Looking back at Pakistani drama industry

Without doubt, our dramas at present are getting  worldwide acclaim, especially in India and that's the reason they have dedicated a whole channel to broadcast only Pakistani content. But if we compare these dramas with what the industry use to offer in the past, we may find monotony in the scope of the story. For that reason we will discuss about some of the timeless drams of the past and offer you the contrast between eras.

Alpha Bravo Charlie:

No wonder this masterpiece by Shoaib mansoor is top on the list. From portraying the life of the army to addressing the international crisis in Bosnia, the drama had it all. The character he pulled out with "Shehnaz" truly depicts the meaning of a strong woman. Dialogues and situations were so simple yet strong that they still occupy our memory.  That was a drama intended for all and not for a specific gender. We are in dire need of scripts like ABC.

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Rahein:

No offence to Khawateen and other digests but since all writing is now dependent almost on digest writers, the trend of adapting good novels is diminishing quickly.  This drama was an adaptation of a famous Punjabi novel "Tanwan Tanwan Tara" by Manshanath. A review of Rahein will suggest you that no writer at present is paying heed to rural stories. A kabbadi player who got his leg cut by the opponents, a lover who turned into a criminal (Tauqeer Nasir), a girl who runs from home and ruins her life and a youngster who goes to the city for education and many more characters, will leave you mesmerized. The versatility of this drama will make you question about the one dimension urban stories of modern dramas.

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Angan Thehra:

The sitcoms are the real disasters these days. I cannot remember a single one from recent past to mention as a watchable affair. And if you are thinking about the "Bulbulay", I am sorry, you have poor taste. Yes, Hina Dilpazeer is awesome but one character is not enough. Anyways, after its commercial success, now we have "Rusgullay", "Jalabian" , "Pakode" and God Knows what. Now let’s go back and review the content of Angan Therha. The writer use to have a purpose and they made people laugh without automated laughters. An upright honest civil servant (Shakeel), obvious housewife (Bushra Ansari) and a cook plus servant (late Saleem Nasir) and words of Anwar Maqsood, made this one a legend. It was based on the true events, especially the character of Saleem. We so want something like it, enough of these mindless, loud and lousy sitcoms.

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Nijaat:

Google ongoing drama posters and find a difference between them, even their name sounds alike. How about addressing some real social issues faced by some real people? This takes me back to Nijaat. Atiqa Odho as a naive housewife delivering children without intervals and Nauman Ijaz as a lower middle class worker tensed and drained, delivered some memorable performances. The target audience of today's drama are women only, just like morning shows. Try to remember three characters in past five years like those I have mentioned. It will be hard.  

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Dhuaan:

Five friends trying to bring a positive change in the society; this simple and hard hitting plot is still people's favorite. Honest dialogues and good storytelling is what has gone missing in present times. This was one drama and that portrayed the life of a doctor, an engineer turned ASP, a businessman, a UN worker and a journalist, covering so many aspects of society unlike repetitive unending family issues.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UFv2JOCVaso" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>In present days, we have strong actors and good directors who create engaging situations with an average story and very weak writers. Dramas must not only be a source of time pass for housewives but an agent of change. Remember, kids, boys and men are out of viewership of dramas. Storytellers must bring them back.

Saad Goraya is a member of staff.

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