The new drama coming up on the block in the post Eid line up is none other than the story of young people struggling to grow up amidst a generation gap, family issues and college shenanigans, all under the hard to beat bonding of college friendships that last beyond the college gate, for sure.
While many college dramas have reached the screen earlier, bringing with them, a host of teen problems, relationship dynamics, youth challenges and a hint of comedy, each has carried its own flavor and met with reasonable success. It is therefore, anticipated that the College Gate narrative will have its finger on the pulse of college going youth, their struggles pertinent to their personal, campus and family life.
While the trailer seems promising, it does essay the age-old glimpse of fathers’ vs sons – the disciplinarian versus the young, carefree, jee le apni zindagi vibe that could be called cliched but perhaps, will resonate with many who are experiencing this phase in life.
What is significant is the gaping generational divide that the drama seems to highlight, with young people and their parents living together under one roof, yet disconnected from each other, leading, more often than not, detached lives.
What will make it click with a diverse audience base is the ability to represent our youth in ways that are relatable and real with issues that exist presently in the youth diaspora and also, do it in a manner that is both engaging and sensitive.
Too much to ask for?
Well, such is the nature of competition and audience attention spans that only the best will slip through. We are hopeful that the show will manage to bring together the many complexities and challenges of our youth, casting will stay true to the characters and characters will grow into household names, their lives infiltrating our conversations and their issues, raising a point of dissent or relevance.
Yes, any drama that promises a refreshing take on age old problems will carry with it, great expectations, and we’re about to find out very soon if this one will make it to our prime-time watch as the trailer rolls out a 2-minute sneak peek into what lies ahead.
The Setting & Feel
Generous overhead shots and scenes from the college campus make up the primary backdrop of the drama. The building is no doubt, appealing to the eye, with lots of green, vast spaces for the direction to have a ball with the camera lens and the trailer teases us with glimpse into the lives of the students accompanied a voiceover that gives throwback feels to an era when the college campus, young friends and life on campus was the one place where freedom began and … ended.
Lots seems to be happening at College Gate as each character presents his or her own set of life challenges. Nevertheless, we hope there is an element of comic relief to cover us after the end of Ramazan season!
Here’s the team behind College Gate
Green Entertainment, a soon to launch TV Channel is behind the narrative of College Gate. The drama is produced by A & F Productions in association with Multiverse Entertainment, directed by Fahim Burney, written by Ateeq Inayat and Ali Sikandar, and executive produced by Fasih Ur Rehman.
The drama features a mix of young and seasoned talent – Zarrar Khan, Natalia Castillo Shahid, Khaqan Shahnawaz, Hina Chaudhry, Mamia Shajaffar, Shuja Asad, Washma Fatima, Nouman Kahout and Asad Chaudhry, Usman Peerzada, Javed Sheikh, Saba Hameed and Nadia Hussain among others.
Will the show manage to give us real insights into what really ails our youth? Will College Gate promise a new, young, refreshing look at the same old life problems? Well, we’ll have to wait and see!
