We have had some great performances this year. As we are nearing the end of 2021, we thought why not share our favorite performances from this year with you guys? Here is a list of mind-blowing roles from our talented actors that have struck a chord with us!
There were characters & roles that blew us away this year with tear-jerking performances, heartfelt portrayals, and dialogues that resonated with the audiences!
Tell us which ones are the nearest to your heart!
1. Yumna Zaidi as Allah Rakhi aka Sumbul in Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi
Yumna, you took this one up as a challenge, and you aced it! Allah Rakhi’s journey to becoming Sumbul brought tears to our eyes. Sumbul trying to shed the only self she knew and recall Allah Rakhi made us comprehend that some changes cannot be undone fully. Yumna mirrored the triumph of the human soul, where her torment touched our hearts, her honesty and determination inspired – Yumna’s body language and expressions as Sumbul were key to how magically she connected with her audience. Well done Sumbul! A powerful narrative from writer Amna Mufti, delivered with grace & immense talent!
2. Wahaj Ali as Jamshaid (Jimmy) Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi & Riz in Ghisi Piti Mohabbat
Wahaj treated us to 2 widely diverse roles this year – the carefree Riz & the sensitive Jamshaid. He delivered both characters with exceptional sensitivity. We felt Riz’s vibe onscreen & the shades of grey in his character added miles to the role.
Jamshaid (Jimmy) in Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi created a huge impact despite the fact that the grown-up Jimmy as Wahaj appeared for the first time halfway through the serial. Wahaj created an impact from the first entry – the point at which he recognizes Allah Rakhi was a mind-blowing moment, performed beautifully by Wahaj.
3. Ramsha Khan as Samia In Ghisi Piti Mohabbat
Ramsha Khan carried the narrative through from episode one to the final call in a performance that traversed multiple relationships – each one shining through to show us a side of Samia that women could relate to. From the compromising young wife of Riz to the woman who went into a relationship with eyes wide open (Basharat) to becoming worldly-wise with Uzair.
Samia mirrored the trials of a working girl who supports her family to battling challenges and negativity on multiple fronts in her life. Her fall from dignity, her sense of hopelessness, and then her rise yet again were depicted so beautifully by Ramsha, who carried us through a roller coaster journey in a narrative that was intelligently mapped out by writer Fasi Bari Khan.
4. Imran Ashraf as Musa In Raqsebismil
Imran Ashraf depicted the transformation from devout, religious to devotedly in love; from egotistical rage to peeling off layers from the character of Musa with incredible impact. His suffering, repentance & intense emotions, portrayed through his tone & expressions took the audience on a journey of self-discovery. His chemistry with co-actor Sarah Khan kept audiences invested in a slow & steady spiritual romance – well-played Imran!
5. Sonya Hussyn as Hoor in Saraab
Sonya depicted a Schizophrenic patient with intense feeling & sensitivity, gifting us with a performance of a lifetime. Hoor’s disturbing reality, her challenges, her isolation, and then gradual recovery, was portrayed so aptly by Sonya – it added miles to the mental health debate, our responsibility as bystanders, and the role of society as a whole. Saraab is an intelligent narrative from writer Edison Idrees Masih where Sonya did full justice to the role. She was supported beautifully by co-actor Sami Khan.
6. Omair Rana as Zulfi in Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi
Omair Rana kept us guessing to the end. Zulfi was played so subtly, yet with so much impact, that we wanted, desperately, to discover that he leans towards the positive. But, Omair didn’t let on till the final episodes, keeping us invested in a role that touched multiple shades of grey. Well done Omair, you won over audiences as you walked Zulfi’s journey and took us along with you.
7. Hadiqa Kiani as Sakina in Raqeeb Se
Sakina was Hadiqa’s debut performance, and what a performance it was! In Sakina, we saw the transformation of a woman, the lack of self-esteem, the discovery of self-worth, and the honest emotions of a simple woman who struggled to come to terms with her reality. Hadiqa, you mirrored the finer shades of Sakina with a brilliance that made your debut performance one that any talented performer would be proud of! Mind-blowing storytelling from Bee Gul made Sakina’s character, a woman whom many might relate with, so apt was the character portrayal by Hadiqa!
8. Faryal Mehmood as Insha in Raqeeb Se
Faryal did complete justice to a character that was beautifully penned by Bee Gul and beautifully portrayed onscreen as Insha. Her inner rage directed at her mom, sense of deprivation from her father, anger towards Ameera & then a womanly love of, respect, and understanding for Sakina was heart-touching. Faryal embraced the strong girl role, the honesty of Insha in the face of a torn relationship, and the sense of self-reliance in the face of adversity. Insha gave us goals to aspire to. Well done Faryal, there is an Insha hidden deep inside many young women, and they rooted for you right till the end.
9. Noman Ijaz as Maqsood Sahab Raqeeb Se
Noman Ijaz proves yet again that he can slip into character so believably that we cannot imagine him as anyone other than Maqsood … but only till the next role comes along! Noman struck a fine balance between gentle, assertive, old-world charm, and authoritative. He played a different aspect of his personality when addressing all the women in his household – a hypnotic performance that pulled us in to grasp every dialogue & take in the wholesomeness of the character who was Maqsood – dreamy, real, inspiring, and yet, so very human!
10. Sania Saeed as Hajra in Raqeeb Se
Hajra, you were a finely balanced poem set to the most subtle musical composition – vulnerable one moment, strong the next, fiercely defensive at times, and surrendering at others. Sania Saeed caught the many moods of Hajra in a beautifully hypnotic performance that will go down as one of her best in Pakistani dramas to date.
11. Iqra Aziz as Ameera in Raqeeb Se
Iqra gave us a performance that was so finely balanced. From attempting to seduce Maqsood Sahab, to toying with Kashif. From testing Sakina & Insha to addressing Rafiq Abbay with total control, Iqra blew us away with this one. Her interactions with Maqsood Sahab were perhaps, the crowning glory of her character portrayal. Iqra, you gave us multiple shades of Ameera, and we loved each one of them!
12. Affan Waheed aa Meerab in Shehnai
Affan played a vastly unorthodox male character – Meerab was not your typical Pakistani dominating male who expected his women to fall into line. He was courteous, sensitive, considerate, and non-judgemental. His word of honor struck an old-world charm, unreflective of the present day male leads. Often, he would deliver emotions through expression & posture. Yet, Meerab won audiences’ hearts & we rooted for him till the final episode. Affan had to play this one, often with minimal dialogues, across 2 female co-stars who were much more assertive than him, yet, he nailed Meerab and delivered an endearing character portrayal on screen!
13. Dur e Fishan as Aimen in Pardes
Dur e Fishan as Aimen took over the audience’s sympathy and love from the first appearance. Her feeling of deprivation, her fear of life repeating itself, her attempt to make peace with her circumstances, yet harbour a sadness inside melted many hearts. Dur e Fishan, you aptly portrayed the multiple emotions that Aimen struggled with, your performance resonated with many young women in similar circumstances – a very sensitive character portrayal indeed!
14. Sarmad Khoosat as Ahsan in Pardes
Sarmad bowled us over with Ahsan’s affectionate, sensitive and touching portrayal of a father, husband, son, and brother. It was so heartening to see him portray gentle male roles we crave onscreen, the regret of decisions made early in life, and the coming to terms with harsh realities. Ahsan won us over with gentleness, his journey spoke to us in touching ways, and many among the audiences resonated with his sense of despair. Sarmad, you made us feel Ahsan’s pain in Sarwat Nazir’s narrative. Many could relate to Ahsan’s emotions.
15. Shaista Lodhi as Zubaida in Pardes
Shaista played Zubaida ever so gently. We connected with her sense of hopelessness and despair, her goodness, and her self-sacrificing nature – many women saw themselves in her. Her life principles were goals to aspire to, and her emotions were tangibly tear-jerking. Shaista Lodhi, welcome back onscreen! We hope to see more of you in 2022.
16. Sheheryar Munawar as Aslam in Pehli Si Mohabbat
Sheheryar delivered Aslam’s transformation from a carefree, young lover to an intense, and then a mature Aslam over the course of the narrative. He emoted at just the right moments, his rage, his tears, his remorse, and then his silent coming to terms with circumstances allowed audiences to traverse a wide range of emotions – each intense, tangible and challenging. Well done Sheheryar, we felt Aslam every step of the way.
17. Rabia Butt as Nargis in Pehli Si Mohabbat
Nargis stole the words from our hearts, she mirrored our hypocrisies and wisely rose above them. Nargis’s thoughts & life principles, perspective on relationships, inner strength, and pureness of heart are goals we aspire to achieve. Rabia jee, you won us over in a mind-blowing performance that spoke volumes. Due credit must be given to writer Farhat Ishtiaq for penning a character that resonated with many women in our society. Rabia played Nargis with a heart and soul that was brutally honest, poetically tragic, and so utterly truthful that it garnered insurmountable respect from Pakistani audiences.
Please Note: Dramas that screened their last episode in 2021 have been considered for nomination in FUCHSIA Awards this year.
2021 is WAHAJ ALI YEAR
Wahaj Ali has given us back to back mind blowing bestest performances in each of his character, making them so believable , loveable and unforgettable
Riz of GPM
Jimmy of DNTN
Basim from ISHQ JALEBI
Hamza from FITOOR
Rumi from JBG
He nailed each of the above character
He needs more recognition and awards
I’m so happy to see that he has huge fan based pages and they are appreciating his remarkable performances and acknowledging his craft
We should show appreciation and encouragement to all such good fine actors