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Tag: Pakistani Drama

  • Meri Zindagi Hai Tu: When bad writing meets unavoidable chemistry

    Meri Zindagi Hai Tu: When bad writing meets unavoidable chemistry

    Another episode of Meri Zindagi Hai Tu and another twist of twists without any depth. The storyline is weak and repetitive and just plain boring, even though it tries so hard. But we can’t stop watching it because the chemistry between Ayra (Hania Aamir) and Kamyar (Bilal Abbas) is really so hot. So let’s be honest: we only watch it because it’s soapy, dramatic and just so bad.

     

    It’s like Emily in Paris isn’t it? Mindless, with no social messaging, just love and fighting for love, scheming and betrayal that makes it so spicy to watch. If this drama did not have a superstar cast, it would be termed as being one of the worst dramas of the year. So here we are again, accepting that we like a drama that sucks and will keep watching it to the end because it’s mindless fun.

     

    Come on, surprise surprise. Kamyar goes back to his bad boy ways, Fariha (Vardah Aziz) feels like her plan with Khawar (Ali Rehman Khan) is now successful and randomly she’ll get Kamyar and Khawar will get Ayra. But no, Kamyar is in Devdas mode and Ayra is grieving her loss of falling for the wrong guy. 

     

    Fariha and Khawar keep scheming as Kamyar says he doesnt remember the girl he was with in the video and then miraculously the girl lands up in Ayra’s hospital after a suicide attempt and Ayra helps her out because obviously, the girl goes into a coma. And can we please talk about how in all of this, Ayra is a doctor?

     

    Kamyar pops by with Fariha just in time to see Khawar with Ayra (obviously pre-planned by the evil F&K duo) and when Ayra’s dad finds out that Ayra and Kamyar have met over the suicide video girl, he announces that Ayra will no longer focus on her studies and marry Khawar. 

     

    Taking a breath here because wow, what a show and what really wild twists. It’s almost as if the writer got a few people together and said let’s think of the craziest story and then put them all together in one show. And that’s exactly what happened.

     

    And that’s it. We’ve written Meri Zindagi Hai Tu as a show that has any storyline worth following and it’s now a guilty pleasure you can have playing on in the background as you do your lanes and think about what a great couple Kamyar and Ayra make. 

  • There’s hope for Meri Zindagi Hai Tu

    There’s hope for Meri Zindagi Hai Tu

    The drama has hope and honestly, it’s because of Kamyar (Bilal Abbas) and Ayra (Hania Aamir) and their explosive chemistry. Episode 13 was as dull as could be with Kamyar helping Ayra with her exam, by convincing her professor to let her retake it. Until Ayra confesses her love. But before that, she starts daydreaming during this retake too and honestly, we would never want her to be our doctor because the professor says that he will still pass her because of Kamyar. 

     

    Obviously, since life is looking up for Ayra, she finally decides to express her love to Kamyar, and it really is the sweetest scene that gives the drama its spark. The dialogues don’t do either of them any justice but the acting, the lingering, the chemistry makes them shine. Said it before and saying it again: this drama is only a hit because of the hit pairing.

     

    Episode 14 took an interesting turn with both families agreeing to let Kamyar marry Ayra, Ayra’s family taking a stand and saying that whatever happens, even if they had agreed to let Ayra marry elsewhere, it is her choice that matters the most. But it comes with an ominous warning that might signal that this drama is not what it seems. 

     

    Ayra’s mother tells her that people don’t change and this ‘he’s changed’ that everyone was raving about in Kamyar, the reason why her father agrees to the marriage, and his parents as well, it might not last. 

    This twist is also signalled when Kamyar tells Ayra that he only changed because of her and if he did not have her in his life, he would’ve gone back to his ‘old ways’. Also, lets not forget, we might have written Fariha off, after she’s been told that Kamyar is marriyng Ayra, but she’s not the type to be taken so lightly and might also make a comeback.

     

    If it doesn’t then there is a lot more to this drama than what it seems. One wishes the dialogues were better but if the twist is so twisty, there is hope for the drama and the blockbuster it could turn into in the end. 

  • Pamaal’s big twist undercuts its own message and women deserve better

    Pamaal’s big twist undercuts its own message and women deserve better

    The major twist in Pamaal is here and it’s really not the one we wanted. The bad guy turns good because surprise, surprise the only way  an emotionally abused woman can leave a man is if the man dies, that too an early death with stage 4 cancer. Gone in 40 days, quite conveniently. 

    It’s just not the trajectory we hoped for, especially for Malika (Saba Qamar) who was supposed to find strength on her own, not because the pain was ‘tragically’ taken from her. We now have to feel bad for this guy who turned her into a beychari, albeit a rich beychari and she should be happy with that (right), and now he’ll have to die for her to find herself.

    Exactly the lesson we do not want women to learn. It is very, very clear in episodes 18-19 that Malika would’ve never left Raza (Usman Mukhtar), if fate had not given him cancer (that is also so advanced, he’s only got a few days to live).

    Would we want a Malika who will now make it on her own because of a dead husband or did we want the one who found herself even if he was alive?

    Obviously, the latter but it’s clear that we won’t get that because it is now emotional abuser Raza who is telling Malika that she needs to be stronger, more independent to take care of her child since he won’t be around anymore.

    Malika’s mother is no less obstinate, talking about how life ends when the husband dies and its almost like the first 15 episodes were a joke compared to what we are seeing now.

    It makes little sense that Saba Qamar would pick a drama that was going on a very different trajectory and is now turning into an entirely new one. Initially when we saw this drama it prompted women to relate to Malika, telling their own stories or stories of other women they knew who were feeling trapped in their marriages to controlling men.

    And all of a sudden the drama flips, Raza is a great guy with troubles not of his own making, Malika is the loving wife, and it’s such a contrast that we actually feel let down. 

    What remains to be seen is how Pamaal will recover from making Raza, the clear villain, the tragic hero and if women will now be able to relate because what we refuse to relate to is that to get out of an emotionally abusive marriage, it has to be fate that will help you – not yourself.

  • Money, obsession, and toxic love: Why Meri Zindagi Hai Tu gets it wrong

    Money, obsession, and toxic love: Why Meri Zindagi Hai Tu gets it wrong

    Let’s just get to the point. Stalking is stalking and romanticising it is not okay. Yes, Kamiyar (Bilal Abbas) is the hero, and yes, love between Kamiyar and Ayra (Hania Aamir) is what we all expect – and want – but not like this. It’s time, Pakistani drama industry stop selling crazy, stalker, rich men as the goal for the good, strong, independent girl. With dramas like Case No.9, Pamaal, and Jama Taqseem, we know that it’s possible to get ratings and views and not make girls want the actually bad, crazy guy.

    Episode six of Meri Zindagi Hai Tu this week showed puppy dog Kamiyar who would set his own million dollar car on fire if Ayra wanted it. Ayra is no less. The guy is hanging out outside her house like a crazy stalker in the night, and instead of being scared, her solution is to go out with him ‘to make him understand that she doesn’t want him’. I mean, who in the world thinks this is a good idea except her friend who knows that Ayra is secretly into this guy?

    And then in comes Kamiyar’s friend Faria (Vardah Aziz) who is also into him although he treats her like crap. And again, we do not go for guys that treat women like they are trash which is exactly what Kamiyar does with Faria. He only wants Ayra because Ayra rejects him, slaps him, berates him and that’s creepy enough on its own.

    Here is the dead honest truth: It’s the money isn’t it? The “only son of a super loaded, cybertruck-owning, huge mansion, doesn’t have to work for a living, doesn’t give a crap about his parents, and hello, buys things for above market value” lust that is doing it for this drama that instead of telling Ayra to run for her life, people are rooting for them to get together.

    Would they do the same if a ordinary guy was going around lighting cars on fire and sitting outside houses staring at windows? Highly doubt it.

    As money still reigns supreme for this Pakistani drama, nothing much is expected as Kamiyar helps resolve Ayra’s sisters marriage issues to win her favour, and writes down a list of things she wants him to change about himself – already a really bad warning sign when someone wants you to change something about themselves. 

    Ayra gives him a long list and he lovingly writes it down because Kamiyar is now going to become the non-smoking, office going, family loving boy that Ayra wants him to be, only so he can get together with her. 

    Only in dramas. And this one would’ve likely not done so well had it not been for the star couple. We’ll keep watching it for Haniya and Bilal but don’t expect much from the storyline.

  • Nauman Ijaz had one strict condition about Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar while joining drama cast

    Nauman Ijaz had one strict condition about Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar while joining drama cast

    Veteran producer Rashid Khuwaja has shared behind-the-scenes details about the casting of the drama Main Mar Gayi Shaukat Ali, revealing that acclaimed actor Nauman Ijaz had one strict condition before agreeing to join the project, that writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar would not be present on set.

    During a conversation on Vasay Chaudhry’s talk show Gup Shup, he talked about several things about the Pakistani media industry, from payments delay to his career as an actor and a producer.

    On a question about his drama Main Mar Gayi Shaukat Ali he revealed an interesting fact. “Nauman had read the script and said he loved the character,” Khuwaja recalled. “But he had one condition: he needed a guarantee that Khalil-ur-Rehman would not come on set.” Ironically, it was Qamar himself who had initially recommended Nauman Ijaz for the lead role, believing he was the perfect fit.

    Khuwaja said he conveyed Ijaz’s condition to Qamar, who surprisingly accepted it without objection. “Yes, I told this to Khalil, and he agreed. He didn’t come to the set at all,” he confirmed.

    The drama Main Mar Gayi Shaukat Ali’s cast includes Mona Liza, Nauman Ijaz, Kamran Mujahid, Kiran Haq, Farah Shah, and Kashif Mahmood. The story revolves around Rakhi and Shoka, a couple living in a rural village, and explores themes of love, the feudal system, and deep-rooted social structures in Pakistan’s countryside.

    Addressing the often headline-grabbing personal lives of actors, Khuwaja commented on the phenomenon of celebrities making news off-screen. “Those who are intelligent know how to stay relevant. If a romantic hero doesn’t have any stories of affairs or scandals linked to him, then he’s not really ‘happening’. This is something that happens everywhere, not just in Pakistan,” he remarked.

    Khuwaja also shared his love for cinema, mentioning that he enjoys both Pakistani and Indian films, with his all-time favourite being the cult classic Maula Jatt.

  • Makers of Biryani wanted me to look like Maryam Nawaz, Hina Rabbani Khar: Sarwat Gilani

    Makers of Biryani wanted me to look like Maryam Nawaz, Hina Rabbani Khar: Sarwat Gilani

    Pakistani actress Sarwat Gilani has revealed that the makers of the drama Biryani envisioned her character to resemble prominent political figures Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif and former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar.

    In a podcast with Something Haute, Sarwat shared behind-the-scenes insights into her character Gul’s styling and the creative choices that shaped the show.

    According to Gilani, the drama’s makers initially presented her with two reference images, one of Maryam and another of Hina as inspiration for Gul’s look. While she appreciated Khar’s grace and poise, calling her “a stylish and well-spoken politician”, she humorously rejected the idea of wearing heavy fabrics in the sweltering heat.

    “Maryam just comes out of her AC car, does meetings and goes back,” she quipped. “I couldn’t wear silk in June-July with sweat patches and stuff.”

    Eventually, she asked the team to visit her home and explore her personal wardrobe. “Luckily, they all liked it,” she said, confirming that most of what she wore on-screen came from her own closet but her appearance in the drama was mostly inspired by Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz.

    The actress also opened up about her return to television after seven years and the unexpected success of the show.

    Reflecting on her return to television after a seven-year hiatus, Gilani said she didn’t expect Biryani to become as popular as it has. “I think that wasn’t our intention. Our intention was to talk about some things in our society, especially cousin marriages and early marriages. We didn’t plan for it to become a hit but it did so well.”

    Biryani is a socially-driven drama that explores themes of forced marriages, women’s agency and complex family dynamics. Sarwat Gilani’s nuanced performance as Gul has been widely praised for its emotional depth and authenticity, marking a strong return to television for her.

  • Mira Sethi rejected a role in Main Manto Nahi Hoon because of Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar

    Mira Sethi rejected a role in Main Manto Nahi Hoon because of Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar

    Mira Sethi, who never shies away from taking a strong stance on feminism, has shared that she rejected a role in the highly talked-about drama Main Manto Nahi Hoon because of its infamous writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar.

    Qamar is widely known for his controversial and often regressive views about women. His conservative and, at times, disrespectful portrayal of women in scripts has often sparked criticism across the board, especially from progressive voices in the industry. Mira Sethi is among those who strongly disagree with his ideology.

    In a recent conversation, Sethi revealed that she had been offered a significant role in the drama, the one now being portrayed by Sanam Saeed. “I was offered a role which now is being played by Sanam Saeed. I was so tempted because it would have been Humayun Saeed, Sajal Aly and myself and I have worked with Sajal before in Kuch Ankahi. But because of the writer of the show, I just thought to myself if I go on and do this role, despite speaking out so much about feminism, what’s the point? The writer says very strange and troubling things about women. And I was very tempted to do the drama. Even some of my very progressive friends told me, ‘Just do it quietly.’ But I said no, I didn’t do it,” she said.

    She went on to share that she is currently working on other projects. “I am doing a drama with Mehreen Jabbar, and it will be televised in November. It is hard to say no because then you miss out on opportunities,” Sethi added during a women’s rights event.

    When asked whether she fears being “cancelled” for taking a stand, Sethi responded: “I think people are tired now, and I think they know who I am. I wrote a book called ‘Are You Enjoying,’ and there’s a line in it that says, ‘Television is a way of enhancing the inner truth of the host.’ I’m not a host, but there are certain vibes of a person, people get what you stand for. Maybe they’ll come for me again. What should I do then? I’ll see.”

    Main Manto Nahi Hoon is the talk of the town with a script penned by Qamar and stellar cast including Humayun (Manto) and Sajal (Mehmal). Sanam Saeed plays a pivotal role in the series, which has gained significant attention for its intense storyline and powerful performances, as well as the ongoing debate surrounding its controversial writing and plot.

  • Shamoon Abbasi says his name was omitted from Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi writing credits

    Shamoon Abbasi says his name was omitted from Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi writing credits

    The ongoing horror-comedy drama Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi has garnered praise from audiences for its refreshing take on an experimental genre. However, a controversy has surfaced surrounding the creative ownership of the show. Actor and filmmaker Shamoon Abbasi has publicly claimed that the story, screenplay, and even the title of the serial were originally his creation, yet he was not given any official credit.

    In a detailed Instagram post, Abbasi revealed that he conceptualized Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi with the intention of directing it himself. He stated that he developed the story from scratch, dictated the scenes and plotlines to a writer, and worked on the screenplay for four months. Despite this, the official credits list Syed Nabeel as the writer, with no mention of Abbasi’s contributions.

    “Would like to thank all the audiences around the world that are liking my serial Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi (title also given by me), as well as my story and screenplay. The serial is being liked by a large audience,” Abbasi wrote.

    He went on to express disappointment over the lack of acknowledgment, emphasizing that even the script copies distributed to the cast have his name written on them. “I wish the creators had the courtesy to mention my name… if not now as the director who created this amazing project to direct it, but at least as the screenplay writer,” he said.

    Abbasi made it clear that his post was not meant to start a feud but to raise awareness about the situation. “This post is for awareness purposes only. It’s not a fight or challenge to anyone who wants to pick a fight, mind it! Because if that was the case, I have all the rights and evidence to provide in multiple ways,” he added.

    Despite the dispute, Abbasi expressed satisfaction that his concept resonated with viewers and brought a much-needed change to what he described as a “stale, stinky drama industry.”

    “JKSUKS is my thought and it proves that my stories are connecting with the audiences. Alhamdulillah,” he concluded.

    As of now, the producers of Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi and the credited writer Syed Nabeel have not responded to Abbasi’s claims.

  • Sidra Niazi shines in hilarious horror comedy Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi

    Sidra Niazi shines in hilarious horror comedy Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi

    In a refreshing departure from traditional melodramas, Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi brings a delightful blend of horror and comedy to Pakistani television, and at the heart of this whimsical tale is a powerhouse performance by Sidra Niazi.

    Known for her emotive portrayals of sensitive, often vulnerable characters, Niazi now proves her versatility by stepping into a role filled with comic timing, suspense, and unexpected depth.

    Directed by the acclaimed Saife Hasan and penned by the celebrated writer Syed Nabeel, the drama is anything but ordinary. It tells the bizarre yet wildly entertaining story of Zara (played by Sidra Niazi) and her husband Asad (Arsalan Naseer), who move into a haunted mansion after the sudden passing of Asad’s father. In his will, Asad’s father stipulates that the couple must live in the eerie haveli — valued at a staggering 800 million rupees, if they wish to claim their inheritance, they will have to live there for six months. Tempted by greed, Zara convinces her husband to take the plunge into the unknown.

    The narrative kicks off with the couple arriving at the house under the pretence of visiting Asad’s unconscious father. But the twist of fate soon reveals their new reality — an ominous mansion, inhabited by vengeful jinns with a mission to drive them away.

    From the very first scene, Sidra Niazi seizes the spotlight. Her expressive face, comedic timing, and ability to switch between fear, frustration, and sarcasm give life to Zara in a way that is both engaging and hilarious. One standout moment comes when a clock’s hands begin to move on their own. As Zara panics, her reactions are nothing short of brilliant, a perfect balance of slapstick humor and genuine fright that leaves viewers in stitches.

    In another now-viral scene, Zara is seen crying while cutting onions in the kitchen, only to turn around and discover that the chopped onions have miraculously returned to their original state. A jinn, disguised as her husband, questions her about the situation. Confused and exasperated, she insists, “I even cried because of those onions! How could they be whole again?” The scene, though absurd, is carried with such natural flair by Niazi that it feels oddly believable — a testament to her growing mastery as an actress.

    While the drama officially stars Wahaj Ali and Sehar Khan in leading roles, it is Sidra Niazi who is winning hearts and headlines. Her performance has been widely praised by fans and critics alike, with many applauding her for breaking out of the “crying daughter-in-law” stereotype that so often plagues women in Pakistani serials.

    The mansion itself becomes a character. A dark, sprawling, and cinematically haunting, it adds layers of suspense that contrast wonderfully with the script’s sharp humor. The jinns, determined to scare the couple out of the house, devise increasingly ridiculous and spooky tricks, giving the drama its signature eerie-comedy flavor. As viewers, we find ourselves equally amused and unnerved — a rare feat for a Pakistani television drama.

    The ensemble cast also includes stellar names like Romaisa Khan, Laiba Butt, Syed Jibran, Irfan Motiwala, and Tamkenat Mansoor, each contributing to the drama’s offbeat yet captivating atmosphere.

    For audiences weary of recycled saas-bahu clichés, Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi offers a breath of fresh air. The dialogues are witty, the cinematography is visually stunning, and the direction keeps the pace crisp without sacrificing the story’s heart.

    Sidra Niazi has steadily built a name for herself in the Pakistani drama industry. Before this genre-defying role, she was lauded for her performances in dramas like Qayamat, Zakham, and Badzaat, where she played more emotionally intense characters. However, Jinn Ki Shadi Unki Shadi has firmly cemented her as a multi-faceted performer capable of leading both dramatic and comedic narratives with finesse.

    In this fantastical new drama, Niazi will definitely going to get the best actress in a comic role, viewers’ choice award.

  • Saima Noor drops nostalgia bomb with dance on her own song in Main Manto Nahin Hoon

    Saima Noor drops nostalgia bomb with dance on her own song in Main Manto Nahin Hoon

    Veteran actress Saima Noor has gone viral after performing a dance sequence in the latest episode of the most-talked drama of these days, Main Manto Nahin Hoon.

    The drama has garnered a strong following due to its captivating yet controversial storyline. During the onscreen festivities of Sajal Aly’s wedding, Saima, who plays Sajal’s aunt, was seen dancing to a song from her own monster hit Punjabi film from the 1990s Majajan.

    The nostalgic moment caught fans by surprise, as Saima brought her iconic cinematic dance style to the television screen. She is joined by several other women, including veteran actress Saba Faisal, who briefly dances alongside her.

    The inclusion of a classic film song and Saima’s signature dance moves added a unique flair to the drama and sparked lively reactions on social media. Many praised the actress for gracefully blending her film persona into a television role and bringing a touch of cinematic nostalgia to the small screen.

    While Main Manto Nahin Hoon continues to draw in viewers, this particular scene has become a standout moment.

    The drama stars Humayun Saeed as a university professor and Sajal Aly as his student, with romantic tension between their characters forming a central plotline. Sanam Saeed also features as a fellow university professor, while Azaan Sami Khan plays a negative role.

    The story further explores a longstanding feud between the families of Sajal Aly’s character, led by Asif Raza Mir, and Azaan Sami Khan’s character, played by Babar Ali, adding layers of conflict and drama.

    With its mix of romance, rivalry, and now a touch of retro glamour, Main Manto Nahin Hoon continues to remain a hit despite critical panning.