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!
Related Links
https://reviewit.pk/fans-think-ushna-shahs-acting-ruined-ghair/
https://reviewit.pk/public-unimpressed-by-amar-khan-in-dil-e-nadan/
https://reviewit.pk/nadia-khan-ridicules-amar-khans-innocent-act-in-dil-e-nadan/
https://reviewit.pk/arslan-naseer-called-out-for-hypocrisy-after-hum-awards/
