Ramadan 2025 is here and Muslims all over the world are ready to fast and receive the blessings of Allah SWT. This month marks the most important time for Muslims in the year and feasts are served, loved ones are invited over and camaraderie is developed throughout the 30 day period. Pakistanis also celebrate this month in their own way and like all walks of life, the television industry has developed patterns which are specific for the arrival of Holy Month.
Though many argue that Ramadan should strictly be about praying and worship but others think that since timings are changed and families dine together, some entertainment will bring them closer and thus special shows are developed for families to sit together and enjoy. Here are some special masala ingredients that have become a staple for Pakistani television every Ramadan:
Rom-com & Family Dramas
Suno Chanda became the pioneer of Ramadan dramas trend. These shows always have similar stories with a huge family and love between cousins. They are aired for 30 days and end with a mega episode on Eid. Many fans wait for these shows throughout the year as they are non-toxic and fun to watch. But unfortunately they have become a saturated market and every channel comes up with their own set of shows, sometimes three which look repetitive and fans have been losing interest. This year again we have dramas like Dil Wali Gali Mein and Ishq Di Chashni lined up and fans have some expectations from the teams behind these dramas.
Another argument against these shows has come up that they only promote love and marriages and there is seldom anything that relates to the spirit of Ramadan. There is not much about the spirit of Ramadan in these dramas and they are focused on a guy and girl dying to get married.
Shaan e Ramzan
Shaan e Ramzan on ARY Digital has become the longest-running Ramadan transmission on Pakistani television. You will see the same hosts Waseem Badami and Iqrar ul Hassan on your news channels the whole year but suddenly there will be a personality change and the Ramadan hosts in them will come out. The transmission will run for 30 days with different segments and participants in sehar and iftar. One thing that now has nostalgia is the main theme anthem sung by late Junaid Jamshed and late Amjad Sabri. Shaan e Ramzan has definitely become a main ingredient of Ramadan time television in Pakistan.
Viral Kids
This is a topic that generated a lot of debate in Pakistan. Last Ramadan we saw the usual gang of Shah brothers on Shaan e Ramzan and Jeeto Pakistan. In addition, other kids that were going viral were also invited to these transmissions and different channels were showing different viral kids. The phenomenon increased so much that questions were being raised about using these children for TRPs. This practice has become common place now and it is an important ingredient for Ramadan in Pakistan every year.
Celebrity Hosted Transmissions
Like every year, your favourite stars will be seen hosting special Ramadan transmissions on different channels. Some fans will love watching them for a month straight while others will question their credibility to host a show based on Islamic teachings. Debates will occur, to and fro will go on, viral clips will emerge but the stars are here to host these transmissions and they will get their required TRPs.
The Dupatta Debate
Yes, Ramadan 2025 is here and all your favourite starlets will wear a dupatta as a sign of respect. This starts a whole debate every year but has also become a necessary masala for Pakistani television during Ramadan. Wearing a dupatta is one’s own choice but people will keep questioning the ones who will wear a dupatta for wearing it and those who won’t wear it for not wearing it. Let’s see which celebrity falls in which category this year.
Sponsors
Ramadan on Pakistani television is all about Jam e Shirin and cooking oil sponsorships. All the good that is propagated on these transmissions is sponsored by some brand. From food that is served to the outfits that the hosts will wear, everything will have a brand stamp on it. By the end of the last fast, you will be able to recite all sponsors by heart and all these grocery items being pushed on your screens for good deeds is a staple masala for Ramadan.
Do you agree with these staple masalas we get every Ramadan on our television screens? Which ones do you think need to go? Share in the comments!
