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Dobara Episode 31 Story Review – Falling For Narmeen

I am certain I am not the only one who wants to give up on Mahir after watching this episode! I am no longer rooting for him and would love to see him pay for it if he decides to marry Narmeen. Even though Mahir started showing interest in Narmeen in the previous episode but tonight there wasn’t just a formal declaration of love but also a lot of talk about marriage. My blood boiled every time Mahir referred to Mehru as someone who meant nothing to him. While it was plain to see why Mahir would find Narmeen more attractive, I was not expecting him to be this ‘dumb’! The opening conversation with his mother was the final nail in the coffin.

Until last week, there was reason to doubt Mahir’s true intentions but after watching this episode there is no reason to do so. I just hope that Dobara really is ending soon since we have been told twice before as well that next week was going to be the second last episode. And I hope that we get to watch an ending that does justice to Mehru more than anyone else. The writer definitely made it easier for the viewers to decide whose side they should be on by showing Narmeen’s greedy side. Both Mahir and Narmeen had guilt pangs but clearly, they were much more focused on what they wanted than the reasons why they needed to reconsider their actions.

Falling For Narmeen

Tonight’s episode opened with Narmeen telling Mahir that she still loved him. It was almost as if that was all Mahir needed to hear. He was willing to leave everything and Mehru behind but Narmeen did not want him to do that because she also wanted his money. Like Mahir said in the previous episode, Narmeen did not want a Mahir without the monetary benefits. But it seemed as if Mahir forgot all about that and was willing to do whatever it took to marry Narmeen even if it meant leaving Mehru behind. This scene changed how Mahir felt. I must say that the change of attitude and priorities happened a little too soon but then the history these two share does make the entire thing logical even if it is not the least bit likable.

Dobara Episode 31 Story Review – Falling For Narmeen

Later on, when Mahir met his mother, I was expecting her to give him more useful advice but her advice was based on her own experiences. Although she had a conversation with her husband previously in which she said that she did not marry him because of his money, it seemed that was not entirely true. Also, Mahir’s father mentioned in one of the previous episodes that he was the one at fault. Therefore, her regret did not make a lot of sense to me. I understood that she regretted ignoring her son but besides that, her situation was not like Mahir’s situation at all therefore this particular situation did not make a lot of sense to me. It would be safe to say that Mahir followed his own heart and this conversation with his mother was more of an ‘excuse’ than anything else. He got support from his mother which perhaps made him even more confident. He did say that he loved Mehru in this particular scene but a few scenes later, his feelings seemed to have changed! Mahir has never been close to his mother and even though she is in a vulnerable situation right now, Mahir is not the kind of person who would follow her advice so readily!

The way Mahir lied to Babar said a great deal about how good he is at hiding things and lying! Bilal Abbas Khan deserves tons of credit for translating this particular side of his character exceptionally well on screen. Mahir’s most dominant personality trait has to be his manipulative nature and Bilal Abbas has made sure that Mahir comes across as a manipulative person even at times when you want to feel that he is being genuine. Narmeen and Mahir’s scene at the beach had to be the one that made me give up on Mahir entirely! He definitely deserves a gold digger who will leave him when he loses his wealth. I have always found Mehru’s conversations with her friend meaningful but tonight they did not go well with her situation especially because I don’t want to see Mehru ‘compromising’ at this point. Narmeen is definitely playing games and not being honest. She is also playing hard to get so that Mahir will not doubt her intentions.

Final Remarks

Tonight’s episode changed my thoughts and feelings about Mahir completely. The preview of the next episode suggested that he might overhear Narmeen and her mother talking to each other but it also seemed as if Mehru will not be willing to forgive him. I hope there is a good reason why the Narmeen/Mahir track has taken this turn. Mehru definitely deserves a happy ending and this drama should end in a meaningful manner. And I hope that the next episode really is the second last episode!

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 30 Story Review – Engaging and Intriguing

Tonight’s episode of Dobara was engaging and intriguing. After a long time, Mahir and Mehru’s on-screen chemistry and their relationship took center stage even though Mahir showed more ‘interest’ in Narmeen than anticipated. The attention to detail in this particular episode stood out for me more than anything else. For this reason, this was the most well-executed and directed episode of Dobara. From the chai scene in the kitchen to the reasons for the delay of the flight; every single scene resonated with me. The story moved forward effortlessly and the performances were on point. Even though Dobara did drag in between, I am glad that these last few episodes are crisp and engaging. After watching so many recent dramas with miscasting and sloppy direction; I find myself appreciating Danish Nawaz’s direction and casting more than before. Hadiqa Kiyani and Bilal Abbas Khan’s performance in this episode made me believe they were a perfect match, ironically at a time when Mahir seems to be giving mixed signals yet again. This was also another one of those episodes showing how Mahir was better at problem-solving and getting what he wanted than anyone else.

Well Written and Executed

Tonight’s episode opened with Mahir praising Mehru, just the way she expected him to. Soon, he was shown being the father figure to both Minal and Zameer. For the first time, we got to see these 4 as a family. I have to agree with Mehru, even though Mahir is much younger than her but he is far more mature than many others around him. He had to deal with real-life issues at a young age and had to look out for himself more than once therefore finding his way out of difficult situations is something that comes naturally to him. I loved the chai scene mainly because it was acted out so well.

This was another episode of Dobara with meaningful conversations. The way Mahir mentioned his past life more than once suggested right in the beginning that Narmeen’s comeback had brought back memories. Mehru, obviously, had no idea what was going on but she could sense that there was something different about Mahir’s behavior. Instead of ignoring Narmeen, Mahir actually decided to talk to her which was unexpected. Mahir was much more ‘contained’ in front of her considering how he actually felt. His demeanor and way of talking did not give away much which made this scene even more interesting. Narmeen sounded more bitter and it seemed as if she was more attracted toward Mahir even now. The camerawork and performances in this scene made it a treat to watch. The way he got Narmeen’s number and then got in touch with her suggested that he felt there was nothing wrong with the two connecting in this manner. Later on, he went as far as calling her back and taking her out. Narmeen from the beginning appeared to be flirting with Mahir although her dialogues were not written on those lines Zoya Khan’s performance definitely pointed in that direction. Bilal Abbas Khan on the other hand kept his performance subtle and it was difficult to comprehend Mahir’s actual feelings. His actions definitely suggested that he felt he was entitled to being ‘friends’ with Narmeen. By the end of this episode, Narmeen confessed that she was still in love with Mahir.

Dobara Episode 30 Story Review – Engaging and IntriguingIn this day and age, when there is a lack of communication between couples or anyone at all in dramas, it is laughable. Tonight, when Mehru failed to inform Mahir that she was leaving, it was one such situation. She could have easily sent him a voice or text message to inform him about her plans. Mahir’s reaction however reflected his disturbed and confused state of mind. Mehru has her own way of showing her love towards Mahir, as the preview of the next episode suggested, she was shown inaugurating a hospital with the same name as Mahir’s father. Babar found out about Narmeen tonight, I thought this was pretty interesting since I was wondering why Babar joined the office. He has a soft corner for Mehru therefore he will end up telling her about Narmeen. Right now, Mehru’s state of mind is such that anything can be expected from her. She mentioned that she was willing to let Mahir go if that made him happy in the previous episode.

Final Remarks

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this episode of Dobara. It was not faultless but overall it was entertaining and well-written. It is difficult to predict how the drama will end since Mahir, Narmeen and Mehru’s triangle is unlike any other. Will it be a happy ending for Mahir and Mehru or will Mahir and Narmeen be together in the end? It will definitely be better if Mahir and Mehru get a happy ending. I still have an ill feeling that something might happen to Mehru, I really hope not!

Did you watch this episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 29 Story Review – Narmeen Is Back

This was yet another episode of Dobara that belonged to Mahir. Bilal Abbas Khan’s performance tonight was more impressive than ever. Mahir is such a well-written and beautifully portrayed character. The last scene was one of the most powerful scenes we have seen in recent dramas. The director and the actors involved did complete justice to it. Narmeen’s entry has breathed new life into the story. Honestly speaking, I was not looking forward to this part of the story but this scene and the situations leading up to it, made it an absolute delight to watch. This episode also had so many meaningful dialogues to its credit. Some of these dialogues were even alarming. While the writer has taken the main track forward convincingly, I would not say the same about some of the sidetracks. Zameer and Minal’s track in particular has been wrapped up illogically, to say the least.

Important Developments – Convincing or Not?

Most part of this episode covered how in control Mahir was and how he dealt with every single issue wisely. His plan was kept a secret right till the time he executed it. Surprisingly, this plan involved a lot of thinking because Mahir kept into consideration that Minal’s happiness depended on whatever he would choose to do. Mahir is definitely capable of such wisdom but it was definitely not expected at this point considering how much harm Zameer has done over the years. I must say that I am still finding it hard to believe Zameer’s change of heart. I cannot seem to brush the fact that he wanted to see Mahir dead and Affan in jail under the carpet! I really wish, we were not shown that evil side of this character. If Zameer was only greedy, it would have been easier to forgive him and accept the change of heart. Although he did not do much practically to contribute to Affan or Mahir’s troubles, he did try to get Affan arrested by telling the police the truth. I feel that this particular track has not been wrapped up too wisely.

A person such as Zameer surely needed more of a reality check to get back on track. Ultimately, we were shown that his love for Minal superseded everything else. I found it difficult to relate to this ‘love’ because he has been playing a really negative role in Minal’s life for the most part. He did not only use her mother’s business to meet his own ends but he also tried to destroy it completely. Most importantly, he brainwashed Minal against her own mother! Now, all of a sudden, he loves Minal so much that he cannot bear to leave her. All of this made no sense to me whatsoever! Minal’s dialogues in this episode were written really well but unfortunately perhaps for the first time, Maheen Siddiqui’s performance was not up to the mark. She was clearly struggling while delivering those dialogues. The message the writer wanted to put forward was a powerful one but it would have been far more impactful if these dialogues were delivered more confidently and aptly. The final warning to Zameer also could have come earlier; this was not the perfect time for it since he had already mended his ways. We need to hear such dialogues more often in dramas; full marks to the writer for penning them down.

Dobara Episode 29 Story Review – Narmeen Is Back

Mahir and Mehru’s track took an interesting turn tonight. Mehru’s dialogues were more meaningful than any other tonight. Her conversation with her friend suggested that she would willingly let Mahir go if that would make him happy. Later on, when she talked about how short life was, I was wondering if Mehru will die in the end. Even now, I feel that Mahir likes being in control and is a good person but he does not ‘love’ Mehru. Mahir’s expressions when Mehru left to answer the phone call suggested that he is hiding his feelings. I am definitely very curious to find out how he actually feels because I feel that is still a mystery even after all these weeks. Mahir’s stepfather’s reaction was unexpected but definitely not surprising. The last scene made me feel for Mehru; she had no idea what was going on in Mahir’s mind.

Mahir and Narmeen’s meeting was the best part of this episode. The OST playing in the background coupled with powerful performances from Bilal Abbas Khan and Zoya Nasir made this scene an absolute treat! Bilal Abbas Khan’s expressions in particular were simply outstanding. He said so much with those expressive eyes and the way he was lost after seeing Narmeen was translated brilliantly on screen!

Final Remarks

I am looking forward to the last two episodes after watching this recent episode. I also think that Dobara is one of those quality dramas that overstayed their welcome! It could easily have been a more entertaining drama had the story been covered in 25 weeks instead of 31. The preview of the next episode was really enticing. I am glad this drama will get the kind of ending which brings viewers back because I am certain a lot of viewers must have stopped watching it by now!

On a side note, I really want to review more dramas but all the recent dramas are too commercial and have done-to-death stories. I am truly missing the Parizaad days! If you have any good recommendations, please let me know. Otherwise, I will take up one of the commercial dramas on air right now! Even Dushman has a predominant commercial element to it. Kindly share your thoughts.

Dobara Episode 28 Story Review – Meaningful Conversations

Tonight’s episode of Dobara yet again focused on Mehru and Mahir more than any other character. This recent episode had some interesting conversations to its credit. Mahir continues to be the main attraction; the character has been penned down brilliantly and Bilal Abbas Khan continues to translate the character phenomenally on screen. Mehru has some really strong personality traits which are likable but her story has definitely been taken over by Mahir, she no longer controls what happens in her life and her reactions most often are also dependent on Mahir’s support. Mahir’s marriage to Mehru brought him the stability that was always lacking in his life. As a result of that, he has more confidence now to face those people who put him down in the past. The dynamics continue to be interesting but am I the only one who still expects more from Mehru? Her kindness and good manners are likable but her over-reliance on Mahir is definitely not too appealing.

Important Meeting and Conversations

This episode opened with Mehru and Mahir discussing Zameer and Minal’s situation. Mahir once again was the one who gave Mehru the assurance she needed and decided to take matters into his control. Mahir’s resourcefulness has always been the most attractive personality trait. Even when he did not have the finances or the position to be in control, he found ways to get himself out of trouble. He was obviously using means which were questionable and now that he has the resources, he does not rely on anyone to find solutions. In this way, Mehru and Mahir are poles apart. Mehru is always clueless and most often depends on either compromise or her money to get out of trouble. Mahir does not believe in compromising when he knows he is right. Mahir’s character development has been more interesting than Mehru’s. When Mahir’s friend reminded him of the reason he married Mehru, although he was quite clear that he loved Mehru, somehow I had a difficult time believing him. Was he saying this because his friend was now going to work in the office or because he really was in love with Mehru? Even after all this time, somehow I find it difficult to believe that Mahir loves Mehru the way he loved Narmeen.

Dobara Episode 28 Story Review – Meaningful Conversations

Tonight’s episode had many important conversations between characters who have not talked to each other for a long time. Mehru and Minal finally had an actual conversation. It was good to see Mehru looking out for her daughter. Minal however was not willing to be flexible at all, she was always a sensible girl but Zameer brainwashed her completely. Minal’s meeting with Mahir was also interesting. Mahir has a way with words and he plays the role well! Minal also was not as aggressive with him as she is with her mother. The most important meeting was between Naheed and Mehru! Even though Mehru dealt with her confidently and elegantly, she was clearly affected by everything she said. That is why later on, she talked to Mahir. I am glad; she did not keep her feelings to herself because Mahir’s reaction was the best part of this episode. The way he gave his mother and his stepfather a reality check was music to the ears! There was a time when he completely lacked this confidence, now he says things that he could not have imagined saying to all these people who are responsible for the shortcomings in his life. Mahir’s conversation with Naheed was also important because he kept on telling her that Mehru’s love meant more to him than anything else. This love will truly be tested when he crosses paths with Narmeen in the upcoming episode. I am looking forward to this meeting. The best scene tonight was the last one; the way Mahir told his stepfather off was meaningful and gratifying.

Affan and Minal finally had a conversation about what actually happened. Affan defended Mahir and decided to share the secret with Minal which changed his perspective altogether. Since Minal idealizes her father just as much as Affan did, this will be as big a shock for her as it was for Affan. Jahangir and his wife’s scene was definitely forced since there was a major change in her personality after being insulted by Minal. This seemed like a filler scene which did not really make sense given whatever we were shown in the previous episode.

Final Remarks

Overall, this was an interesting episode of Dobara with quite a few important conversations. Even though everything is being covered logically, the drama does not have the same appeal to it that it had a few weeks back. Some of the scenarios are repetitive and you also want to see Mehru and Mahir’s ending at this point. The preview of the next episode was interesting. I am definitely waiting to find out how Narmeen and Mahir’s chance meeting goes. Will it be as satisfying as his meeting with his stepfather tonight? Or will it end up confusing Mahir?

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 26 Story Review – Accepting Reality

This was another episode of Dobara that took the story forward. Even though we have hit the 26th episode mark but it seems as if the writer is not in a rush to wrap up the story! The story has been stretched but it definitely has enough substance to engage the viewers even now. For a change, this time around it is also difficult to predict how Mahir will deal with the business and family responsibilities given to him now. This episode was well-put-together and the character development of some of the characters made more sense tonight. Mehru continues to take a backseat in the story while Mahir takes it forward more than anyone else. Bilal Abbas Khan owns this character completely and the most interesting part is that as a viewer my opinion about Mahir changes quite often!

Accepting Reality and Moving on

This recent episode opened with Mahir’s mother finally making an appearance after weeks. Even though she has had a rocky relationship with her son, she longs to see him and also feels he needs her more than her other children. Her relationship with Mahir was always quite interesting. She tried her best to be there for him but her husband’s pressure along with Mahir’s antics made it really difficult for her to be the mother that she was capable of being. Angeline Malick has a unique acting style and she fits in so well into this character. However, the fact that this character did not appear for so many weeks definitely impacted the flow of this particular track.

The breakfast scene at Mehru’s home was quite interesting. Mahir was in charge once again and this time around although he was playful, he exercised his authority with even more confidence than before. Mehru is letting him take all the decisions. In the beginning, there were times when Mehru came across as a mature and sensible woman but as the story is progressing; her most dominant personality trait has to be her docile and kind nature. Even though I am disappointed with the turn this character has taken, Mehru’s character traits make perfect sense. She got married to a man much older than her who did not let her take the minutest decisions on her own therefore it makes sense. However, Mehru was also introduced as someone who wanted to live her life on her own terms and conditions now that she had the kind of independence she longed for all her life. Did her journey for independence end when she got married to Mahir? After a long time, even with all her flaws and shortcomings, I liked watching Mehru be her generous and caring self. The way Hadiqa Kiyani carries herself and the manner in which she delivers her dialogues exudes grace which is a major part of Mehru’s character.

Dobara Episode 26 Story Review – Accepting Reality

Mahir was forced to take charge once again tonight by Mehru even though he was reluctant to do so. Not just in the office but also at home he took all the major decisions. Affan accepted the fact that he could not run the business and he only decided to do so in order to prove a point. For a change, Affan came across as a sensible and mature individual who recognized his own shortcomings and was willing to give his mother the space she needed to live her life. Even though this recent change in Affan’s character was likable but I feel that this change was a little too sudden considering the fact that he was so immature just a few days ago. Usama Khan played his role really well and the dialogues were well written as well.

Mahir and Phupo’s scenes together were entertaining! Sakina Samo’s performance was on point right from the start. She should definitely be part of one of the Ramazan special dramas next year, I am certain she will fit into one of those older comic characters so well! Minal’s reaction was disappointing since she used to be the sensible one who took wise decisions. I am waiting to see how Mahir and Mehru deal with the Zameer situation. (bmisurplus.com) Watching Mahir’s stepmother leave the check there definitely came as a surprise! I am wondering why this incident was shown in such a serious manner and whether it will have an impact on this character or not.

Final Remarks

Two major characters exited Mehru and Mahir’s life with this episode. Phupo is gone for good and Affan will no longer be interfering in his mother’s personal life. With this episode, the focus shifted to Zameer and Minal’s track. Overall, this was an interesting episode with some convincing performances.

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 25 Story Review – Moving Forward

This was a fast-paced episode of Dobara which took the story further considerably. The most important development in this episode had to be Mahir and Mehru’s patch-up and the fact that Mahir finally won Affan over. Mahir’s promise to his father also suggested that his feelings towards Mehru were changing with time. Some of the performances tonight were not as impressive as they have been in the past few weeks but overall it was an entertaining episode with only a few filler scenes.

Moving Forward

This latest episode of Dobara opened with where the last one ended; a much-awaited heart-to-heart conversation between Mahir and his father. This was probably the first time that these two had an actual conversation. The smile on his father’s face after Mahir left said so much about how he felt about the outcome. Tonight, I saw Jahangir as a completely different person; vulnerable and sensitive. Mahir suddenly found out how Mehru had helped his family without even mentioning it to him and that softened his heart immediately. The writer is making sure that Mahir’s character remains intriguing which definitely adds to the entertainment value of this drama. The dialogues for this scene were well written and communicated a lot in a short span of time. For the first time, Mahir’s father admitted that his marriage failed because of him. Yet, his wife was held accountable by society more than him. That was a good way of highlighting the double standards in society. Even though Jahangir got married as well but no one pointed fingers at him. This is a common occurrence in our society; women are always judged and questioned more than men especially if they move on with their lives and refuse to be the victim.

Dobara Episode 25 Story Review – Moving Forward

This scene was followed by Affan and Zameer’s meeting which once again showed Affan’s immaturity. The amount of money Zameer wanted to borrow was more than I imagined! The fact that Affan was more than ready to give him the money he needed went to show that he was definitely the wrong person for the job! Even though Mahir did not have any experience but he proved to be much more intelligent in running the business than Affan. I am waiting for Mehru and Minal to find out what Zameer has been up to. Minal has still not forgiven her mother and the complete lack of interest on both sides feels stretched and unreal, especially considering the fact that they were so close.

The highlight of this episode had to be Mahir’s decision to go back to Mehru. Even though I feel that this entire development could have been covered in a different way, I liked the fact that it was wrapped up quickly. Mehru’s friend played a major role in clearing up this misunderstanding by giving Shano and Mahir the go-ahead. I genuinely like this character and the actress playing the role has brought out the best in it. Mehru’s reaction was not shown too dramatically and even though this entire situation was quite filmy, it was covered in a subtle manner. It was good to see Mahir and Mehru back together, and like Affan said Mahir gained more from all of this than anyone else. Even though Affan’s dialogues were well written, they did not go well with the character since he has always been shown as an immature person. Whatever he said to Sehar was actually quite wise! But, it was also good to see that there is a sensible and sensitive side to his personality. Sabeena Syed’s performance had to be the weakest link in this episode. There were also times that even though this was such a big deal, it was not shown as such.

It is interesting that Mahir has more than once shown that he is a caring person who would not hurt someone needlessly. The fact that he wanted to hide the truth from Affan even though Sehar had done the worst possible, went to show that Mahir did not believe in causing more trouble. Mahir continues to be my favorite character in the drama and Bilal Abbas has done complete justice to it.

Final Remarks

This was an entertaining and fast-paced episode of Dobara. All the scenes fit in well except for the stepmother’s scenes which were stretched. Even though Sehar and phupo’s planning and execution were not the best part of this drama, it was good to see it getting wrapped up quickly. The misunderstanding was not prolonged and was used to make some major changes in characters. I hope that the drama wraps up soon. I am also wondering if Narmeen will make a comeback at some point!

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 24 Story Review – Reality Checks

A great deal happened in this recent episode but most of it was not too convincing. There was character development and some unexpected reality checks. These developments could have been shown gradually, Affan’s sudden change of heart and instant admission of guilt, Mehru’s decision, and even Shano’s track could have been handled more convincingly. This was definitely not the best episode of Dobara even performance-wise. All of a sudden I found everyone’s performance forced. Had this episode been executed better, everything would have made more sense. There was always a light side to Dobara even when things were really serious but right now this light side does not go well with the seriousness of the drama. This was however an ‘important’ episode in terms of development and perhaps a little too fast-paced! Mahir’s character continues to be a mystery; will he finally value Mehru now that he knows how much she cares for him? Even though Dobara’s script tends to be illogical and misleading every now and then, it has never been as unconvincing as it was tonight. The ‘timing’ of some of the scenarios was far from right. However, some of the dialogues tonight were well-written, especially the ones covering Mehru’s life story.

Mostly Unconvincing

This episode opened with Mehru’s family showing her a lot of love and acceptance as a ‘reward’! The sudden change in phupo and Sehar’s behavior made sense since they were the ones who plotted against Mahir but the fact that Mehru did not question this change even for a second did not make sense at all! Sehar’s calm and cool attitude was a clear hint but somehow Mehru just shut herself down and decided to stick to her decision! Her confusion made sense but the fact that she was not questioning any of this even though Mahir gave her a clear hint was highly illogical! I was actually left with a lot of questions after watching this episode such as, why did Mehru choose to tell her son about his father now and not earlier? There was no plausible reason for it since Mahir was out of her life and Affan was happy with the present situation.

Dobara Episode 24 Story Review – Reality Checks

Hidayatullah’s first marriage and his fixation with his first love reminded me of Raqeeb Se! The letters and the fact that he was open about it with his wife were so Raqeeb Se although, of course, this is not the central story in any way! It was interesting how Mehru summed up her married life; this could perhaps be one of those things which many girls who are forced into arranged marriages at a young age could relate to. This was also the first time that Mehru openly confessed her love for Mahir in front of Affan and perhaps in front of the viewers as well. So far, it was difficult to tell whether Mehru actually loved Mahir or she needed him in her life to comfort her since she was so lonely before he came into her life. Even though this conversation was really well written, the timing did not work for me. I felt as if this situation was added into the scenario to ensure that when Mahir comes back Affan accepts him.

Mahir and his father finally met in this episode but the circumstances were not ideal! However, through his family, Mahir found out everything that Mehru had done for his family and she did not even mention it to him. The most interesting part was Mahir assuring his father that he was not going to let Mehru down. Zameer and Minal’s track had the potential to add something tangible to the story but sadly the writer so far has not made the most of it.

Final Remarks

Honestly speaking, I did not have an issue with the writer using a done-to-death scenario to create misunderstandings between Mahir and Mehru but after watching this episode, I am convinced that there could have been better ways of making Mahir fall in love with Mehru and also Affan accepting Mahir because I feel that is where we are headed. The business and Zameer’s intentions would have been a more intelligent way of taking things forward. If Mahir has a sudden change of heart then I wonder why the viewers were shown his negative side – as I said earlier, Mahir is still a mystery and personally, I like that about his character. I feel that there was no need to make the story or the situations overdramatic at this point since the drama had enough going for it. The preview of the next episode was predictable! I hope that Dobara ends before it goes further downhill.

Dobara Episode 23 Story Review – The Misunderstanding

Tonight’s episode of Dobara finally covered the development which many of us knew was going to be shown. Overall, this entire development was covered well but it was not too impactful. The story moved forward smoothly but there was nothing extraordinary about it. However, Dobara continues to entertain and I find myself looking forward to the next episode every week.

Executing the Plan

Jahangir and Mehru’s conversation at the beginning of the episode was a much-needed change. For the first time, Jahangir did not judge his son but he admitted that Mahir had been raised in the most ideal situation. This was also the first time that the viewers got to hear from his father how Mahir had been raised. So far, we did not know much about Mahir’s backstory in detail. This put things in perspective even more than before. Until tonight, we had seen only one side of Mahir’s father, this particular conversation revealed a great deal, not just about Mahir but even his father. Since he was in a vulnerable situation and had just dodged a bullet, his vulnerability and honesty made perfect sense. This scene was followed by Sehar and phupo putting their plan into action. I must say that this was an important scene but since it was predictable and not executed well, it did not have a lot of impact. The only thing that stood out was Bilal Abbas Khan’s performance; he did exceptionally well translating Mahir’s disappointment on screen. Mehru’s reaction initially was shown well since Sehar staged the entire situation in such a way that it was enough to create confusion as well as chaos.

Dobara Episode 23 Story Review – The Misunderstanding

Even though Sehar and phupo’s plan had done-to-death written all over it, the way its aftermath was handled was definitely logical and mature. Mahir did not walk out and Mehru did not pass a judgment instantly. And even though it seemed as if Mahir decided to give Mehru time because he did not want to let go of her wealth, the conversation with his friend suggested something entirely different. Mahir’s character is turning out to be the most well-written and therefore the most interesting character in the drama. There are so many different shades to his personality, a proper background and most importantly even after so many weeks, he manages to surprise you. Mahir’s approach tonight was definitely more mature than that of Mehru. Mehru’s gullibility and her impulsiveness made her take yet another step that was not ideal! However, it was also good to see her siding with someone other than Mahir for a change therefore this entire situation was not so bad after all! Also, Sehar’s frame of mind was shown convincingly; she felt guilty and was not sure if she should have gone ahead with the plan. Sehar has always been shown as an immature girl therefore it was easy to connect to her decisions and how she felt about them afterward. Shano is probably going to make a comeback at some point and tell Mehru what was going on between phupo and Sehar for the past few months.

Dobara Episode 23 Story Review – The Misunderstanding

Yet again, Mehru turned out to be the most disappointing character since she did not have a lot to say to Mahir and she was more confused than anything else. The preview of the next episode also showed that she believed Sehar. After watching Mehru talking about how much faith she had in Mahir repeatedly for the past few weeks, it was difficult to relate to the scenes in the preview of the next episode in particular. Tonight’s episode only covered a few hours after the incident therefore her confusion made sense. However, it would be safe to say that Mehru’s character has been relegated to the background completely, and right now Dobara is Mahir’s show. His backstory and his current situation is definitely the most engaging element of the drama. Hadiqa Kiyani’s performance has to be the only reason right now that Mehru does not come across as a completely useless character.

Final Remarks

This was another entertaining episode of Dobara which belonged to Mahir, Bilal Abbas Khan, in particular. I am wondering if Mahir will actually fall in love with Mehru while he is away from here. I also liked the way Mahir pleaded his innocence, in a way he confessed that he was capable of wrongdoing but he would definitely not do what he had been accused of.

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 22 Story Review – Interesting

This was another entertaining episode of Dobara which laid the foundations for some of the developments in the upcoming episode which might change the course of the story. I must say that even though Dobara is somewhat predictable, the story has been executed in such a way that it keeps you interested. The flawed characters in the drama also keep you guessing. Mehru’s track did not progress in the most progressive manner therefore I do not have a lot of hope attached to this particular character now. Hadiqa Kiyani however has done her best to accentuate the kind and graceful side of this character which is why Mehru might not be as likable as before but she is still bearable and not annoying. For the first time, I thoroughly enjoyed Mahir’s mother’s scenes, the performance was on point! Mahir and Shano’s interactions/scenes in this episode definitely served a bigger purpose. I can already see Shabbir conspiring with phupo and Shano being the voice of reason since she heard phupo and Sehar talking earlier. The lighthearted approach of the writer and the director make Dobara interesting. Even when the characters are going through the worst, there is always some humor involved whether it is in the form of phupo’s antics or Mahir’s witty dialogues.

Well-Executed & Interesting

The first half of this episode focused on Jahangir’s medical treatment, the role Mehru played in this situation, and Jahangir’s wife finding out the truth about Mehru. I must say that their scene together had to be the most amusing one in this episode. Fareeda Shabbir’s performance was remarkable in these scenes. The way her attitude towards Mehru changed was hilarious! It just goes to show how amazing Fareeda Shabbir’s comic timing is. This reaction was also completely in line with the character. Jahangir on the other hand did not feel good about Mehru paying the bills for his treatment especially because he knew his son was not even loyal to this woman. Mehru’s kindness and her willingness to help people in need have always been a dominant part of her personality. She is also extremely gullible especially when she sees someone else in a vulnerable situation. That is probably why she will end up believing and siding with Sehar when she accuses Mahir of harassing her.

Mahir and uncle Fareed’s scene was also another interesting addition to this episode. This was another development that was expected but it was pleasant to watch nevertheless. Through this scene, the viewers once again got to see a different side of Mahir’s character. He was intelligent enough to come up with such a plan and execute it. Not only this, he was smart enough to give uncle Fareed the credit which he knew would make him feel even better about the deal! Fareed’s opinion about Mahir changed completely and of course, this was a big step in the right direction for the business. This development was especially satisfying because Mahir’s gain was Zameer’s loss! Even now Zameer has no idea what is going on which I thought was strange since he is so well connected.

Dobara Episode 22 Story Review – Interesting

This was another episode that showed little of Zameer and Minal. While Minal is happy with her life and is keeping herself busy. Zameer is continuously thinking about his ‘loss’ after Mahir took over. This time around he blatantly asked Minal to ask her mother for money! It is unfortunate that someone like Minal has a life partner like Zameer, they are poles apart. There was not a single scene of Mahir and Mehru together in this episode which was odd! Lately, Mahir has been focusing entirely on the business and these two have not been spending as much time together as before.

Mahir chose not to call or meet his father; he does not want anything to do with his parents and even though it is wrong, you do understand where he is coming from. Shano and Shabbir’s scene covering Mahir taking a stand for Shano was perhaps the most important scene tonight. Shabbir is yet another person in the house now who does not like Mahir. Shano always supported Mahir and had a soft spot for him but this time around he won her over completely. I must say that even though everything that Mahir said to Shabbir was on point, realistically speaking no one would actually apologize after that, especially someone like Shabbir.

Final Remarks

After watching the preview of the upcoming episode, I am certain I am not the only one who is really interested in finding out what decision Mehru ultimately takes. I have a feeling that this particular scene will come at the end of the next episode and we will have to wait another week, although I do hope that is not the case. A lot of people close to Mehru have more faith in Mahir now than they did before and then there is Shano who might be the one rescuing Mahir this time around! I am waiting to watch what happens next. The performances continue to be remarkable; Bilal Abbas Khan and Hadiqa Kiyani in particular never disappoint.

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 21 Story Review – Unexpected Changes

Tonight’s episode of Dobara reminded me of the drama serial Pyar Ke Sadqay particularly the scene covering Affan’s first day at the office! It was a lot like Abdullah’s first day in his father’s office but this time around the main protagonist is the step-father and not the son! And obviously, even with all his flaws Mahir is definitely not as evil as Sarwar. There was a time when I was completely on Mehru’s side but things have changed in the past few weeks. Now, all those explanations Mehru gave before for taking the decision and her statements about her children do not sound as convincing as they did before. Minal finally decided to visit and I must say that I was once again disappointed by Mehru’s response! She did not even get up to greet her which took the excitement away from this scene. Mahir is the star of the show right now, he keeps you guessing even after he openly shared his actual intentions. It is sad to see Mehru take a backseat and her double standards right now make it difficult to side with her. Being flawed is not the issue here but being hypocritical is. Since Mahir’s track and character are interesting enough; he keeps my interest alive. I am glad that Sehar had a difficult time giving into phupo’s demands and the story at least for now did not take a clichéd turn.

Latest Developments

Mahir was completely in control in this episode; it was almost as if he had undergone a complete change. He was always a street smart young man but I could never have imagined Mahir taking charge the way he has done. Mehru is so sure that her young husband with no prior experience can run the business but she feels her son is not capable of doing so! I found this particular aspect of Mehru’s decision-making flawed completely. The advice she gave Affan before he left for the office was not in line with her character at all since she has not once checked on anything regarding the office. Tonight for the first time when she finally got in touch with Safdar, it was to ensure that Mahir has support in the office while he puts Affan in his place! Mehru is a lot like Mansoora from Pyar Ke Sadqay at the moment, she is smitten by her husband and is willing to do whatever it takes to please him.

The opening scene would have been more meaningful had Mehru made better choices in the past few episodes. Initially, she did try hard to maintain a balance between her children and her relationship with Mahir; her children being the priority but now she has completely lost that balance. The fact that Mehru did not try hard enough to make Minal understand her situation and tonight when she finally came she gave her such a thandi welcome, has to be the one thing about this track that does not make a lot of sense. While she is going all out to help Mahir’s father and she is generally an extremely kind-hearted person, she has not ‘missed’ her daughter enough and that makes it really difficult for me to relate to this character.

Dobara Episode 21 Story Review – Unexpected Changes

It is interesting how different Mahir is when he is around Mehru. He threatened Affan and even instigated the argument with Sehar but every time Mehru is around he is the one taking a step back and not escalating arguments with her children. I agree with phupo Mahir is clever enough to know how to please his wife and what to say to win her heart. He knows that Mehru needs a savior therefore he is always playing that role whether it is needed or not. Tonight, at the dinner table when he gave Sehar that lecture about how much Mehru had sacrificed for her kids; he was making the most of another opportunity! The last scene of this episode was one of my favorites tonight; such scenes make you feel for Mahir and you do blame the parents for not being there for him. He felt abandoned and scorned all his life; Mehru knows that and in a way she is saving him as well!

Most of Phupo and Sehar’s scenes were more or less the same. It seems as if eventually Phupo will convince Sehar. For now, I liked the fact that Sehar was uncomfortable lying particularly in the way Phupo wanted her to. For the first time, I actually felt that she really had an innocent side to her. Affan and Sehar both come across as immature youngsters. Zameer’s call to Fareed uncle suggested that Mahir did manage to talk to him and these two have a surprise in store for Zameer! I definitely wanted to see more of Minal and Zameer in this recent episode.

Final Remarks

Overall, Dobara continues to be an entertaining drama even though Mehru’s character has definitely gone downhill in the past few weeks. The preview of the next episode was interesting. Jahangir’s wife will find out who Mehru is and it remains to be seen how she will make the most of this situation.

Did you watch tonight’s episode? Do share your thoughts about it

Dobara Episode 20 Story Review – Mahir Takes Charge

The story continues to move forward at a steady pace but the recent developments in Mehru’s track particularly have been disappointing. Her realistic and practical side was the balancing factor, for now that side has definitely taken a backseat. Even though it is understandable why a woman like her who lived with a dominating man for all these years finds it difficult to be independent, most of us thought that this journey was more about Mehru building her own life therefore recent shift has been unexpected. I am more interested in Mahir’s track after watching the last scene of this episode. There was a definite change in Mahir’s personality tonight, he is all set to take charge. Even though Mahir revealed his true intentions in the past few episodes, I am more interested in watching Zamin fail! Some of the scenes covering the side tracks were not too entertaining but overall I am enjoying watching this show even though the recent shift in Mehru’s character is not likable and unexpected.

Blind Trust

Mahir returned home tonight with a definite plan in mind and this time around he had Mehru’s unconditional support. Mehru also mentioned that she had also made a decision about Affan’s future but it was not disclosed in this episode. Later on, when Affan told her that he wanted to join the office, she did not have an issue with it. I am waiting to find out if there will be a surprise in store for Affan once he goes to the office. The preview of the next episode did show that Mahir told him he was incharge when he got there but the previews have been misleading. Mehru was more sure than ever about Mahir’s role in her life and unlike before her children were no longer a priority. Particularly, Mehru’s complete lack of interest in getting in touch with her daughter and her blind faith as well as dependence on Mahir has to be the worst change in her character. Even though she always had a gullible side to her personality, she did put her children first and her decisions never impacted her relationship with them. As a mother, she should have tried harder to reach out to her daughter, who had always been there for her.

Right from the beginning, Mehru was the star of the show even with all her flaws but suddenly her character has taken a backseat. Even though she was finding it hard to balance all these relationships even before too, she was making informed decisions and was not being fooled to this extent. Now, for the past two weeks, continuously her dialogues are more or less the same and are focused entirely on telling the viewers that she trusts Mahir more than anyone else in her life right now. Mehru no longer has a life other than Mahir at this point. I hope things change in the upcoming episodes.

Dobara Episode 20 Story Review – Mahir Takes Charge

Phupo’s scenes continued to be more or less the same and thanks to the OST I know exactly what she has planned! The preview of the upcoming episode also revealed their plan and also that it failed. Mahir’s father and stepmother also got a great deal of screen time; I am waiting to see where this particular development is headed since it is being given so much attention. Affan finally came back to the house in this episode and was more willing to be flexible in order to make things work. He knows he no longer exercises the kind of influence on his mother that he did earlier. While he cannot stand to be around Mahir otherwise, he is willing to be in the same office as him. Affan has always been shown as an emotional and immature young man therefore it is highly likely that he will be playing second fiddle to his wife and phupo in the future as well. The women have managed to control him so far and they will continue doing so.

The most unconvincing element of this episode was Mahir’s speedy recovery. He literally walked out of the hospital and into the office! It would have been more believable if he at least had the sling on for a few days. Zamin was shown struggling with finances now that he was not in charge of Mehru’s business anymore. This was the most interesting part of the episode for me since I am eagerly looking forward to his downfall. Mahir is an intelligent young man who knows exactly what Zamin has been up to and now he will do whatever it takes to sign all those contracts and form a closer partnership with businessmen Zamin severed ties with so that he could profit himself. Mehru is as oblivious of what is happening in the company right now as she was before. She had complete faith in Zamin earlier and now she trusts Mahir blindly! She believes that Mahir is a trustworthy man who deserves to take charge.

Final Remarks

Each episode of Dobara makes me look forward to the next one even when I find some of the shifts in the story unconvincing or not too impressive. The story still has so much potential and it continues to entertain. Bilal Abbas Khan was the star of the show tonight. He did exceptionally well translating Mahir’s newfound confidence on screen!
Did you watch tonight’s episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 19 Story Review – Shifting Priorities

Tonight’s episode had a few surprises in store especially because the preview of this episode was misleading. This episode also focused on Mehru and Mahir more than anyone else. Some of the scenes were repetitive but for the most part Dobara continues to be an entertaining drama. Hadiqa Kiyani as Mehru stands out in every single episode; everything about this portrayal has been impressive throughout. Mehru’s character took a completely different turn with this episode. Mahir’s intentions are getting even clearer with every passing episode; his friend’s disappointment with him came as a surprise because he was the one who was constantly giving him these ideas to begin with! Both these characters have been etched-out brilliantly and with the utmost clarity. Mehru and Jahangir’s scenes yet again bowled me over more so because of Mehru’s concern for this man even though she had just met him. Minal was one of the most likable supporting characters in the drama and Maheen Siddiqui’s performance has been equally pleasant, I would really like to see her getting more screen time. Sehar finally changed her outfit in this episode; it would have been nice if Sabeena Syed would have put in a little effort into her wardrobe. Her bridal makeover was the worst and lately, we have seen her wearing the same clothes for days! The character could have been more bearable had it been translated on screen differently.

Changing Perspectives

There has been a great deal of focus on Mahir’s father Jahangir in the past few episodes. Even though Shabbir Jan’s performance has been remarkable and the writer has given the viewers plenty of reasons to feel for this character, somehow I have a difficult time feeling for him. Is it because I see this character more from Mahir’s point of view than any other? He is constantly judging his son but has not once held himself accountable for not giving him the love, time, and attention he deserved. Jahangir is your typical desi father who expects the world from his son but has never accepted or loved him unconditionally. Apart from his health issues, his deteriorating financial condition has also been the focus of attention. I am wondering if he will choose to stay quiet because he needs Mehru’s help. The bond these two characters share is so interesting and easy to connect to. Jahangir can see how genuine Mehru is but he has always doubted his son’s intentions. Now, that he heard Mahir talking to his friend he is more sure than ever. That telephonic conversation, in which he wanted to tell Mehru the truth but could not make himself do it was written and executed so well.

Dobara Episode 19 Story Review – Shifting Priorities

Many of Mehru’s initial interactions with Mahir and now his father show the kind and caring side of her personality. She is always more than willing to help people in need even when they refuse. Mahir has successfully achieved what he was aiming for; Mehru trusts him more than she ever imagined she would be able to. She is convinced that after what happened, she has no reason to doubt him. Mahir is putting on a show and he has no feelings for Mehru. All of this goes so well with this character because Mahir never received the love which most children take for granted and had to do a lot of masking all his life therefore it comes as no surprise that he is so good at pretending that he is in love with Mehru. What surprised me the most was Mehru’s complete lack of interest in her children; she was always shown as a considerate mother whose children meant the world to her. Now, all of a sudden she does not care about anyone at all, her frame of mind was completely different before this incident.

Mahir wanted Mehru to bring Affan back home which basically went to show just how confident he was. Mehru’s tone when she talked to phupo about Affan was sterner than ever. She is no longer scared of his reaction and wants him to get along with Mahir. The whole equation is going to be interesting once they are all living in the same house, especially with Mahir’s newfound confidence!

Final Remarks

This was another entertaining episode of Dobara. This is the kind of drama which you enjoy watching mainly because of the main characters and the performances. I am wondering where the Jahangir/Mehru misunderstanding will lead; perhaps that is how Jahangir will eventually tell his wife who Mahir is married to. I also have a feeling that Mahir will have a change of heart at some point, I hope that is shown gradually and convincingly. So far, the pace of the drama has been steady which keeps it interesting. Some of the sidetracks are slightly repetitive but the main track is enough to keep you looking forward to more.

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 18 Story Review – Gaining Trust

The story is moving forward at a steady pace. The best aspect of Dobara so far is that it is focused on the main track and is not overcrowded with too many tracks and characters. The fact that the story has been penned down in an interesting manner and the characters have enough going for them makes the drama entertaining. Every character adds something to the story except for Sehar’s scenes with her mother; all the others are always short and to the point. The realistic performances definitely add to the entertainment value. Mehru, with all her imperfections, is definitely the star of the show.

Interesting Developments

Mahir’s “heroic act” in the previous episode can easily be termed as a turning point in Mehru/Mahir’s track, at least for now. Mahir’s true intentions were revealed in the previous episode and this accidental injury proved to be the opportunity he was looking for. I find Mahir’s character quite interesting since there are two completely different sides to his personality. I would like to believe that he is not an evil person like Zameer but he is not a fair person like Mehru either. There is definitely a “good side” to this character; I am waiting to find out if he will ever have enough faith in Mehru at some point to know that he does not need to play games in order to feel secure. Mahir is definitely an opportunist who is a pro at manipulating people. Given his circumstances, his personality makes perfect sense. He did not even get unconditional love from his own parents and was rejected by the only girl he ever loved therefore he probably feels that manipulation pays off more than love!

The statement given to the police by Mahir proved to be the real game-changer. When Mehru said “tum ne mujhe khareed liya hei”, I was thinking that is exactly what his intention was! Mahir wanted to make Mehru feel indebted and obviously win her trust. His conversation with his friend made his intentions even more clear. I like the clarity with which this track is moving forward. Bilal Abbas has acted brilliantly throughout; he is so convincing in scenes covering Mahir’s “unconditional love” for Mehru that even the viewers start doubting if he actually is playing games! That is why it is so believable that Mehru falls for these lies even with all the doubts in her mind. I also liked the scene in which Mehru’s friend gives Zameer a reality check. She has always been Mehru’s biggest support and practically the only person who did not judge her. Although this character has been given limited screen time, all her interactions with Mehru have been penned down and acted out superbly. There is so much positivity there that it leaves a lasting impression.

Dobara Episode 18 Story Review – Gaining Trust

Zameer yet again created a misunderstanding between Minal and Mehru in order to further his own interests. It is truly unfortunate that someone as genuine as Minal is married to someone like Zameer. It was good to see Minal thinking about her mother’s well-being for a change but sadly that did not last long. Zameer’s plan failed completely yet again because of Mahir therefore he has more reason than ever to be upset with him! Mahir’s father and Mehru’s scene in this episode as well showed that he trusted Mahir with her and for good reasons too. He was shown being worried about his son throughout but was also afraid of communicating with him. The preview of the next episode suggested that he will once again overhear something that will make him reevaluate his son’s actions. He clearly has a soft spot for Mehru since he saw how stressed out she was when Mahir was fighting for his life. I am waiting to see where this particular track is headed. The problematic and complicated relationship Mahir has with his parents is one of the most important aspects of his track; I hope that it is carried forward convincingly.

Sehar and Affan’s track was more or less the same! Sehar’s mother’s fixation with Affan’s wealth and her attempts to make her daughter understand how important it was for him to go and live with his mother will ultimately lead to him moving back to the house, perhaps. But even then, these scenes could easily have been chopped down. Jahangir’s scenes with his wife were also the center of attention in this episode and then there was that call from his ex-wife; he has been unlucky twice! The second wife seems as self-centered as the first one.

Final Remarks

This was another entertaining episode of Dobara which made me look forward to more. Hadiqa Kiyani and Bilal Abbas Khan’s performances definitely stand out more than others. However, Mehru’s change of jewelry and her perfectly styled hair at the end of the episode did not fit in. Overall, all the actors have performed brilliantly. The relatively newer actors have also given solid performances; the director also deserves credit for that. The preview of the next episode was really interesting.

Did you watch this recent episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 17 Story Review – Intense

Tonight’s episode belonged to Hadiqa Kiyani who brought Mehru to life in such a manner that I couldn’t help but get emotional while she begged Mahir’s father for forgiveness. She owns this character completely right from the get-go. Dobara continues to be an entertaining drama and Mehru continues to be the star of the show. The pace of the drama has been steady right from the beginning; it has truly taken off now. The characterizations are on point and there is always some surprise in store. Mehru’s gentle, loving, and even naive side is a breath of fresh air in its own way. As the story is progressing the characters are gradually revealing their true intentions. The extent of Zameer’s negativity was the most shocking development tonight and, Mahir’s father’s changing behavior is a welcoming change. Mehru’s scene with him was the highlight of this episode. Mahir keeps you guessing; just when you think you have him figured out, he does something totally unexpected. The timeline was confusing yet again, when Sehar’s mother said that Mehru had been married for almost a month, it was nothing short of a surprise!

Also, the most important scene in this episode covering the confrontation that led to Mahir getting shot would have been even more impactful if the background score was not used to mute the dialogues. I wonder why Danish Nawaz thought that this was a good idea since everyone acted so well in the scene.

The Aftermath

Tonight’s episode opened with Affan finding out about her mother’s nikkah and the reaction was even more intense than any of us were expecting it to be. I must say that Usama Khan acted superbly in the scene covering Affan’s final threats to kill Mahir. He looked more confused and scared than angry. This reaction was easier to connect to even though what Affan did was outrageous. That is the power of a convincing performance, you find yourself connecting to scenarios you do not agree with. Affan’s character is also quite interesting; the writer could have easily shown an angry young man resorting to something so extreme. Instead, she wisely chose to show an immature young boy who is not just possessive about his mother but is also surrounded by people who pressurize him into following a certain narrative. Whether it is Sehr, his in-laws, or the phupo, everyone makes him feel as if he should be taking a stand to ensure that his mother does not get married. Tonight, however, he came across as a scared child who could not share his mother’s love with anyone. This scene was as dramatic as it possibly could be; the background score, the camerawork, and the heavy rain, the director used as many props as he could to add intensity to it. The director also kept the suspense alive for as long as he could by not revealing who actually got shot for some time. This was definitely a wise move on his part.

This is the second time that Mahir put his own life in danger for Mehru, this time for her son. This is what surprises me about his character. On the one hand, he is the kind of person who would steal from his own mother but on the other hand, he would put his life in danger in order to save someone else’s life! I find that really interesting about his character. Just like all the other characters, Mahir is not just a careless boy looking for a shortcut; he has inherent goodness in him. Whatever he did today also made me wonder if he tried to shape his personality in a way that is against his nature due to the constant rejection he has faced in his life. In situations such as the one we witnessed today, he acts instantly, without planning, which is why after watching this episode I am wondering if Mahir is not such a bad guy after all! After laying down his life for Affan, Mehru will start trusting him now and it remains to be seen whether he will take advantage of the situation or not.

Dobara Episode 17 Story Review – Intense

Mehru’s reaction to everything that happened tonight was translated on screen impeccably well by Hadiqa Kiyani. At the beginning of the episode, she was more scared of Affan’s reaction than anything else, in the rest of the episode she was praying endlessly for Mahir’s recovery. Her emotional conversation with Mahir’s father was one of my favorite scenes tonight. Mahir’s present condition changed more for most of the characters than anything else could have in years! His father accepted Mehru after realizing that despite the age difference, this woman loved Mahir. Interestingly enough, one of Mehru’s biggest fears tonight was being left alone yet again if Mahir died from his injuries. The realistic approach of the writer has made Mehru one of the most beautifully flawed and appealing female characters we have seen on screen in recent times.

I knew that Mahir was going to survive but I still found myself worrying for Mehru more than Mahir – I also did not want Mehru to be by herself again! Shabbir Jan is also an exceptional actor who made me feel for his character tonight. I hope that Mahir’s father lives and his son can help him get better. It was quite clear that Zameer was a selfish and greedy man but tonight we saw that there is an evil side to his character as well. Minal definitely deserves better! After a long time, Minal seemed to have a soft side for her mother since she protested when Zameer judged Mehru for worrying about Mahir. I absolutely love Maheen Siddiqui as Minal, she is one of the most promising newcomers in the industry.

Final Remarks

Tonight’s episode kept me on the edge of my seat; it was for the most part well directed. The script of this drama continues to be its main attraction along with phenomenal performances. I am waiting to find out if Mahir has a change of heart as well. There is a lot to look forward to!

Did you watch tonight’s episode of Dobara? Do share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 16 Story Review – Intentions Revealed

Dobara continues to be an entertaining drama serial with a well-written script. Convincing performances coupled with characters that are both multi-dimensional and layered; Dobara has had my undivided attention right from the start. The only aspect of the drama that tends to be confusing at times is the timeline. Some of the scenes do not sync together because of this confusion. However, overall, Dobara has a meaningful storyline told in the most light-hearted manner possible which definitely makes it stand out.

Tonight’s episode unveiled Mahir’s true intentions and Affan found out about his mother’s nikkah. The development in Mahir’s track with respect to his family was also interesting. Mahir and Mehru’s track has been the highlight of the drama and this episode was no different.

Mehru – Wise or Gullible

Ever since Mehru and Mahir got married, Mehru’s intentions and expectations were quite clear. She called Mahir a “dilfraib dhoka” and also mentioned that she doubted that he married her for love. Mehru did not even hesitate to admit the same in front of Mahir. However, when Mehru and Mahir are together most often it seems as if she is more than happy to fall for this dhoka! Mehru keeps you guessing just as much as Mahir does because of the way she is around Mahir.

Mehru has been shown as a woman who is burdened with societal and family pressure but there is a part of her that wants to rebel. Whether you agree with Mehru’s stance or not, you definitely understand it which makes it so much easier to relate to this track. Also, the fact that this character has been written with utmost clarity and translated on screen with so much conviction, you find yourself rooting for Mehru even when some of her decisions seem hasty. Personally, I have always connected to Mehru and the feeling of freedom that she now wants to enjoy. Her right to make these choices whether right or wrong cannot be denied or questioned because of her background and the way the character has been established since the beginning. Also, the fact that most of the people around her are selfish and looking out for their own interests makes her more entitled to do whatever makes her happy as long as it is not hurting anyone. This character reminds me of Atiqa Odho’s character from Pyar Ke Sadqay.

Mehru treated Mahir with shopping and transferring money into his account even though he repeatedly told her that he did not need any of this. Mehru has enough money to spend on Mahir and since she already feels that Mahir is essentially attracted to her wealth, this is her way of keeping her part of the “bargain”! Generally, as well, Mehru has a big heart and does not think twice before spending her wealth. She has also misjudged people more than once. She trusted Zameer blindly and was not afraid of Mahir taking charge once he left. Although her dialogue about trusting Mahir once again suggested that she was being careful, so far she has not even given the manager a call to get feedback about how the business is or was being run!

Mehru sounds like a wise woman but when it actually comes down to taking practical measures she takes things lightly and is also gullible. Perhaps because now she has the option of doing so! I was expecting her to try harder to get through to Minal since she was the only one who had faith in her for the longest time. There are times when Mehru’s relationship with her children comes across as mechanical. It is not the “traditional” relationship that most mothers share with their children also because she had them when she was really young and even now she is young at heart. Hadiqa Kiyani has made Mehru stand out by adding a lot of grace to this character. Even though technically much of what Mehru doesn’t fit in with her “status” she does everything in a way that is likable.

Dobara Episode 16 Story Review – Intentions Revealed

Mahir’s True Intentions

Mahir’s true intentions have been a mystery for the past few weeks because his internal dialogue was completely hidden from the viewers until today. He decided to propose to Mehru after his friend advised him to make the most of this opportunity to get rich and also most importantly after Narmeen made him feel worthless yet again! Mahir does not have a single person in his life who trusts him or loves him unconditionally. He has also not tried too hard to win this trust or love. As a child from a broken home, he was constantly looking for acceptance and love but all he got was disapproval. At some point, he decided that manipulation was an easier way of getting attention even if it did not last long. Through this track, the writer has shown how a neglectful childhood can lead to children growing up to be adults who learn to be selfish because they have to constantly look out for themselves. Even though Mahir’s circumstances and problems are of a serious nature, the writer always gave it a comic spin. Mahir has a light side to his personality but as we saw today his manipulative and selfish nature coupled with his immaturity give a certain negative streak to his character. This character reminds me of Zaid from Woh Mera Dil Tha. Even though he is flawed, you feel for him, and just like Mehru’s character, you know where he is coming from.

Tonight when he looked at himself in the mirror dressed up in a way he couldn’t ever have imagined, his dialogue suggested that the real Mahir was different from the one who repeatedly assured Mehru that he was not interested in these clothes or the money! The most telling sign had to be his internal dialogue in the car. These dialogues have been written intelligently since they can be interpreted in different ways. He also mentioned to his father that he learned everything he was practicing today from his parents – another dialogue that shed light on what he had learned from his parents over the years.

The scene in which he heard Mehru talking about him with her friends was definitely the most important one. No one had ever trusted Mahir and now knowing that Mehru was another one of those people in his life, he probably felt now he had the license to prove her right!! This was also like a challenge for him since Mehru felt she was in control and he wanted to prove her wrong. If Mahir really married Mehru for her money why was he angry to hear her say what she did about him? His attitude suggested that he was hurt but his inner dialogue suggested he had no feelings for Mehru! There is no denying the fact that no one can beat Mahir at pretending especially when he sets his mind to it. Bilal Abbas Khan has done exceptionally well in this role. He set the bar high when he nailed Abdullah’s role in Pyar Ke Sadqay and I am glad he chose to play another layered character in this drama.

Final Remarks

Tonight’s episode was engaging as usual. Dobara is a complete package since it is thoroughly entertaining and meaningful at the same time. I am waiting to find out more about these beautifully penned down leading characters, in particular, their track has my undivided attention. Sakina Samo is extremely amusing as the nosy phupo. The preview of the next episode was even more exciting. Unfortunately, some of the scenes from the OST gave away some really important developments in the story. The editors and directors responsible should not add such scenes; I wish I hadn’t watched them! Anyway, there is a lot to look forward to since so far Dobara has not been disappointed at all.

Are you watching Dobara? Share your thoughts about it.

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

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Hum Television’s new drama serial Dobara just aired on television last night. The drama stars Bilal Abbas Khan and Hadiqa Kiani opposite each other. The cast of the drama also includes Sakina Samoo, Javed Sheikh, Farida Shabbir, Shabbir Jan, Nauman Ijaz, Usama Khan and Zoya Nasir. The storyline seems to promise something different than usual. The drama has been written by Sarwat Nazeer and directed by Danish Nawaz. It is not a typical Pakistani drama based on home politics but revolves around a young boy who will marry an elderly lady. The story also revolves around the second marriage of a single lady in her mid-fourties.

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

The first episode of the drama garnered a lot of praise and appreciation. Fans absolutely loved Bilal Abbas’s entry. His scenes with his step mother were enjoyed by fans, according to fans, his acting was awe-inspiring, fans thought that he has effortlessly gone into Maahir’s skin with his excellent acting skills.

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction
Fans loved the scene in which he had a quarrel with his step mother on breakfast. Fans said that the drama started with a decent pace and engaging storyline where both the main characters have given premises of their characters in a convincing way.

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

A few fans had different views, one of the fan said that she is getting the vibes of Bunty I Love You from the drama. In Bunty I Love You, Saba Qamar was in love with a young guy Bunty (Nauman Habib) and was rooting to marry her. Another fan said that storytelling like Dobara can be a difficult task on Pakistani television but still the start is very convincing.

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Fans loved the acting of all the characters. They loved Sakina Samoo’s acting as well. They said that Bilal Abbas and Sakina Samoo surely won the show. Fans loved the overall vibe and starting of the drama. You can get the idea from the tweets and comments, have a look!

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara Episode 1 Public Reaction

Dobara – Complete Cast and OST

Written by: Sarwat Nazir
Directed by: Danish Nawaz
Produced by: Momina Duraid Productions
Channel: Hum
Schedule: Every Wednesday at 8 pm

Dobara – Complete Cast and OST

Complete Cast

Bilal Abbas Khan
Hadiqa Kiani
Sakina Samo
Javed Sheikh
Noman Ijaz
Shabbir Jan
Fareeda Shabbir
Usama Khan
Sabeena Syed
Nabeel Zuberi
Maheen Siddiqui
Zoya Nasir
Angeline Malik
Shehryar Zaidi
Aslam Sheikh
Sarah Nadeem

Dobara – Complete Cast and OST Dobara – Complete Cast and OST Dobara – Complete Cast and OST Dobara – Complete Cast and OST

Dobara – Complete Cast and OST

Dobara OST

Singer: Sehar Gul Khan & Shuja Haider
Composer: Shuja Haider
Lyrics: Imran Narmi & Shuja Haider

Do you want to grease yourself with “Grease” ?

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Bringing the razzmatazz back to theatres in January is Nida Butt’s Made-For-Stage Productions with their rendition of Grease. We all remember Grease, of course: a raunchy John Travolta and a doe-eyed Olivia Newton John crooning all the way through their high school romance until they drive happily away into the sunset. Grease was your typical teen romance peppered with fabulous songs – and John and Olivia certainly knew how to shake a leg to them. Now imagine the magic reenacted on a stage before you, with live music, well-choreographed dancing and a very good-looking ensemble cast. It promises to be a musical extravaganza, right up Made-For-Stage’s alley. Better yet, it’s all very official, this time around.

“We bought the copyrights for Grease before we decided to show it on stage,” says Nida. “It’s very easy to just pick up the script of a popular Western musical and show it at a theatre without getting permission from the original creators. So far, theatre groups in Pakistan have managed to evade legal action but that still doesn’t make it right. The copyrights to Grease were very expensive. The movie has a cult following and the Theatre Rights Worldwide organization refused to allow concessions on its price. Still, I really wanted to bring the musical to stage – and to go about it legally.”

Was she helped in paying the hefty fees by the multinational sponsors that have inevitably played a major role in spurring Pakistani theatre on? “No, we paid it completely by ourselves. We do hope to make profits or at least break-even by the help of sponsors, though,” she laughs.

Does this mean that ticket prices will be expensive? Unfortunately, they just might be although Nida is yet to get down to the nitty-gritties.

Still, getting copyrights is a precedent that Nida has set – not just for other thespians but also for herself. Barring the original Karachi that she put out two years ago, her earlier musical productions Mamma Mia and Chicago were both ‘borrowed’ without permission and shown to packed houses locally. “When we staged Chicago, the company that holds the play’s copyrights contacted us via e-mail, asking us why we hadn’t asked for permission. When we explained that we were working in conjunction with a charity, they allowed us to continue. The same thing happened with Mamma Mia. It made me realize that the world is now a global village where everything is laid out in the open via the Internet. Even when staging a Broadway musical to a limited audience in Pakistan, it is important to obtain copyrights.”

The copyrights also enable Made-For-Stage to take Grease further, if they want. “We can set our sights at newer audiences, a place like Dubai, perhaps,” says Nida. “Provided that the play is successful during its initial run in Karachi, of course.”

If Nida’s earlier musicals are anything to go by, Grease looks exciting. The stage is set for some ‘Greased Lightning’ with Ayesha Omer in the lead as the love struck Sandy, Sanam Saeed – who’s become quite a regular feature in Nida’s plays – as the tongue-in-cheek Rizzo and Islamabad-based Ahmed Ali as our swaggering hero. “Ahmed has acted in theatre before but this is the first time he’s worked with us,” says Nida. “He has incredible diversity.” Sanam Saeed, of course, has become quite a regular feature in Nida’s plays. Ayesha Omar who has never really stood out for her TV roles despite the success of Bulbulay may just floor us on the stage as the singing-dancing Sandy. It’ll be interesting to see her sing live, especially since she’s won a Lux Style Award for ‘Best Singer’ this year – an accolade which was heavily critiqued since her album didn’t exactly skyrocket amongst the masses.

There’s going to be a live orchestra sitting right next to the stage, typically of Made for Stage – unlike other theatre groups, they refuse to just pop in a CD in order to churn out a musical. With Nida’s husband and Coven lead Hamza Jafri playing music director and vocal coach and Nida co-choreographing the dances with Abdul Ghani, there’s a hugely talented entourage working on this production. True, there won’t be any of the ‘Pakistaniat’ that one has grown to relish in the plays orchestrated by the other mainstream theatre group in the country – Kopykat Productions spearheaded by Dawar Mehmood with scripts by Anwar Maqsood – but Grease isn’t making any professions towards nationalism in the first place. It is, simply, a musical odyssey emulating the glamourama of Broadway onto the Pakistani stage – a niche that Made for Stage has certainly carved for itself.

Yet it’s been nearly two years since Nida put out her last musical, Karachi. Why the long sabbatical? “We stayed busy with smaller non-musical productions, like Carnage and The Pillowman,” she says. “It takes time to conceptualize and then orchestrate a large-scale musical.”

And while her efforts to gain copyrights are admirable, why didn’t she opt to stage another original, like Karachi The Musical? “I want to keep bringing diversity to theatre,” says Nida. “I do plan to produce more original musicals in the future but I also absolutely love Grease I just had to bring it to stage.”

Let us know how anxiously are you waiting for “GREASE”

S. Rasool

Do you want multiple seasons in dramas?

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I know that I do. Why not?

Pakistani dramas are known for their realistic touch and thought provoking nature (at least before we got the doosri biwis). They don’t normally have more than one season, except a few. Most of PTV’s classic dramas have had just 13 episodes. Even now, a lot of shows end before 30 episodes.

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Why is this?

This is because our dramas all focus on giving a lesson. They complete their task, and then they end. But, is giving lessons all that television is about?The answer is no. I personally appreciate dramas that give a good (and DIFFERENT) message to the audience. Giving a message is a part of entertainment itself, but entertainment is not all about giving a message.

What to do?

Telling a story, whether simple or complex will make the audience fulfilled. But the “telling a story” trend is not practiced in our dramas. We have mostly stereotypical characters who are used to give us a message! So when I begin this discussion, about having seasons in dramas, I am not referring to the stereotyped shows, instead real dramas, which belong to genres like crime, action, history, horror, mystery and fantasy.

It’s just about how you execute it. The budget, the direction, the acting and the locations etc, all matter. Don’t put in extra cheesiness, don’t make the audience cringe, don’t put in roti dhoti heroines and oh yes, don’t drag the story and voila, a good drama is the result.
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The pilot season:

When a writers write a drama with their heart and soul, they would want people to watch and appreciate their work. Billboards, promos and promotion on social network will garner viewers. But people can’t be compelled to watch something simply through the advertisements. We all know how promos lie. Until we haven’t gone through with a few episodes, we don’t and can’t make any judgments. So what’s the solution? A pilot season which is supposed to be 5-10 episodes long and gives the audience an insight into the show.

Remember Hum TV’s WOH? It had a 5-episode pilot season (which was really good) because the director wanted to experiment (a word that is unknown to most drama makers) and gather viewership for the main and second season. The experiment was a success, but the second season was totally monotonous and proved a disappointment.

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An article published on dawn.com, named TV in Pakistan: Why can’t we have pilot seasons? said,

If a series is successful, it generates a lot of ad revenue through ratings. However, by the time this revenue comes through, the series has already completed its run.

Why not have a pilot season?

That way we test episodes with the target audience, based on their response, we green-light the good ones and shelf the others, preserving more funds for great content. Only good things will come of it.

Why we should have seasons:

The same article which I quoted earlier, said,

We tend to wrap up an entire show in one go. If a series is immensely successful, there is no capitalization on the business end.

This is true. A drama starts, and if it is good, it captures peoples’ attention. They spread the word among their friends and family and while they try to catch up, the show ends. Now if it had a pilot season, and after that, a month long break before the next season, people would have time to catch up. More revenue could be generated when the second season of the show is telecast. Now you know why our normal saas-bahu and doosri biwi dramas can’t have seasons. ‘Cuz no one would watch the second season that’s why! 

There is no need to drag:

As I have said before, only genre-wise productions can be divided into seasons, but there is no need to have more than 2 or 3 seasons, unless the production is a series. A series, like India’s Aahat or America’s How I Met Your Mother has a different story in every episode, so there is no point of dragging until you run out of ideas.

However, we all know how Indian drama industry destroys its drama serials with dragging. Same goes for American drama industry, which drags shows like Revenge through 4 seasons and ruins their stories. It’s better for a serial to have 2 or 3 seasons.

There is however, one very important thing for drama makers to know. If they think that even one episode will be dragged then they shouldn’t bother to make any seasons. We don’t need prolonged tortures on our TV screens. This goes for Kaala Jadu, Mera Saein and WOH’s second seasons.

What do you think about this? Positive criticism and compliments are welcome :)

Areeba Mohsen

Do you think Shehryar Munawar is the next rising star?

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We have recently seen many youngsters coming in the line of acting in Pakistan Drama industry. Out of these energetic youngsters, there are only few ones which don’t only have good acting-sense but also have good looks at the same time that helps them to engage themselves with the viewers via their dramas. Shehryar Munawar is one of these fresh faces. We have noticed his performances in a number of Pakistani dramas and undoubtedly he performs very well though he doesn’t possess a professional degree in the field of acting.

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Whether it be “Zindagi Gulzar hai” in which he played a supporting character with famous faces like Fawad Afzal Khan or “Asmanoun Pay Likha”’ in which he is currently playing lead character, the hazel-eyed boy has proved himself a great professional actor.

Unlike other actors who live, breathe and dream of acting, Sheheryar just stumbled on it. He was sitting on a job offer from an excellent multinational after completing his bachelors programme. But instead of just going the normal 9-5 route, he thought he’d take a year-long break and do the kind of fun stuff that he’d reminiscence about when he turns 40. Acting turned out to be one of them. When he told his family, including his elder sister who went to Harvard, there was a lot of trepidation

His acting is divine. But the bad news here is, he is acting only for one year, after that he will head off to get his postgraduate degree that his parents agreed on. In this one year he has to do as much as he can and has been successful as he has already made his position in an upcoming Pakistani film “Kambakht“. His fans hope that his parents extend that one year to forever or else they will be heartbroken.

Shehreyar has not only proved himself a great actor but also as a model too. Shehryar Munawar is a versatile actor. So far he has done a number of projects and all of them went quite successful. His fans want to see him in more lead characters and in more dramas as well. Currently, he is doing only few projects. He believes in the fact that the focus of an actor should be in quality of the drama and not the quantity therefore he has not engaged himself in a large number of TV projects.

Moreover, you will be very astonished to know that he likes “Fatima Bhutto”. He appreciates her and he has a soft corner for her. This is something about his personal life. Also, he is a sporty guy. He loves to play games from the years of his school.

May be you will not be able to see much of Shahryer Munawar in the coming years as he might take a break from his acting career for pursuing his postgraduation. But his fans are going to miss him a lot. In a very short span of time he has won the hearts of a number of people via his excellent acting skills and his looks as well

So, all you die-hard fans of Shehryar, you guys need to be patient and wait for his return back. For the time being enjoy his dramas.

He has put a lot of effort in winning the hearts and it will definitely not go in vain. He is the next rising star. We should keep our fingers crossed and hope to see more of him to entertain us.

Those who have seen his performance and appreciate him as an actor, you guys should post beneath about the performance which you think is best from all of his performances so far. And don’t forget to tell us whether you too think that Shehryar is the next rising star

Cheers

S.Rasool

Do You Know Zahid Ahmed Tried This Strange Food

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Zahid Ahmed is a brilliant actor who is loved for his top-notch performances and unique roles. His role of Sameer in Ishq Zahe Naseeb was adored by his fans. His dramas Besharam & Zara Yad Ker Made him more famous among masses.
Do You Know Zahid Ahmed Tried This Strange Food

The actor will soon be coming in a movie Ghabrana Nahi Hai alongside Saba Qamar and Syed Jibran. Recently, Zahid Ahmed has appeared in the show Momina’s mixed plate where he has revealed about the weirdest food he has ever had. Well, the food he has eaten might surprise you.

Do You Know Zahid Ahmed Tried This Strange Food

Do You Know Zahid Ahmed Tried This Strange Food

While replying to Momina’s question about having weirdest food, Zahid Ahmed said, “I have eaten crocodile which was the weirdest food”. He said that he has eaten crocodile in Kenya, in a restaurant, he also admitted that it had a great taste, “by the way it tastes amazing”, said Zahid. Here is the link.

Do You Know Zahid Ahmed Tried This Strange Food

Do you know who Zainab Abbas is?

Zainab Abbas became the official crush of Pakistanis after PSL and the crush further increased with the second edition of PSL. Zainab is a sports presenter and we all love her. The latest selfie curse which people started relating to her as a joke also somehow proved to be a blessing as we won the Champions Trophy. But many people don’t know that Zainab is the daughter of none other than PTI leader Andleeb Abbas whom we see on many talk shows.

Do you know who Zainab Abbas is?

Here are some pictures of mother and daughter duo!

Do you know who Zainab Abbas is?

Do you know who Zainab Abbas is?

Do you know who Zainab Abbas is?

 

Do You Know Who Was Ahmad Ali Butt’s Father?

Ahmad Ali Butt is an acknowledged and multi-talented Pakistani actor, Host, Rapper, Director, Producer, and Keyboardist. Ahmad Ali Butt was recently spotted in a show “Ghabrana Mana Hai” with “Vasay Chaudhry”.

Ahmad Ali Butt talking about his father mentioned that “My father was an actor too. He did almost seven to ten films in his entire career. He was a part of film Heer Ranjha, Aj Da Mahiwal and many more.”

Do You Know Who Was Ahmad Ali Butt's Father?

Do You Know Who Was Ahmad Ali Butt's Father?

Do You Know Who Was Ahmad Ali Butt's Father?

“My father’s name was not much highlighted because I think people pick up the most popular factor among all and obviously Madam Noor Jehan is the most popular one. Many of the people are unaware that my father was an actor too. One of my brother also stepped into media industry but later he lost his interest”, added Ahmad Ali Butt.

Do You Know Who Was Ahmad Ali Butt's Father?

Do You Know Who Was Ahmad Ali Butt's Father?

Do You Know Who Ushna Shah’s Mother Is? You will be surprised

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Ushna Shah isn’t the only member of her family who belongs to the entertainment industry. This industry runs deep in her family. Ushna Shah is the daughter of the veteran artist Ismat Tahira. Ismat Tahira has worked on Radio and T.V back in 70s and 80s. She was a single mother who raised her six kids alone because her husband though very educated chose not to support the family financially.

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On radio Ismat has worked in multiple fields, as a compare, news caster, and actor. On television, she has played numerous roles in dramas of PTV Lahore center. She mainly appeared in supportive/ character roles. Neelay Haath is one of her famous dramas, which aired in 1989. In the field of advertisement, she worked in an advertisement agency, to raise ads for different newspapers and in doing so, she also drove motorcycle, as she couldn’t afford a car at that time.

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She eventually stopped acting in the 90s and moved to Canada with her family. Other than Ushna Shah twoof her other kids are a part of entertainment industry too. Irsa Ghazal is daughter of Ismat Tahira, and a famous TV actress too. She started her career in mid 1980’s from PTV Lahore center. Her famous dramas are ‘Mirat ul Uroos’ , ‘Pyaasi’ and Catwalk. In Mirat ul Uroos, she played the role of Akbari. Irsa Ghazal took a break from television in mid 1990’s and made a comeback in 2008-2009, and now she is regularly appearing in dramas in character roles like ‘Rishtay Kucch Adhoray se’ and ‘Kahi Unkahi’.

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Ismat Tahira’s son Shah Sharabeel is a director and producer in theatre mainly serious theatre. He has produced and directed many theatre plays like ‘Tom, Dick and Harry’, ‘You only marry twice’.

 

Have anything to add?

Do You Know Who Is Firdous Jamal’s Son?

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Firdous Jamal is a great asset of Pakistani showbiz industry. He has worked and excelled in all medium, be it theatre, drama or film. The Molvi SubhanAllah of Pakistan television has many notable performances on his filmography. Waris, Landa Bazaar, Nigah, Pyare Afzal are his plays that will always be remembered. The actor has extended his legacy now in more than just his performances. Firdous Jamal’s son is also an actor and has joined the industry. Hamza Fidous has been a part of many major productions since his debut. He was seen as Tipu in O Rangreza and is also a part of period drama Ghughi which is a remake of Bollywood film Pinjar.

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Hamza will also be stepping into the films soon. The actor tries to choose his role diversely and has made some pretty different choices. He tries to be unconventional and versatile with his performances following his father’s footsteps. Here are few pictures of Hamza Firdous in different avatars:

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Screenshot_2018-09-18-20-50-43-1_1537286546430

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How many of you guys have watched Hamza’sperformancess? Do you think he should remain in dramas or his decision to step in films is right? Which performance according to you was the best? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Do you know Meera is Nikkahfied ?

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Meera’s career with the Pakistani media industry has been riddled with controversy. She gained fame with a TV commercial back in 1994, and since then has moved on to act in over 200 films. Besides Lollywood, Meera has also worked in several Bollywood films as well.

Lollywood star Meera caused a stir when a marriage certificate obtained by the media revealed the actor has been married to Pakistani-American airline captain Naveed Pervaiz for over two months now

Meera had announced her engagement with Captain Naveed, but did not mention a wedding.

There are rumors that the marriage certificate has been made public and revealed to many TV news channels. The marriage certificate identifies the groom as “Naveed Perveez” and the bride as “Irtaza Rubab” (understood to be Meera’s real name).

According to the document, Naveed was born in 1978 and Meera on Dec 12 in 1977, which makes her 37 years old.

Rumours of the couple’s possible marriage first began circulating in February 2012, when Meera’s family reportedly accepted Naveed’s proposal

The groom’s family said the plan was to hold off public announcement of the wedding until 2014, when both parties would host a proper wedding ceremony complete with festivities.

The bride, however, denied news of the ‘nikkah‘ released today, and told that she was completely focused on her hospital for now.

Meera has said in the past that people are intent on maligning her unnecessarily to disturb and distract her from her efforts for building a charity, which is intended to provide free cardio services to the impoverished people of Haroonabad.

 

S. Rasool

Do You Know Kiran Haq’s Sister Is Also A Part Of Media Industry?

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Kiran Haq is a versatile actress. She started off her career as a supporting actress from the drama serial Akbari Asghari but later on after putting a lot of effort and hard work into her work she finally started getting leading characters. Not many people are aware of the fact that Kiran Haq’s sister Yasmin Haq is also a part of the drama industry. Yasmin Haq is known for playing supporting characters in dramas. Yasmin has played the different characters and has almost touched every range. Some of her drama includes Chunri, Love Life Aur Lahore, Shikwa Na Shikayat, Koi Chand Rakh, and many others.

Do You Know Kiran Haq's Sister Is Also A Part Of Media Industry?

Kiran Haq recently took Instagram to share pictures from the recent bridal shoot of her sister Yasmin Haq as a sign of appreciation. Let’s have a look at the beautiful pictures of Yasmin Haq:

Do You Know Kiran Haq's Sister Is Also A Part Of Media Industry?

Do You Know Kiran Haq's Sister Is Also A Part Of Media Industry?

Do You Know Kiran Haq's Sister Is Also A Part Of Media Industry?

Do You Know Kiran Haq's Sister Is Also A Part Of Media Industry?

Do You Know Kiran Haq's Sister Is Also A Part Of Media Industry?

Did you guys already know that Yasmin Haq and Kiran Haq are sisters? Want to add something to the story? Share your views with us through comments section!

Do You Know How Aymen Saleem Made World Record – Details

Aymen Saleem who is making her acting debut in the drama serial Chupke Chupke got the limelight because of her strong on-screen persona. She is already gaining much love and appreciation which is nothing less than a blessing for a debutant.

Do You Know How Aymen Saleem Made World Record - Details

Not many people know that it is not the first time that Aymen Saleem has appeared on a television screen. In 2010 when Aymen Saleem was a student of A’levels. She along with her team broke the world record of the most number of girls fitting into a smart car for the maximum time. Previously this record was set by an Australian team in which 18 members got to fit into a smart car for 5 secs, whereas, in Pakistan, 19 girls managed to get in the smart car for 19 seconds making their name into the Guinness Book of World Records and Aymen Saleem was one of the team members.

Aymen Saleem talked about her achievement in “The Shareef Show” as well.

Do You Know How Aymen Saleem Made World Record - Details

Do You Know How Aymen Saleem Made World Record - Details

Aymen Saleem was a teenager at that time. Let’s have a look at the video:

For those who don’t know Aymen Saleem is the daughter of famous cricketer Saleem Yousuf and niece of Late Nazia Hasan.

Do You Know How Aymen Saleem Made World Record - Details

Do You Know Hamza Ali Abbasi’s Sister

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Yes, we all have agreed that Hamza Ali Abbasi is hands down one of the most handsome men in the industry. The guy has a praise-worthy personality and looks awesome in every look and role he adopts but his sister is nothing less as far as the departments of beauty and intelligence are concerned. His sister Fazeela Abbasi is a doctor precisely a dermatologist by profession. The lady is superbly beautiful and elegant and is nothing less than her brother. Here are some pictures from Fazeela Abbasi’s wedding where she is looking like a queen:

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Fazeela Abbasi has also consulted on a few morning shows but has been off the media ever since and focuses on her career clinically as well as her family life.

Do You Know Bilal Abbas’ Cousin Is a Famous Tiktoker

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Actor Bilal Abbas Khan is famous for his amazing acting and looks. Bilal Abbas Khan has gained fame and popularity in shorter period of time. His dramas Cheekh, Balaa and Dunk, Dobara got huge popularity. Pyar kay Sadqay was adored a lot by fans.Do You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerWell, the Dobara actor is a private person but still fans manage to get information about his family. Also, Bilal Abbas often poses with his beautiful family on Instagram. Fans love to see his family. We have seen Bilal’s father, brothers and his mother on Instagram but do you guys know that Bilal Abbas Khan’s younger cousin Amna Nasir is a popular Tiktok star. Amna Nasir is his Aunt’s (Kahala) daughter. The young TikTok star has 1.8 million TikTok followers and more than 31 million views. She has around 7 lac Instagram followers. Amna also participated in Bol Tv’s popular show Khush Raho Pakistan, hosted by Faisal Quraishi. In the show, Faisal Quraishi once told, “many people don’t know but it is the fact that Amna is cousin of Bilal Abbas Khan”. Here is video link.Here are a few pictures of Amna Nasir with her cousin Bilal Abbas Khan from few of their gatherings.Do You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous Tiktoker Here are Amna Nasir’s pictures with Faysal Quraishi from his show Khush Raho Pakistan followed by a few of her solo pictures.Do You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous TiktokerDo You Know Bilal Abbas' Cousin Is a Famous Tiktoker

Do We Have Double Standards? Time For Some Honesty!

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Before readers start reading what I have to say, I must make one thing very clear that I am not trying to judge anyone but I am merely sharing how I have felt about the attitude of Pakistani viewers and perhaps people in general too especially in the past few days. I want to hear how people feel about what I think and that is the only reason for writing this article.

We all know how the majority of the Pakistani television viewers or the Pakistani awaam, in general, feels about the airing of Turkish and Indian dramas on Pakistani channels. Very often we see people calling those who watch these dramas unpatriotic. People have very often told viewers who like Turkish or Indian dramas to move to those countries (because they don’t deserve to live in Pakistan!) especially if you praise anything Indian you are very likely to get an extreme backlash from people on social media or different blogs.

People have very often said that Indian dramas or films do not reflect our “culture” and therefore should be banned. Turkish dramas were criticized to the limit only because they were foreign and different from Pakistani dramas. Our producers and actors went ballistic when Turkish dramas were aired saying that it will ruin everything for them. The criticism on online social media is so severe that people who watch these dramas are in fact scared of showing their likeness for these dramas on public forums. Online drama sites like dramasonline and many others get thousands of requests on a daily basis when they do not upload these dramas also many people watch them online when they are uploaded but there are hardly any comments under these dramas’ videos because people know that if they comment then they will have an army of people who will call them all sorts of names and make them feel guilty for watching these plays.

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Lately, Pakistani dramas have been airing in different countries as well, I have noticed how ecstatic the viewers and even the producers are with this latest development. They can’t stop retweeting the praises that Pakistani dramas are getting especially from across the border, which means that they are happy that the Indians are appreciating their plays. Even the newspapers and blogs can’t stop covering the airing of Pakistani dramas in India with a very positive mindset. The mindset with which the airing of Turkish dramas was covered was entirely different. Now how would we feel if people of the countries in which Pakistani dramas are being telecast reacted in the same way in which many of the Pakistanis react to these developments? We would be calling them bigoted, racist, small-minded, and whatnot. Faysal Qureshi was one of those celebrities who were dead against airing foreign content but now we see him retweeting articles that praise the impact of Pakistani dramas in India.

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Here are the tweets of some renowned Indian celebrities about Pakistani dramas, my question is how will we react if our celebrities start being honest like this? Will we be able to take it??

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I found this “masterpiece” on the web which pretty much sums up what I am trying to say!

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Now that Pakistani dramas are being shown and liked by many in other countries I would like to ask people if airing of other countries’ dramas is such a bad thing after all. And what impression do most people get of us when we feel insecure when Indian and Turkish dramas are aired here. Are we culturally invading India and many other countries now by letting our dramas air there? Of course, we are not, it is more like a healthy cultural exchange which helps bring the two countries together. If our celebrities copy India or prefer to work in India then that is their choice, it is not the fault of any other country! If the divorce rate in the country is increasing we should try to find out what actually is causing this rise rather than putting the blame on Indian and Turkish dramas! We should stop blaming other people for our weaknesses and we should also think about what message we are sending to the world when we pass such narrow-minded comments about people who like Indian and Turkish dramas. I obviously know why everyone is happy now that Pakistani dramas are going international, I am obviously one of those proud Pakistanis too who are very happy that our talent is being recognized internationally but don’t you think that we should welcome foreign content with the same positivity and a big heart too. When other countries appreciate our serials it is a yay but when foreign content airs in Pakistan why is it a nay?

Please feel free to share your thoughts:)

 

 

Do The Lifebuoy Challenge With Asim Azhar

This Eid #DotheLifebuoy and keep yourself and everyone around you protected from covid which is still around! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CADkAwunCy5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The campaign ensures to make the viewers wash their hands for more than 20seconds to keep themselves and everyone around them protected. The message is to guide people step by step how to wash their hands in the best possible way. Lifebuoy has introduced a filter with steps and tune to attract people, also you should tag lifebuoy Pakistan in the recorded video in the selected filter and get a chance to win exciting prizes. A lot of celebrities have taken part in this awareness campaign to guide and ensure the safety of public. Asim Azhar comes forward with this exciting video of lifebuoy to teach people how to keep their hands germs and virus free during these difficult times.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDOr4FjJe8Y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Do the Children today know more than they should? What Is the Role of Media?

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With the world getting modern each second, the rituals and the traditions are also changing accordingly.  What our parents used to like in their childhood was what that completely differed to our hobbies and interests and similarly, the kids of today have their own life in which they have new trends, which is obvious and  quite understandable too. However, what makes this topic relevant enough to be discussed is the fact that are the children of today know a little too much than what they should know in their age?  Let us see in detail.

Going back to few years, say 90’s, children and the childhood seemed much civilized.  Getting up at 7am and doing breakfast watching the daily telecast of DODO cartoon on STN (the only private channel that kept the people of the nation entertained along with PTV) and leaving for school, having the sweet thoughts of how amazing the cartoon series were, was certainly bliss. Returning from the school and taking nap with an excitement to get up at 5 to watch the Cartoon Network which used to be aired on STN for two hours. Watching Camp Candy and Tom and Jerry had its own charm in every way. While the children used to enjoy two dedicated hours of the channels, parents too, on the other hand, used to be much relaxed about the secured content been watched by their children.  All in all, watching television was a source of entertainment and not a source of living as it has become now.


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If you analyze the blessings of few channels in past, you would see that the children were far better students in the past as compared to now. There were special magazines been printed for the kids like Taleem-o-Tarbiyat and Hamdard Naunehal that encouraged the young learners to pay attention on their reading and understanding skills!  Even watching news was a part of learning where students were been directed by their teachers to watch the News been aired at 9pm, where students could learn about the current happenings within the country and the world, which is now obviously pretty different these days.

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Hamdard Naunehal August 2012

Now that the world has taken new moves in every sense, the living standards and the life styles have also changed drastically. These days the routine of the children is such that a child sleeps late at night, probably because he is either watching Big Boss late at night or his favorite movie and gets up late for school, often feeling dizzy and mentally tired. Leaving for  school without breakfast and spending at least half an hour in dressing up like John Abraham and setting up the spikes (The mountains as I call them) over their  head. The class discussions are no more limited to the course but often revolve around the latest movies, the celebrity updates and the latest songs. Now that the media has grown much rapidly, no household can avoid the melodramas and the weird topics that are enough to make children someone above their age.

The 24/7 telecast of Cartoon Network, Nick, Disney, etc., has made the cartoon world a less interesting place as now children are much interested in the daily soaps and the love stories that are a must-to-have part. Think about the serial Cinderella, isn’t it funny to change the entire theme of the fairytale under the same slogan? Think about the new spiderman drama where a mother-in-law keeps on sticking to her son’s room, never leaving a chance of privacy. I mean, this is something that is not only dangerous for the nourishment of the little minds but also a threat to the literature and history.

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The question still remains, do the children know more than they should, according to me, yes, and thanks to media for this. Even if we skip the drama industry for now, the news and the street shows are enough to do the remaining task. Take my example, I didn’t know anything about the gay society till my O levels, Too dumb of me I guess, but now there are  special shows with bold headings going on, showing interviews of the gays and the live shoot across the streets. How does it possible that first you show everything to the young minds and then expect them to stay away? There are families who do not approve  such shows in front of their children but again, for how long they can protect them from watching the 24/7 online dirt? It’s merely impossible!

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Children are becoming bold, losing the sense of boundaries and even a grade VI student can identify whether his teacher is pregnant or not. These are the facts that seem quite absurd to hear or to talk about but really, there is a serious need of recalculating our moral values.

The Media is not the only one to be blamed here, but an overall change of mentalities is needed in the country. Being a part of a Muslim state, it is important to match the fakeness of today with the reality of the religion-and-civilization.

Share your views and Protect your  Child!

Blessings,

Nida Zaidi

 

Do Ramadan Special Shows Make A Mockery Of The Holy Month?

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Ramadan is the most blessed month for Muslims, it is the month when all Muslims try their best to put worldly affairs behind and concentrate on making the most of the holy month. Everything changes in a good and positive way in homes as well as the national level to facilitate Islamic rituals during this Holy month. There was a time not very long ago when our television channels used to pay respect to this holy month by telecasting special Ramadan transmission, there were hardly any dramas on air in those days during Ramadan so that people can enjoy this blessed month in its true spirit and not waste their time watching dramas. Things have changed a lot for the past few years now. Yes, the special Ramadan shows are still shown on every channel but the people who host them are controversial celebrities like Maya Khan and Veena Malik.

Is that not like making fun of the holy month? How many people think that such people are suitable for hosting such shows? The channels who hire them also know very well that these celebrities are very controversial and know nothing about religion and that is the very reason why they are chosen for this job. The channels don’t care about the spirit behind these shows, they do not even respect the holy month of Ramadan, all they want are more TRPs and usually controversial people get more attention than the non controversial ones whether people like them or not. Till last year no one even knew there was a channel with the name of Hero TV but their controversial step to let Veena Malik host the Astagfar show gave them a lot of publicity, yes it is true that it was bad publicity but sometime bad publicity helps too!!

Last year the so called Ramadan special plays also made a mockery of the holy month. I might be very stupid to think so but the purpose of anything that is Ramadan special should be to specially deliver the message of Ramadan? I do not mind if there is some decent element of entertainment in such shows but how do love triangles, lame jokes and over acting deliver the message of Ramadan. I know very well that our media is free and most of all very money minded now, when it comes to making money there will be no compromise, Ramadan or no Ramadan but for God’s sake if you have to show such things during Ramadan do not call them Ramadan special shows and plays because that makes no sense at all. These special shows are aired during Ramadan only so it means that they should be linked with the holy month in some way but maybe our channels feel that people are so bored of fasting that they need nonsensical entertainment to cheer them up!!!

You people must have seen the promos of another Ramadan special (so-called) that we will be seeing on our screen this year, if you haven’t then here Is the video. So now it is not just controversial celebrities and nonsensical shows but also naach gana that will be a special part of the special Ramadan transmission. Are these people foolish or do they think that people are stupid? Can someone please tell our channel owners that people do not want to watch this rubbish during Ramdan and especially they should stop calling such shows Ramadan specials because they have nothing to do with Ramadan.

If our channels cannot take a step in the right direction to promote the spirit of Ramadan then it is my request that they should not make a mockery of this holy month too. Do you want to see such shows during Ramdan? Do you want Ramadan special talk shows to be hosted by controversial celebrities or religious scholars? Please share your views.

 

 

 

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Do Muneeb And Ahsan Get Confused Between Aiman And Minal Khan

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Aiman Khan and Minal Khan are both very successful actresses from the Pakistani entertainment industry. The sisters started out their acting journey when they were just kids and have been working in the industry since. Aiman Khan is now married to actor Muneeb Butt who himself is a big actor with many hit projects under his belt. Minal Khan on the other hand just got married recently to actor Ahsan Mohsin Ikram. Aiman has been on a sabbatical from acting since the birth of her daughter Amal Muneeb while Minal has been in dramas like Jalan and Nand putting her on the map. THe sister duo have beautifully blended families with their husbands also having great camaraderie between them.

Do Muneeb And Ahsan Get Confused Between Aiman And Minal Khan

Aiman and Minal are twins and their fans even today get confused between them. They have both carved their individual identities but still are the same old Aiman and Minal looks wise. Recently on the Mirza Malik Show, Aiman Khan and Muneeb Butt were asked if Muneeb and Ahsan can differentiate between them easily or do they get confused.

Do Muneeb And Ahsan Get Confused Between Aiman And Minal Khan

Aiman revealed that they both still get confused about identifying the sisters. Muneeb has been a part of the family for many years now so he is better but Ahsan Mohsin Ikram gets confused a lot between Aiman and Minal.

Do Muneeb And Ahsan Get Confused Between Aiman And Minal Khan

This is what Aiman and Muneeb shared:

Do Current Issue-Based Pakistani Dramas Fit The Bill

Pakistani dramas makers and producers have for the longest time tried to maintain a balance between dramas that solely entertain and those that educate at the same time. It won’t be wrong to say that most Pakistani dramas in some way do highlight certain social issues. Some of these dramas revolve around pressures and evils within the society; others highlight issues that are faced by individuals with regards to their relationships. There was a time when such dramas were focused on a single issue. Nowadays, writers try to focus on more than one issue. Sometimes they manage to get the message across in the most befitting manner and at other times these dramas simply fail to impress altogether.

The Promotional Strategies

With the advent of social media and due to the fact that there is so much competition between the channels, promotional strategies do play a key role in piquing the interest of the viewers. Interestingly enough, some of the current issue-based dramas or those dramas which are genuinely raising certain important issues were not promoted as such. There are also those which were not promoted in a manner that wouldn’t have enticed the viewers. Only those viewers who follow the celebrities diligently were able to watch these dramas and later on they gained some popularity due to their genuine appeal. These dramas did not get the kind of ‘marketing’ that they truly deserved. Then there were those production houses that created controversies on purpose in order to grab the attention of the viewers.

Drama serials such as Pehli Si Mohabbat, Raqs-e-Bismil, and even Neeli Zinda Hei fall in the category of dramas that were promoted as romantic/horror stories yet they do raise definite social issues. Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin is one of those dramas which were not promoted in a befitting manner. Also, the fact that it was airing on TV One affected its viewership. The star cast was the most appealing aspect for those viewers who do not have a lot of knowledge about the writers and production houses, in general. Even the active social media users were not given reason enough by the promoters to tune into the drama. Pardes was another such drama that highlights such a vital social issue yet it was promoted more as a drama that had Shaista Lodhi and Sarmad Khoosat playing the lead instead of a drama that was going to have a social impact. The content of the drama was definitely more important than the fact that Shaista and Sarmad were sharing the screen in this drama! Drama serials such as Dunk and Phaans were promoted as issue-based dramas. Dunk makers also relied heavily on controversy and sensationalized headlines for grabbing the attention of the viewers.

Commercial Dramas vs. Issue-Based Dramas

There is no denying the fact that the commercial storylines are usually more popular among the general public therefore at times promoting a drama that might have significant social impact might be promoted as a ‘commercial’ drama. Pehli Si Mohabbat and Pardes are two such examples from recent dramas. Sometimes, the viewers are more interested in the star cast and therefore are more likely to tune into a drama that has a more commercial element to it. Most of the viewers want to be ‘entertained’ when they switch on the television therefore a drama that is reality-based might not be their first preference. There are definitely those viewers as well who understand that a good quality drama is a combination of both therefore many such dramas do get popularity once they go on air.

Current Issue-Based Dramas

More than ever now, the dramas airing leading channels do focus on issues that impact society in some way. Many of the dramas highlight social evils such as rape and domestic abuse. There are others that break this cycle and highlight certain issues which are not highlighted often in dramas. Here is a look at some of the dramas which are raising important issues but in different ways. Some of them are succeeding and others are simply ‘using’ these issues to grab people’s attention. Others are simply failing at it because of the lack of quality content.

Pehli Si Mohabbat – Questioning ‘Arranged’ Marriages

Pehli Si Mohabbat is one of those dramas that were promoted as a filmy love story. Maya Ali and Sheheryar Munawar’s first on-screen appearance on the small screen was presented as the main attraction for the viewers perhaps because the makers were convinced that the viewers will find that more appealing than the actual content. However, it was the content of the show that ended up being its strongest element. Pehli Si Mohabbat questions ‘arranged’ marriages which are most of the time forced marriages yet they are glorified in such a manner that no one ever questions them! The writer has done outstandingly well in raising an issue that isn’t even considered an issue. This drama has proven to be a breath of fresh air since it has been breaking so many stereotypes. Pehli Si Mohabbat definitely fits the bill because it has so much more than just star power! The star power, the melodious OST, and the production values make Pehli Si Mohabbat a pleasant meaningful entertainment.

Do Current Issue-Based Pakistani Dramas Fit The Bill

Raqs-e-Bismil – Highlighting Class Divide

Raqs-e-Bismil is another drama that was never promoted as a drama that will highlight social issues. Yet, the premise of the entire story lies on the class divide; the way people from certain families feel that they are superior to others. Then there are women such as Zohra who never get respect because they were born and raised in circumstances that did not allow her to make the kind of choices she would have liked to. The writer has beautifully integrated the concept of not judging people based on their background into a love story. There will probably be more surprises in store in the upcoming episodes. The drama did go off track more than once therefore the message sometimes does get lost and at other times it is highly repetitive. Overall, Raqs-e-Bismil can be labeled as a drama that highlights an important societal issue yet the multiple tracks do tend to be distracting at times.

Do Current Issue-Based Pakistani Dramas Fit The Bill

Pardes – Struggles of Overseas Workers & Families

Pardes has turned out to be an outstanding drama based on a novel idea. Pakistani dramas usually do not focus on the problems faced by Pakistanis working overseas and most importantly we are never shown what their immediate families actually go through. Daldal did tackle the issue but it had a different storyline altogether. Pardes is more focused on the exploitation of the male members who provide for their families and the sacrifices their immediate family has to make as a result. Pardes grows on you gradually and when you think that the story might be getting typical, something happens to prove you wrong. So far, Pardes has definitely been fitting the bill because the emotional and realistic element of the drama couldn’t have been more impactful.

Do Current Issue-Based Pakistani Dramas Fit The Bill

 

Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin – All-Encompassing

Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin’s producers and the channels airing it did not do justice to it while promoting it. There was barely any hype surrounding the drama and even when it went on air many people did not even know! Since this drama aired on two different channels including PTV it was definitely surprising that the promotions were so unimpressive. However, it was the star cast that made the viewers tune into it, and ultimately the writing and direction completely pulled the viewers in. Unfortunately, when compared to many other commercial dramas, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin is still lagging behind but when it comes to doing justice to the issues it has raised, this drama fits the bill like no other! Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin is one of those few dramas which deal with so many different societal issues at the same time and the writer has made sure that every weakness of the social fabric is highlighted through different tracks. This drama however can get so dark at times that some of the viewers find it extremely disturbing. But this also proves that the writer, director, and the actors have done their job right! Had the producers promoted it the way they promote commercial drama serials, it would have been watched and noticed even more.

Do Current Issue-Based Pakistani Dramas Fit The Bill

Aakhir Kab Tak – Exploitation and Abuse

Aakhir Kab Tak is another drama that raises the issue of exploitation of women and rape. Unfortunately, our producers have started using rape as a tool to get the public’s attention therefore every other drama has such a track. However, Aakhir Kab Tak shows another side of such criminal acts and one which has not been highlighted in any other drama so far. I have watched a few episodes of the drama and I must say that so far it seems to be heavily inspired by Dar Si Jati Hei Sila and even Mein Na Janoo but the solid characters keep it engaging. The script isn’t too impressive but at the same time, it is not as commercial and meaningless as some of the other such dramas.

Do Current Issue-Based Pakistani Dramas Fit The Bill

Dunk – Focus on Commercialism

Dunk is one of those dramas that actually deals with a really serious issue yet the producers never had a serious approach right from the get-go. The entire focus was on getting the public’s attention by statements that created controversy. The script is also highly commercial and the treatment given to the drama is even more so. Dunk could have been a groundbreaking drama serial had the producers focused on the actual content. The leading lady definitely has a mental disorder yet that part of her personality will perhaps never be scrutinized. It definitely does not fit the bill and will always be remembered as a missed opportunity.

Do Current Issue-Based Pakistani Dramas Fit The Bill

Phaans – Repetitive & Misleading

Phaans was promoted as a mystery drama and yes it is that, sometimes to an annoying extent. However, the leading character of the drama either has some mental disorder or a disability which just like always has not been specified. In the drama serial Pyar Ke Sadqay, I never really felt that I actually needed to know why Abdullah and Mahjabeen were not like other people their age but while watching Phaans I feel the need to know more about Sahil since he is the ‘criminal’. Since the story has been far from impressive so far, there is little hope that the viewers will get to know the real reason why he raped and what is wrong with him! It is unfortunate that mental health and disorders are used in this manner by the writers for putting together mysteries that are more annoying than intriguing. Although this drama was never promoted as an issue-based drama, there are a number of reasons why it does fall in the category and it has failed in so many departments.

Do Current Issue-Based Pakistani Dramas Fit The Bill

Neeli Zinda Hei – On Point So Far

Neeli Zinda Hei is essentially a horror drama but I do feel that the writer has highlighted how the fake peers run their businesses by taking advantage of women who are jealous and envious of their own relatives. This is another evil that is unfortunately rampant in our society and I find this track reflective of many affluent and even educated women who go down this path. So far, the jealousy, madness, and the need for control have been highlighted in such a way that they will give people an opportunity to self-reflect and it does raise awareness since the fakeness has been shown so openly.

Do Current Issue-Based Pakistani Dramas Fit The Bill

How many of these dramas are you watching? Share your thoughts about them. It would be great if the writers stop using rape as a tool to create mystery and suspense! It is a serious issue and should not be used for ‘entertainment’ purposes. Are there any other issue-based dramas that you feel fit the bill or those that have missed the mark? Share your views!