Zard Patton Ka Bunn and Gentleman are two star-studded dramas that premiered on the same day and time but on different channels. After watching the opening episodes of both these serials it is clearer than ever that each one offers something different from the other one.
Here is looking at what these dramas offer and the different factors that will affect their viewership:
The Promotions
The producers and channel behind the drama serial Gentleman put in a lot of effort to promote it, using all means available to ensure it was the talk of the town before it even aired. On the other hand, the producers and channel behind Zard Patton Ka Bunn did not invest in promotions to the same extent. As a result, their drama did not receive as much attention before its airing.
The channel and social media team did not even do the bare minimum to promote Zard Patton Ka Bunn which was extremely disappointing especially because it has an ace team. Humayun Saeed and Green TV, on the other hand, were on a mission to capture public attention.
The Teams
Both the dramas have phenomenal teams; everyone involved has already made a name for themselves in the industry. The producers, directors, writers, and cast members are well-known for their phenomenal work.
However, Humayun Saeed rarely works in dramas therefore that is an added advantage for the Gentleman team. Yumna Zaidi is also at the peak of her popularity at the moment. On the other hand, Hamza Sohail does not have the same level of hype or popularity.
Sajal Aly is a talented actress who can hold the audience’s attention throughout an entire drama. She has a strong fan base and is known for her impactful performances. Although her previous project Kuch Ankahi did not receive as much popularity as Yumna Zaidi’s recent dramas, Sajal Aly’s talent and screen presence cannot be ignored. She brings a lot of value to any project she is a part of.
Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s previous drama Mere Pass Tum Ho was a massive hit and Mustafa Afridi’s Sang-e-Mah although widely watched was not as ‘popular’. Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar is known for his dialogue writing and engagement value. Mustafa Afridi is widely recognized for his exceptional scriptwriting abilities, particularly due to his ability to capture unique stories and explore diverse cultures. Both of these writers possess individual strengths that make them stand out. It is clear which one has written more hit dramas.
The Channels
The channel on which a drama is aired is a crucial element that should not be overlooked. At times, it can make all the difference in how the show is received and perceived by the audience. Green TV is a new channel that has excelled in experimenting but is not a mainstream channel yet and does not have the same viewership as Hum. Even though Green TV has been the leader when it comes to innovation, the fact is that many of these experiments have failed as well. Till now, they have only had one major hit to their credit, which is Kabli Pulao. However, most of their dramas have a promising start but lose momentum, failing to gain popularity.
On the other hand, Hum TV, even with its limited promotions, has a solid audience. Apart from this, Kashf Foundation dramas on Hum have always offered quality and got the viewership.
It remains to be seen if Gentleman will be the next Kabli Pulao for Green TV! And we don’t know yet if Zard Patton Ka Bunn will get the same attention as Udaari.
First Impressions
The first episodes of both these dramas aired last night. Gentleman’s promotions promised an engaging watch therefore I tuned into Gentleman first. The issue with large-scale promotions is that they tend to create very high expectations among people. The first episode of Gentleman had many Bollywood references, which made me wonder if the producers were targeting the Indian audience. This audience plays a vital role in making or breaking Pakistani dramas nowadays. The episode was shot well and had a comical element. The characters’ dynamics were interesting. However, because of the detailed teasers and promos, there was nothing ‘new’ about this episode.
The viewers already got an elaborate introduction to these characters through the trailers and many of the scenes were already part of the trailer. This took the initial excitement away. This first episode also made it clear that Gentleman is yet another love story since that was the main theme of this episode. Khalil-ur-Rehman’s dramas usually grow on the viewers and get more interesting as the story progresses. I must admit that while this first episode did a fine job of introducing the viewers to the main characters, it did not blow me away. The Bollywood references and approach took away the newness from the characters too.
Zard Patton Ke Bunn’s first episode was written and executed brilliantly. It was ‘new’ and fast-paced. Since the teasers of the drama were not as elaborate as Gentleman, getting to meet the characters in this first episode was more exciting. Sajal Aly and Hamza Sohail were the stars of the show.
This first episode had strong supporting characters that stood out, was more ‘original’ than Gentleman’s first episode, and had quite a few refreshing elements to it. Both these dramas have strong leading ladies but the circumstances and personalities are poles apart. The father-daughter relationship in Zard Patton Ka Bunn was the most heartwarming element of the first episode. Each character’s relationship with each other stood out for all the right reasons and it was a great start to a drama which I am certain will have a great deal to offer.
In this first episode, the writer already touched upon many different aspects of the lives of these characters which came from totally different professions. As a viewer, I was instantly invested in every single track and found these stories relatable. Like every other Kashf Foundation drama, this one too must be based on true stories that will resonate with many. The fast pace of this episode and the variation in stories and characters make Zard Patton Ka Bunn a drama that deserves your time and attention. For those seeking both entertainment and substance, it’s a must-watch.
Substance over marketing
Promotional efforts heavily favored Gentleman, with extensive marketing and not to mention the OST. However, the first episode of Zard Patton Ka Bunn, so far has more views than Gentleman even though the hype surrounding Gentleman was way more! Also, Zard Patton Ka Bunn’s first episode had more substance. This indicates that, for a change, the viewers prioritized quality storytelling over appealing marketing tactics. Excessive marketing can sometimes backfire because it raises expectations and the initial episodes may not live up to these expectations.
Final Remarks
It is too early to make definitive predictions about which drama will hold public attention in the long run. Both, Zard Patton Ka Bunn and Gentleman have their strengths and distinct qualities as was apparent in their opening episodes, setting the stage for a compelling battle for viewership.
Zard Patton Ka Bunn has an edge of originality due to its fresh storytelling and relatable characters. If the upcoming episodes of the drama are as well-crafted as this one, the show might become an unexpected but clear winner.
Which one of these dramas has your undivided attention after watching these first episodes? Share your views.
