There is a good news for followers and fans of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, as he announced his new album will release by end of March 2014. As per RFAK, this album will consists of different varieties of music as it comprises of 12 different genres of music. Some other singers of India and Pakistan have also sung along with RFAK for this album, these include Saleem Suleman, Shreya Goshaal, Sunidhi Chohan whereas voice of Piryanka Chopra is also a possibility. Composition of famous Pakistani composer Sahir Ali Bagga and Yousaf Salahudin is also a highlight of this album.
RFAK hopes this new album will be a mega hit album of 2014. RFAK also revealed that he is also working on a Hollywood project. It is a peace song with Eddie Vedder which is nearly completed too.
Full Content of his interview from VOA Urdu
کراچی — راحت فتح علی خان میوزک کی دنیا کا ایک ایسا نام ہے، جسے سنتے ہی سات سر کانوں میں رس گھولنے لگتے ہیں۔ راحت کے چاہنے والے اور ان کی موسیقی سے لگاوٴ رکھنے والے دنیا کے ہر کونے میں موجود ہیں جو اُن کے نئے گانوں اور البم کا بے صبری سے انتظار کرتے ہیں۔
راحت فتح علی خان کے انگنت چاہنے والوں کے لئے خوشخبری یہ ہے کہ ان کا نیا البم مارچ کے آخر تک ریلیز کر دیا جائے گا۔
گزشتہ روز کراچی میں راحت فتح علی خان نے ’وائس آف امریکہ‘ کے نمائندے کو خصوصی ملاقات کا شرف بخشا، جس میں انہوں نے ڈھیر ساری باتیں بتائیں۔ خاص کر یہ کہ مارچ کے آخر میں وہ اپنا نیا البم لانچ کر رہے ہیں۔ اس حوالے سے، اُن کا کہنا تھا، ’نئے البم میں آپ 12 قسم کا میوزک سنیں گے۔ یہ اس البم کی سب سے خاص بات ہے۔ میرے علاوہ دیگر پاکستانی اور بھارتی سنگرز کی آوازیں آپ کو اس البم میں سنائی دیں گی۔ مجھے سو فیصد یقین ہے کہ یہ سال 2014ء کا میگا البم ثابت ہوگا۔‘
ایک سوال پر، بھارتی آوازوں کے راز سے پردہ اٹھاتے ہوئے، راحت کا کہنا تھا ’البم میں جن بھارتی سنگرز اور کمپوزرس کو آپ اپنے فن کا مظاہرہ کرتے ہوئے دیکھیں گے ان میں سلیم سلیمان، شریاگوشال اور سنیدھی چوہان شامل ہیں، جبکہ ہوسکتا ہے، پریانکا چوپڑا بھی اس البم کا حصہ بن جائیں۔ اس کے علاوہ پاکستان سے ساحر علی بگا اور یوسف صلاح الدین کی کمپوزیشن بھی شامل ہے۔‘
ایک اور سوال کے جواب میں انہوں نے کہا، ’مختصراً کہوں تو یہ البم میوزک کی دنیا میں ایک نیا اور زبردست تجربہ ثابت ہوگا۔ یہ لوگوں میں نیا جوش و جذبہ بھر دے گا۔۔ ہوسکتا ہے مردہ دلوں میں نئی روح بھی پھونک دے۔
راحت فتح علی خان کا کہنا تھا کہ وہ ہالی وڈ کے لئے بھی کام کر رہے ہیں۔ہالی وڈ کے بہت سے اچھے آرٹسٹوں، مثلاً ایڈی ویڈر کے ساتھ ایک نیا گانا تیاری کے مراحل میں ہے جس کے ذریعے دینا کو امن کا پیغام ملے گا۔ ’یہ پروجیکٹ بھی رواں سال لانچ ہو جائے گا۔یہ البم خصوصا ًامریکا میں رہنے والے میرے فینز جن میں پاکستانی، بھارتی اور بنگالی سب شامل ہیں، اور جو میرے شوز میں آکر انہیں چار چاند لگاتے رہے ہیں، ان کے لئے خاص تحفہ ثابت ہوگا۔ امریکن سنگرز، امریکن میوزیشن کے ساتھ مل کر بنایا گیا امن کا یہ گیت یقینا انہیں بہت پسند آئے گا۔‘
راحت فتح علی خان نے ’سندھ فیسٹول‘ کی افتتاحی تقریب میں پرفارم کیا تھا۔ اس بارے میں انہوں نے کہا کہ ’سندھ فیسٹول میں ایک ہزار سال پرانی چیز کو خوب صورت انداز میں پیش کیا گیا ہے۔ اسے دیکھ کر مجھے بہت اچھا لگا۔ اسے کامیاب بنانے میں آرٹسٹ سمیت سارے لوگوں نے انتھک محنت کی۔ سندھ حکومت کو اس فیسٹول کے ذریعے امن و محبت کا پیغام دینے پر مبارک باد پیش کرتا ہوں۔ ان حالات میں اس طرح کی کوشش بہت ضروری تھی۔ ہمیں آپس کی دوریاں ختم کرکے ایک پلیٹ فارم پر مل کر جمع ہوجانا چاہئے۔‘
بالی ووڈ سے محبت زیادہ ملی یا لالی ووڈ سے۔۔اس متعلق ان کا کہنا تھا ’جب سے بھی میں نے گانا شروع کیا، مجھے ہر جگہ سے ۔۔پوری دنیا سے محبت ملی۔ میں خود کو بہت خوش قسمت سمجھتا ہوں کہ نو سال کی عمر سے ہی لوگوں کی محبتیں مل رہی ہیں۔ مجھے استاد نصرت فتح علی خان کی قربت نصیب ہوئی۔ انہوں نے پیار دیا اور ان کی وجہ سے پوری دنیا نے پیار دیا۔ نصرت فتح علی خان کی رہنمائی اور مدد ہی تھی جس کی وجہ سے لوگوں میں میرے گانو ں کو پذیرائی ملی۔ میں نے باقاعدہ گانا1983ءسے شروع کیا تھا۔‘
سال 2014 پاکستانی میوزک کیلئے کیسا رہے گا؟ اس سوال کے جواب میں راحت کا کہنا تھا ’پاکستان میوزک کے لئے یہ سال بہت اچھا ثابت ہوگا۔ پاکستان میوزک کی دنیا میں بہت اہمیت رکھتا ہے۔ میں پاکستان کو ’میوزیکلر پاور‘ کہتا ہوں۔ قیام پاکستا ن سے اب تک پاکستان میں میوزک سے وابستہ لوگوں نے ایسے تجربات کئے ہیں جس کی مثال ملنا مشکل ہے۔ ان تجربات کرنے والوں میں بڑے بڑے نام شامل ہیں، جیسے استاد نصرت فتح علی خان، مہدی حسن، غلام علی، میڈم نورجہاں، عدنان سمیع خان، عابدہ پروین، شفقت امانت علی، عاطف اسلم۔ پاکستان میوزک کی ’عالمی طاقت‘ ہے، مجھے اس پر فخر ہے‘۔
راحت نے بتایا کہ وہ فلاحی منصوبوں میں بڑھ چڑھ کر حصہ لیتے ہیں۔ ’میں نے برطانوی وزیراعظم کی رہائش گاہ 10ڈاوٴننگ اسٹریٹ پر بھی ذیابیطس سے آگاہی پر پروگرام کیا۔ اب خواہش ہے کہ اگر امریکی صدر برا ک اوباما نے کسی ایسے ہی فلاحی پروگرام کے لئے مدعو کیا تو انسانیت کی بھلائی کے لئے اس کارخیر میں ان کی آواز پر لبیک ضرور کہوں گا‘۔
آخر میں، ’وائس آف امریکہ‘ کو خراج تحسین اور اس سے لگاوٴ کا اظہار راحت فتح علی خان نے اپنے مشہور گانے ’تکتے رہتے تجھ کو سانج سویرے‘ گنگنا کر کیا۔
Please keep in mind that you do not certainly have to draw a comparison between the veteran and the latest version whilst exploring Khoobsurat in cinemas.
This Khoobsurat is entirely different from the original one. The only common factor between the two is the fact how a fun-loving and chirpy girl changes the complete outlook and perspective of a royal family who has been leading an orthodox life.
Dr. Mili Chakravorth played by Sonam Kapoor is a sports physiotherapist who has come down to treat the Raja of Sambhalgarh. Whilst her stay at the their royal palace, she observes the intricate matters of the family members and tries to cheer them up. She enlightens them with a new way of living and adds colors to their dull life.
Yuvraj Vikram Singh Rathore played by Fawad Khan first retaliates to her broad mindedness but soon he falls for her charm. Mili has won their hearts but in the same process she has lost her heart to Vikram. Unfortunately, a twist in the fairy tale romance arises when Mili learns about Vikram’s engagement to someone else.
Will Mili declare her love for Vikram? Will Vikram break his engagement and the vintage rules of his family?
To find the answers, you have to watch the movie!
I will not add any spoiler alerts for you; watch the movie to know what happens next.
Okay, now lets come to the main movie review.
I found the first half of the movie a bit groggy and the story line dragged at most of the places. The second half catches paces and looks fairly decent. Though story is simple but it is beautifully narrated. All songs are entertaining and catchy but for me, Naina and Abhi Toh Party Shuru Huwi Hai stole the show.
Sonam looks beautiful and has perfectly fit into the skin of the character. Mili is what Sonam is in real life. She is fun, quirky and loud. She has done full justice to her role and undoubtedly, steals the show with her heart stealing performance.
Fawad Khan is a born charmer. Whoever said that this movie is a women oriented movie is utterly false because Fawad does have a major role in the movie. A Disney fairy tale romance is incomplete without a Prince. Fawad looks like a true Rajasthani prince. With suave looks, intense eyes, heavy eye lashes, sexy hairdo and chiseled chest, he looks mind blowing with the pensive look in each and every scene. AHH!
The chemistry is good between Mili and Vikku but it could have been improved if there were more interactions and conversations between the duo. The thought bubble idea was quite innovative. I’d like it more if they displayed the thought bubbles on screen with the dialogues. It would have looked more appealing.
I loved when he called her Aaafat all the time and she termed him as Kharoos.
Though Kirron Kher has played numerous Punjabi mother roles but I have really loved and enjoyed her as Manju. She is a delight to watch. Her dialogues are quite witty and humorous. The climax scene between Manju and Vikku is not to be missed.
Ratna Pathak Shah and Amir Raza Hussain were also decent in their roles. Aditi Rao Hydari has been completely wasted. She’s done more work in her previous flicks.
Khoobsurat is a fun ride. The entire credit goes to the director and the production team. It is a beautiful delight and a complete family entertainer that should not be missed at any cost.
Fawad Khan fans should feel proud after watching their hero on the Big screens. He has made an intelligent move by selecting Khoobsurat as his Bollywood debut.
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and recommend everyone to watch it once too. I believe Khoobsurat is already creating raves and receiving accolades both in India and Pakistan. How else could you prove the audience madness when the movie ends in the cinema and the entire audience gives a huge round of applause.
Do not expect it to be one of your best cinematic experiences. The idea is to just go with the mind to enjoy a decent fairy tale romance with your loved ones. Feel Khoobsurat and you will become Khoobsurat.
Rating: 3.5/5 (Plus 0.5 is for Fawad Khan.)
A daughter and a mother‘s bond is very special. Mother is a daughter’s best friend and her biggest support at every step of life. Noor Khan and Sarah Khan who are one of the most famous celebrity sisters of Pakistani showbiz industry, recently lost their beautiful mother to Cancer.
A beautiful picture of Noor Khan and Sarah Khan’s mother
Their beloved mother had been suffering from this fatal disease for four years before she passed away. Sarah Khan shared in different interviews how her mother’s death affected her life. She also said that she had accepted what had happened because she felt that her mother was in too much pain. She also said that since Noor Khan was heart broken, she had to take care of her so she had to be strong.
My mother was my universe – Noor Khan
Noor Khan had the most difficult time accepting her mother’s sad demise. She shared her true feelings about her mother’s death and how it affected her, while talking to Samina Peerzada on her show Speak Your Heart With Samina Peerzada. Noor Khan said that her mother taught her how to deal with every situation so she never had any difficulty at any stage of life.
Noor Khan said that the one thing her mother did not teach her was how to live without. Noor Khan also shared that in her opinion, time does not heal the pain of losing a loved one but it only teaches how to live with that pain.
I’m a picky person- anyone who knows me can vouch for my crazy side. I’m picky when it comes to just about anything- most especially what I’m watching. I rate my dramas like any 5 year old in 3 distinct categories –
Wow! Boo Nooooooooooooo
For the most part, I give up shortly after a bad episode(s) but there are times I keep watching just to see how long I can survive. These indulgences are my guilty pleasures. Here is a list of some of my Guilty pleasures or for ease of understanding Nooooooooooooo:
1. Janam Jali– If ever there was an evil saas, BiJi can take her down in a jiffy. This woman is pure evil and if you thought it ends there enter her preferred bahu. A home-wrecker would be putting it too mildly, imagine something graphic like having your heart pulled out and chewed upon…
2. Bashar Momin– Since GEO is temporarily out-of-service, I seem to have a case of withdrawal symptoms. Bashar Momim, touted as one of the most expensive dramas till date, is so tacky I don’t know where to begin! Our don is a Punjabi Lollywood stereotype, who’s life circles around fixing his sister’s love-life, finding (read buying) a suitable spouse for her and ensuring the one who is already married keeps her man! It’s by far the most engaging burlesque I’ve witnessed on Pakistani television.
3. Adhoori Aurat– I watched every single episode of this drama hoping for a glimmer of some positivity. I can’t describe the trauma I had to undergo. It troubles me every time I see the word Adhoori…
4. Mujhe Khuda Pe Yakeen Hai– Oh Mere Khuda! For me, this was Ahsan Khan’s tribute to the tragedy queens of our television. I don’t know how else to make sense of this epic drama that tortured us with the torture of seeing Ahsan cry and fall until the end- where nothing really happened!
5. Ishq Ibaadat– Faisal Qureshi’s memory loss took us through quite a ride. Two wives, accusations flying, a side track involving Momar Rana…
6. Aise Jaley Jiya– FYI- The jaley was meant in the literal sense here for those wondering what`s up with the title! Jahez, evil saas, evil in-laws, terrible husband… and some people being burnt alive! Just your everyday story this one.
So, come on now spill the beans. What are your guilty pleasures? What do you watch even though you know better? I’ve shared mine, now it’s your turn!
I wrote an article a few months back about my favorite on-screen characters, chosen from the plays that were on air at that time. Many months have passed since that article was posted and now is the perfect time to share with all of you some of my favorite on-screen characters from the recent plays because there are a number of dramas on air at the moment with some very relatable and interesting characters. I think that a strong script is one which gives us characters that are nicely etched-out. There are some characters we love because we can relate to them, there are others which we like because they are inspiring or just plain cute and there are those which just leave you wondering but you still like them! Here is the list of characters which I am really enjoying watching nowadays. Please feel free to add to the list because I am not watching Aik Nayee Cinderella and I know from the viewers’ discussions on this forum that people find some of the characters in Aik Nayee Cinderella very cute.
Bari Apa (Bari Apa):
Believe it or not this arrogant, selfish and rigid woman is on top of my list! Why? Well because I think we have not seen a character like Zubeida in a very long time. She is strong and selfish but I have to say that I find it difficult to totally dislike her. Although sometimes Zubeida’s double standards shock you to the core but there are times when one feels like there is a reason why Zubeida is the way she is. She was given the responsibility of looking after her siblings at a very young age and she could not marry the one man she loved because her mother wanted her to marry a rich man so that she could help the family financially. Does it sound like I am supporting this head strong woman? Well not really I do see very clearly that she is a hypocrite who “cheats” on her husband by emotionally relying more on her ex-fiancé than her own husband and tells the women around her that they need to respect their spouses when she has no respect for her own husband. There are so many interesting shades to Zubeida’s personality, I absolutely love her character and the play too and I am waiting to see what the new twist in the story has to offer. The character has been played brilliantly by Savera Nadeem and half of the beauty of this character lies in the way she has brought it to life on-screen.
Riffat (Bari Apa):
Yes another character from Bari Apa. In fact I was quite confused as to who I should put second on the list Riffat or Firdous. But Riffat deserves this spot much more than Firdous does. Although Riffat is not playing the lead in the play but I fell in love with her character when she decided to walk out on her husband after he threatened her of divorce…finally a woman who can put her foot down and take a stand where it is needed! The way Riffat feels for Bari Apa when she finds out that her husband married another woman and does not derive pleasure from the news showed that she is a very nice person at heart. While Firdous rejoiced at the news that Zubeida was in deep waters, Riffat did not think like that for a second. Madiha Rizvi has done complete justice to her character and is spot-on as Riffat.
Kashaf (Zindagi Gulzar hai):
Kashaf has won my heart only after two episodes; well to be honest I have liked Kashaf right from the first episode. We have seen many characters that are “somewhat” like Kashaf on-screen; girls who are poor and complain often but Kashaf is in no way like all these characters which we have seen previously. Kashaf has so much more to her personality that just the complaining bit. She is a practical and hardworking girl who loves her mother so much that all she dreams of is a day when her mother will not have to work so hard to make ends meet. Kashaf does not only dream of that day but is working hard to achieve that objective. Kashaf is not waiting for a prince charming to come rescue her but she relies only on her own strength. Sanam Saeed is doing a remarkable as Kashaf and I am really truly looking forward to seeing more of her. I am quite certain that she won’t let her fans down.
Rafia ( Zindagi Gulzar Hai):
Rafia (Kashaf’s mother) is a woman who may have had a very tough life but she is still very positive. She is a brave woman who loves her husband and of course finds it very difficult and hurtful to be ignored by him but she still has the courage to go on with life because she knows only too well that she is the only hope that her daughters have. Kashaf may complain and think negative thoughts but she is brave, courageous and practical like her mother. Samina Peerzada never fails to impress us and although she has played so many such positive characters in the past too but she does not bore us for a second.
Qabacha (Tanhaiyaan Naye Silsilay):
Even those of you who are not entirely enjoying Tanhiyaan Nayee Silsilay must admit that even after so many years Behroze Sabzwari has managed to pull off this character with just as much ease as he did so many years back. Qabacha is cute, caring, and sensitive and puts a big smile on my face every time he comes on-screen. He was my most favorite character in the original Tanhaiyaan too and honestly speaking I was a little apprehensive to watch him on-screen all over again because it could ruin my childhood memories. But this new Qabacha is just cute and lovable as the old one. Behroze Sabzwari deserves special praise for a job well done.
Serena (Tanhiyaan naye Silsilay):
Out of all the new characters that have been added to this sequel Serena has to be my most favorite. She is fun, bubbly, cute, caring and simply adorable. The way Serena has “converted” herself (the chori daar pajamas, choorian etc) after coming to Pakistan is very sweet. Syra Yusef has turned into a wonderful actress and she was the perfect choice for playing this role.
Please share your thoughts about these characters and also, feel free to add to the list.
I had spent a horrible childhood, Sonya Hussain revealed.
Sonya Hussain is a fresh face of the Pakistani industry. She started her career six years ago and now she has achieved success in a short span of time.
We have always seen her fun side on screen but in her recent interview with Samina Peerzada, she expressed her sorrows.
Sonya talked about her broken family and how she suffered in her childhood.
“My father left me and my sister when I was 8 years old. I am the eldest sister when I was born people used to say ‘oh, a daughter has been born’. My father was under pressure of society. They set this ideology in my father’s mindset that a son is very important. Due to this reason, he got married again, she revealed.”
She continued, “A miracle happened, my stepmother gave birth to a son and right after one month my mother also gave birth to a son. After this, my family started breaking. I had a very difficult childhood.”
Finally, my mother and father are back together. We are humans and we all commit mistakes, she concluded.
Here is her interview where Sonya speaks her heart out:
Ali Abbas is a committed and devoted Pakistani actor who hails from Karachi and belongs to an artistic background. He is a versatile actor who is seen performing different roles on screen and has received immense love from the people for his remarkable acting. He is indeed giving tough competition to all the actors with his magnificent performance.
Ali Abbas was recently spotted in an interview with “Something Haute”.
Talking about his showbiz journey Ali reveled that my father never wanted me to join showbiz industry. Further he said that “I’m a corporate lawyer , I hold three degrees in law. I did not enter showbiz accidentally, it was my dream to become an actor”.
“The most difficult hurdle for me while joining media industry was my own father who never wanted me to enter this field. I was scolded every time whenever I used to say that I want to join this field. He used to say that there is no money in this work and it is a very risky field, either you rise or fail, but it was my passion so I did it”, added Ali Abbas.
Ayeza Khan is one of the most famous names of the Pakistani industry. She is married to a famous actor, Danish Taimoor. The couple shares a good bonding and they did love marriage.
Ayeza recently appeared in a morning show where she talked about what happened when Danish’s rishat came and shared:
“When Danish’s family asked for my hand, my whole family was angry with my mother because they wanted me to get married in family. But my mother liked Danish. Danish came to my mother for my rishta and when we met again (after the fight) it was all due to my mother and father’s effort.”
On asking upon why did Ayeza and Danish fought, she replied, “To get into relationship you need to be mature. We were very young when we got into a relationship and fought over meager things.”
She continued and said, “We got nto relationship when I was getting into my intermediate and Danish just started her career.”
My Dear Cinderella is a new Ramadan drama that started airing on Hum TV. The Rmadan show has a family story with the ever present rom-com themes. The show is lead by Khaqan Shahnawaz and Zara Peerzada. Other cast members include Juggan Kazim, Tara Mehmood and Seemi Pasha who are playing the other main characters. The drama is written by Hassan Imam and directed by Mohsin Talat.
The drama started as a typical loud story with Zara Peerzada playing the titular Cinderella in the show. Zara Peerzada is playing the main lead but her expressions looked frozen in each frame. Her presence was robotic. This is her first show and she is otherwise a supermodel thus the change in camera was felt. Khaqan Shahnawaz did not get much screen time but he looked like he does in his social media content. He is playing a Pashtoon character and things may change with more episodes.
My Dear Cinderella once again failed in what most Pakistani comedy shows fail. The jokes were once again stereotyping both Punjabis and Pashtoons. Pashtoons with their lightly spiced food while a Punjabi was shown sleeping in red lipstick. The jokes were loud but not impactful and the writing of the script could have been better.
Viewers also felt that casting for the lead actress could have been changed as Zara looked very robotic in all the scenes. Others felt that this is another miss for Ramadan shows. This is what they had to say:
My Christmas Love is a Romantic-comedy movie, directed by Jeff Fisher. It was released by Hallmark channel on 17 December in 2016. It is written by Garrett Frawley and Brian Turner. The movie is about a girl, who is receiving presents from an anonymous suitor, in the days of Christmas. The girl tried to find him and when she found him, they both fell in love with each other.
The main cast of the story comprises Meredith Hagner, Bobby Campo, Megan Park, Aaron O’Connell, and Gregory Harrison.
Meredith Hagner
Meredith Kathleen Hagner is an American actress. She made her acting debut in, As the World Turns, which was a soap opera, by doing the role of Liberty Ciccone from 2008 to 2010. This role leads her to the nomination of a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding young actress. After that, she appeared in a series, Lights Out in 2011 and Men at Work in 2012-2014. Her one more prominent role is of Portia Davenport, which she is doing in Search Party from 2016-present.
She was born in New York on 31 May 1987 but spent her childhood in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Chapel High School in 2005. She joined Boston Conservatory but at that time, she started getting acting opportunities so she moved to New York for them.
Some of the movies she did are Going the Distance, Damsels in Distress, Art Machine, Hits, We’ll Never Have Paris, Creative Control, Irrational Man, Folk Hero and Funny Guy, Ingrid Goes West, Set it Up, The Oath, Brightburn, Palm Springs, Horse Girl, and Vacation Friends.
Bobby Campo
Robert Joseph Camposecco, who is known as Bobby Campo, is an American actor. He has played the role of Liam in the movie My Christmas Love. The most famous of his roles is the lead role of Nick O’Bannon in The Final Destination.
He was born in a place called Wheeling in West Virginia. His childhood is spent in St. Petersburg, Florida. His father was a painting contractor and was a makeup artist, who worked with so many celebrities. Bob has a younger sister. He has attended Seminole High School and a Studio workshop, Tampa in Florida. He is married to a former model and hairstylist, Christie Mac. They married each other on 8th March 2016.
Some of his notable movies are Coffee and Cream, Legally Blondes, The Final Destination, Queen, Séance: The Summoning, A Conversation About Cheating With My Time Travelling Future Self, General Education, The Jazz Funeral, Starve and Unbroken: Path to Redemption.
Megan Park
Megan is a Canadian singer, director, and actress. She is best known for her role as Grace in a series, The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She was born in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, on July 24 in 1986. She went to Oakridge Secondary School in London, Ontario. When she was in her school, she used to be a part of the Children’s Theatre Program. She commenced her career when she was just 6.
In the year 2006, she met actor Tyler Hilton, during the shooting of Charlie Bartlett. They both started dating. In December 2013, they both got engaged and on October 10th in 2015, they married each other. In February 2020, their daughter Winnie was born.
Some of her famous movies are Some Things That Stay, Charlie Bartlett, Diary of the Dead, A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song, Guns, Girls and Gambling, So Undercover, The F Word, Demonic, Room, Central Intelligence, Did I Kill my Mother?, Dog Days, and Deported.
Aaron O’Connell
The Scott in My Christmas Love, Aaron John O’Connell is an American model and an actor. He is most famous for his role as Wyatt Cryer in an Oprah Winfrey Network drama series The Haves and the Have Nots.
He was born on April 8, 1986, in Dayton, Ohio, US. He attended Cathedral High School till 2004 and graduated from Purdue University in 2008. His father O’Connell was a former player for Cincinnati Bengals and Kathryn Deeble O’Connell. He is the brother of three sisters. He was so fond of basketball, football, and baseball. He was in a relationship with model Natalie Pack and they got engaged on September 4 in 2017. They both got married on July 21 in the year 2018, at Lake Como in Italy.
Some of his most notable movies are LAID: Life as it’s Dealt, The Haves and the Have Nots, The Tyler Perry Show, 12 Gifts of Christmas, A Prince for Christmas, Home and Family, The Real, My Christmas love, With Love, Christmas, Lethal Weapon, Black Water, This is our Christmas, and Runnin’ from my Roots.
Gregory Harrison
Gregory Neale Harrison is an American actor. He has done the role of Tom in the movie, My Christmas Love. He is most famous for his roles as Chandler in a 1987 movie, North Shore, then as Dr. George Alonzo in a CBS series, Trapper John, M.D. and Michael Sharpe, a cunning business tycoon in another CBS series Falcon Crest.
He was born in California. His father was a ship’s captain and a poet. George has also served in the US Army during the Vietnam War era. He has married actress Randi Oakes in 1980. They have four kids, one boy, and three girls. For 15 years, he was living in Gold Beach, Oregon but he moved to Eugene in 2007. In the 1980s, he got addicted to cocaine, but he recovered with the help of Betty Ford Rehabilitation Centre.
He has done a number of movies, television dramas, short films, etc. but some of his most famous movies are The Harrad Experiment, Jim the World’s Greatest, Fraternity Row, Razorback, North Shore, Body Chemistry II, Cadillac Girls, Tis a Gift to be Simple, Hard Evidence, It’s My Party, Air Bud, Cannon Inverso – Making Love, Love N’ Dancing, The M Word, Fair Heaven, Hour of Lead, etc.
Other characters of My Christmas Love are Ben Gavin as Roger, Jeremy Glazer as Grant, Anne Sward as Esther, Darren Ewing as Mr. Milano, Houston Merrill as Jason, Anna Daines as Maggie, Gavin Bentley as Smittie, Robyn Kemp as a singer, Yolanda Woods as Sandra, Bryan Daley as Tyler, and so many other small characters.
That’s all from the cast of My Christmas Love, do let us know your thoughts about them!
After her film debut in Manto as Noor Jehan, Saba Qamar snapped up a lead role in Wajahat Rauf’s highly awaited follow-up to Karachi Se Lahore, titled Lahore Se Aagey.
But she won’t be stopping to catch her breath after that shoot’s wrapped up.
Saba says she’ll soon be flying off to India for her big Bollywood break.
In this debut Bollywood film, Saba will star opposite The Lunchbox actor Irrfan Khan.
“It’s a family-oriented story of a husband and wife. It has a young, fresh vibe and the wife is a little dominating. People will surely like it,” she said to Images. “The film is a little like that Deepika film, Piku.”
The film will be directed by Saket Chaudhry of Shaadi Ke Side Effects and Pyaar Ke Side Effects fame. It will be produced by Illuminati Films, which has previously backed titles like Love Aaj Kal and Cocktail.
Saba will begin filming in July this year.
Acknowledgement: Whole content is borrowed from Dawn.com from below link
Muzna Ebrahim is a famous Pakistani celebrity who is very vocal about animal rights and often shares her love for animals on social media. Recently, KMC poisoned her adopted stray dogs and she took the matter to social media.
She posted heart-wrenching photos of the dying dog. She also posted a video and other statuses to ask for justice for these animals and to encourage others to raise their voice against this inhumane act.
In a country like Pakistan where men and women are killed without any consequences, people who still manage to raise their voice for the voiceless animals are amazing and remarkable human beings just like Muzna.
Animal activists are often criticized for not raising their voice for humans but the truth is they are raising their voice for the voiceless and their efforts are commendable.
Syed Muzammil Shah is a renowned Pakistani philosopher, digital creator, and host. He has a substantial social media following. He has 451k YouTube subscribers and around 85k Instagram followers. Currently, he is hosting an 8:00 pm show on Express News. Syed Muzammil Shah is also known for his clear and blunt stance about national integrity. He raises his voice on various social and political issues as well. The host is concerned about the rights of all the ethnicities living in Pakistan.
Recently, Syed Muzammil Shah appeared in the show Zabardast, hosted by Wasi Shah. In the show, he criticized Mahira Khan’s acting skills but praised her gorgeous personality.
Talking about her acting, Muzammil said, “I have placed Mahira Khan in the 4th slot because I don’t think Mahira has that good acting expertise. I might differ from others here but that is my opinion. Also, I haven’t followed her work much, or maybe you can also change this picture or question because then people will make memes on me and I will grab headlines”
He further added, “I think she was in The Legend of Maula Jatt and her acting didn’t fascinate me. I liked Hamza Ali Abbasi in that film, he was top-notch”. Here is the link to the video:
Mustafa Zahid is the lead vocalist of the music band Roxen, which was formed by Mustafa Zahid along with his friends in 2004. The bands has two albums to its credit and Mustafa has sung songs for many Bollywood films like Awarapan, Runaway, Blood Money, Murder3, Ek Villain and many more. The band also sung the soundtrack for ARY’s drama serial Tere Liye. Mustafa Zahid has also sang a single with Enrique Iglesies titled “Turn the Night Up”. Mustafa Zahid is also hosting a show called Gata Rahe Mera Dil along with Rabi Pirzada on TV One Global. Mustafa Zahid recently got married. Here are some pictures of different functions of his wedding:
Mustafa Zahid is a Pakistani music composer who achieved success with his singles “Toh Phir Aao” and “Tera Mera Rishta”. He is also the band leader and the lead vocalist of Roxen, a rock band that was formed in 2004. Their debut album titled Roxen-E-Dewaar was released in late 2006 and remained on top of all charts in Pakistan for almost six weeks. Mustafa Zahid has also worked for various Indian movies and his melodious tracks were mostly picturized on Imran Hashmi and other popular Bollywood heroes as well.
Mustafa Zahid has released a soulful hamd “Allah” on Youtube. The video has received thousands of views in just a few hours after its premier. Mustafa has been praised by many of his fans in Pakistan and across the border.
Let’s check out what the fans have to say on Mustafa Zahid’s Latest Soulful Hamd.
Mustafa Zahid is a famous singer and music composer of Pakistan. Zahid is known for his singles “Toh Phir Ao” and “Tera Mera Rishta”, released in 2007. Mustafa Zahid is also a vocalist and bandleader of the rock band Roxen, which was formed in 2004. He is the cousin of maestro Ali Azmat.
Mustafa Zaidi recently released his original version of “Hum Jee Lengey”. The song was formerly featured in Murder 3 in 2013. Saboor Aly is featured in the video of the song.
Let’s have a look at the video:
The video of the song is directed by Saad Hashmi. Saboor Aly indeed looked gorgeous throughout the video.
Have you guys seen the video song? Ain’t it amazing? Do you guys like it too? Feel free to share your views with us!
Mustafa Zahid from Roxen is a very famous singer who has given hits like Tera Mera Rishta purana also his band was among top Pakistani bands and he has given many hits. They have ruled the the pop-rock music of Pakistan in previous decade. He is now a days less seen in the music scenario but just spoke up on his Instagram page after Tribune has written a baseless and false story about him.
The story says that Mustafa Zahid has refused to to do a come back unless India lifts the ban which is claimed fake and untrue by Mustafa Zahid himself on his page today. He has also said that Tribune needs to undo this and look into it , also Tribune should apologize as spreading such fake news as it is bad reporting.
Well , in Pakistan working in India is judged and such statements are regarded as anti state statements public doesn’t want our singers to go there and spread such news. His wrath is justified.
So no one should actually spread fake news, tribune needs to look into this matter.
We as a fans of Mustafa Zahid urge him to soon be back in singing as we are all waiting .
Mustafa Qureshi is a popular Pakistani film actor. Mustafa Qureshi is mainly known for essaying solid villain characters in Punjabi films, his films, especially Maula Jutt fetched him a huge amount of success and fame. Having experienced the huge success we can undoubtedly say that Mustafa Qureshi is one of the great legends of Pakistani cinema industry who is adored by Pakistanis in all times. He’s also popular in India.
A few days ago, Mustafa Qureshi Talked about the love he received from Bollywood actor Dharmedra, he said that Dharmendra imitated his iconic character Noori Nath from blockbuster Punjabi film Maula Jutt.
Talking about it he said, “I was in London when I got a phone from a fan who talked to me in Noori Nath’s accent, also he urged to meet me, he said, “You will come to meet me or should I come to meet you”_[in Noori Nath’s accent], I was astonished and asked if who is he, he then revealed to me that he’s Dharmendra”. Mustafa Qureshi said that he had never met Dharmendra before.
He said, “Dharmendra told me that he is a big fan of me and wants to have lunch with me, I asked him if he can meet me at night, then, he had a meeting with me during night despite his shooting”
Mustafa Qureshi said, “we had a long meeting, I went to his home in London, he hugged me again and again. We talked for hours, he also told me that how in India, they used to watch Pakistani movies and also tried to create their iconic characters but could do well. Mustafa Qureshi then said that Sunny Deol & Bobby Deol also came to meet him during his meeting. Mustafa Qureshi had all the positive things to share about the legendary actor Dharmendra. Here is the link.
Mustafa Qureshi is a renowned senior Pakistani film actor, mainly known for portraying strong villainous roles in Punjabi films. His film Maula Jutt brought him international fame and tremendous success. Mustafa Qureshi’s son, Aamir Qureshi, is also a well-known Pakistani actor. The veteran actor lives in Karachi with his children and often appears at showbiz events.
A few days ago, the senior film actor met with an unfortunate accident while walking in Karachi. He fell into a roadside ditch during his routine walk. The actor’s leg was fractured, and he is currently recovering from the injury. Recently, he spoke to the media about his condition.
Talking about the incident, he said, “I go for a walk outside my house every day. There was a ditch on the road that hadn’t been filled. My foot got caught in it, I lost my balance, and fell down, fracturing my leg. Open manholes and ditches have become a major problem in the city. It is now the government’s responsibility to fix these issues.”
Social media users expressed sadness over the situation faced by the veteran actor. Many criticized the Sindh government, saying that the Pakistani nation has become accustomed to such negligence. Some remarked that he was fortunate enough due to his celebrity status because the incident was covered by the media. Read the comments:
Mustafa Qureshi is a famous Pakistani veteran film actor. Mustafa Qureshi is well known for essaying negative characters in Punjabi films. His films including Maula Jutt fetched him a timeless fame and success. Having experienced the huge success, we can undoubtedly say that Mustafa Qureshi is one of the great legends of Pakistani cinema industry who is loved and praised by millions of Pakistanis. He’s also popular in India. His son Aamir Qureshi is also an excellent Pakistani television and film actor. Last year, Mustafa Qureshi’s wife Rubina passed away.
Lately, he talked to the YouTuber Moin Zubair about the hurdles he is facing for booking his grave with wife Rubina. He said, “I have placed the inscription (name plate) right next to my wife’s grave on my own, but the Sindh government is asking for the amount of rupees five lac, which is way too much. Also, last time, Sindh government paid for my wife’s grave; however, I felt that a department of Sindh government has transferred money from one office to the other. This time again, they are ready to pay, but I am not in favor of paying. Why do the artists (who have worked all their life for the country) have to go through this? Artists should be given the concession.” Mustafa Qureshi was quite emotional and sad about this matter. Here is the link to the video:
Here are a few beautiful memorable pictures of Mustafa Qureshi with his adorable wife:
Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar has resigned from the post of spokesperson of Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said through his social media account that he has resigned from the post of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s spokesperson, not from the PPP.
I have resigned from the position of spokesperson to the chairman, not from #PPP. Will stand by BBZ through thick and thin. In my years as his spokesperson, have given counsel with honesty, sincerity and in the best interests of the country and the party.
Mustafa Hanif is a renowned Pakistani Digital creator who rose to fame due to his uncanny resemblance with popular Turkish actor Engin Altan who played the character of Ertugrul in Ertugrul Ghazi. Mustafa Hanif began his YouTube channel which now has 1.63 Million subscribers. The digital creator is also known for his devotion for charitable activities.
Lately, the YouTuber made an appearance in Nadir Ali’s podcast where he talked about his love and connection with the beautiful city Madinah.
Talking about it, he said, “My favourite international destination is the peaceful city of Madinah. I want to make a home in the beautiful city where our Prophet (S.A.W.W) lived. There is no better place than Madinah in the world and I often go there to get peace”
He further added, “Once I was crying on a Naat when my son asked, ‘Papa what happened to you?’ to which I replied that soon I will be visiting Madinah and I once again went there within two three days, I recharged myself there and came back”. He also recited a beautiful Naat which represented his feelings for Madinah. Here is the link to the video:
Mustafa Amir case in Karachi rocked the country as it was extremely sensitive and involved the youth of this country. The young lad Mustafa was only 23 years old when he got intertwined with Armaghan, another young man involved in crimes and drugs. He was abducted by Armaghan and his accomplices and they killed him in the most tragic manner.
Armaghan was the main accused in Mustafa Amir case. He was arrested after killing and burning Mustafa in January 2025. Since then the victim’s family has been running around from court to court to get justice for their son.
Shahzeb Khanzada has given updates on the case and it is heartbreaking to say the least. The accused Armaghan admitted to killing Mustafa Amir. Later when police went to arrest him, he opened fire at the police party and a DSP got severely injured who passed away later on. The accused has still been able to avoid trial and the Mustafa’s family has now approached Sindh High Court for a speedy trial.
Here is the latest update:
The internet is reacting to this new development. One said, “Shame on Sindh Govt and police as they could not get justice for their own DSP.” Another added, “There is no justice here.” One went, “Courts are dead.” Here is the reaction:
Naimal Khawar Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi are the two popular Pakistani actors who make an Uber cute celebrity couple. The couple has an adorable son Mustafa Abbasi. Both the actors often share beautiful pictures and videos of their apple of the eye. Mustafa Abbasi is now considered to be an adorable little celebrity who is loved by Hamza and Naimal Khawar Khan’s fans.
Recently, the little Gogo has turned two and the families of Naimal Khawar Khan and Hamza Abbasi got united for a pre birthday celebration of Mustafa Abbasi. Naimal Khawar Khan has shared memorable video made of memorable moments from the pre birthday celebration. Here are the pictures from pre birthday celebration of Mustafa Abbasi.
Naimal also shared her family pictures and a short video of cake cutting ceremony. Family was united on the dining table. They were all adoring little Mustafa’s cute actions and expressions on his pre-birthday cake cutting. Naimal Khawar Khan also urged her fans to pray for her son Mustafa Abbasi.
There was a time when Pakistani viewers desperately wanted to watch dramas which highlighted important social issues, broke stereotypes and were entertaining too since most of the dramas focused entirely on family politics and there were hardly any strong female leads in our dramas. Although, even today such dramas get ratings but there are plenty of viewers out there who want to see variation in Pakistani dramas and would rather tune into a show which serves a higher purpose. Apart from this, the viewers also wanted the drama makers to experiment with different genres.
The production houses finally realized that they needed to make dramas which were for those viewers who believe that dramas are a useful medium for spreading awareness and shedding light on topics which people usually shy away from therefore they didn’t only let the writers experiment with genres but also showed quite a few hard-hitting dramas in prime time.
You can’t watch issue-based heavy-duty dramas every day of the week therefore we have made a list of entertaining shows which will keep you hooked and also offer variety. While some of them are thought provoking dramas which show a realistic picture of some really serious issues in our society, others are feel-good family dramas which keep you looking forward to more and help you unwind.
Dar Si Jati Hei Sila
Writer: Bee Gul
Director : Kashif Nisar
Produced by: MD Productions
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Dar Si Jati Hei Sila is a must-watch for all those people who like watching thought-provoking dramas which fit the bill. This drama will not disappoint you and it will give you tons to reflect upon. The writer’s direct and honest approach, riveting performances and brilliant direction are few of the reasons why this drama is a must-watch. It is intense, powerful and definitely stays with you long after you’re done watching it.
Dar Si Jati Hei Sila is the story of a family living in Noor Manzil. All the members of the family fail to see why the main lead Sila is so quite and scared all the time. It shows sexual abuse and harassment from a different perspective and questions the double standards of our society. The drama has plenty of interesting plot twists to keep you interested, the characters and the dialogues are its main attraction and the overall treatment given to this play is faultless.
Aangan
Writer: Faiza Iftikhar
Director: Qasim Ali Mureed
Produced By: Six Sigma Plus
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Aangan is one such drama that has so much to offer to every single viewer that tunes to it. It won’t be an overstatement but Aangan is such a drama which is everyone’s cup of tea because the writer has brought real life to reel life and for that very reason, everyone can relate to all the characters in this drama. Spot on direction, relatable and beautiful characters, brilliant acting and most importantly, the comic factor and perfect dialogues makes Aangan a must watch!
Aangan is a story of a huge Punjabi family where the daughters in law get to do the heavy lifting. Some days they fight and the others they come together to resolve their family issues. A situational story which warms your heart, makes you smile and at times leaves you teary eyed too. It is not an easy feat bringing so many characters to life and for that reason, Faiza Iftikhar should take a bow. If you are a fan of light-hearted dramas with some strongly embedded messages conveyed in a non-preachy manner, Aangan is the drama for you!
Aakhri Station
Writer: Amna Mufti
Director: Sarmad Khoosat
Produced by: Kashf Foundation & Khoosat Films
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Aakhri Station is just plain beautiful! Everything about this drama is brilliant right from the get-go. It is a relatively short play which is meaningful, deep as well as gripping. Once you start watching this show, you won’t be able to stop! It gives hope and educates at the same time. The OST of this drama is equally impressive. It is yet another feather in Kashf Foundation’s cap. Amna Mufti’s script is compelling and all-encompassing.
Aakhri Station is a mini-series which doesn’t only highlight the problems faced by women in a male dominated society which thrives on suppressing women but also shows how they eventually empower themselves. Aakhri Station is the story of seven women who meet by chance and end up finding out that they have a lot in common. Although the odds are against these women but they are strong and eager to fight their battles. Aakhri Station shouldn’t be missed, it is a gem which should be watched and appreciated.
Khudgarz
Writer: Rida Bilal
Director: Yasir Nawaz
Produced By: Six Sigma Plus & Next Level Entertainment
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Khudgarz drama is a result of an intelligently written script where the writer Rida Bilal didn’t lose her grip on the script, from the beginning till the end. Khudgarz’s script was strong but the director elevated its level with his strong direction and the actors took it a notch higher too with their extraordinary performances. This is one such drama that will stay with you for a long time and will touch you on a very personal level.
As the name suggests, Khudgarz was a story of a young man who couldn’t see anyone happy and then his journey from being negative to someone who wanted to do everything to revert his wrongdoings. A story also covering strong friendships, beautiful marriage which was A result of sacrifices and compromise. Khudgarz also intelligently shed a light on the sensitive subject of depression and the way this entire aspect was covered made it too obvious that depression was never tackled in such a way in our dramas before. Beautifully written dialogues and all those situations which kept you engulfed in deep thoughts when you tuned to this drama makes it a must-watch.
Zun Mureed
Writer: Amna Mufti
Director: Ahmed Kamran
Produced By: Moomal Entertainment
Rating: 3.5 Stars ☆☆☆☆
Zun Mureed highlights the issue of domestic abuse from a completely new perspective. It sheds light on how difficult it is for women to actually use the women protection bill to shelter themselves from abuse. Amna Mufti’s script is powerful and affective but unfortunately Nadia Khan, who plays the role of Tabbasum (the main protagonist) failed to do justice to her character. This drama could have been even more impactful if it was given the right treatment by the director. Zun Mureed however shouldn’t be missed because it is bound to give its viewers tons to reflect upon and raises some really important and relevant questions. Also, apart from Nadia Khan all the other actors have performed brilliantly therefore overall the viewers will have no trouble connecting to the characters and the situations.
Shayyad
Writer: Faiza Iftikhar
Director: Syed Ali Raza (Usama)
Produced By: Babar Javed
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Shayyad is a must-see drama for all the hopeless romantics out there who want to watch a different story of undying love. Uzair Jaswal’s phenomenal performance, the beautiful dialogues and an unpredictable storyline are few of the reason why everyone should tune into this drama. The filmy feel of this play is sure to cast a spell on its viewers and you will find yourself falling in love with Saad (the main protagonist) more with every passing episode.
Shayyad is a love story which will win you over as soon as you are done watching the first episode. It is poignant, inspiring and meaningful, Shayyad is also one of those very few dramas which didn’t drag at all. Some of the characters are so beautifully etched-out that at times they are the sole reason why you keep on coming back for more! Hani and Saad’s love story is unforgettable and touching. If you haven’t watched this play already, you need to tune into it ASAP!!
Nibah
Writer: Radian Shah
Director: Aabis Raza
Produced By: Big Bang Entertainment
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Drama serial Nibah is a remake of an old classic Aanch. Making a remake of a classic is always a risky affair. I remember watching Aanch and my impressions of all the characters therefore naturally I found myself comparing Nibah with Aanch and there were plenty of moments when I was convinced that this remake was a more improved and polished version of the original drama. Nibah starts off slow but once it takes off, it completely wins you over. Nibah is one of the very few family dramas on air right now which you can tune into at 8 o clock and enjoy watching it with your family. Aamina Sheikh’s performance is the highlight of this drama and the nuanced characters are the main attraction. Unlike Aanch the characters are not black and white, the overall treatment given to the play is much more impressive and I must say that some of the performances are far more compelling too.
Nibah is the story of two people who tie the knot in circumstances which are anything but ideal. This drama covers their journey and you end up forming an emotional bond with these two amazing but equally flawed individuals and you can’t help but root for a happy ending. Nibah’s script, direction, cast, performances and the pace is perfect. It is not to be missed, do tune into it. Aamina Sheikh continues to impress and enthrall the viewers and Asif Raza Mir is perfect for the role he is playing in the show. This is a perfect family drama which shouldn’t be missed!
Belapur Ki Dayan
Writer: Inam Hasan
Director: Saife Hassan
Produced by: MD Productions
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Belapur Ki Dayan is a perfect combination of horror and suspense, it is the kind of drama which will give you goosebumps and keep you at the edge of your seats. Saife Hassan’s skillful direction, the excellent work done by the director of photography and a story which has tons of surprises are few of the reasons why this drama shouldn’t be missed! The overall setting of the play so far is perfect, the location couldn’t have been better and the strong attention to detail gives every scene a realistic touch.
Belapur Ki Dayan is the story of Aziz Sahib’s family which is troubled by a dayan after they move into an old ancestral house. The back story of the dayan is as interesting as the present day happenings. The past and the present are seamlessly woven together. The performances are convincing and the execution couldn’t have been better. This show is a must-watch for all those viewers who enjoy watching horror shows.
Ishq Tamasha
Writer: Misbah Nosheen
Director: Danish Nawaz
Produced by: MD Productions
Rating: 4 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Ishq Tamasha is an entertaining drama which shouldn’t be missed. Even though this drama has a somewhat predictable story but the execution and acting makes you look forward to it week after week. The direction of this drama is strong and to see Kinza Hashmi portraying such a boisterous character without holding back is the main attraction of this drama.
Ishq Tamasha’s story is about two cousins where one is carefree and dreams big, the other one is constantly reminded of how hard her life is. One of them gets involved with a guy and the other one happens to take the brunt for her cousin’s mistakes. Ishq Tamasha has been written brilliantly and it definitely is a must-watch because it is one of those dramas that would keep you entertained and by the end of an episode, it will give you a reason to tune to it next week too.
Teri Meri Kahani
Writer: Sumaira Hameed
Director: Ali Faizan
Producer: MD Productions & Moomal Productions
Rating: 3.5 Stars ☆☆☆
Teri Meri Kahani isn’t as deep and meaningful as most of the plays in this list and some of the performances are weak as well but overall it is definitely the kind of show which keeps you interested. This is also Saheefa Jabbar’s first drama and she is one of the main reasons why this drama has a fresh appeal. Some of the performances are below average but the story is engaging enough to keep the viewers interested. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Saheefa Jabbar makes this drama more likeable and watchable.
Teri Meri Kahani is essentially the story of relationships and how they shape up your life. It also shows how secrets can hurt your ties and the past can come to haunt you. It has different characters who are fighting to keep their relationships intact and others who find pleasure in causing pain to others. The script is interesting but the execution fails to impress at times, overall however it is entertaining and therefore is a must-watch.
Lashkara
Writer: Zafar Mairaj
Director: Kashif Nisar
Produced By: Six Sigma Productions
Rating: 4 Stars ☆☆☆☆
Even though Lashkara’s story is in the initial stages but the beginning of this drama has promised a lot. The way the director has brought the dynamics of interior Lahore to life on screen is commendable. This drama has so much to offer and there’s so much that meets the eye.
Lashkara’s story is about this beautiful girl Bubbly who has quite a lot of admirers and fans in her locality. Bubbly’s beauty is the focal point and she has earned quite a name. The way the characters are being portrayed by Ushna Shah, Imran Ashraf and Mohsin Abbas Haider is impressive. Lashkara is one such drama that is going to keep you entertained, therefore is makes it to the list of must-watch dramas.
Visaal
Writer: Hashim Nadeem
Director: Ali Hassan
Produced By: Big Bang Entertainment
Rating: 3.5 Stars ☆☆☆
Visaal is again the drama that is in the initial stages of story-telling but the simple vibe and feel along with positive characters are the main factors why this drama has that appeal to draw the attention.
Visaal’s story is about the imposter who has entered the lives of those people who are unable to see-through his intentions. Just because he fell in love at first sight with the main lead, he chose to pave his way towards her. There are a lot of misunderstandings that are brewing up a storm and along the way, a couple of love triangles are forming too. It is a simple drama executed impressively, therefore it is worth a watch.
Ghar Titlee Ka Par
Writer: Samra Bukhari
Director: Mohsin Talat
Produced By: 7th Sky Entertainment
Rating: 3.5 Stars ☆☆☆
The number one reason why this drama made it to this list is Anji’s character and the way Sanam Chaudhry has tanslated it on screen! Anji’s character has been the star of every single episode so far. The most interesting element of this is that this Anji’s character is negative (to say the least!) but even then Anji has more appeal than many other female leads we have seen in our dramas in recent times. Ghar Titlee Ka Par is addictive therefore once you start watching it, you won’t be able to stop!!
How many of these dramas are you watching and which ones are you going to tune into now? Do share your thoughts in the comments section.
Yumna Zaidi is known for her versatile performances and a natural aptitude for pulling off challenging roles with the utmost ease. Right from the beginning of her career, Yumna has always experimented with different roles. Even at a young age, she did not shy away from choosing projects which did not have a commercial value. She is also one of those few actors who work with all the channels and with every producer who offers variety and most often quality. Of course, not all the dramas Yumna has worked in have been a must-watch. Some of them missed their mark but there were many which were impressive.
Lately, Yumna Zaidi has been seen in some commercial television projects as well. Her popularity is at an all-time high with drama serial Tere Bin winning over the viewers which basically proves that actors who are naturally endowed and are dedicated to their craft do not have a shelf life.
Yeh Raha Dil
In her vast career, Yumna Zaidi has done light-hearted comic roles just as brilliantly as those which required a completely different version of her. Yeh Raha Dil for the most part is a romantic comedy that keeps the viewers engaged. Yumna Zaidi and Ahmed Ali Akbar’s on-screen chemistry is an all-out winner. The script is gripping and entertaining. The character Yumna Zaidi plays on-screen is the perfect combination of gutsy, fun-loving, and sensitive. If you are a Yumna Zaidi fan and want to watch her play a fun and quirky character then Yeh Raha Dil is a must-watch.
Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahin
Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahin is a classic masterpiece in which some of the finest stars in the industry came together to give the most memorable performances of their career. This was one of the earliest dramas in which Yumna Zaidi proved that she can easily take on a challenging role and make it come alive on screen. Ullu Baraye Farokht has a dark and depressing theme. The script, direction, and performances make it one of the most captivating and impactful dramas of its kind. Watch Yumna Zaidi shine in one of her best performances in Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahin if you have not watched it already.
Jugnoo
Jugnoo was a light-hearted family drama that had its flaws but overall it was a good watch. Yumna Zaidi’s character in the drama stood out more than any other which is why her fans should definitely watch this one. Jugnoo, the main protagonist of the drama, played by Yumna Zaidi, continued to be the star of the show from the beginning till the end. A well-written character can only come alive on screen when performed brilliantly which Yumna managed to do yet again in Jugnoo. Therefore, do watch this one.
Guzarish
Guzarish does not have a unique storyline especially if you watch it in the present day but it is one of the most engaging dramas starring Yumna Zaidi. The fast pace of the drama, well-etched-out characters, and solid performances make this one a drama that should not be missed. The writer intelligently turned a typical story into one that is both entertaining and meaningful,
Ishq Zah e Naseeb
Ishq Zah e Naseeb is another one of those dramas in which Yumna Zaidi showed her excellence as an actor whose talent knows no limits. The main plot of the drama and its characters are unlike any other we have seen on television. It is full of mystery and intrigue, the kind of drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Inkaar
Inkaar is a powerful, engaging, and meaningful drama that highlights an issue that is rarely shown in Pakistani dramas. It is based on a true story of a young girl who was stabbed multiple times for refusing to have a relationship with him. Yumna Zaidi plays a character that leaves a lasting impression and Inkaar has some of the most beautifully penned-down dialogues. This drama has so much going for it, it should not be missed.
Dar Si Jati Hai Sila
Dar Si Jati Hai Sila is another one of those phenomenal dramas in which Yumna Zaidi nailed a difficult character effortlessly. This drama covers everything from complications of arranged marriages, limitations of a joint family system, and most importantly sexual abuse by people who you trust and hold dear. Even though the main protagonist Sila, enacted by Yumna Zaidi, barely had any dialogues, Yumna’s expressions and body language told Sila’s story accurately. Dar Si Jati Hai Sila is a brilliantly written drama with extraordinary execution. You must watch this one if you like quality content.
Pyar Ke Sadqay
Pyar Ke Sadqay is an addition to all the novelty Yumna Zaidi has given her viewers over the years. Yumna played a rather unusual role in the drama which was difficult to understand for many. However, Mahjabeen, the character that Yumna played on-screen was one which grew on even those viewers who found it difficult to relate to in the beginning. This is another one of those dramas that did not only serve a bigger purpose but also entertained thoroughly. Bilal Abbas Khan and Yumna Zaidi makes Pyar Ke Sadqay a treat to watch. It has some of the most faultless performances and characters that leave their mark.
Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin
Just when the fans thought, they had seen all the different avatars of Yumna Zaidi we could on screen, she surprised them with an amazing portrayal of a young girl who is forced into prostitution. Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin is a drama full of both hope and despair. It covers so many different aspects of human trafficking and does so while keeping the viewers engaged. All the tracks have been penned down brilliantly and Yumna’s performance impresses throughout.
Parizaad
Parizaad was another iconic drama serial in which Ahmed Ali Akbar and Yumna Zaidi made a remarkable comeback as an on-screen couple. Although the story primarily revolved around the male protagonist, Yumna Zaidi played one of the main female leads in the drama. This was yet another character that demanded a different version of the actress and she delivered just the way she always does.
Bakhtawar
Drama serial Bakhtawar had a great deal going for it. The main lead definitely was the biggest strength of the drama played superbly by Yumna Zaidi. The premise of the story was brand new and the way Bakhtawar’s journey highlighted how difficult it was for a woman to make it on her own was the best part of the drama. Bakhtawar was shown as a young girl who was forced to live a double life as a man in order to make ends meet. Even with all the odds against her, the writer never showed Bakhtawar as a victim. She was always the hero in her story. The writer managed to show that and at the same time, the viewers got to watch the vulnerable and more human side of the character. Bakhtawar’s inner turmoil was always an important part of her story. The viewers were ‘shown’ her ups and downs in detail and not ‘told’ what she was going through. Yumna Zaidi definitely made the right choice when she decided to take up this challenging role. Bakhtawar proved to be another feather in Yumna Zaidi’s cap. It is definitely a drama that showcases Yumna Zaidi’s exceptional performance like no other.
Final Thoughts
Yumna Zaidi’s performances over the years are a testament to her strength and presence as a performer. She continues to enthrall and experiment. We are looking forward to watching more amazing performances from her.
Which drama starring Yumna Zaidi is your all-time favorite? Share your views.
There is no denying the fact that the Pakistani drama industry is growing leaps and bounds. With every passing year, drama makers are continuing to bring quality entertainment to the audience’s way. In every season, the viewers get to see some of the best dramas that are not only engaging but are thoroughly meaningful. There are a lot of factors that contribute to making the drama successful. First and foremost, the script is the backbone of any drama, and then comes the production values, direction, and in the end, acting. It is always astonishing that at times, the simplest of dramas do well in terms of popularity because they click with the audience and the viewers watching those stories and characters resonate with them a lot. Another important factor that also at times works in the favor of a drama is the cast. If the casting is done right and the actor succeeds in conveying the essence of the character through his or her portrayal then it becomes engaging for the audience.
This season, Pakistani drama viewers are also getting to see some of the best dramas, that are not only entertaining and engaging but have a lot of meaning to them. In this list, we discuss those dramas that can be termed as quality entertainment and have all those factors that make a drama memorable and successful. The list is in alphabetical order:
Aulaad
Writer: Syed Ameer Ali Shah Director: Aabis Raza Producer: Big Bang Entertainment Channel: ARY Digital Schedule: Monday & Tuesday 8 pm Cast: Muhammad Ahmed, Marina Khan, Marina Khan, Sunita Marshal, Hasan Niazi, Furqan Qureshi, Nabeel Zuberi, Mahenur Haider, Minsa Malik, Hina Altaf, Qudsia Ali, Humaira Bano, and others.
There are only a few Pakistani dramas that do not rely on star power and narrate the story of older characters. Aulaad is one such drama that highlights how important it is for parents to be economically independent and not to rely entirely on their children. Also, Munni’s character translates the innocence and needs of a special child flawlessly on screen. There have definitely been instances when you feel that the parents would have been in a better situation at this point had they not given in completely when they were being pressurized by their children to meet their unreasonable demands. But then that is how the writer has conveyed a really important message which is hardly ever highlighted the way it has been in the drama serial Aulaad. Right from the beginning, the characterizations have been on point and the emotional element of the drama has always stood out. When this drama started many people thought that it was inspired by the Bollywood film Baghbaan and to a certain extent it is but unlike other dramas which took inspiration from Bollywood films, Aulaad has enough substance to keep you engaged and coming back for more.
Muhammad Ahmed is well-known for his apt portrayals. Ever since Durr-e-Shehwar went on air, he is hands down the most loved Pakistani actor from his age group. He makes you connect to the characters he plays instantly and even though in most dramas he plays supporting characters, he never goes unnoticed. Qudsia Ali has played Munni’s character so brilliantly that most of the viewers couldn’t help falling in love with her. Her impactful and effortless portrayal has always made her character stand out. All the other actors have done complete justice to their respective characters which definitely makes this drama worth watching. The director Aabis Raza has made sure that the essence of the story does not get lost in translation. Aulaad is an emotional ride with more sad moments than happy ones but it tells a story that should be told and heard! If you are missing out on this one, tune into it right now. We just hope that the drama ends at an appropriate time and is not stretched needlessly.
Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin
Writer: Amna Mufti Director: Kashif Nisar Producer: Kashf Foundation Channel: PTV & TV One Schedule: Monday 8 pm Cast: Yumna Zaidi, Yasra Rizvi, Sammiya Mumtaz, Noman Ijaz, Navid Shahzad, Omair Rana, Wahaj Ali, Bonita Malik, Hina Altaf, Noor-ul-Hassan, Adnan Shah Tipu, Kashif Mehmood, and others.
Amna Mufti is a remarkable writer who makes sure that all her scripts provide much more than just entertainment. Many of her dramas highlighted issues that are most often brushed under the carpet since they do not bring in the ratings! Kashf Foundation definitely deserves credit here for investing in such projects. Kashif Nisar never shies away from directing such dramas and he always has a grip on every single aspect of the story. This drama, therefore, has a dream team of creative and intelligent people. Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi effectively highlights issues such as human trafficking, child labor, exploitation of the poor, corruption, lack of empathy, and even animal rights. It gives a face to every child who is deprived of his or her rights since all these tracks start from the time when these children were not given their birthrights. Since they were born in families which were either poor or had fathers who did not prioritize their well-being. All the characters in the story have a journey, unique personalities and they represent a section of the society which has in some way either added to the problem or tried to break free from it. It isn’t easy penning down so many different tracks with such precision yet Amna Mufti succeeded in doing so.
The fact that this drama is not being aired on one of the leading channels definitely takes away an edge needed to guarantee viewership but even then it is being watched by many and is getting the appreciation it deserves. Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin stars some of the most phenomenal actors of the industry which definitely adds to the overall appeal and feel of the drama. Yumna Zaidi has truly outdone herself in a role that is extremely challenging. Navid Shahzad also stands out in a negative role even though most often the viewers have seen her in a completely different avatar. Omair Rana, Yasra Rizvi, Kashif Mehmood, Sammiya Mumtaz, and all the child actors make their presence felt in all the scenes. Child stars Saadoon Ali and Bonita Malik have been truly exceptional in their respective roles as Jamshed and Allah Rakhi’s younger versions. Also, the director Kashif Nisar has not added a commercial element to this story at all which makes it even more impactful. This drama is not for the light-hearted since some of the episodes were quite disturbing but it is definitely not to be missed.
Khuda Aur Mohabbat
Writer: Hashim Nadeem Khan Director: Syed Wajahat Hussain Producer: 7th Sky Entertainment Channel: Geo TV Schedule: Every Friday at 8pm Cast: Feroze Khan, Iqra Aziz, Mirza Zain Baig, Waseem Abbas, Sunita Marshal, Javed Sheikh, Usman Peerzada, Rubina Ashraf, Hina Bayat Khan, Junaid Khan, Fariha Jabeen, Asma Abbas, and others.
It won’t be wrong to say that Khuda Aur Mohabbat happens to be one of the most popular dramas on air right now. The moment it started, the attention and popularity it got have been unparalleled. The fact that the audience had to wait for this drama has also played a lot to its hype and because the previous two seasons of Khuda Aur Mohabbat have done so well and have earned a place in the audience hearts, it also impacted the emotional pull the audience felt towards this project. Khuda Aur Mohabbat is all about the journey of self-discovery and the spiritual path that Farhad will embark on after his heartbreak. However, the writer has added a lot more layers to it and it is not just going to be about it. Farhad’s character has been quite special, because of which he impacts everyone he interacts with. Khuda Aur Mohabbat has offered the viewers everything they imagined to see in a Pakistani drama; from beautiful locations to larger-than-life execution, from high production value to such beautiful art direction that it captures your eye and holds your attention in every single scene.
Feroze Khan has definitely carried the drama on his shoulders and it is because of his performance, that Khuda Aur Mohabbat is what it is. Iqra Aziz and Feroze Khan’s pair was also fresh and although their love story has not really flourished as of now, it is also adding more to the drama-watching experience. The writer Hashim Nadeem has definitely tried to bring in those elements that are patent to the Khuda Aur Mohabbat experience, such as unrequited love, the train station, mysticism and spirituality, and the longing for love. Khuda Aur Mohabbat has become one of the top dramas of this year and for all the obvious reasons. Watching each and every episode of this drama is an experience in itself and the convincing performances of all the actors have added a lot more depth and meaning to the characters and their stories.
Pehli Si Mohabbat
Writer: Faiza Iftikhar Director: Anjum Shehzad Producer: IDream Entertainment Channel: ARY Digital Schedule: Saturday 8 pm Cast: Sheheryar Munawar, Maya Ali, Uzma Hassan, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, Rabia Butt, Shabbir Jan, Saba Faisal, Paras Masroor, Nausheen Shah, and others.
Faiza Iftikhar is known for her meaningful scripts and plot twists that leave the viewers on the edge right till the end. She is also one of those few writers who can skillfully add social messages to an entertaining drama. Most of her love stories have been much more than just that therefore it does not come as a surprise that her latest drama Pehli Si Mohabbat is also not just another love story! The producers lured the viewers into watching the show by promoting Sheheryar and Maya’s on-screen couple which was already a hit among cinemagoers. This was the first time that these two stars were going to be seen together in a television drama. Both of them had also taken a long break from television therefore Pehli Si Mohabbat was also their comeback drama serial. The leading actors and the larger-than-life promos played a vital role in enticing the viewers but after a few weeks, it was the well-written and meaningful script that became the main attraction for the viewers. Pehli Si Mohabbat has some of the best supporting characters we have seen in dramas lately and it is a social drama that highlights the importance of consent in a manner that is anything but preachy. The effective and well-integrated screenplay keeps the viewers entertained and looking forward to more. Some of the scenes of this drama have been so intense that they truly leave a lasting impression. Even though the supporting characters are most often shown breaking the stereotypes, you can’t help rooting for Aslam and Rakhshi.
Sheheryar Munawar and Maya Ali have definitely succeeded in translating this young couple’s trials and tribulations effectively on screen. Hassan Sheheryar Yasin’s debut has been one of the best ones this year since he chose to play a role completely opposite to his off-screen persona. Rabia Butt, Uzma Hassan, and Saba Faisal’s performances make their tracks and stories easier to connect to. Pehli Si Mohabbat demands your undivided attention since there is always a surprise in store and you can never tell how one track will be linked to the other one as the story progresses. The drama definitely has a commercial element to it which at times takes away the originality needed to make certain scenes come alive on screen but overall Pehli Si Mohabbat has all the right ingredients in the right proportions and is an absolute must-watch!
Raqeeb Se
Writer: Bee Gul Director: Kashif Nisar Producer: MD Productions Channel: HUM TV Schedule: Wednesday 8 pm Cast: Sania Saeed, Hadiqa Kiyani, Noman Ijaz, Faryal Mehmood, Iqra Aziz, Saqib Sameer, Hassan Mir, Hamza Sohail, Salman Shahid and Saba Faisal
Writer Bee Gul is known for her unconventional storylines and characters that give even the most seasoned actors a new identity! Her style is always bold and unapologetic since she is not afraid of showing scenarios that most writers would not even think of penning down for a television audience. Kashif Nisar is known for his powerful directorial skills and together these two creative individuals are a force to reckon with! Raqeeb Se’s main plotline and its characters are highly unconventional and at times difficult to relate to because they are unlike any other we have seen on television. We have watched many love stories on television but not even one like this one! For a change, the women who are in love with the same man are not shown fighting with one another but that man becomes the reason why they ultimately bond. While Sakina’s open-hearted and caring nature can be difficult to connect to at times, those short but meaningful scenes showing how she feels as if she is the other woman when Maqsood treats Hajra a certain way, make her character human! Hajra’s character kept the viewers guessing for the longest time but gradually she has come into its own and together these women are the highlight of this drama! Two unusual characters who meet in the most bizarre circumstances end up giving each other the kind of acceptance which both of them never even got from their spouses!
All the tracks in Raqeeb Se are unique and they highlight the inner struggles of the three main leads, in particular, in a powerful manner. Probably for the first time in a Pakistani drama the female characters are so strong that the male characters have taken a backseat. Having said that, Noman Ijaz is beyond impressive as a man who keeps you guessing! Faryal Mehmood is also the star of the show and we are pretty sure there is more to her track. Iqra Aziz is the only actress who has been typecast and therefore does not stand out as much as the other actors. Hadiqa Kiyani’s outstanding debut performance has left the viewers in awe of her talent. The OST of the drama is just as soul-stirring as the content as a whole. Raqeeb Se might not be everyone’s cup of tea but we are pretty sure that there are so many viewers like us out there who are completely involved in this unusual love triangle and perhaps find it difficult to choose between Hajra and Sakina because the writer probably does not want them to choose! The well-written dialogues of the drama make every scene a treat to watch.
Raqs-e-Bismil
Writer: Hashim Nadeem Director: Wajahat Rauf Producer: Shazia Wajahat & MD productions Channel: HUM TV Schedule: Friday 8 pm Cast: Imran Ashraf, Sarah Khan, Mehmood Aslam, Nida Mumtaz, Momin Saqib, Furqan Qureshi, Anoushay Abbasi, Javeria Abbasi, Azeem Sajjad, Zara Sheikh, Gul-e-Rana, Saleem Mairaj, and others.
Hashim Nadeem is known for his powerful characters and settings which are always different from the ones we usually get to see in our dramas. His heroes in particular never cease to impress. Raqs-e-Bismil is a well-paced, well-written drama with some amazing performances. The main lead Moosa and his heart-wrenching journey has been the highlight of the show throughout. The story has been knitted together so well and it has been unpredictable throughout. The director Wajahat Rauf has given this script the perfect treatment and is definitely the one responsible for the pace of the drama since every scene in the drama so far has been short and to the point. Even though the OST is beautifully sung but it has never been overused. The director has throughout focused on the content and has made sure that the drama does not have any filler scenes. The script also questions preconceived notions and gives a new face to certain characters who are often stereotyped in dramas.
Raqs-e-Bismil has definitely proven to be another feather in Imran Ashraf’s cap since he has nailed an avatar that he has never been seen in before. Momin Saqib is another actor who stands out as Esa even though this character is quite unlike his actual personality. Mehmood Aslam and Furqan Qureshi also stand out in their respective roles. Raqs-e-Bismil’s cinematography and the way each scene has been captured make it a visual treat. We guarantee that once you start watching this drama, you will be forced to continue! Zohra and Sitara’s characters are perhaps the weakest element of the drama, other than that every character leaves an impact. An impactful leading lady would have made this drama even more powerful. Moosa is clearly the one running the show and the one who will keep you glued to your television screens.
Safar Tamam Hua
Writer: Rahat Jabeen Director: Shehrazade Sheikh Producer: Momina Duraid Productions Channel: Hum TV Schedule: Every Monday & Tuesday at 8pm Cast: Madiha Imam, Ali Rehman, Syed Jibran, Samina Ahmad, Maha Hassan, Yasir Waheed, Saife Hassan, and others.
Safar Tamam Hua is still in the initial stages but the introductory episodes have set the tone right from the beginning. This drama deals with complicated relationships and shows how a girl with vulnerabilities and complexes tackles what life throws at her. The writer has shown that despite the emotional baggage that Anoushay carries, she still puts up a brave face. She does get affected by the opinions of others therefore she confides in her cousin and love interest, Sami. Safar Tamam Hua has a very zen-like feel to it and although it deals with complicated and sensitive situations, it unfolds in an effortless manner. The director definitely has directed this drama with a vision where she has not made it heavy but has kept the tone mellow for every situation to make an impact. Another aspect that sets the execution of Safar Tamam Hua is the usage of background music, it is never over-powering and is used strategically to add more to the situation.
Safar Tamam Hua has also deals with the idea of how much sensitivity is required in dealing with people like Rija, where they must be loved like a child and dealt with utmost attention and care. Rija definitely has everyone around her concerned about herself but the beauty is that everyone accepts her the way she is and doesn’t believe in changing anything about her. Rija is loved and Maha Hassan has definitely given a convincing performance portraying such a difficult yet beautiful character. Madiha Imam, Ali Rehman, and Syed Jibran are right in their element and it is their powerful performances that make Safar Tamam Hua worth watching.
Shehnai
Writer: Radain Shah Director: Ahmed Bhatti Producer: iDream Entertainment Channel: ARY Digital Schedule: Every Thursday & Friday at 10pm Cast: Affan Waheed, Ramsha Khan, Maham Amir, Arsalan Faisal, Hammad Shoaib, Maryam Noor, Zainab Qayyum, Behroz Sabzwari, Javed Sheikh, Samina Ahmad, Umar Alam, Saleem Mairaj, Salma Hassan, Javeria Abbasi, and others.
Shehnai is the kind of drama that the Pakistani audience don’t get to see quite often. The genre of romantic comedy is pretty unexplored and this is why Shehnai stood out right from the beginning. It deals with how girls and even boys are pressurized into getting married and how, unfortunately, their feelings are invalidated because they feel they owe it to their parents. In this drama, both Bakht and Meerab are pretty much in the same boat but somehow they have joined hands to come out of this situation by helping each other. Drama serial Shehnai has the kind of dynamic that each and every regular drama viewer will be able to relate to because it shows the dynamic of a huge family and everything that comes as a part and parcel of it; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Shehnai is fun and chaotic, the fresh pair of Affan Waheed and Ramsha Khan is also a bonus. What is also quite interesting about Shehnai is that veteran actor Saleem Mairaj is seen in a completely different avatar and it is astonishing to see how good he is at comedy with his perfect timing and just the perfect treatment of the character.
Writer Radain Shah has definitely tried something new and it is always a good change when the writers not only experiment but turn it into light-hearted entertainment. Shehnai has a lot to offer but the way the writer has conceived the character of Meerab is the most endearing part of this project. It is definitely refreshing to see a man who is very much in touch with his emotions, who is not afraid to show his vulnerabilities, someone who thinks with his heart and is quite sensitive. Meerab is also the last person to judge someone, which makes him a very strong and interesting character. Shehnai has so many characters but the best part is, they all play a strong part in contributing to the story. Shehnai is definitely one of the must-watch dramas on-air right now because it is not only light-hearted and fun but is quite refreshing.
All these dramas are currently our favorite because not only are they engaging but also meaningful. How many of these dramas are you watching and which one in your opinion is a must-watch? Share your views.
The Pakistani drama industry has evolved in different ways over the years. Those viewers who have religiously followed Pakistani dramas in the past 2 decades or so can easily gauge the ups and downs the industry has gone through over the years. Each mainstream entertainment channel has its own way of attracting viewers. Geo television definitely takes the lead when it comes to using commercial tactics and ARY Digital banks excessively on negativity but it always manages to air at least one such drama every season which is worth watching. HUM has to be the only channel that offers variety and therefore every season there are multiple dramas on the channel which are entertaining and offer something new to the viewers.
Here is a list of those Pakistani dramas which are on air right now, which definitely deserve to be watched. Even though some of them are not extraordinary but they have enough going for them to keep the viewers hooked.
Bakhtawar
Writer: Nadia Akhtar
Director: Shahid Shafaat
Producer: Momina Duraid
Writer: Yumna Zaidi, Zaviyar Nauman Ejaz, Huma Nawab, Saqib Sameer, Mizna Waqas, Naureen Gulbani, Sunil Shankar, Adnan Shah (Tipu), and others.
Bakhtawar is the story of a strong young girl who sets out to stand on her own feet after breaking free from the family pressure and societal pressures that held her back. In an attempt to do so she decides to live a double life as a young man in order to enjoy the freedom which women do not enjoy in society. Baktawar has only been on air for a few weeks but the fast-paced storyline and brilliant performances make it a must-watch. It is yet another feather in Yumna Zaidi’s cap. Huma Nawab is another actress who impresses in every single scene. It is a drama with tons of potential and should not be missed. Zaviyar Nauman has yet to prove himself as the main lead in this particular drama since he did not get a lot of screen time so far. The story is novel and the dialogues are well written. It could be the next Parizaad if it continues to move forward with the same pace and substance as it has till now.
Mooma Entertainment often impresses the viewers with its novel ideas and well-written scripts. Imran Nazir’s Wehem is not just another story about a woman wanting to take control. It is one of those few dramas where the senior actors take the lead. Savera Nadeem is impressive as Rukhsana, her fans should definitely tune into this one. The character itself is also intriguing. Even after so many weeks, there is an element of mystery that has been kept alive in such a way that the viewers do not feel bored at any given moment. Shamim Hilali, Babar Ali, and Tara Mehmood’s performances also stand out. Zaviyar Nauman fits the character but does not bring much to the table. Kinza Hashmi’s performance has been convincing throughout but her character Eshal is definitely not leading the story. Wehem is a thriller that should not be missed.
Pehchaan is the story of a woman who gives up her entire identity and dedicates 13 years of her life being the perfect wife and mother. Ultimately she decides to walk out of a loveless marriage since she feels that she has never received the appreciation she deserved. Pehchaan is a different version of Pehli Si Mohabbat since it questions arranged marriages and at the same time gives Zun Mureed vibes because there are times when you wonder if the main lead Kuki is going too far with her decisions. The drama loses pace at times, there is excessive use of background music as well and you don’t always find yourself rooting for Sharmeen but overall Pehchaan definitely holds your interest and offers something different. Nadia Khan and Hiba Bukhari are stars of the show; their scenes together are an absolute treat to watch.
Fraud
Writer: Zanjabeel Asim
Director: Saqib Khan
Producer: iDream Entertainment
Cast: Saba Qamar, Ahsan Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Rabia Kulsoom, Adnan Samad Khan, Mehmood Aslam, Nida Mumtaz, Nazli Soomro, Asma Abbas,
Annie Zaidi and others.
Fraud is the story of a young woman who gets married to a man whose entire existence is a fraud! Even though the story progresses at a fast pace initially, the drama slows down as the story progresses but the supporting characters keep it interesting even with this slow pace. There are also certain elements of the story which are hard to believe at times but this is another one of those dramas which do hold your attention. Rabia Kalsoom’s strong character and performance balance out the hopelessness even in the grimmest circumstances. So far Maya’s character has not fully come into its own but it has tons of potential. The story is interesting, the side tracks are also well written. Fraud is an entertaining drama that we are pretty sure will get more interesting as it goes forward.
Habs
Writer: Aliya Makhdoom
Director: Musaddiq Malek
Producer: Six Sigma Plus
Cast: Ushna Shah, Feroze Khan, Ayesha Omar, Saba Faisal, Hina Rizvi, Irsa Ghazal, Javed Sheikh, Imran Aslam.
Habs is the story of an imperfect union of two individuals who are struggling in their own way. Ushna Shah and Feroze Khan’s on-screen chemistry and their performances make this drama worth watching. The characters are written in such a way that they tend to confuse at times but the drama has an interesting premise overall. The supporting characters and actors also keep the interest of the viewers alive. Habs is not faultless but it is also the kind of drama that you will continue watching once you watch the first few episodes. If the story is taken forward intelligently, it could turn out to be an even more engaging drama.
How many of these dramas are you watching? Which one is your favorite? Would you add more names to this list?
There are so many different dramas that air every day on different channels that it is really difficult for the viewers to choose which ones they should tune in to. A must-watch drama should be engaging and for that, a good story, steady pace, solid performances, and skillful direction is really important. Nowadays, there are many dramas that keep the viewers hooked but all of them do not fall in the must-watch category. Some of these dramas are being watched by the viewers only because they have nothing better to watch. Even with so many dramas on air right now, there are only a few which fall in the must-watch category.
Here is the list of those Pakistani dramas which shouldn’t be missed.
Pyar Ke Sadqay
Writer: Zanjabeel Asim Shah
Director: Farooq Rind
Producer: Moomal Entertainment and MD Productions
Schedule: Every Thursday 8 pm on Hum
Pyar Ke Sadqay is the story of not just the two leading characters Abdullah and Mahjabeen but all the characters in the story have something substantial to add to it. It is a drama that has kept the viewers engaged and looking forward to more. The leading characters of the drama have amazing on-screen chemistry and their personality traits are completely different from the usual characters we see on screen. Abdullah and Mahjabeen end up getting married unexpectedly, now their marriage is in trouble due to Sarwar, who is Abdullah’s stepfather but he is interested in marrying Mahjabeen. Even though the drama is being stretched at this point but there are so many characters in this drama that keep your interest alive. Mahjabeen is adorable, Yumna Zaidi’s performances make the character even more endearing. Abdullah’s confusion makes the viewers upset and feel for him at the same time, Bilal Abbas plays this role brilliantly.
One of the most strong elements of this drama which makes it a must-watch is the subtle manner in which the writer has sent a lot of messages across. One of these messages is to always believe women when they say that someone close to them is harassing them. This drama also shows how class differences can make some people get away with everything and those who do not have the money and resources end up doing whatever they can to get the approval of people.
Pyar Ke Sadqay has a great deal to offer, apart from everything else, this drama will make the viewers laugh and cry at the same time. Although it is more serious than ever now, there are some scenes in every episode which give you something to laugh about. It has positive role models like Washma and Abdullah’s phupo. It also has a careless and selfish mother like Mansoora. The relationships in this drama and the performances continue to be the most appealing part of it even after all these weeks. If you are not watching Pyar Ke Sadqay, make sure you watch it because you are missing out on one of the most amazing dramas on air right now.
Dil Ruba
Writer: Qaisera Hayat
Director: Ali Hasan
Producer: Moomal Entertainment and MD Productions
Schedule: Every Saturday 8 pm on Hum
When Dil Ruba started, it appeared to be another one of those stories in which the negative character was most likely to take over completely. As the story progressed there were many interesting twists and turns that proved, Dil Ruba was going to offer wholesome entertainment. This is a fast-paced drama that is meaningful and entertaining. The story is also quite relevant since it shows how the reckless use of social networking services can result in getting women in trouble. It also shows that relationships should not be taken for granted or as fun and games. Dil Ruba in an entertaining manner requested young girls to be more cautious while getting too close to men.
Dil Ruba is the story of Sanam, a young college going girl who has many men wrapped around her finger. She posts videos on TikTok and has many followers. She takes gifts from the men who like her and thinks she is doing nothing wrong. Along the way, she breaks many hearts and gets into serious trouble. The best thing about Dil Ruba has to be character development. It has been shown convincingly how Sanam realizes her mistakes and is now paying for it. There is a variety of characters in the play so the negativity doesn’t take over at any point.
Hania Aamir once again succeeds in making the viewers hate her character and feel for her later on as the story progresses. Dil Ruba basically shows how the mistakes you make as a teenager can come to haunt you in the worst way possible. Dil Ruba is good entertainment with the right kind of emotions.
Kashf
Writer: Imran Nazeer
Director: Danish Nawaz
Producer: MD Productions
Schedule: Every Tuesday 8 pm on Hum
Kashf is a must-watch because of its novel plot. It has a storyline which is different from any other we are getting to see on television right now. This drama also has some of the most realistic scenarios and characters. Hira Mani plays the leading role of Kashf, a girl whose dreams literally come true but not always in a good way. This is something that troubles her but her greedy father and few people who exploit religion for money decide to use her ‘superpower’ for monetary gains. Kashf’s relationship with everyone around her has been well-established in the drama.
The struggles of the main protagonist and even her involvement with her fiancé Wajdan played brilliantly by Junaid Khan keeps the drama entertaining. The director deserves credit for presenting on-screen realistically. The dream sequences and their reality was translated on screen exceptionally well in the first few weeks. Kashf is definitely the kind of drama that has the most solid supporting actors playing their role brilliantly well. If you are not watching Kashf, you are missing out on a really interesting play.
Dushman-e-Jaan
Writer: Sarwat Nazeer
Director: Amin Iqbal
Producer: Six Sigma Plus
Schedule: Mon-Thurs 9 pm on ARY Digital
Dushman-e-Jaan is a drama that involves complicated relationships and characters presented convincingly on screen. Since this drama airs 4 times a week, the viewers do not have to wait long to see which direction the story will go next. Another aspect of this drama that makes it a must-watch is that there is substantial progress in the story with every passing episode. It is also a special treat for all the Mohib Mirza’s fans out there who missed watching him play a meaty role. The story revolves around Hatim’s character, his guilt, and how he tries to make up for it.
Dushman-e-Jaan has multiple tracks and all these stories are in some way interlinked. The relationships are complicated and there are secrets involved which make the viewers look forward to more. Madiha Imam always gives every character she plays her best and it is always great watching Irfan Khoosat on screen. Dushman-e-Jaan is a family drama that shouldn’t be missed.
Bikhray Moti
Writer: Edison Idrees
Director: Shahid Shafat
Producer: Next Level Entertainment & Six Sigma Production
Schedule: Every Tuesday 8 pm on ARY Digital
Among all the dramas in this list, Bikhray Moti is the most serious one which dares to touch upon issues that our dramas most often do not highlight. Bikhray Moti is essentially the story of those precious gems i.e. children who are exploited by their close relatives. It highlights the curse of child labor and does so exceptionally well. It is also a difficult drama to watch since watching children who deserve a better present and future go through hell because of their own flesh and blood is tormenting.
Neelam Munir’s character is the most appealing aspect of the drama. She is the real hero of the drama and right now most of the viewers watching the play are waiting for her to take action and control. The story is being established gradually and is being taken forward convincingly. Those viewers who want the producers to make dramas that offer something more than just entertainment should definitely watch this one. While there are many negative characters in the drama, it also has quite a few positive characters too. It keeps a good balance and has a well-written script. The director has done justice to every scene hence making this drama as realistic as possible.
Which one of these dramas are you watching right now? Which drama right now is your favorite? Which one will you tune into next? Share your views.
For a very long time I had been meaning to compile a list of some worth watching dramas for all those who are new to the Pakistani dramas and are clueless about where to begin with. Finally today, when a reader mentioned in one of her comments that she referred someone ZGH and now they are asking for more dramas like that, I told myself, its time to say good bye to my procrastination. I decided to delimit this article to Hum TV dramas only, but later of course, we will cover Geo TV and ARY Digital as well.
Ishq Junoon Dewangi
Story of intense emotions – passion, love, jealousy, hatred, and revenge Ishq Junoon Dewangi was written by Momina Duraid and directed by Babar Javed. The professionalism of the duo seemed at its peak in the play. This is probably the only play where Hmayun Saeed has actually impressed me with his acting, the glamorous locations, settings, striking performances by the cast, story itself, everything is worth your every second. Give this play a go, if you haven’t already.
Malal
I became a hardcore fan of Deepti Gupta’s acting after watching Malal. A wonderful story, beautifully shot and brilliantly presented. Malal is the story of two friends played by Deepti Gupta and Faisal Rehman who after a very long time of being just friends realize that there is something more in their relationship. But nature had different plans for them hence they end up with two different people.
Dastaan
Based on Razia Butt’s novel, Dastaan is a heart wrenching story written in the context of Indo-Pak partition. Saba Qamar, Ahasan Khan, Sanam Baloch, Fawad Khan, Babrik Shah, I liked them all in the play, credit of course goes to the brilliant director. Dastaan is the play which I think every single Pakistani should watch at least once in their lives.
Humsafar
Don’t kill me for saying I haven’t watched Humsafar myself yet, but yes it is on my “to watch list”. Although, I haven’t watched the complete play but I had the pleasure to watch a few scenes and the fact that Humsafar has now gained international fame and viewership made it a must-watch Hum TV serial.
Zindagi Gulzar Hai
Based on Umera Ahmad’s novel of the same name, ZGH is a social play, reflecting the issues and problems of contemporary Pakistan. The serial addresses many social issues including social inequality, gender discrimination, issues of married life and a lot more.
Qaid-e-Tanhai
Another exceptional effort by Umera Ahmad, Qaid-e-Tanhai is the play you should be watching for its dialogues (script) alone. Starring Sawera Nadeem and Faisal Qureshi, Qaid-e-Tanhai is the story of a couple who had to split due to economic pressures which in result turns their lives upside down.
Mera Naseeb
The mega cast play Mera Naseeb is an absolutely treat to watch. The family saga is based on the stories of two generations, doings of the elders ultimately shaping the lives of younger. Cast of the play includes Roobina Ashraf, Sakina Samoo, Sanam saeed, Samina Peerzada, Syra Yousaf and others.
Kankar
Kankar is another absolutely must watch Hum TV play, starring Fahad Mustafa and Sanam Baloch. Domestic violence is the basic issue discussed in the drama. Kiran, the protagonist of the play is that one daring girl who knows how to say no to the abuse and violence that came as a bonus with her extremely handsome and rich husband.
In addition to the above mentioned plays, Maane Na Ye Dil, Ghost, Vasl, Mein Abdul Qadir Hun, Maat, Durr-e-Shehwar are also worth watching plays. I’m not sure if I could cover every single must-watch play presented by Hum TV, there are many that I may have missed and others I haven’t watched so have no opinion about them. Please feel free to add more names to the list, like always, I’m looking forward to have a great list by you guys as well.
What makes a play a must watch for you? Generally speaking, the ingredients that make a drama stand out are a well written script, good acting, good direction and quality production values. Having said that, I must add that there are rarely plays that have all these four qualities, therefore lowering ones expectations every now and then and compromising on a few things that may not matter that much depending on a person’s interest sometimes proves to be fruitful. I used to be very choosy before, there were many times when I gave up on a drama right after watching the first episode only because the production values did not seem up to the mark or the characters did not instantly click with me. That was such a bad idea; as a result I missed some great plays while they were on air like Kuch Pyar Ka Pagal pan, Dastan, Akbari Asghari and many others. The sole reason for not watching these plays was that I didn’t warm up to them right from the get go. Later, on the recommendation of friends when I watched these plays, I realized what I missed out on and decided never to give up on a play right in the beginning. So, I am what you can call a very patient viewer now, I give myself time so that a play can grow on me and two of the plays on my list in particular are the ones which did not click to me instantly.
I think these five plays are not to be missed in this season and if you have not been watching them, I highly recommend that you do. I am not going to rate the plays but would rather line them up alphabetically. However, if I were to rate them Talkhiyaan and Zindagi Gulzar Hai would top my list.
Dil-e-Muztar
Yes Dil-e-Muztar has enough going on for it to make it a must watch despite of the minor glitches here and there. The story is nothing out of the ordinary but the direction is superb, the production values are worth raving about and the lead pair melts your heart. Sanam Jung, the talented newcomer, literally lights up the screen with her beautiful smile. Her apt portrayal of an innocent naïve girl who is madly in love with her cousin is perfect. Dil-e-Muztar also marks the debut of Shehzad Kahsmiri as a director and he has definitely proved that he is very good at what he does. Imran Abbas makes his comeback to Pakistani television with this serial and is doing a brilliant job of playing his character. Sarwat Gillani is equally convincing as the neighbor who goes out of her way to help Adeel and Silla out in time of need.
Dil-e-Muztar is a love story which has been directed in such a way that it is nothing short of a visual treat. It may not have any outstanding dialogues but the storyline is sweet and simple and keeps you glued to your TV screens. It is definitely a must watch for all the hopeless romantics out there, your heart will go out for Silla in particular. Dil-e-Muztar has been written by Aliya Bukhari, directed by Shehzad Kashmiri and produced by MD productions. You can watch it Every Saturday at 8 pm on Hum TV.
Mirat-ul-Uroos:
Mirat-ul-Uroos is one of those plays that gradually grow on you and you find yourself waiting for the next installment every week. When the play started it seemed repetitive and the characters appeared to be very black and white. I was afraid that it might be another story about sister rivalry but had faith in the writer. Mirat-ul-Uroos has certainly proved to be much more than just another story about two sisters who are poles apart. In a very apt manner it puts forward the plight of the middle class in our society. The different tracks are very relatable and the dialogues have Umera Ahmed written all over them. In the beginning most of the leading actors seemed like total misfits but they seem very comfortable in their respective roles now. The story is unfolding nicely and the direction has been excellent too for the past few episodes. The production values fail to impress but overall it is a good effort and definitely worth catching up with. Mirat-ul-Uroos has been written by Umera Ahmed, Directed by Anjum Shehzad and produced by 7th Sky. It airs every Thursday at 8pm on Geo Entertainment.
Silvatein:
This would be another play that failed to impress me in the first few episodes but I continued watching it only because it is a Samira Fazal play and we all know that Samira Fazal is someone whose intelligent scripts manage to entice you sooner or later. After fast forwarding the first few episodes, things started shaping up for me when Natasha got married, I really enjoyed her dilemma in the beginning and the character as a whole is as interesting as it gets!! She makes me laugh and makes my blood boil…love her or hate her but you want to see more of her. Watching Zeb and Mikaal having those conversations, which sometimes tend to go around in circles is thoroughly entertaining. Vasay Chaudhry is spot on as Mikaal and Amina Sheikh is the perfect Zeb. Mira Sethi makes her acting debut from this play and she fits perfectly in the role of a stubborn younger sister who thinks she can do no wrong!
Yes Silvatein is a story of two sisters who are completely different from one another and do not get along but the way it has been presented on-screen makes it a must watch. The fun and witty dialogues, interesting characters and the unpredictable storyline is what makes Silvatein a must watch play. Like all of Samira Fazal’s scripts, there are no heroes or villains in this play so you may find it difficult to side with one character in particular. The ‘competition’ between the two sisters makes for a very interesting storyline. Silvatein has been written by Samira fazal, directed by Sheherzaad Sheikh and produced by Six Sigma Entertainment. Watch it every Thursday at 8pm only on ARY Digital.
Talkhiyaan:
Talkhiyaan is nothing short of a masterpiece. Watching the play is like watching a beautiful art movie; the scenes are breathtaking, the way it has been directed is equally spectacular and the characters leave you speechless. Sanam Saeed plays the character of Bibi beautifully although the character is so complicated. You will see Hina Bayat playing a completely different character in Talkhiyaan…Apo Ji is nothing like the sweet and subtle characters that Hina Bayat has been playing till now. Shamim Hilali is equally remarkable as mama ji; another character which has many layers. The drama touches upon many tabooed topics but does not bore you for a second. It has a lot of unexpected twists and turns which keep you hooked. The OST has been sung beautifully as well but sometimes it seems overpowering when you have to listen to the entire song in almost every episode. Talkhiyaan will take you in a world of its own and once you start watching it you wouldn’t want to stop. The child artists Mehre sagar and Sabina are simply brilliant as Jugnu and Zoyee. There are many new actors in the play like Sarmad Mirza, Summer Nicks, Adnan Jaffar and others. Everyone is extremely well-suited in their respective roles and the characters have been etched out beautifully.
Talkhiyaan has to be the most underrated drama of the season and deserves much more attention than it is getting. The prime reason for this could be that it airs on Express Enetrtainemt, which isn’t yet one of the few channels that are followed by the viewers more religiously. Talkhiyaan has been written brilliantly by Bee Gul, Directed by Khalid Ahmed and produced by Seema Razi and Raziuddin Ahmad. You can watch it every Sunday at 8pm on Express Entertainment.
Zindagi Gulzar Hai:
Zindagi Gulzar Hai has to be the most viewed and also the most talked about drama of this season. The excitement with which many of us looked forward to the show was unmatchable. The play has given rise to some very interesting and heated discussions on gender roles. Zindagi Gulzar Hai is not just another love story but the play highlights the role a woman can play in a society and the difference she can make. Zindagi Gulzar hai has a very interesting storyline, we quote the dialogues from the play over and over again because they are totally worth it, the acting by all the characters big or small is spot on but the direction can be a little disappointing at times. There have been a lot of times when we have been left wondering about certain important events that should have been shown. Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed have done a commendable job and the rest of the actors are just as convincing.
Zindagi Gulzar Hai is a must watch because it has brilliant dialogues, an intriguing storyline and some great performances to its credit. Zindagi Gulzar hai has been written by Umera Ahmed, Directed by Sultana Siddiqui and produced by MD productions. It airs on Fridays at 8pm on Hum TV.
Which plays are must watch on your list and why? I would love to give the plays recommended by the readers a go.
With so many dramas on air nowadays on innumerable entertainment channels, sometimes it can be difficult for the viewers to decide which drama is worth watching and which one they should not even bother tuning into. There was a time not very long ago when it was difficult to make even one list of must-watch dramas of the season in a year because there weren’t enough dramas which were truly worth watching but things have changed for the better now since there are many writers and producers who have come up with quality scripts which have also been executed brilliantly on screen by skillful directors.
Here is a list of must-watch dramas of this season. The list is in alphabetical order.
Munkir
Written by: Zafar Mairaj
Directed by: Nadeem Siddique
Produced by: Everready Group of Companies
Channel: TvOne
Timing: Sunday 8PM
Cast: Nida Khan, Osman Khalid Butt, Ahmed Ali, Mahjabeen, Nayla Jaffery & others.
Munkir has just recently hit our TV screens and the very first episode seemed to be quite promising. Munkir is going to be a story of a girl who falls in love with a terrorist that too when she herself is at the verge of getting married to someone else. The first episode laid a foundation of how the girl’s life is about to get changed because she makes a choice to please herself just before she is getting married. The first episode of Munkir seemed straight forward with a lot of detailing about the characters and their priorities in life. The conversations in the very first episode seemed meaningful and interesting. The best part so far was the relationship that has been shown between a stepmother & a daughter. Even though this drama is going to revolve around a love triangle but the different plot definitely makes it a must watch.
Muqabil
Written by: Zafar Mairaj
Directed by: Ali Hassan
Produced by: Big Bang Entertainment
Channel: ARY
Timing: Tuesday 8pm
Cast: Mohsin Abbas Khan, Kubra Khan, Asif Raza Mir, Saba Hameed, Saife Hassan, Shaheen Khan & others.
It is always refreshing as well as entertaining to watch dramas which break free from the usual formulas and dare to be different. Not all dramas which attempt to be different succeed in doing so intelligently. Muqabil definitely manages to be not just different but also unpredictable and extremely enticing. Muqabil can easily be termed as a complete package which has some spell-binding performances, a strong, well-thought-out script and has been directed superbly. Muqabil will keep you at the edge of your seat. Mohsin Abbas Haider, Kubra Khan and Asif Raza Mir’s performances in particular are bound to sweep the viewers off of their feet and the plot will keep the audience hooked to their television screens.
Among all the dramas on air right now and those which have aired in the recent past which dealt with the issue of child abuse or rape Muqabil is the best one so far. If you haven’t watched Muqabil already, tune into it as soon as you can and you will definitely enjoy the ride.
Nazr-e-Bad
Written by: Imran Nazir
Directed by: Iqbal Hussain
Produced by: Moomal Entertainment
Channel: Hum TV
Timing: Wednesday & Thursday 9PM
Cast: Azfar Rehman, Sara Khan, Ali Abbas, Waseem Abbas, Sakina Samo, Fazila Qazi & others.
If you are in a mood for a rollercoaster ride of reality based story, then Nazr e Bad is the drama for you. Nazr e Bad’s story depicts how envy, hatred, jealousy and stubbornness can get the better of people and push them to the limit where they start playing with fire by resorting to black magic. The fact that makes Nazr e Bad a very interesting and gripping story is that the drama makers have stayed true to the message that they are trying to convey because everything has been presented realistically, after a lot of research.
This drama is showing the evil that is widespread in our society and it is a done deal that those who themselves have been affected or know of someone who is going through it can actually relate to what is being portrayed in the drama. Nazr e Bad surely is one of a kind drama because we haven’t seen any such drama in ages, which depicted black magic and its grave consequences in such an apt manner.
Pinjra
Written by: Imran Nazir
Directed by: Kashif Nisar
Produced by: Twenty Sixth Frame Entertainment
Channel: Aplus
Timing: Wednesday 8pm
Cast: Yumna Zaidi, Hassan Ahmed, Samina Ahmed, Hassan Niazi, Faiza Gillani, Kiran Haq, Azra Aftab, Daniyal Raheal, Farah Tufail, Sonia Nazir & others.
Pinjra is a must-watch for all those viewers out there who like a heavy dose of reality depicted on screen impeccably by a strong cast. It is also a different take on Vani which involves a lot of raw emotions. This isn’t the first time that Kashif Nisar has done complete justice to a complicated script by making it come alive on screen in a realistic manner. Imran Nazir’s powerful script enacted on screen brilliantly by a team which put in a lot of hard work into making this serial a drama which is bound to transport you to another world which is very different and dark from the one we live in.
Rasm-e-Duniya
Written by: Imran Nazir
Directed by: Roomi Insha
Produced by: Abdullah Seja
Channel: ARY
Timing: Thursday 8pm
Cast: Armeena Rana Khan, Bilal Abbas Khan, Sami Khan, Javed Sheikh, Samina Peerzada, Dia Mughal, Dania Anwar, Saba Bukhari, Nida Mumtaz & others.
Only one episode of Rasme-e-Duniya has gone air so far but even then it is in this list because this drama will remind you of dramas like Mera Naseeb and even Sadqay Tumhare because of the complicated relationships, secrets which are not yet revealed. Also, the chemistry between Armeena Rana Khan and Bilal Abbas Khan makes it a must-watch. Those viewers who enjoyed watching Armeena Rana Khan nail her role in Mohabbat Ab Nahi Hogi will love watching her play the role of a simple girl for whom life will very soon get complicated. Bilal Abbas Khan is one of the most powerful performers among all the newcomers and he once again is all set to make his presence felt in Rasm-e-Duniya. Do watch the first episode of Rasm-e-Duniya and you will have tons of reasons to tune into it next week too.
Titlee
Written by: Sameena Ejaz
Directed by: Ahmed Bhatti
Produced by: Gold Bridge Media
Channel: Urdu1
Timing: Friday 8pm
Cast: Hania Amir, Ali Abbas, Abid Ali, Saba Faisal, Seemi Pasha, Atif Rathore, Shahmeen Khan, Tauqeer Ahmed, Shazia Shah, Taqi Ahmed, Neha Laj & others.
Titlee marks the debut of Hania Amir on the small screen and she makes her presence felt in a role which definitely does not qualify as those run-of-the-mill characters which most actresses choose to begin their acting careers with. One of the main reasons why Titli is a must-watch is that for a change it isn’t just the story of a woman but the male protagonist’s story is just as important as that of a female. We have seen women getting married to men who don’t value them a little too often, Titli tells a different story of a man who is in that situation. Titli manages to achieve what many drama serials in the recent past failed to do; it shows that sometimes men can also be victims of marital abuse. (Xanax) The latest turn in the story clearly indicated that the viewers will get to see many interesting twists in the story. Also, for a change it is good to see a female protagonist who is not perfect but she is someone you will love to hate!
Yeh Raha Dil
Written by: Mustafa Afridi
Directed by: Siraj ul Haq
Produced by: MD Productions
Channel: Hum TV
Timing: Monday 8PM
Cast: Ahmed Ali, Yumna Zaidi, Anam Ahmed & others.
After impressing people with a phenomenal script like Sang e Marmar, writer Mustafa Afridi has another treat for the viewers and it is Yeh Raha Dil. There is no doubt about the fact that this drama got a lot of attention because Mustafa Afridi’s name was attached to it and also because the drama makers promised it to be a romantic comedy. Yeh Raha Dil happens to be a story of three people belonging to different walks of life and having completely different personalities. It is obvious that the viewers are going to get a love triangle but there’s nothing objectionable about it if it falls in the category of romantic comedy. Till date only one episode has gone on air and it surely gave it a promising start, especially the witty and humor filled dialogues made it a very entertaining drama. All those who are a fan of Yumna Zaidi’s acting and Mustafa Afridi’s writing, then this drama is surely for you.
Feel free to share your thoughts about the dramas which are in this list and do add to the list if you have any recommendations. Those of you who think some of the must-watch plays are missing from the list, please read another list we made a little while ago of must-watch dramas of the last season which are still on air by clicking on this link https://reviewit.pk/must-watch-dramas-of-this-season/
Pakistani drama industry seems to be upping their game in terms of quality and the approach with which the stories are being shown, that is why this season, the drama buffs are being spoilt by getting some really good dramas on TV screens. As these dramas are currently being aired and will end next year, they couldn’t be included in any of the annual lists of 2016. However, we wanted to dedicate a list to a few of the TOP dramas of this season, which the viewers were contemplating about whether to watch them or not because we feel, these dramas should definitely not be missed and are worth our recommendation.
So, without further ado, here is the alphabetically ordered list of the Top 5 dramas of this season:
Dil Banjara
Written by: Faiza Iftikhar
Directed by: Siraj ul Haque
Produced by: MD Productions
Channel: HUM TV
Cast: Sanam Saeed, Adnan Malik, Meera Sethi, Hina Bayat, Samina Ahmed, Munawwar Raza, Mohsin Raza Gillani, Madiha Rizvi and others.
Dil Banjara has more than its fair share of weaknesses but there are also some aspects of this drama which make it a must-watch. The stunning locations, unconventional characters and an unpredictable storyline makes this drama one which should not be missed. Even though Sanam Saeed and Adnan Malik’s performances can be a little shaky at times but their on-screen chemistry makes their couple a complete success. Hina Bayat and Mohsin Gillani’s brilliant portrayals and their one-of-a-kind relationship is another interesting and unusual yet appealing aspect of this drama. Mohsin Gillani plays the role of a father who stands up against all odds to ensure that his daughter gets all those opportunities which other girls in the family never got with brilliance. Sanam Saeed plays the character of a girl who never wanted to let her father down but ended up falling for a man even though she is engaged to someone else with precision despite of some flaws in direction because of which her character seems confusing at time.
Sikandar is also an unusual leading man who keeps you wondering about his next move. Dil Banjara is the story of three people who are hopelessly in love even though they are not meant to be together.
Khuda Aur Mohabbat:
Written by: Hashim Nadeem
Directed by: Syed Ali Raza Usama
Produced by: Baber Javed
Channel: GEO TV
Cast: Imran Abbas, Saadia Khan, Firdous Jamal, Usman Peerzada, Saba Faisal, Humayun Ashraf and others.
This drama made a lot of buzz because as it was promised to be the second season of Khuda Aur Mohabbat, however, this factor was kept hidden from the viewers that the team of this drama was planning to cover the entire novel from beginning to end in this season, that is why they included that section of the story which was already covered in the first season too. However, it is a bonus for those viewers who haven’t seen the first season because the team of Khuda Aur Mohabbat has made a bigger and better come back.
The story is about two different people who belong to two different worlds but it is the feeling and emotion of love that binds them together. Even though the story revolves around Hammad and his love for Imaan a little more but it is one such journey that shouldn’t be missed. Imran Abbas is one such actor who knows how to portray the emotion of love flawlessly and phenomenally on screen, so it sure is a treat for all the drama buffs out there. Khuda Aur Mohabbat is filled with such beautiful characters that you will have a great time relating to them and then Hammad’s character and journey will keep you hooked to this drama as well.
Khuda Mera Bhi Hai
Written by: Asma Nabeel
Directed by: Shahid Shafaat
Produced by: Sana Shahnawaz
Channel: ARY Digital
Cast: Ayesha Khan, Syed Jibran, Aly Khan, Hira Tareen, Irsa Ghazal, Imran Ashraf, Mehmood Aslam, Furqan Qureshi, Saba Hameed, Marium Saleem and others.
Khuda Mera Bhi Hai isn’t the story of one person alone but it is the story of many people whose lives change drastically after the birth of an intersex child and obviously this will be the story of that child too once the story moves forward. The drama has some credible and compelling performances to its credit, the script so far has been logical and the director has managed to do complete justice to the emotional upheavals which were a very important part of few of the episodes that have gone on air and will play a vital role in helping the viewers relate to the characters in the upcoming episodes as well. Through the character of Bubbly the writer also tells the story of intersex individuals who are not accepted by the society.
Aisha Khan, Adnan Shah Tipu and Saba Hameed’s outstanding performances and the way this story has been executed make this drama a clear winner. This drama also has some brand new situations and scenarios to its credit which give it a very refreshing feel. Khuda Mera Bhi Hai will keep you entertained and engaged throughout, do watch it.
Khoobsurat
Written by: Seema Ghazal and Dilshaad Naseem
Directed by: Faheem Burney
Produced by: A&F Productions
Channel: Urdu1
Cast: Mahnoor Baloch, Azfar Rehman, Zarnish Khan, Asma Abbas, Faisal Rehman and others.
Khoobsurat isn’t grand but it is definitely entertaining. Zarnish Khan and Azfar Rehman’s sizzling on screen chemistry and their natural and spontaneous performances make this drama a must-watch. The story is rather simple but it is appealing nevertheless. The director and the writer seem to be taking the time necessary to take the story forward but they have done so without slowing down the pace of the drama. Khoobsurat is also visually pleasing not only because of the beautiful people who are part of the drama but also because of the picture quality and overall outlook of these actors which isn’t Over The Top but pleasing to see on screen.
So far Khoobsurat is a decent watch which falls in the category of light entertainment. The drama is likely to get serious in the future but so far the writer has managed to cover all the aspects of the story without making it too somber at any point. Zarnish Khan and Asma Abbas’ exceptional performances and their relationship with each other is the highlight of the drama as well.
Moray Saiyaan:
Written by: Rabia Razzaque
Directed by: Nadeem Siddique
Produced by: Abdullah Seja
Channel: ARY Digital
Cast: Firdous Jamal, Irsa Ghazal, Uzair Jaswal, Neha Rajpoot, Kinza Hashmi, Ayesha Toor, Ali Kazmi and others.
If you are in a mood to watch a light hearted drama with a cute love story unfolding on your TV screens, Moray Saiyaan is the drama for you. The scenic locations of Islamabad and aesthetically appeasing backdrops make this drama worth a watch. This drama consists of new faces who definitely will capture your interest because who doesn’t like seeing completely fresh faces every now and then?
Even though Moray Saiyaan has a very simple and one-dimensional story, it also has a mysterious family background which convinces you to put your mind to it in order to solve the riddle about what might’ve happened in the past. Uzair Jaswal and Neha Rajpoot’s chemistry is another added bonus in this drama and the characters of Ghaziyan and Zubaria will definitely grab your attention.
Sang e Marmar:
Written by: Mustafa Afridi
Directed by: Safie Hassan
Produced by: Momina Duraid
Channel: HUM TV
Cast: Noman Ejaz, Sania Saeed, Hassan Noman, Kubra Khan, Mikaal Zulfikar, Masoor Paras, Najiba Faiz, Uzma Hassan, Kaif Ghaznavi, Tipu Sharif, Beenish Raja, Omair Rana and others.
This is probably one such drama of the season that has everyone hooked to it completely. Even though in the initial episodes, it did look it was going to be an issue based drama with a very serious undertone but the writer and the director with their amazing talent turned it into a complete package. Iron willed characters, strong women, humour, sarcasm, family politics, plotting, planning, unpredictability, you name it, you’ve got it. Sang e Marmar definitely gained popularity because it got better and better with each passing episode and surpassed viewer’s expectations because at this stage of the drama industry where there was an influx of star studded disasters, no one expected Sang e Marmar to be this good.
Sang e Marmar is a perfect example of how a drama should be, where it should take the viewers to the world of its own and when the episode ends, it makes them feel they didn’t get enough of it. Sang e Marmar is a result of intelligent writing, intelligent direction and brilliant acting. The writer chose such a grave subject where he chose to highlight the issues that prevail in a certain culture without making it seem to grim and then the director elaborated it with finesse, where he never once made the viewers feel detatched to the reality that was being shown. Then last but not the least, the actors gave such captivating performances that the viewers formed a connection with them to such an extent that it ended up looking like the viewers were watching real lives of real people unfold on their screens. If you haven’t hopped on the band wagon of Sang e Marmar, it’s a high time you should because if there is one drama that you should definitely not miss, it is Sang e Marmar.
Shehrnaz
Writer: Hoor Shamaeel
Director: Syed Ahmed Kamran
Producers: Hassan Zia and Danish Taimoor
Channel: Urdu1
Cast: Sajid Hassan, Ayeza Khan, Farhan Ahmed Malhi, Aly Khan, Mehmood Akhter, Imran Ashraf, Komal Iqbal and others.
Shehrnaz is the story of a girl who dreams to be a “heroine” in a film some day. Shehrnaz’s story is endearing and is free of clichés which is why it is a must-watch! This show belongs to Ayeza Khan completely, those of you who would like to watch Ayeza Khan excel in a role very different from the kind of roles she has been seen playing lately should definitely tune into this drama. Just like all the other plays in this list Shehrnaz too has a different feel to it; the heroine, her story and even the locations have been chosen well. Apart from Ayeza Khan Sajid Hassan’s acting is another reason why you will have a reason to tune into this drama every week. The production values of the drama are not as remarkable as some of the other dramas in this list and some of the supporting actors are misfits too but Shehrnaz’s story and her track is interesting enough to keep the viewers glued to their television screens.
The story so far is unpredictable which is another reason why this drama keeps on giving its viewers twists and turns which keep their interest alive.
So, with this, we conclude the list of Must-Watch Dramas of The Season. Please feel free to add more names to the list and don’t forget to share your thoughts.
The most important factor which makes a drama a must-watch is how well it manages to hold the attention of the viewers right till the end. Even if there are loopholes in the script and if there are some editing mistakes, they can easily be overlooked if the drama as a whole provides the viewers with good entertainment. Nowadays unpredictable scripts, strong characters and a drama that ends without being stretched is considered as a winner in everyone’s eyes. The viewers who are hooked on Pakistani dramas kept on watching whatever different channels had to offer in the hope that one of these dramas will provide the kind of entertainment they were looking for. But there were very few dramas which made their mark because most of the dramas banked on clichéd scripts and most importantly there were many dramas that went off-track because they were stretched.
In my opinion following plays count as must-watch plays of 2015 because of different reasons that have been mentioned below. The list is in alphabetical order.
Alvida
Writer: Samira Fazal
Director: Shehzad Kashmiri
Produced By: Momina Duraid, Humayun Saeed, Shahzad Naseeb.
Cast: Imran Abbas, Sanam Jung, Naveen Waqar, Zahid Ahmed, Mahmood Aslam, Sara Khan, Haris Waheed & others.
What makes Alvida a must-watch is its pace and an unpredictable storyline. Like all other plays written by Samira Fazal, this one too has some unexpected twists and turns that will keep you at the edge of your seats and characters that will give the viewers a lot to discuss. For the first time Zahid Ahmed’s performance in a negative role was highly appreciated by the viewers when he played the character of Rameez in this play. Sara Khan outshone in a negative role and surprised the viewers with her brilliant acting and screen-presence. Sanam Jung was seen in a drama for the first time after Mohabbat Subha Ka Sitara Hai and Haya although was reckless and immature but her character was far more appealing than that of Romaissa. Imran Abbas played his role brilliantly too. There were some loopholes in the script that made you question certain developments but overall it was a very entertaining play free of clichés.
It was one of those rare dramas which had the perfect ending in which everyone got what they deserved in the end.
Digest writer
Writer: Madiha Shahid
Director: Syed Ahmed Kamran
Produced By: Larachi Entertainment
Cast: Saba Qamar, Gohar Rasheed, Maheen Jaffri, Aiman Khan, Mehmood Akhtar, Sajida Syed, Parveen Akbar, Agha Ali & others.
Digest Writer was lauded by the viewers for a realistic script, characters which viewers had absolutely no problem connecting to and direction which did complete justice to the script. Digest writer was the story of Fareeda who had a passion for writing; her journey as a digest writer and later on as a script writer along with her personal struggles was what the story of the drama revolved around. The perfect execution of the drama won the hearts of many. People who were sick and tired of watching the same old stories unravel on their television screens welcomed Digest Writer like a breath of fresh air. All the actors were absolutely brilliant in their respective roles but Saba Qamar, Agha Ali and Gauhar Rasheed owned their characters more than any other.
Diyar-e-Dil
Writer: Farhat Ishtiaq
Director: Haseeb Hassan
Produced by: Momina Duraid
Cast: Abid Ali, Sanam Saeed, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Maya Ali, Osman Khalid Butt, Hareem Farooq, Ali Rehman Khan, Behroze Sabzwari, Tara Mehmood, Rasheed Naz, Eshita & others.
Diyar-e-Dil was Pyare Afzal of this year; it was on air for 33 weeks but even then the viewers missed it once it ended. Diyar-e-Dil enticed the viewers right from the get-go because of its breathtaking locations and a very happening first episode. Gradually the viewers fell in love with the characters which were intriguing and unforgettable. Abid Ali’s brilliant performance along with Osman Khalid Butt and Maya Ali’s on-screen chemistry made the viewers fall in love with the Aunn Zara jodi once again. The one thing that set this drama apart from all others was the emotional connection the viewers had with all the characters and the drama as a whole. The manner in which some very complex family ties were impeccably translated on screen was appreciated by the viewers as well. It was a story which covered many generations and showing all these generations and their relationships with each other with absolute brilliance was a huge accomplishment.
Mera Naam Yousuf Hai
Writer: Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar
Director: Mehreen Jabbar
Produced by: Sadia Jabbar
Cast: Imran Abbas, Maya Ali, Hina Bayat, Behroze Sabzwari, Waseem Abbas, Mizna Waqas, Taqi Ahmed, Ali Sheikh, Seema Sehr & others.
Mera Naam Yousuf Hai was emotional, filmy and had some very strong and unconventional female leads to its credit. Just like all the plays written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar this one too did not only focus on the lead but had side characters that sometimes made you connect to them more than the leading characters. Apart from some very impactful characters, powerful dialogues and smooth direction this play is one of those very few plays of this season which was not stretched at all. It ended when the ending was least expected with a twist which put a smile on everyone’s face. The viewers got to see some memorable performances by all the actors young and old. A deep and meaningful script brought beautifully to life by a team of dedicated individuals, Mera Naam Yousuf Hai was a personal favorite.
Sadqay Tumhare
Writer: Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar
Director: Ehteshamuddin
Produced By: Momina Duraid, Samina Hamayun Saeed and Tariq Shah
Cast: Mahira Khan, Adnan Malik, Sammiya Mumtaz, Sanya Shamshad, Qavi Khan, Aamir Qureshi, Farhan Ali Agha, Irfan Khosat, Rehan Sheikh, Shamil Khan & others
Sadqay Tumhare had some stellar performances to its credit, the viewers got to see Sammiya Mumtaz in a negative role for the first time in a play and she gave a spell binding performance every step of the way. Mahira Khan and Adnan Malik’s on-screen chemistry coupled with characters which were unusual and appealing made this love story much more than just another love story. Sadqay Tumhare’s script was bold like all of Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s scripts and this play had some of the most complicated characters to its credit. Sadqay Tumhare is a must watch for all those viewers who want to see all the actors in the cast in some of the most impressive roles and performances of their entire career.
Feel free to add to the list and don’t forget to share your thoughts about the dramas on the list.
Burgers are loved no matter where you go in the world. They’re fatty, juicy and oh so delicious. But it is really is tedious to find the perfect burger which melts in your mouth and transports you into a food coma. If you’re looking for the perfect burger joint, then read on our list for must try burger joints in Lahore:
Ministry of Burgers
Ministry of Burgers started off from a branch in phase 8, DHA, Lahore. They’ve now moved on to gulberg and a takeaway joint in DHA. The place not only serves fat, juicy burgers cooked to perfect but also fries loaded in various sauces. And the best part is you can keep adding on patty upon patty to your burger, all depends on how hungry you are!
Daily Deli
Daily Deli started off as a startup whose ideas was not approved but they were persistent and opened up in the very place that rejected them! Situated inside Arfa Tower and a branch in Johar Town, this place serves unique, juicy burgers which will make you want to lick your fingers! Imagine a burger with mozarella sticks stuffed inside them, yum gooey cheesy goodness.. and the best thing is they are reasonably priced. If you’re missing Shake Shack, this place is worth a try.
Johnny and Jugnu
This burger joint is the brainchild of LUMS graduates and is located in DHA and Johar Town. They believe a good burger should be all about the sauces and rightfully so! They serve a variety of sauces; chipotle, garlic, mushroom, greek, atomic and jalapeno. You can choose one or more sauces to be added in your burger. Their wehshi zinger is the most ordered and loved burger and tastes lip smackingly delicious with just about any sauce.
Home grown
Home grown burgers are located in DHA. They serve both chicken and beef burgers which you can make on your own. Yes, you decide all the add-ons in your burger exactly how you prefer it. Their burger with Doritos and nacho cheese is to die for.
Outpost BYOB
Outpost BYOB were the pioneers of making your burger in your way. They are located in DHA and gulberg. You can choose your own bun; either brioche or sesame or even have the burger in a lettuce wrap while choosing from sixteen different sauces and an array of ingredients such as beetroot raddish, jalapeno pineapple relish and many more. Sounds mouth watering, doesn’t it?
Howdy
You’ve heard of fish fillets but ever heard of prawn burgers? A dream come true for prawn lovers, this burger tastes as delicious as it looks! Howdy is located in various areas in Lahore and also Islamabad.
Sarrak Kinarey
If you’re not a ‘western’ burger fan and are looking for a desi fix, Sarrak Kinarey is your place to be. They serve scrumptious, hygienic anda shami laden with egg. Make sure to have it with their special karak chai for a complete desi roadside experience.They are located in DHA.
Sonya Hussain is a fresh face of the Pakistani industry. She started her career six years ago and now she has achieved success in a short span of time.
She continued, “A miracle happened, my stepmother gave birth to a son and right after one month my mother also gave birth to a son. After this, my family started breaking. I had a very difficult childhood.”
Ayeza recently appeared in a morning show where she talked about what happened when Danish’s rishat came and shared:
On asking upon why did Ayeza and Danish fought, she replied, “To get into relationship you need to be mature. We were very young when we got into a relationship and fought over meager things.”
She continued and said, “We got nto relationship when I was getting into my intermediate and Danish just started her career.”
