just as important as giving it a good start. There are a few Pakistani dramas on air right now that have lost all their appeal because they have been dragged to the extreme. Due to the current situation in the country, shootings of all the upcoming dramas have been halted. It is highly likely that because of this reason, the channels are making the most of the dramas that are already popular among people. Although no one wants to admit it, the way these dramas are being dragged makes it quite clear that the makers are not only cashing in on their success but also ‘buying’ time.
The situation right now is uncertain, no one knows when things will get back to normal therefore the television channels do not want to risk ending up with no dramas to air just in case! It is also true that this is not the first time that Pakistani dramas have been stretched like a rubber band. Few years back, the Pakistani producers chalked out a policy. According to this policy, they decided to air dramas for much longer than was the case previously. The whole idea was that the cost of such dramas would be the same as dramas which ended in 15 weeks or so but the monetary benefits will be more.
It is also a fact that once the viewers get hooked to a drama in the first 12 weeks or so, they will tune in to it every week until it ends whether they like it or not. Viewers criticize the dramas and curse the makers but they do watch these dramas till the end. That is how the producers benefit therefore they have decided to stick to this policy. There are still dramas which end without dragging, thankfully. There are however those dramas too which need to end as soon as possible since they are testing the patience of viewers.
It is of course possible for a drama to be on air for more than 20 or even 30 weeks and continue to hold the viewers’ interest. Pakistani writers definitely lack the creativity to keep the viewers hooked for that long! Usually even the best Pakistani dramas tend to drag and get repetitive after 18 episodes. When a drama gets so monotonous and repetitive even those viewers who praised it at one time start regretting watching the show to begin with.
Here is a list of Pakistani dramas that should end right now.
Ye Dil Mera
A few weeks back Ye Dil Mera was considered one of the best dramas and now it is considered a joke! Those viewers who were praising it despite its flaws are now finding it hard to believe just how ridiculous it is getting with time. Ye Dil Mera is a different genre therefore it was even more important that the makers set a good precedent. This mystery has turned into a comedy of errors! The flashback scenes have been used extensively to increase the number of episodes. Some of the characters have turned into caricatures and others a laughing stock!
Ye Dil Mera’s progress (or the lack of it) in the past few weeks shows how stretching a drama unnecessarily can ruin everything from the plot to the character development. It has come to the point where everyone wants to see it end, no one even cares how it is going to end! Sajal and Ahad’s magic has even failed to save the day since the story and the execution is lacking on so many levels.
Mera Dil Mera Dushman
Mera Dil Mera Dushman did not get critical acclaim but it has been a hit with the masses. That is why the makers and the channels have decided to stretch it unnecessarily. The drama has been on air for 33 plus weeks, the story has lost its appeal altogether and the characters continue to go through the same situations which they were going through for the past so many weeks.
Clearly, there is nothing left in the story. There are definitely no surprises in-store and it is testing the patience of the viewers every week. Like every other drama in this list, every episode of Mera Dil Mera Dushman can easily be watched in 15 minutes skipping the scenes which add nothing to the story and are extremely annoying! They should end this drama right now.
Jo Tu Chahay
Yes Jo Tu Chahay is still on air and we have no idea why?!! The 39th episode of this drama aired this week. From family politics to one-sided love, this dramas has all the clichés and done-to-death scenarios. Those of you who are following this drama must be sick and tired of watching the characters struggle and lost for all these weeks. Most people probably gave up on it a long time back! This is not the first time that Hum has dragged a drama with a star cast so much.
Thora Sa Haq
Thora Sa Haq is another drama that is being dragged because it has been extremely popular among the masses. This drama has the most unappealing male lead yet like many other dramas two extremely beautiful but not-so-intelligent women with low self-esteem continue to fight over this man! Like other dramas in this list, the writer has used misunderstandings and unnecessary family politics to lengthen the duration of the drama.
Even those people who had some feelings for the characters before and have lost track of where the story is headed at this point. Even actors like Saba Faisal and Firdous Jamal have been performing unimpressively in the drama because the characters get more pointless and senseless with every passing episode. Everyone watching this play just wants to see it end!
Are you watching these Pakistani dramas? Do you think they should end now? Are there any other dramas which you would like to add to the list? Feel free to share your views.
Pakistani dramas have always known to strike a chord of the viewers with soul-stirring and emotionally gripping stories. This is the reason why Pakistani dramas have had a massive viewership and the audience find themselves looking forward to one drama after another because they have gotten used to the idea of watching and supporting Pakistani content. Over the last decade, the fans and viewers of Pakistani dramas saw a shift in the content, because of which the focus of the drama makers shifted on the quantity and they compromised heavily on the quality.
Pakistani drama viewers always show their concerns about the kind of content that is being produced. The drama writers in general believe that because they are portraying reality through their stories, they feel they have limited themes to wrap the story around. Initially, it was the heavy inspiration from Indian content that changed the mindset of Pakistani drama writers and then came the idea of projecting the vices that are prevalent in the society, because of which the practice of showing negative and toxic stories became a norm in Pakistani dramas.
Fortunately, the Pakistani drama industry is at that stage where the drama writers have started to experiment and they are trying their best to break free from the monotony of bringing typical and toxic storylines for the viewers. The writers have now started to explore more genres and although they rely heavily upon the dynamics of a family or a household of a character, they are still giving the viewers something refreshing and new every season. At this stage, the drama industry is aware of the kind of impact the TV medium can make, therefore it is nice to see more and more writers as well as actors being mindful of the kind of content they create and their contribution towards the society through their work.
Let’s take a look at those refreshing Pakistani dramas that did not revolve around typical and toxic themes:
Alif
Alif was a one-of-a-kind drama that explored the genre of spirituality. It is a rarity that Pakistani drama viewers come across such a strong and unique storyline that has so much to offer in terms of emotional growth and perspective alteration. Alif’s story was refreshing and it was relatable because every single viewer could find themselves and their struggles while watching the journeys of Qalb e Momin, Husn e Jahan, Taha, Abdul Ala, and Momina.
There was no aspect of spiritual struggles and growth that was left untouched by the writer Umera Ahmed. All of the viewers who watched the drama serial Alif were unanimous of the opinion that we need more such dramas every now and then to help us with soul-searching and path-finding. The story of Alif was refreshing and although it was based on the struggles of all the characters, it imparted some great lessons along the way, because of which it became such a special drama that became etched in the hearts of the viewers.
The performances were given by Hamza Ali Abbasi, Pehlaaj Hussain, Sajal Aly, Manzar Sehbai, Kubra Khan, Saleem Mairaj, and Ahsan Khan made the characters of Alif even more special. They all breathed life into those special characters and the brilliant direction of Haseeb Hassan was visionary because the story like Alif deserved to be told in a certain manner and Haseeb Hassan as a director understood it.
Ehd e Wafa
After decades, Pakistani drama fans and the audience got to watch an Army based drama but as the story progressed, the viewers were in for a treat because they realized that it was not just the story of Saad, it was about the youngsters who are trying to find a way and steer through the course of life in their own capacities. Ehd e Wafa had a brilliant start but as the story progressed, the developments picked up and the writer Mustafa Afridi came up with such inspiring characters and stories that are seldom seen on our TV screens.
Ehd e Wafa in recent times has to be one such unique drama which showed that the young girls wanted to be something and marriage was not their only option or safest bets out of their life issues and problems. They all faced their fair share of ordeals and came out strong. Ehd e Wafa showed everything that young and aged viewers of Pakistani dramas wanted to see. They showed misunderstandings, learning from mistakes, trust, and emotional support of parents, the confidence of the youngsters in themselves, and their struggles to reach their goals for themselves as well as their families. Ehd e Wafa was a complete package that had so much to offer and the addition of the story of an Army officer made things even better.
The cast of Ehd e Wafa also played a huge role in attracting the viewership and creating the hype about the project. The audience were excited to see the group of Ahad Raza Mir, Ahmed Ali Akbar, Wahaj Ali, and Osman Khalid Butt. The young and gorgeous actresses Alizeh Shah, Hajra Yamin played their parts well and Zara Noor Abbas was well-loved for portraying the character of Rani effortlessly. Saife Hassan lead the project skillfully and made Ehd e Wafa what it is.
Ishq Zahe Naseeb
Ishq Zahe Naseeb was probably one of those dramas that explored the domain of mental health and created awareness about it in a unique manner. When the drama began, the drama makers too were unsure of how the audience would perceive the story of Sameer who suffered from multiple personality disorders. It was definitely encouraging for the drama makers because the audience not only showed acceptance but also loved the character of Sameer because they understood his struggles and reasoning.
It was also because the character of Sameer was written with so much clarity by the writer Hashim Nadeem that it made it even easier for the viewers to understand and like Sameer. It also showed how troubled people like Shakira end up leaving a life-long impression on someone. The drama was full of mystery and kept the viewers guessing right till the end. The drama did have a beautiful ending as far as Sameer and Gohar’s relationship was concerned but kept it open in terms of the relationship that Shakira and Sameer shared. It was a unique journey and was appreciated by the viewers a lot, which was enough for the drama makers to know that the audience is ready to accept such content from them and expected more of it.
Although Zahid Ahmed has established himself as one of the strongest and brilliant actors of the Pakistani drama industry, in Ishq Zahe Naseeb he outdid himself and it was a feather in his cap because he got to showcase a whole new skill set as an actor. It was Zahid Ahmed’s flawless performance as Sameer that gave people clarity of what his issues were. Sonya Hussyn, Zarnish Khan, Yumna Zaidi, and Sami Khan were brilliant. The director Farooq Rind really extracted the best acting out of all of them.
Ye Dil Mera
Ye Dil Mera was another drama that revolved around mental health and emotional trauma. The character of Amaanullah was an eye-witness to the brutal killing of his whole family. Therefore he made it the motive of his life to avenge the death of his innocent family members. Amanullah slowly learned that his enemy was an influential man, so he slowly and steadily paved a way into his life. Amanullah carefully planned his revenge and while he wanted Meer Farooq Zaman to confess his crimes, he ended up falling in love with his wife and his enemy’s daughter Ana. Ana on her own too had a horrific incident from her childhood that caused her stress.
In Ye Dil Mera, it was probably for the first time in ages that the writer Farhat Ishtiyaq elaborated on what Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is all about. Both Amaanullah and Ana were faced with it and dealt with it in their own way. Where Amaanullah couldn’t forget that one incident his entire life, Ana was deliberately made to forget about it but it still continued to harm her.
It was unfortunate that the execution of Ye Dil Mera compromised heavily on the impact it otherwise would’ve made because it was such a unique story that dealt with two individuals and had their strong love story too. However, Ahad Raza Mir and Sajal Aly both carried the drama on their shoulders and once again got to show it to the world what they were capable of as actors. Their flawless performances became unforgettable for their fans and also those viewers who watched the drama. Director Ahsan Talish did the best he could but there were a lot of things that were unfavorable, which ended up compromising on the overall quality of the project, but the fact still remains that it was a unique and intriguing storyline.
Pyar Ke Sadqay
Pyar Ke Sadqay was one of the most unique and refreshing storylines the viewers came across this year. The writer Zanjabeel Asim Shah did complete justice to the characters that she penned down because she convincingly showed the struggles and inhibitions faced by people who are unique and special in their own ways. Abdullah was slightly autistic and Mahjabeen was innocent, things became far more interesting when these two came together and then started getting exploited by people around them. In this drama, the writer also touched upon the subject of physical and emotional harassment but in the end, it was nice to see Mansoora taking charge of the situation and compensating for all those years she was an emotionally absent mother.
Director Farooq Rind was the captain of the ship and he took the drama forward with a clear vision. This was probably for the first time the Pakistani drama audience was getting to see characters like Abdullah and Mahjabeen who have certain delays but they are intelligent in their own accord. Pyar Ke Sadqay was a story of two special people who ended up victorious because their innocence, niceness, and faith in themselves became their strongest trait as a team and as a couple.
Yumna Zaidi and Bilal Abbas Khan both have proved themselves over the years but in this drama, they not only wowed their fans but also all those viewers who tuned to Pyar Ke Sadqay. It was purely because of their acting and the grip on these characters that they made this journey worthwhile. Omair Rana, Srha Asghar, Atiqa Odho, and Yashma Gill gave their heart and soul to these characters and contributed fully towards the success of the drama.
Kashf
It won’t be wrong to say that the story and theme of Kashf are purely new and is being seen in Pakistani drama for the very first time. Writer Imran Nazeer is known for always bringing in the quotient of spirituality and etching the story on those lines but this time around, he outdid himself. The story of Kashf is about Kashf’s dreams and then the events which lead to all the materialization of those dreams. How Kashf’s family then starts exploiting her by making her mint money on these dreams and their interpretations.
The fact that the writer has shown how Kashf has stayed true to herself and has maintained her moral compass makes her an inspirational character. As much as she has done to please and financially support her family, she has always stood her ground when she felt her father Imtiyaz was crossing the line. Kashf also threatened a lot of times when she felt this way she would be able to save a family member. Kashf’s struggles and the journey have further humanized her character because now she is at that point where even after deciding for herself, she is being forced to give up and join the Asthana again.
Hira Mani, Junaid Khan, and Waseem Abbas definitely are the stars of the show. They have elevated the level of the drama with their performances. Hira Mani always puts her heart and soul into her characters but in Kashf, she has stunned everyone with her acting skills. This probably has to be the very first drama where Junaid Khan is seen enjoying himself and doing complete justice to the essence of Wajdan’s character. Waseem Abbas has played the role of a mean father to perfection. His antics and selfishness add the comic factor to the drama which has been tackled with finesse by the director Danish Nawaz who knows how comedy works. Kashf is a unique drama and even after so many episodes, it keeps the viewers guessing with what’s going to happen next.
Bikhre Moti
Although drama serial Bikhre Moti’s plot is grim it revolves around the important subject of child labor and how an aunt sacrifices her own life to support her niece and nephews. The character of Ayeza played by Neelam Munir is inspirational because despite knowing what life had in store for her if she married her fiance Ahad, she chooses to get married to her Zulfikar, who was even responsible for the death of Ayeza’s sister. It shows how selfless Ayeza was and how pure her love for her niece and nephews was because she ended up giving up on everything only to protect them as a mother. Her struggles just didn’t end there because she had to then take care of her sister’s children and their needs.
Neelam Munir is one of those actresses who are very selective about the kind of work they do and it is nice to see her being so conscious about her characters because she wants to make an impact and show what a strong and fearless woman can do. Writer Edison Idrees Masih has touched upon a sensitive but very important subject and Shahid Shafaat has directed this drama with a vision.
Sabaat
Sabaat is a unique drama of its nature. It is purely about the mental, emotional, and financial struggles that the younger generation these days is faced with. It has shown the contrast of two different worlds where a family despite having all the luxuries and financial freedom fails to find peace within themselves. Then there is the family of Anaya, who has lived a very humble life with the father fending for basic necessities decently, they have lived through life with nothing but empathy, love, and compassion for each other. It has shown how giving undue freedom and feeding onto the unnecessary demands of children can literally ruin their lives. The father of Miraal is completely responsible for ruining Miraal’s personality and mentality. She has destroyed her own life as well as has walked the extra mile to ruin her brother’s life as well.
The character of Anaya played by Mawra Hocane is nothing short of an inspiration. When the drama began, the viewers couldn’t help but see the similarities between her and Kashaf of Zindagi Gulzar Hai but Mawra Hocane’s convincing performance has helped her carve a niche for Anaya’s character and has forced people to see her differently. Ameer Gillani has been convincing as Hassan and Sarah Khan has convinced the viewers to detest the character of Miraal. The writer Kashir Anwar has in a literal sense shed a light on the struggles that the younger generation stepping into the practical world is faced with. Kashif Anwar has covered their problems and issues on both professional and personal ends. Shehzad Kashmiri has done his best to direct this drama but despite certain issues with the execution, the drama overall has succeeded in keeping the interest of the viewers alive.
Prem Gali
Faiza Iftikhar has come up with a refreshing idea because she has taken up a neighborhood and has interlinked all of their stories. It has been established that as the story will progress, Prem Gali will impart a lot of important messages but under the garb of comedy because this way, things never come across preachy and put a point across in a clear cut manner. Prem Gali is a perfect idea of prime-time entertainment because that is when people usually sit and relax while watching TV. Prem Gali’s comic quotient is what sets it apart because the witty dialogues and fun situations bring a smile to the viewers’ faces.
So far, Saba Hameed, Waseem Abbas, and Farhaan Saeed have stood out the most, in terms of performances as well as characters. The rest of the cast is amazing and each one of their characters has a strong personality. Prem Gali has also given a lot of emotional moments to the viewers where they have shed tears with these characters. This drama has all the factors that draw the attention of the viewers to it. Faiza Iftikhar is known for writing dynamic characters and her situational comedies are always well received. Qasim Ali Mureed really knows how to design the scenes and bring out the best out of all the situations.
Mushk
Imran Ashraf has wowed his fans with his brilliant performances over the years but after Tabeer, this happens to be the second drama written by him. Mushk’s story is refreshing and the characters are dynamic. It is a true love story and has all the characters who have experienced the emotion of love. Imran Ashraf has put his heart and soul into this script, this is why it has succeeded in engaging the audience and is now being appreciated for what is has offered so far. After Udaari, this was Urwa Hocane’s come back on TV, therefore the hopes were high, and fortunately, because of the character that she is getting to play, she has exceeded the expectations.
Mushk’s story does have its fair share of negative characters but even those characters have been written with so much clarity and their screen presence is so strong that one actually wants to understand their reasoning and thought process. Imran Ashraf, Urwa Hocane, Momal Sheikh, Zara Tareen, and child star Sami Khan have elevated the level of this drama. Director Ahsan Talish has directed this drama convincingly and so far, it is one of the best dramas on air right now.
Saraab
Drama serial Saraab explores the life of a girl suffering from schizophrenia. Sonya Hussyn is known for breathing life into her characters but the way she has convincingly portrayed the character of Hoorain has shown that she didn’t just sign this project to showcase her acting skills, but in fact, did her own part of the research and homework to understand how the mind of schizophrenic works. Although the rest of the tracks in Saraab can be termed as typical but they also shed a light on how regular households fail to understand the gravity of the situation and do not really consider the possibility of such behavior related to psychological issues.
Writer Edison Idrees Masih has also done his part of the research and the team of Saraab really lived up to the promise of creating awareness about schizophrenia. Usually, in the past, a lot of dramas have been made that promised to raise awareness but failed to do so because the important issues were trivialized and at times it seemed such subjects were only used to create hype about the project. However, when it comes to Saraab, it is one of those few exceptions where the viewers are pleased with how the entire subject has been explored and dealt with.
This completes the list of all those dramas that have refreshing themes and were not based on toxic and typical storylines such as family politics or simple love triangles with two women fighting over one man or vice versa. These dramas show that the Pakistani drama industry is capable of producing such amazing content. The popularity of these dramas also is evident for the drama makers to understand that Pakistani drama audience is open to new and fresh ideas. What are your thoughts about the themes of these dramas? Feel free to add your opinion.
Nowadays the topics raised in Pakistani Dramas that depict realities of life. As compared to the Indian television industry, Pakistani television industry is far closer to reality. Pakistani television industry is full of talented directors, producers and actors. All of these people combine their efforts and talents to create a masterpiece. Fortunately all of our drama writers are very sensitive towards issues rising in Pakistan. Biggest issues that are being focused nowadays in the Pakistani Dramas are domestic violence, poverty, deception, greed, life of orphans and marital conflicts. It’s a blessing that all our actors have the talent to perform these roles with such a dedication that it touches the hearts of everyone. In this article I am going to highlight the issues that are focused in our dramas and their relationship with the reality.
Starting off with Domestic Violence, in Pakistan due to high rate of illiteracy and male chauvinism there is the occurrence of domestic in almost every other house. Men treat their wives as slaves. This doesn’t mean that every man in Pakistan is the same but talking about the majority, it does happen. Women consider domestic abuse as their fate or destiny and remain quiet and suppressed. This is actually what gives a push to the men and they carry on doing this dreadful activity. Kankar is a Pakistani drama which has broken all barriers for the women who are the victims of domestic abuse. This drama shows how selfish a man can be and how much tolerance a woman has. As soon as things get out of control and her self respect gets shattered, she takes a stand instead of getting suppressed. This actually gives a lesson to all the women out there who are not aware of the damage they are going through. Pakistani dramas that depict realities and on the same time they show ways to stop the cruel activities going on in the society.
Coming to the dramas that focus on greed among individuals, the very popular drama named Maat showed how greed makes a person blind. This drama focused on a girl who broke her sister’s engagement in order to get married herself and then left that same person when he was facing financial crisis. This does happen in real life. In Pakistan where the needs of people are not fulfilled, people do start going on the wrong track. Apart from this some people have greed as a part of their nature. There is a famous quote that Habits can be changed but nature can never change. Although in the dramas that focus on topics like deception, greed and breakups, they do try to give an ending where the culprit realizes and asks for forgiveness but this is not very common in real life. People sometimes realize but sometimes they don’t. People usually remember those Pakistani dramas that depict realities and not only give lessons but also show a good ending.
Moreover topics like the lives of orphans and also the cruel behavior of step parents are also very closer to the realities of life. Dramas like Mann ke moti and the upcoming drama serial Tootey huey taarey are one of those Pakistani dramas that depict realities of the life spent by orphans. Pakistani people are really very emotional and they get carried away with such topics which connect with them. Almost everyone knows that life without parents is really tough especially for kids. Apart from these hardships they also have to face the cruel behavior of the society. Not only their own family members but also the other strangers treat them with hatred and sympathy and what not. This is what creates a feeling of ignorance and loneliness in the kids. Pakistani dramas which focus on these topics also give a lesson to all the viewers that our cruel behavior has strong effects on the mentality and the lives of the kids. We should definitely watch out for that.
Another famous topic which is in focus nowadays is the bad behaviour with parents. We very often get irritated with our parents` behaviour but little do we know that our irritated behavior can cause us so many problems. There is no forgiveness for such act. The Pakistani Drama named Qarz shows such acts. Actors have actors have acted brilliantly in this drama and it definitely is one of those Pakistani Dramas that depict realities. This article has definitely proven that Pakistani television industry is producing masterpieces that connect directly with the audience.
Pakistani drama industry continues to produce numerous dramas every year. Pakistani drama writers take pride in the fact that they pick realities of life and turn them into stories, in order to show the situations leading to the consequences. However, it is worth noticing that as much as the writers can focus on the positive aspects of life in order to inspire and contribute in perspective alteration of the society, they choose such subjects which are more negativity driven, achieving the rating goals that they have in mind.
There is no denying the fact that media is a mind-controlling tool, therefore a huge responsibility falls on the drama makers; starting from producers to the writers as well as directors and actors to be mindful of what they are showing to the masses. Unfortunately, a lot of negative things have been normalized as well as used in such a way that helps them sensationalize it and earn ratings on it. Every year, there are a handful of dramas that serve a purpose, and the bigger picture is unveiled which teaches the audience a thing or two. The rest of the dramas almost serve no purpose and are just made to grab the attention and ratings.
Here’s the list of those Pakistani dramas which are serving no purpose at all:
Jalan
Writer: Sidra Seher Imam Director: Aabis Raza Producer: Big Bang Entertainment Channel: ARY Digital Cast: Minal Khan, Emaad Irfani, Nadia Hussain, Areeba Habib, and others.
The promos of Jalan have given the story away and this is the reason, the audience didn’t hold back in voicing out their disappointment against the theme of the show. The story of Jalan has been seen before in Pakistani dramas repeatedly. It is a clear case of a younger sister being jealous of her elder sister and wanting everything that she has – even her husband. The drama has just begun but the story is predictable. All the episodes of Jalan will continue to show how Nisha, the younger sister will continue to woo her brother-in-law until he finally divorces his wife Misha.
The execution of the drama is definitely grand and the producers have invested a lot because maybe they know these types of controversial subjects sell and get the viewers hooked, however, if one looks at the purpose this drama is serving, one fails to find it. This is a typical masala filled drama which is showing the relationship of sister and brother in law in a questionable manner. The ending of Jalan is also very predictable where the main focus will be on Nisha’s evil antics for the entire drama and in the very last episode, she will pay the price unable to redeem herself.
Meherposh
Writer: Misbah Nausheen Director: Mazhar Moin Producer: 7th Sky Entertainment Channel: Geo TV Cast: Ayeza Khan, Danish Taimoor, Sania Saeed, Rehan Sheikh, Iffat Omar, and others.
In an interview, Ayeza Khan once mentioned that her idea of choosing a film is that of a full-on romantic story filled with a lot of drama. melodrama and action; maybe this is the reason she said yes to the script of Meherposh and also got her husband Danish Taimoor on-board. Meherposh’s story is below average. Shahjahan has always loved Mehru but failed to share his feelings. Mehru gets married and gets divorced the same day. Shahjahan is guilt-stricken and Mehru doesn’t know yet that her husband divorced her because he overheard the things Shahjahan was saying about Mehru. For now, Shahjahan is doing what it takes to show his support to Mehru but she finds him problematic.
As the story will progress, Mehru’s hatred and resentment will turn into respect and love for Shahjahan. This is all there’s to the story of Meherposh. The story is not only average but the execution makes it hard to follow. The pace of the drama is slow and it is also aiming towards a love triangle with Mehru’s younger sister Ayat having feelings for Shahjahan. The purpose of this drama maybe was to show a very dramatic love story but the execution didn’t help and everything fell flat. The side tracks of supporting characters are unimpressive as well where there’s nothing much apart from plotting, scheming and screaming. This is yet another drama which is serving absolutely no purpose at all.
Zebaish
Writer: Bushra Ansari Director: Iqbal Hussain Producer: Momina Duraid Channel: Hum TV Cast: Bushra Ansari and family
Writer Bushra Ansari tried her best to come up with a very different script, but the execution didn’t do it any favors and this is why it has left the viewers wondering about the purpose behind Zebaish? The over-the-top execution has turned Zebaish into a comedy and the viewers are finding it hard to see through the seriousness shown in the situations and relationships that the story revolves around.
This is for the first time that a drama coming from a celebrity of Bushra Ansari’s stature has been ripped to shreds by the audience because they can not look past the fact that all of her family members are a part of this project. The only purpose that seems behind Zebaish is that Bushra Ansari’s entire family came together and made a drama to kill their boredom. The purpose has been lost and the overacting done by actors along with their caricaturish characters has turned this drama into a flop.
The story of Tarap revolves around the lives of two sisters Zunairah and Hania who have been raised by their grandmother and because of what their mother did in her past, it has turned their brother overprotective to an extent of being rigidly strict. However, it is interesting to note that as much as the writer has tried to reinforce that both Zunairah and Hania are living their lives in unfavorable conditions due to lack of freedom, their activities and love interests speak otherwise.
Zunairah is shown to be the submissive sister but she too found ways to meet the guy she loved. She also casually went to meet Sir Laeeq after being invited over for lunch. Hania on the other hand is shown to be more of a rebel and she too didn’t find it hard to fall in love with a guy and make ways to meet him to her heart’s content. In this situation, their brother Adil seems like a fool for thinking he has everything in check and watches over his sisters like a hawk but they continue to do things they are attracted to and land themselves in messy situations. So many episodes have passed by and Zunairah has not been able to clarify that Sir Laeeq is blackmailing her, every time she tries to speak up, she ends up breathing heavily and only exhales air from her mouth. The title of this drama is ‘tarap’, indeed the viewers are actually feeling the same way trying to figure out the purpose of this drama.
Raaz e Ulfat
Writer: Maha Malik Director: Siraj ul Haq Producer: 7th Sky Entertainment Channel: Geo Entertainment Cast: Yumna Zaidi, Shehzad Sheikh, Hiba Bayat Khan, Komal Aziz Khan, Gohar Rasheed, Arisha Razi, and others.
Raaz e Ulfat is also one such story which has shown that Mushk comes from a super conservative background but she too finds ways to lie to her parents and have an affair behind their backs. Mushk seems to have been heavily influenced by her university friend Sahiba who has now backstabbed her to ruin her chances of getting married to Irtiza Hassan. It is very obvious that Mushk will end up getting married to recently widowed Ismail Miyan because Mushk’s parents strongly feel for him and have a lot of sympathies with his family due to the untimely death of Ismail Miyan’s wife. Irtiza Hassan seems to be an eligible bachelor but Mushk will still end up with Ismail Miyan.
This drama indeed is interesting to watch and is also being liked by the viewers but the purpose it is serving is hard to decipher. It continues to show the likes of Sahiba and Nomi in universities, which already is going to make the parents skeptical about sending their daughters to the universities. Also, all the things that Mushk has learned to do following the footsteps of Sahiba are also going to have the parents very much concerned for their daughters.
This completes the list of those dramas which are serving no purpose whatsoever. Do you think the writers should be mindful of the stories they are coming up with especially now when they directly get the feedback of the viewers? Which of these dramas are you following, sharing your opinion in the comment section below?
Pakistani dramas are finally getting the worldwide recognition which they deserved. The hardwork of Pakistani producers and actors are finally paying off and their work is getting appreciated by worldwide audiences.
There are a lot of Asian foreign viewers all over the world especially in places like America, India, UAE and Canada who appreciate the Pakistani content and give them preference over other content that is aired because of its unique stories and brilliant acting.
The drama that gained recognition for Pakistani dramas worldwide is the show Humsafar. A medium budgeted serial which managed to touch the hearts of people worldwide because of its simple story, brilliant acting and high production values. It gave Pakistani dramas International recognition and a platform for Pakistani producers to prove themselves. Before Humsafar, only the drama serial ‘Tanhaiyaan’ had reached the Arabic audiences when it aired back in the 1990’s.
Humsafar has been a remarkable piece of entertainment and was also enjoyed by the Indian audiences when it went on air on the Indian channel, Rishtey. According to BizAsia, Humsafar managed to break a record for Rishtey for being the first non-film/event to attract such a huge rating at the weekend.
The serial Humsafar was dubbed into Arabic and was recently aired on MCB- Bollywood (a middle-east channel) with the name Rafeeq-Al-Rooh which means Soulmate in Arabic. It took no time for the show to gain immense popularity and after a few episodes, it became the most watched serial on the channel and was declared a huge hit. Previously, Pakistani dramas were not recognized much in the Arabic world because Arab’s already have so much variety to choose from, but now Pakistani dramas have also entered the Arab market and has carved a niche for itself. This is a moment of sheer joy for all of us Pakistanis!
Here are a few comments on the show on MBC Twitter page:
The next drama to follow Humsafar on the same channel was Malaal which had Faisal Rehman, Sarwat Gillani, Imran Abbas and Deepti as the main leads which was again appreciated by audiences.
After the success of Humsafar on the channel, Fawad Khan has become a phenomenon in the Arab world on a grand scale. Here are a few comments posted by his fan on his MBC profile on twitter:
The latest news is that on high demand another one of his serial, Zindagi Gulzar Hai is going on air on the same channel. Zindagi Gulzar Hai is another hit serial of Pakistan which had Fawad Afzal Khan and Sanam Saeed as the main leads. It has already created waves in Pakistani, now let’s see if it will gain the same response in the Middle East. Zindagi Gulzar Hai will also dubbed into Arabic just like Humsafar. Here is the Arabic promo of the show:
We hope that many other Pakistani serials air for the audiences in Middle East in the future too!
The year 2021 opened with some new dramas and with a few of the old ones still on-air, most of them heading towards their ending. Since we did not get a chance to share our point of view regarding some of the new dramas and our opinions about some of those which have been on air have changed, we decided to write this article in order to discuss how we feel about these dramas. This would also be the perfect opportunity for all those readers who are constantly requesting us to write reviews, to share their thoughts regarding all these dramas with us. We could obviously only add those dramas to this list which we have been following therefore all those readers who are watching dramas other than the ones on the list should feel free to share their opinions about those dramas as well.
Here are our thoughts about some of the current Pakistani dramas:
[lwptoc]
Mohabbatain Chahatain
Common sense is a gift
Writer: Samira Fazal Director: Ali Hassan Producer: MD Productions Channel: Hum TV Cast: Junaid Khan, Hira Mani, Armeena Rana Khan, Ibrahim Alavi, Tipu Shareef, Ghana Tahir, and others.
Mohabbatain Chahatain’s title is extremely misleading since it is absolutely not a simple love story or even a decent love triangle. We definitely expected better from Hira Mani and Junaid Khan in particular, especially after Kashf. Armeena Rana Khan decided to make a comeback on television with one of the most twisted characters we have seen in Pakistani dramas in recent times. This drama reminds us of Shukk, which was also penned down by Samira Fazal. The only big difference is that while Shukk was more interesting and logical in the first few episodes, Mohabbatain Chahatain relies heavily on the lack of common sense of the main male lead Faraz more than anything else. The script is shallow and for the most part illogical. In order to make Tara get what she wants, the writer has gone out of her way to make Faraz highly gullible.
The story of the drama revolves around a loving couple; most importantly the husband is willing to do whatever it takes to make his wife happy. The ‘mohabbatain chahatain’ between the husband and wife vanished into thin air the second the other woman was forced into the picture. Instead of believing his trusted friend and loving wife, Faraz fell for Tara’s lies. At the same time, Sneha settled for getting her only son admitted in a madrassa instead of waiting for a few weeks to clear her head and make a better decision. Tara acts like a jealous toddler in desperate need of attention; her antics are both childish and annoying. This is another one of those dramas in which the woman is held entirely responsible for the man’s misdoings. It is the kind of drama one can watch for comic relief or to see just how ridiculous things can get! Rich women falling for middle class married men seem to be the new deplorable ‘trend’ in Pakistani dramas. The story promised to ‘tug at’ the viewer’s heartstrings but it has done no such thing!
Dulhan
As basic as Sumbul Iqbal’s hair strands
Writer: Adeel Razzaq Director: Adeel Siddiqui Producer: MD Productions Channel: Hum TV Cast: Sami Khan, Sumbul Iqbal, Faizan Khuwaja, Mashal Khan and others.
Drama serial Dulhan definitely started on a high note. In the initial few episodes, it took the viewers by surprise by showing how two cousins Mikaal and Shameer played by Sami Khan and Faizan Khwaja devised a plan to trap Amal played by Sumbul Iqbal. The initial episodes of Dulhan undoubtedly had everyone talking and the viewers assumed this was just the beginning and it was only going to get better but that didn’t turn out to be the case. Although the writer and the director have tried their best to keep the story engaging but that hasn’t turned out to be a case. This drama is looking more and more like Thora Sa Haq and the fact that Mashal Khan plays the exact same role and character doesn’t help the situation either.
Mikaal is technically still married to Amal and fails to acknowledge it but he has become quite possessive about her out of nowhere because of which he feels the need to protect her from Shahmeer. The writer has failed to establish the reasons behind Shahmeer’s obsession with Amal especially at this stage where he has clearly seen that even Mikaal is trying to protect her. Drama serial Dulhan is now becoming quite non-serious now with situations that fail to make any sense. The actors have definitely played their part well but Mashal Khan is intolerable in this drama, exactly like her wig. Sumbul Iqbal is a good actor too who makes sure to change her look especially her hairstyles in her dramas. She was seen carrying very elaborate hairstyles in her previous dramas such as Mere Khuda and Jaal but it is unfortunate that no matter what hairstyle it is, she fails to make it work. Similarly, her hairstyle in Dulhan is quite distracting and does not suit her at all. She has definitely acted well so brownie points to her for that.
Kasa e Dil
Love triangle is an old tale, introducing Love Octagon
Writer: Jahanzeb Qamar Director: Zeeshan Ahmed Producer: 7th Sky Entertainment Channel: Geo Entertainment Cast: Affan Waheed, Komal Aziz Khan, Sukaina Khan, Hina Altaf, Ali Ansari, Haris Waheed and others.
Drama serial Kasa e Dil has nothing special to offer apart from the fact that those viewers who like to watch Affan Waheed’s dramas might find it interesting enough to follow. The very first episode that established the liking different characters had for each other was quite confusing. It is basically a story of siblings whose children are emotionally involved with each other. The character of Adan played by Affan Waheed is the only outsider but he too has a cousin Shireen played by Komal Aziz Khan who loves him but he fails to acknowledge her feelings.
In Kasa e Dil, all the younger characters are involved in unrequited love and apart from that, this drama has a fair share of family politics and misunderstandings miraculously created by one and only Raheela, played by Sukaina Khan. She is everywhere and all over the place and just like every other drama, each and every target of hers hits the bullseye and she has not been caught so far and probably won’t till the very last episode because all the people around her are not using their common sense and brains whatsoever. The love story of Hatim played by Ali Ansari and Somya, played by Hina Altaf lacks appeal too. They both have zero chemistry and right from the beginning, all the characters seem a bit too mismatched. If you skip watching this drama, you wouldn’t miss much at all. This drama has quite a commercial feel to it and despite having a good production value, it just doesn’t have much of an appeal to it. Despite being the lead, Hina Altaf fails to keep you engaged as a viewer, and hero halo eye makeup even in direst of situations is quite distracting too.
Qarar
Manual book of how-not-to-act, written by Sanam Jung
Drama serial Qarar is yet another drama that revolves around cousin rivalry. Maya and Fareeha (Sanam Jung and Rabab Hashim) are two cousins who have been raised by Maya’s parents and right from the beginning, Maya has always competed with Fareeha. Fareeha is your typical best beti anyone could wish for because she respects her Taya Abba and does not do anything that would make him concerned. Maya is selfish and conceited and her mother entirely holds the responsibility of spoiling her. Maya has grown up feeling she is the most beautiful girl ever and with this, she has this sense of entitlement that she can accept or reject whatever comes her way. Ammar, played by Muneeb Butt shallowly falls in love with Maya considering her beauty but gets rejected by her right at the day of their marriage. To save his face, Taya Abba gets Fareeha married to Ammar and since then, he has been mistreating Fareeha because he also believes she never wanted Maya to get married to Ammar. Maya on the other hand has gotten married to Salman who already has a wife in his village. Maya obviously is going to get rid of Salman and then probably everyone will see Mikal Zulfikar making an entry who happens to be playing the role of Ammar’s elder brother.
The only thing that stands out the most about drama serial Qarar is Sanam Jung’s overacting. When the teasers of this drama were released, viewers actually were excited to see a pretty decent cast joining hands together for a project but it has turned out to be a disappointment. The weak direction also doesn’t help the overall appeal of the drama either. Sanam Jung actually looks older than both the boys whom she has shared the screen with, that will probably be settled once Mikal Zulfikar comes into the picture. Sanam Jung wasn’t too impressive in Main Na Janoo either but with drama serial Qarar, she has people actually thinking that she shouldn’t be acting at all. This drama can also be skipped because it actually does not have anything new to offer either.
Fitrat
Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the biggest Gold Digger of them all?
Writer: 7th Sky Entertainment Director: Asad Jabal Producer: Nuzhat Saman Channel: Geo Entertainment Cast: Saboor Aly, Ali Abbas, Mirza Zain Baig, Zubab Rana, Adla Khan, Maryam Nafees, Seemi Pasha, Saife Hassan, and others.
Fitrat is a soap opera that has failed to end at the right time. At this stage, it is quite obvious that the production house has actually figured out that this drama is generating the ratings, therefore they have decided to drag it. When the drama began, the story was fast-paced and in almost every other episode, there were twists and turns that kept the viewers engaged. The story of Fitrat is all about Faria, played phenomenally by Saboor Aly. This is one such drama that actually showcases how cold and aloof gold diggers can be. She has been shown to have a strained relationship with her mother and her siblings too, because of which she fails to build a relationship based on trust with her husbands Shehbaz and Arbaz as well.
The side tracks in drama serial Fitrat also are quite engaging and hold the interest of the viewers, however, the drama is at this stage where the first 10 minutes are just a repeat of the previous episode and the scenes are being so prolonged that it is becoming a lot more evidence that the producers are finding it hard to wrap this drama up now. However, it won’t be wrong to say that the writer Nuzhat Saman surely has crafted the story in an intelligent manner and all the scenarios make sense and are very realistic and logical. It is unfortunate that Fitrat has turned out to be yet another drama that is already losing its appeal due to unnecessary dragging otherwise the writer has definitely given the viewers something interesting to watch. All the actors have done a brilliant job and after Saboor Aly, Ali Abbas, Zubab Rana, and Mirza Zain Baig have also played their part really well.
Prem Gali
Light-hearted preaching for the kind-hearted
Writer: Faiza Iftikhar Director: Qasim Ali Mureed Producer: Six Sigma Plus Channel: ARY Digital Cast: Sohai Ali Abro, Farhan Saeed, Uzma Hassan, Saba Hameed, Waseem Abbas, Qavi Khan, and others.
It won’t be wrong to say that this was one of the highly anticipated drama serials of 2020. It is because it was coming from the team of Aangan who gave the viewers one of the most memorable dramas in recent years. The setting of this drama has been quite different and deals with the issues faced by the residents of Prem Gali. The writer Faiza Iftikhar has sent out some thought-provoking messages and has preached a lot of things in a light-hearted manner. This is the kind of drama that has people split where some are enjoying it to the fullest and others are finding it a bit too pushed and lacking that feel.
The aspect of the story which is the most unimpressive is everyone’s obsession with the newly wedded couple of Hamza and Joya played by Farhan Saeed and Sohai Ali Abro. All the actors definitely have done a great job but the overall chemistry is quite off. The bickering of Punjabi and Urdu Speaking families has to be one of the most enjoyable parts of the drama but the scenarios and situations fail to really keep you engaged and interested in the show. This drama actually was quite promising but the slow pace and repetitive scenarios took that away from it. Prem Gali definitely is a light-hearted drama and can be watched if you are in for something nice and fun but in general, it failed to become one of the superhits just as the viewers had anticipated.
Dil Tanha Tanha
Your typical sazishi fix for the week
Writer: Misbah Ali Syed Director: Ali Masood Producer: Moomal Entertainment & MD Productions Channel: Hum TV Cast: Kiran Haq, Ali Ansari, Mohsin Abbas Haider, Nazish Jahangir, Syed Arez, and others.
Drama serial Dil Tanha Tanha had people talking already because of the fact that both Mohsin Abbas Haider and Nazish Jahangir decided to appear in a drama together. They both have been surrounded with controversies and all of a sudden the news of their project had people talking again. The story of this drama again is quite typical which shows a girl Tooba played by Kiraq Haq getting mentally and emotionally abused and harassed at the hands of her in-laws and emotionally absent husband. It is however interesting to note that the writer has tried to strike a healthy balance by showing the character of Mirha, played by Nazish Jahangir who is self-reliant and emotionally independent. However, it seems her husband Asfand, played by Ali Ansari who liked her for all these traits is now giving her a hard time too because his wife still wants to pursue her career and fails to learn cooking which his mother thinks is very important.
Dil Tanha Tanha is a decently directed drama and still has such elements that make you look forward to it. The fact that the writer added clear-minded and level-headed girls like Mirha, Maria, and Nimra is definitely a positive aspect of the drama that negates the typical scenario where Adeel and his mother spread negativity. Dil Tanha Tanha is the kind of drama that you can actually watch and the fact that it airs twice a week also keeps things moving and the pace decent. Mohsin Abbas Haider, Kiran Haq, Syed Arez, Ali Ansari, and the actors playing the roles of Maria and Nimra have done a great job in Dil Tanha Tanha. Fariha Jabeen is a senior actor and she has given her all to the character that she plays in the drama as a rigid and pessimistic mother in law. Her acting is effortless.
Be Adab
Reinforcing the importance of relationships
Writer: Inam Hasan Director: Shehzad Kashmiri Producer: Momina Duraid Productions Channel: Hum TV Cast: Saniya Saeed, Rehan Sheikh, Momin Saqib, Hajra Yamin, Faryal Mehmood, and others.
Be Adab is the kind of drama that definitely caters to the older audience. This drama is definitely not going to be a cup of tea for the younger audience because of the mellow and serious vibe that it has. However, it deals with a very sensitive subject and covers the strained relationships that parents may have with their children. This is the kind of story that is definitely going to appeal to viewers who are parents themselves and are in that age bracket which a couple of Sania Saeed and Rehan Sheikh has portrayed in the drama. It shows how biological children may or may not really be there for their parents but an adopted child makes sure to fill the void in the lives of the people who had taken care of him all his life.
In this drama, Hajra Yamin plays the role of a manipulative ambitious girl who doesn’t really understand the importance of relationships. Her negativity stems from the strained relationship that her parents share and she then makes up her mind that she will not suffer due to a lack of comfort and luxuries in her life just like her mother did. She gets married to Rohail, played by Momin Saqib, and then accuses his father of sexual harassment, hoping it will not only drift Rohail apart from his parents but will also give her control over their lives as a newly wedded couple. On the other hand, Faryal Mehmood plays the role of Fatima who is the niece and after losing her mother, she takes care of her uncle and his wife. Be Adab is the kind of drama that you can actually watch if you’re into meaningful content and have the heart to see some of the nicest characters dealing with their emotional traumas. Hajra Yamin has played this complex character skillfully. Momin Saqib definitely has a lot of potentials but he will definitely need to refine his acting skills. Rehan Sheikh and Sania Saeed’s chemistry as a married couple was one of the best aspects of this drama, their conversations were beautiful too. Faryal Mehmood has done complete justice to the character of Fatima and has made her one of the most likable characters seen in recent dramas.
Mushk
Intriguing and Engaging
Writer: Imran Ashraf Director: Aehsun Talish Producer: Momina Duraid Channel: Hum TV Cast: Imran Ashraf, Urwa Hocane, Qavi Khan, Moomal Sheikh, Osama Tahir, Raza Talish, Sehar Khan, Hassan Ahmed, Zara Tareen, and others.
Mushk is another drama which will be ending in a few weeks and it is one of those few dramas which have stayed interesting even towards the end. It has an appealing and intriguing storyline and has enough going for it to keep the viewers looking forward to the next episode. Since Adam and Guddi’s love story has only started, the viewers are looking forward to finding out where this love triangle is headed. Mushk has powerful characters, it has been executed brilliantly and most of the performances have been on point throughout. Imran Ashraf and Urwa Hocane continue to be the main attraction of the drama. It is always good to watch a drama that has a well-thought-out script. Mushk has an old feel to it as well which reminds us of those PTV dramas which we thought will never make a comeback.
This is another drama that is definitely worth watching and one which has kept us hooked for all these weeks. Mushk also has a spiritual element and it is also in a way a story of good vs. evil, the characters however are not black and white, which makes the drama appealing. Even at this point, the element of intrigue that was there, in the beginning, is still alive.
Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida
Acting tujhe alvida
Writer: Abdul Khaliq Khan Director: Barkat Sidiki Producer: Barkat Sidiki & Zayed Shiekh Channel: Hum TV Cast: Sonya Hussain, Zahid Ahmed, Mansha Pasha, Jawed Shiekh, Sajida Syed, and others.
Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida is headed towards an ending but before the writer ends it, he is going to make sure that even after everything Ulfat has done, the viewers have a reason to feel sorry for her in the end. Since the story of the drama is based on the Bollywood film ‘Judai’ and the writer did not add enough tracks to the story himself in order to make it more wholesome, the story has been stretched to the limit. It is a typical dusri biwi story with some of the most confusing characters. It is impossible to feel for any of the characters because they have been etched-out so poorly. There isn’t a single likable character in the drama which itself is a big failure. The script has been weak right from the beginning but as the story is progressing it is even becoming confusing like many other dramas that are written without a proper intent or purpose.
Even though the script and the overall premise along with the characters are ridiculous, the worst part of Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida has to be Zahid Ahmed’s performance. He has tried really hard to be the ‘bechara’ but the way he breathes in some of the scenes for some odd reasons reminds us of the old Pakistani films in which the heroines used to breathe heavily! It is really upsetting watching actors such as Sonya Hussyn and Zahid Ahmed in particular being part of such dramas in which there is little or no room for performance. This is the kind of drama each episode of which can be watched in 10 minutes. We are waiting for it to end and perhaps it will be replaced with some other more interesting drama.
Nand
Gand (Trash)
Writer: Sameena Aijaz Director: Zeeshan Ali Zaidi Producer: Big Bang Entertainment Channel: ARY Digital Cast: Aijaz Aslam, Shehroz Sabzwari, Minal Khan, Javeria Saud, Sumbul Ansari and others.
Nand was actually an entertaining and meaningful drama for more than 30 weeks. That is the main reason why it got the ratings it deserved since the writer for the longest time did a commendable job of highlighting certain issues which have been highlighted many times before too but this time it was done in a thoroughly entertaining manner. Unfortunately, the producers decided to cash in on the popularity of the show and this drama serial turned into a soap opera. The main attraction of the play Faiza Hassan who played the main character so well that this negative character had the viewers’ undivided attention, left the show at a time when it had not gone downhill altogether. Her character however made a comeback following the patterns which are only followed by Indian soap operas. Javeria Saud played this character and since then we are getting to watch some of the most absurd things that have been shown in Pakistani dramas.
We are no longer watching this drama, for obvious reasons but it is pretty evident from the clips on social media that Nand’s story has completely been trashed. We have no idea why this drama is on air and we are still wondering how much the production house paid Javeria Saud to go along with this incredibly insane script. Faiza Hassan was wise enough to make an exit at the right time.
Aulaad
Meaningful & Emotional
Writer: Syed Ameer Ali Shah Director: Aabis Raza Producer: Big Bang Entertainment Channel: ARY Digital Cast: Mohammad Ahmed, Marina Khan, Hassan Niazi, Furqan Qureshi, Nabeel Zuberi Minsa Malik Hina Javed, Sunita Marshal, and others.
Aulaad is one of the few dramas this year which is off to a great start. It has a different storyline because for a change the story revolves around the older characters, the parents. The drama highlights an important issue and definitely would give many parents and grown-up children out there food for thought. It is rarely ever that we get to see the parents’ point of view in detail and in the most emotional manner. The well-written script and perfect portrayals make the story even more relatable. Aulaad has been on air for only 3 weeks but it is clearly the kind of drama written with a specific purpose in mind. Apart from the main storyline, showing a daughter-in-law who is dedicated and loving is also a refreshing change. Even though there are negative females in the drama as well, the writer definitely deserves credit for showing different sides of the picture instead of relying on stereotypes.
All the characters have been etched-out brilliantly and so far for the most part the story is being taken forward logically. The only aspect so far which did not make a lot of sense was the retirement since nowadays it is quite common for such experienced professors to sign contracts with the universities they have been working in immediately after getting retired. Also, the retirement news was too sudden; most people know when they will be getting retired since after being associated with an institution for so long, you are well-informed about everything. This development was definitely forced but apart from that, the drama has a really important message and it keeps you hooked. Syed Muhammad Ahmed and Marina Khan’s performances have breathed life into their respective characters which have definitely added to the impact and appeal of these characters. Aulaad is definitely a must-watch.
Log Kya Kahenge
Worth Watching
Writer: Sofia Khurram Director: Mohsin Mirza Producer: iDream Entertainment Channel: ARY Digital Cast: Faysal Qureshi, Aijaz Aslam, Saheefa Jabbar Khattak, Sakina Samo Afshan Qureshi Furqan Quershi Tipu Shareef Kinza Razzak Humaira Zahid
Log Kya Kahenge is another drama that has been on air for more than 20 weeks and it continues to be entertaining, logical, and interesting. It can be a little too depressing at times but those scenes can easily be forwarded. The drama focuses on the struggles of a woman who was misunderstood and mistreated by her mother-in-law. Her husband took his life after he lost his wealth and felt that he could not provide for his family. After her husband’s tragic death, the main focus was on how she tried really hard to make a new life for herself and her children, against all odds. Although the story sounds clichéd, Meerab’s character has a great deal going for it. She has many strengths and the most likable aspect of her personality is her positive attitude towards life and the ability to stand on her own two feet. The character played by Faysal Qureshi is equally likable and although the story was somewhat predictable since the beginning, there are plenty of reasons to believe that the writer will not turn this one into another one of those typical stories.
The story has taken the turn which most viewers anticipated in the latest episode and there is still so much to look forward to especially because we are hopeful that the writer will stay on track. Saheefa Jabbar and Faysal Qureshi’s commendable performances make their character even more likable. The drama has enough twists and turns to keep you hooked therefore if you are not watching this one, it could be the perfect show to binge-watch this week!
Faryaad
Ek aur bechari
Writer: Rehana Aftab Director: Shahid Shafaat and Syed Ali Raza Usama Producer: Six Sigma Plus & Next Level Entertainment Channel: ARY Digital Cast: Zahid Ahmed, Adeel Chaudhry, Aiza Awan, Nawal Saeed, Zainub Qayoom, Gul-e-Rana, Sana Askari Mariam Ansari, and others
Drama serial Faryaad has been produced by two of the biggest production houses in the country yet it has turned out to be yet another run-of-the-mill story that has left little impact. The overall feel of the drama is commercial, the performances are average and the characters are black and white. Even though it airs thrice a week, it does not even have the entertainment value that dramas that air more than once a week have. It is yet another Mera Dil Mera Dushman which might be a commercial hit but it does not have enough substance to win critical acclaim. Zahid Ahmed continues to make the most disappointing choices. Sometimes, a drama such as this one can be appealing if the performances and the treatment given to the script is promising but Faryaad is definitely not one such drama. That is the reason why we stopped watching it a while back.
Raqs-e-Bismil
Riveting Performances
Writer: Hashim Nadeem Director: Wajahat Rauf Producer: Shazia Wajahat & Momina Duraid Channel: Hum TV Cast: Imran Ashraf, Sarah Khan, Mehmood Aslam, Nida Mumtaz, Anoushay Abbasi, Momin Saqib, Javeria Abbasi, Gul-e-Rana, Saleem Mairaj, Rashid Farooqui, Mohammad Faisal Imran, Zara Shaikh, and others.
Raqs-e-Bismil has only been on air for 3 weeks but it is quite evident already that it will turn out to be a drama that will keep the viewers entertained in the upcoming weeks as well. These 3 episodes of Raqs-e-Bismil have introduced the viewers to some of the most interesting characters we have seen in Pakistani dramas lately. The premises of the story, the beautiful cinematography, and the performances have left us in awe of the drama therefore we have huge expectations from this one. Raqs-e-Bismil is not just another love story since it has so much more to offer. The tight grip on the screenplay and the realistic manner in which the story has been executed make this drama a must-watch. The characterizations are also such that they have kept us hooked these three weeks and looking forward to more. If you are not watching Raqs-e-Bismil yet, we highly recommend that you tune into this one.
Dunk
Cheekh all over again
Writer: Mohsin Ali Director: Badar Mehmood Producer: Bigbang Entertainment Channel: ARY Digital Cast: Nauman Ejaz, Bilal Abbas Khan, Sana Javed, Azekah Daniel, Shahood Alvi, Yasra Rizvi, Saife Hassan, Salma Hassan, and others.
It won’t be wrong to say that Dunk was probably one of the most highly anticipated dramas of 2020. After the success of Ruswai and Pyar Ke Sadqay, people were excited to see the fresh pairing of Bilal Abbas Khan and Sana Javed. Their fandoms really created the hype about this project and then came Fahad Mustafa’s statements as a producer that gave away the entire story. Drama serial Dunk even before its release was surrounded by controversies. However, the hype quickly went down the drain because even before the drama began, the producer himself gave away the entire story and it all ended up looking like a publicity stunt and nothing else.
It won’t be wrong to say that Dunk is Cheekh all over again. The choppy editing and sensationalized soundtracks make it pretty obvious that after giving away the entire story in the initial episodes, they are now going to drag it till the the viewers’ patience will be tested. However, the amusing thing is that the drama-makers, especially the producer couldn’t really keep the suspense and gave it all away that this drama was based on false accusations, therefore not much intrigue value is left in the drama apart from the fact that viewers might watch it for the sake of good performances given by strong actors such as Noman Ejaz, Yasra Rizvi, Bilal Abbas Khan and Sana Javed. Bilal Abbas Khan looks like he has walked in from the sets of Balaa and Cheekh into Dunk and Sana Javed yet again plays the role of a victim in this drama. The fact that Azekah Danial is yet again seen in a Bilal Abbas Khan drama makes it look like she comes in a buy 1 get 1 free offer with Bilal. It is unfortunate that the drama which may have lived up to the expectations has fallen flat a bit too quickly.
Qayamat
Domestic violence starts in 3…2…1…
Writer: Sarwat Nazeer Director: Ali Faizan Producer: 7th Sky Entertainment Channel: Geo Entertainment Cast: Ahsan Khan, Neelam Munir, Haroon Shahid, Amar Khan, and others.
Drama serial Qayamat started airing last week and the first episode established the story. It is more about the rich spoiled manchild Rashid, played by Ahsan Khan who is being pampered by his mother to an extent that she has ruined his personality. Rashid’s father definitely wants to see his son bearing responsibilities but Rashid fails to meet his expectations. Rashid is a womanizer and it seems his parents are well aware of all of his flaws but they choose to turn a blind eye to it. On the other hand, there are two sisters Samra and Ifrah, played by Amar Khan and Neelam Munir. Ifrah is self-reliant and emotionally strong, Samra on the other hand is quite shy and introverted. Their friend’s younger brother likes Samra and is pursuing her for marriage, but as the promos have already given away, Samra will get married to Rashid and will be faced with emotional, physical, and mental abuse.
The first episode of Qayamat was definitely interesting but it had that typical Geo TV drama feel to it. Certain situations as well as acting in some of the scenes seemed a bit too over-the-top. The music seems to be too loud too but the fact that this drama has an ensemble cast will definitely pull in the viewership. All the actors definitely have a strong screen presence, be it Shabbir Jaan, Ahsan Khan, Sana Fakhar, Neelam Munir, Saba Faisal, and the fresh face Amar Khan too. Qayamat definitely has the elements to hold the interest of the viewers, this is the first impression that was given by this drama.
These are our thoughts on the Pakistani dramas that are airing currently. Which one of these are you following? Feel free to share your views in the comment section below.
There are so many Pakistani actors who have worked hard to make a name for themselves over the years. While most of them try their best to choose dramas that give the viewers a reason to tune into their dramas in the future as well, there have been instances when these stars were part of dramas that were not up to the mark. Sometimes, the production houses line up big actors for projects but fail to make good use of their talent. They use these actors’ names and presence to sell their projects but do not invest in the script. As a result of this, the final product is such that these dramas can easily be termed as star-studded disasters. But thankfully there are also those production houses that do justice to the actors by assigning them roles which bring out the best in them. This is nothing short of a challenge when there are too many stars in a single drama. Currently, there are a few dramas with a star-studded cast that made good use of the talent of each one of these stars. Such dramas are rare and that is why they deserve a mention and deserve appreciation more than others.
Here is a list of those amazing Pakistani dramas that are currently on air that put star power to good use and ended up winning over the viewers:
Parizaad
Parizaad deserves to be on top of this list because we watched multiple big stars of the Pakistani drama industry showcasing their acting talent in it. Parizaad made the most of these stars by casting them in roles that made them memorable and also by ensuring that even though there were so many actors and characters that are part of the drama, each one of them has room for performance. From seasoned actors such as Noman Ijaz to brilliant performers such as Ahmed Ali Akbar, Parizaad’s director outdid himself while choosing each actor for these roles. Not only this, there are some fresh faces in the drama as well which got the perfect start to their acting careers by getting to be a part of a drama such as this one. Parizaad is the perfect example of casting done right!
Sinf-e-Aahan
When Sinf-e-Aahan’s cast was revealed the viewers were bowled over completely. When a drama has such a long list of big stars attached to it, the viewers expect the best. Since the expectations of the viewers were so high, there were chances that they might get disappointed if the drama is not as impressive as the cast. However, so far, Sinf-e-Aahan has definitely made the most of its star power by showing all the talented leading ladies of the industry in roles that have the viewers’ undivided attention. Yumna Zaidi, Sajal Ali, Ramsha Khan, Saira Yusef, and Kubra Khan fit perfectly in their respective roles. Apart from this, even the supporting cast consists of some of the biggest names of the industry, and each one of these actors leave a mark. The male leading actors also make their presence felt even though some of them have limited roles to play in the story. The director and the writer definitely had a clear vision while putting this drama together which is why it is an absolute treat for the viewers. Just like all the other dramas on the list, this one too has introduced new faces in the industry.
Sang-e-Mah
Sang-e-Mah was one of the much-awaited dramas this year not only because of its star cast but also because it was a sequel of a drama that was loved by the viewers. Atif Aslam also made his television debut with Sang-e-Mah. Although the drama has been on air only for a few weeks it is already quite obvious that the viewers are in for a ride they will not forget. Sang-e-Mah is the perfect mix of star cast both young and old. The older actors such as Noman Ijaz, Sania Saeed, Sammiya Mumtaz, and others have already impressed the viewers with their performances. The younger lot such as Hania Aamir, Kubra Khan, and Atif Aslam are just as well-suited for their roles. Atif Aslam’s performance and the character he has chosen to play definitely have to be the most pleasant surprise. Sang-e-Mah does not take the star power of any of its cast members for granted, which makes it one of the top contenders for this list.
Jo Bichar Gaye
Jo Bichar Gaye is another drama serial that has a star cast. Some of the stars who are a part of this drama perhaps made the best choice of their career by choosing to be a part of this drama. Maya Ali outshines in a role which made a place in the viewers’ hearts instantly, Wahaj Ali got an opportunity like never before to showcase his acting skills, Nadia Jamil is both amusing and endearing in her role. It is also another one of those dramas which have introduced new actors to the television viewers in some of the most impressive roles. Jo Bichar Gaye is the kind of drama that does not only puts star power to good use but also gives these stars a new introduction.
Dobara
Dobara does not have as long a list of big names attached to it as some of the other dramas on the list but this drama deserves to be on the list because of the characters that are being played by some of the biggest names of the industry. The leading star cast is both refreshing and the perfect fit! Watching Hadiqa Kiyani in a modern and layered role after her debut in a completely different role in Raqeeb Se reflects the vision of the director. Bilal Abbas Khan also got the opportunity to show his acting skills in a role that is different from the one he was recently seen playing. Apart from that, even someone as seasoned as Javaid Sheikh is seen doing something new. His comic timing is perfect and it is fun watching him on-screen. Sakina Samo has definitely won the viewers over as Phupo. Noman Ijaz has also been assigned a really important role in the story. The amusing element of each one of these characters makes Dobara a drama that intelligently makes the most of its star cast.
It is always great watching dramas that show that the directors and the producers have a keen eye which enables them to choose the perfect cast for different roles. Would you like to add any more dramas to the list? Share your opinions.
