The dramas that helped us through Covid -19 gave some breakthrough entertainment all year round – let’s round up the best of the best Dramas 2020!
Happy New Year! There was a celebration all around the world. People had grand plans to execute the new year. Some were praying for an eventful year ahead, and some were emotional with gratitude that they were able to enter the new year. This was the last day of 2019 and the emotions (and hopes) flowed into the opening days and weeks of 2020. But then came … Covid-19.
Could The Game Change?
2020 – A Cursed Year! People started blaming the year for gifting them a pandemic to beat all pandemics. But like your age, a year is also just a number really. Anyways, someone, or something must be blamed – the fall guy? And 2020 was IT!
But
Let’s look at the bright side folks! What did we do when we were in lockdown? Bake, cook, read and … take in entertainment via a digital screen that made us feel connected to the larger community, made us retreat into a world of stories, characters and dramas and helped us keep our sanity – one heavy package that, but our industry gave us a few precious gems – dramas that stayed with us!
In the most difficult times, our television made us realize the importance of hope, positivity, and togetherness. Let’s have a look at the most beautiful stories of the year, and how they helped lift our spirits in Covid -19!
Sabaat – The Game Changer for Television
A grand project by Hum TV. Written By Kashif Anwar and Directed by Shehzad Kashmiri. We all turned into Sabaat fans, rooting for Enaya or Miraal, Dr. Haris or even Hassan – because they became a part of our living rooms discussions till the next episode!
It was not just the story but the OST that kept us riveted! A healthy dose of positivity, a ray of hope and some very moving lyrics were delivered in song mode by Ali Sethi ‘s soulful rendition:
Darr Gaye Jo Rastoun Se, Gharr Se Kese Nikloge
Roz Innhi Rastoun Se, Tumko Aana Jaana Hai
The story and the execution (despite having some flaws) was near perfect, gave us food for thought in almost every scene, and female and male role models that might change the way Pakistani heroes and heroines are patterned in future.
Bikhray Moti – An Institute Of Social Issues
Two youngsters fall in love with each other has always been a clickable, romantic, and appealing story line. But Bikhray Moti showed us that times have changed for youngsters now. They have matured, become wiser, less selfish, and take decisions with more clarity. Ayeza and Ahad are two individuals who love each other, but more importantly, they respect each other, and each other’s mindsets. The drama writer, Edison Idrees Masih delivered sensitive content based on child abuse, child marriages, child labour, domestic abuse, parenting and the importance of women empowerment within and outside the home. Woah, that’s a lot to take in in one drama but it was done with acute sensibility and hit home till the final drop scene!
Directed by Shahid Shafaat (Shaddi) it is a must watch.
Pyar Ke Sadqay – A Unique Love Story With Dramatic Twists and Turns
Gifting the cutest romance of the year, the drama threw light on the extra ordinary life of ordinary people. The issues that scar our lives as we grow up, and how, as adults, we have to manage situations we have no idea how to respond to. The significance of parenting, and second marriages.
The drama highlighted harassment with sensitive undertones with standout performances from lead and supporting cast – this story had audiences rooting for Abdullah and Mahjabeen’s love story as the fairy tale romance that was so un-fairy like yet heart warming beyond any we had witnessed in a long time!
Pyar Ke Sadqay also gave us a very important yet untouched message, that compatibility is more important in a marital relationship, than physical or mental age. It also showed us that a parent with a flawed personality (in anyway) can, and will effect the child, unless he is treated with extra care and responsibility, and not as a mere duty. Penned by Zanjabeel Asim Shah, and directed by the amazingly talented Farooq Rind, this story undoubtedly made it to the star list of 2020!
Kashf – A Spiritual Journey Of A Woman:
Directed by Danish Nawaz, Kashf is an unusual story with an intense script penned by Imran Nazeer. The story is about a girl who can tell the future through her dreams. How Kashf’s family exploits her for making monetary gain made us feel for her innocence throughout her journey.
The drama renders an unnerving, yet realistic portrayal of the Aastana Culture and Kashf’s individual journey was the shining element of the story. Her spiritual personality and a guy who loves her purely with his heart and soul made it a very different, yet intense love story. Tragedy always followed Kashf and her soulmate Wajdaan, but destiny bound them together eventually.
Kashf highlighted social issues in our society that must be addressed. Hoping other dramas can continue the story and right the wrongs committed in the name of religion and spirituality – a sensitive topic indeed!
Saraab – A Typical Family Drama Raising A Psychological Disorder:
Hoorain is a neglected child diagnosed with Schizophrenia. When her family refuses to understand her mental state, her love interest Asfandyar is a lone voice in the darkness for her. The typical family politics Vatta-Satta, Cousin Marriages, and Beti Ka Susral conspiracies took away from the central story, perhaps to get mass appeal for the drama (unfortunately). However the story in itself is impactful enough, with stunning performances so far by Sonya Hussyn and Sami Khan. Penned by Edison Idrees Masih and directed by Mohsin Talat, the drama tells us that every child needs equal attention but with individual care and respect.
Saraab is still on air so if you haven’t watched it, now is a good time to catch up!
2020 is nearing the end now, and we truly hope that the next year will bring peace, good health and tranquility in our lives. Meanwhile our Top 5 dramas are all yours – you have December to binge-watch what you’ve missed – 2020 still has a month on the calendar !
Well I personally feel that Sabaat despite being a game changer i-e showing a strong female character and getting the ratings, was a bit of a miss in equal parts, Miraal was another nand donned in western attire. To ealborate, Miraal’s track was shallow. And Saraab is a typical saas bahu. The list would have been better with Dushman – e Jaan, Ghissi pitti mohabbat and Mushk.
Sorry, disagree with your list. Alif and yehdilmera should be included. Yehdilmera even with its flaws was fantastic drama. Alif was a masterpiece.