8 TV Dramas that Defined the Decade for Pakistan

Let’s refresh our memories folks! When this decade started, Pakistani dramas were considered inferior to Indian Soaps that had an ensemble cast, larger than life plots and a production value that was at par with Indian films. However, things changed for the better as Hum TV, Geo Entertainment and ARY Digital went for an upgrade and delivered back-to-back hits to end the reign of Indian dramas. In fact, Pakistani TV dramas reached the height of popularity in India and they had to launch a separate channel Zindagi to give them the respect they deserved, (before Modi’s Government put an end to it). Got the gist? Read on:

1. Humsafar (2011)

Written by: Farhat Ishtiaq

Directed by: Sarmad Khoosat

Channel: Hum TV

Cast: Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Naveen Waqar, Atiqa Odho, Hina Bayat, Noor Hassan, Behroze Sabzwari

What made it a path-breaking drama: The rise and rise of the Pakistani drama industry wouldn’t have been possible without Humsafar, the most path-breaking drama of the last decade. It was not only different than the Indian soaps that were being aired on local TV but production-wise, content-wise and execution-wise, it was better than anything that the audience had seen for a long time. It was a throwback to the classic TV dramas and also set a pattern for others to follow, by making drama writers and directors realize that we are better than copying Indian soaps. Directed by Sarmad Khoosat with Fawad Khan in the lead, Humsafar made Mahira Khan a household name in no time and the two became part of a jodi that still has no match.

2. Pyarey Afzal (2013)

Written by: Khalil ur Rehman Qamar

Directed by: Nadeem Baig

Channel: ARY Digital

Cast: Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ayeza Khan, Sana Javed, Sohai Ali Abro, Saba Hamid, Firdous Jamal, Anoushey Abbasi, Saba Faisal

What made it a path-breaking drama: Before there was Mere Paas Tum Ho, there was this Khalil ur Rehman Qamar – Nadeem Baig collaboration. At the time Pyarey Afzal was aired way back in 2013-14, no drama was loved more both in Pakistan and abroad; with Hamza Ali Abbasi in the lead, Pyarey Afzal managed to become a super hit in no time. Even in India, the final episode was screened in a theatre, such was its popularity. However, the role was written for Humayun Saeed who like Humsafar decided to leave it in favor of a younger actor, Hamza Ali Abbasi in this case. The simple story of a young guy who becomes a gangster to run away from his past wasn’t something new, but its treatment by Nadeem Baig made it into a grand production. With an ensemble cast featuring Ayeza Khan, Sana Javed, Firdous Jamal, and Sohai Ali Abro, the play’s soundtrack, as well as pace, was appreciated by the viewers. Hamza Ali Abbasi became a heartthrob while the drama elevated both Ayeza Khan and Sana Javed to stardom as well.

3. Bashar Momin (2014)

Written by: Zanjabeel Asim Shah

Directed by: Syed Ali Raza Osama

Channel: Geo TV

Cast: Faysal Quraishi, Sami Khan, Ushna Shah, Maheen Rizvi, Jeenan Hussain, Yasir Mazher, Hina Bayat

What made it a path-breaking drama: Faysal Quraishi’s finest hour came when he was cast as Bashar in this updated version of Beauty And The Beast. With Sami Khan and Ushna Shah also in the lead, Faysal delivered a power packed performance that took everyone by storm. It was at that time the most expensive drama in Pakistan’s history and paved the way for on-shoot locations instead of sets. The wardrobe, the accessories and above all, the new looks of each and every actor helped in making Bashar Momin an unforgettable drama. In fact, it introduced Ushna Shah to the field who went onto impress all with her acting in Balaa. As for Faysal and Sami, they will be reuniting again for The Window, a Hollywood production that also features Faran Tahir and Hameed Sheikh.

4. Udaari (2016)

Written by: Farhat Ishtiaq

Directed by: Mohammad Ehteshamuddin

Channel: Hum TV

Cast: Ahsan Khan, Samiya Mumtaz, Bushra Ansari, Farhan Saeed, Urwa Hocane, Hina Altaf

What made it a path-breaking drama: Udaari became an overnight sensation because of its topic; it highlighted the child sexual abuse in our society and showed how predators use their position in the society to commit this act. The combo of Farhat Ishtiaq and Ehteshamuddin ensured that the drama would hit where it will hurt the most and it did, invoking the wrath of PEMRA and civil society. The usually chocolate hero Ahsan Khan played the villain and Samiya Mumtaz the strong mother of a child who was abused by her stepfather, and their performance along with the ensemble cast helped Udaari win awards and start a trend that is still being followed, with every other actor trying to play the predator, but falling short of Ahsan Khan’s Paa Imtiaz.

5. Dillagi (2016)

Written by: Faiza Iftikhar

Directed by: Nadeem Baig

Channel: ARY Digital

Cast: Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat, Imran Ashraf, Saba Hameed, Asma Abbas, Uzma Hassan, Mariam Ansari, Inayat Khan

Cast: Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat, Imran Ashraf, Saba Hameed, Asma Abbas, Uzma Hassan, Mariam Ansari, Inayat Khan

What made it a path-breaking drama: With a leading actor returning to TV after a few years, a leading actress that hadn’t done TV for some time and a cast that had no big name except for a couple of actors, dramas like Dillagi were always going to be a tricky project. However, Nadeem Baig managed to strike gold with this Faiza Iftikhar script that went beyond just a romantic drama – it helped Mehwish Hayat take on Humayun Saeed, stand tall opposite Saba Hameed and deliver powerful dialogues that were too heavy-duty for TV. The play also had a young Imran Ashraf in it who impressed all before going onto become a name to reckon within a couple of years. It was a comeback project for both Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat and they delivered a hit that is still talked about, despite the influx of so many more outstanding dramas on our screens.

6. Darr Si Jati Hai Sila (2017)

Written by: Bee Gul

Directed by: Kashif Nisar

Channel: Hum TV

Cast: Yumna Zaidi, Noman Ejaz, Saman Ansari, Sakina Samo, Saleem Sheikh, Osama Tahir, Noor ul Hassan, Munazzah Arif, Kiran Haq

What made it a path-breaking drama: When Darr Si Jati Hai Sila aired, viewers thought it to be an extension of Udaari and some even predicted that it will fade away because of its similarity with the earlier drama. However, they didn’t count on the fact that a) Bee Gul doesn’t write about stuff that isn’t happening around and b) Kashif Nisar is a magician disguised as a TV director. With Yumna Zaidi, Noman Ejaz, Saman Ansari and Sakina Samo on top of their game, Darr Si Jati Hai Sila told the audience how to tackle predators in their family and that to not speak up was as big a crime as the sexual harassment itself. Noman Ejaz was so good as the bad Joee Mamoon that everyone wanted him to suffer in the end, and he did, but not before making life hell for Sila (Yumna Zaidi) and her mother (Saman Ansari).

7. Khaani (2017)

Written by: Asma Nabeel

Directed by: Anjum Shehzad

Channel: Geo Entertainment

Cast: Sana Javed, Feroze Khan, Mehmood Aslam, Saman Ansari, Salma Hassan, Rashid Farooqi, Qavi Khan

What made it a path-breaking drama: Based on a real-life incident where the son of a landlord gunned down a loving brother on the eve of her sister’s wedding, Khaani became the talk of the town for many reasons. It featured the magical pairing of Feroze Khan and Sana Javed who played the murderer and the murdered guy’s sister, and how one-way love blossomed between the two, with the murderer finally getting what he deserved. Sana Javed gave her best performance to date which was upstaged just recently by Ruswai and inspired girls out there to be strong and stand for what they believe is right. Anjum Shehzad’s direction and Asma Nabeel’s script were first-rate and it heralded the era of dramas that revolved around real-life incidents.

8. Ranjha Ranjha Kardi (2018)

Written by: Faiza Iftikhar

Directed by: Kashif Nisar

Channel: Hum TV

Cast: Imran Ashraf, Iqra Aziz, Asma Abbas, Syed Jibran, Munazzah Arif, Kashif Mehmood

What made it a path-breaking drama: Scripted by Faiza Iftikhar and directed by Kashif Nisar, Ranjha Ranjha Kardi had an edge over others – Imran Ashraf. As Bhola, the actor delivered his best performance to date; as a village simpleton who is made to marry Noorie (Iqra Aziz) who still loves Sahir (Syed Jibran). How his life turns upside down and how he and his wife handle it all is what makes Ranjha Ranjha Kardi one of the best players of the decade. Imran Ashraf followed this play with Inkaar which had more in common with Sahir than Bhola, proving that he was undoubtedly the find of the decade.

Although Pakistani dramas reached new heights in 2019, it will be a difficult journey in the coming decade where they will be vying for attention with Netflix, Amazon Prime and other digital platforms. By only raising the bar can the entertainment industry in Pakistan survive in this cut-throat world and carve a separate identity for themselves.

6 Reasons Why I’ve Stopped Watching Pakistani Dramas of Today