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Tag: Pakistani dramas

  • Ameer Gilani releases his first song ‘Sabaat’

    Ameer Gilani releases his first song ‘Sabaat’

    Budding actor Ameer Gilani, who won applause for his role in the recently concluded Sabaat as Hassan Fareed, has launched his own YouTube channel where he released his first song titled Sabaat.

    Gilani has also penned the lyrics for the soulful melody as well as done its original composition. Meanwhile, the music video has been directed by Usman Mukhtar.

    Later, in an Instagram post, Ameer said that the song was in response to the love he has received from his fans.

    “Mere pyaaray doston,” said the actor. “Mein bata nahi sakta ke aap ka pyaar kitna special hai. Mein ne koshish ki hai ke likh ke bayaan karoon. I’m sure this represents the feeling of the entire team.”

    He also said that the song was a small gift from the team of Sabaat to their audiences.

    “Ek chhota sa gift humari taraf se. Ek aakhri baar Sabaat ke liye. Aap ka Aur humara saath ho Sabaat.”

    Sharing the song on his social media, Mukhtar said: “Guys check out this really cool music video I directed for Ameer.”

  • Three recent female performances in Pakistani dramas that left us shocked

    Three recent female performances in Pakistani dramas that left us shocked

    Pakistani dramas and their storylines are controversial and at times, phenomenal. Many recent dramas and characters have become so popular that they are the talk of every living room, Facebook and WhatsApp groups, with some viewers saying hai and some saying sahi kia!

    Through the years we’ve seen many female villains such as Naveen Waqar’s character in Humsafar as Sara, Ushna Shah as Nigaar in Balaa, Iqra Aziz as Nirma in Jhooti as Nirma and recently Sabeena Farooq as Zoya in Kashf. These characters have made their mark, but today we will be discussing three vamps who have left people speechless and fuming with anger.

    1. Faiza Hassan – Gohar (Nand)

    ARY’s Nand is all about the one, and the only sister-in-law Gohar, played by Faiza Hassan. Faiza has made a comeback after a long time and to see her play a negative character with such finesse is nothing short of a treat. She is not only convincing as Gohar but has actually made the viewer’s resent her character, which is a win as an actor.

    Gohar is a nightmare for anyone and everyone around her. First, she makes her brother Saqib (Shahroz Sabzwari) divorce his wife Rabi (Minal Khan) and later starts creating misunderstandings between her younger brother Hassan (Ayaz Samoo) and his wife Farwa (Maha Hasan). She also leaves her husband Jahangir (Aijaz Aslam) because of his financial status. Ultimately she goes back to him when he becomes rich and starts creating problems for Rabi who is now her husband’s second wife (OUCH)!

    It is only because of Faiza’s grip on the character that she has succeeded in showing the ugly side of a narcissistic woman who doesn’t mind ruining people’s lives because of her sadistic persona. She is envious and is probably a victim of her own weaknesses because she fails to see the good in people around her. She is so cruel and heartless to the extent that she manipulates her own son to use him against her husband.

    Read more – ‘Nand’: No shades of grey

    2. Sarah Khan – Miraal (Sabaat)

    Miraal, played by Sarah Khan, is a young arrogant woman belonging to a controlling and egotistical elite family. Her father Seth Fareed (Moazzam Ali Khan) is a wealthy businessman who supports her despite her selfish actions. Miraal’s mother (Laila Zuberi) and grandmother try to make her understand that she is on the wrong track but their advice falls on deaf ears. Miraal dotes on her younger brother Hassan Fareed (Ameer Gillani), who is somehow influenced by her. One fine day, he falls for and marries Anaya Aziz (Mawra Hocane), an ambitious, strong-headed, women’s rights activist studying at the same university as him – but doesn’t have the same financial background.

    When Miraal and Hassan’s grandmother dies, Miraal begins to feel disturbed and consults a psychiatrist Dr Haris (Usman Mukhtar). Her fiancé Ali runs away on their wedding day and dumps her leaving her shocked. On the other hand, her brother Hassan and Anaya get married against the wishes of his father and Miraal – Anaya was too poor to be part of the family.

    Meanwhile, Seth Fareed makes every effort to make Miraal feel comfortable and happy. Miraal hates Anaya, humiliates her several times and does whatever she could to kick her out of Hassan’s life. She also leaves her husband Dr Haris, who tried to help her before and after marriage. Destroying the lives of all four of them, she is blind to the fact that she is wreaking havoc on her own self as well.

    SPOILER ALERT: In the last episode she has an accident and her spinal cord is affected due to which she couldn’t walk. She then seeks forgiveness from those who she hurt and tries to redeem herself.

    Sarah has outdone herself with this character and did complete justice to a challenging role, villainous role, and with such class and elegance that she left all the other actors far behind. She turned out to be everyone’s favourite villian (and actor) in the drama.

    Read more – ‘Sabaat’ manages to tie up loose ends in a rushed finale

    3. Minal Khan – Nisha (Jalan)

    Nisha (Minal Khan) and Misha (Areeba Habib) are two sisters who belong to an upper-middle-class household. Nisha is a selfish girl who habitually wants everything that Misha has and Misha, who dotes on her sister, does anything that will make Nisha happy. Nisha gets engaged to her cousin Ahmer (Fahad Sheikh) who loves her intensely but after her engagement, Misha gets married to the super rich and handsome Asfandyar (Emmad Irfani).

    Nisha, seeing her sister’s expensive gifts and big house breaks her own engagement with Ahmer, accusing him of physically abusing her and plays the victim in front of Asfandyar to gain his sympathy.

    Meanwhile, Misha finds out she is pregnant but totally oblivious to her sister’s evil plans, invites her into her home to stay for a while. Nisha continues to estrange her sister from Asfand, luring him into liking her and finally succeeding. Asfandyar divorces Misha, who goes into premature labour and delivers a baby boy. Nisha, on the other hand, runs away from home and pushes Asfi to marry her asap. When Misha finds out that her sister is marrying her ex-husband, she lights herself on fire and dies. Nisha does not regret any of her actions and tries to secure her husband’s wealth.

    There is no way that you don’t hate Nisha but a part of you will admire her as well – the girl definitely gets what she wants and she doesn’t let anything stand in her way – not her fiancé, parents, or sister. She is so insensitive and heartless but utterly determined. Minal has done complete justice to the role, with every dialogue and expression. Can’t wait to see how this one ends.

  • Pakistani dramas are depressing, says First Lady Samina Alvi

    President Arif Alvi’s wife Samina Arif Alvi has said that Pakistani dramas depress her.

    In a recent interview with Independent Urdu, the First Lady said: “I don’t watch [Pakistani] dramas. I don’t know why but they make me feel depressed.”

    Mrs Alvi further said that she discussed this with a few people, including some female anchors and asked them why everything in Pakistani dramas revolve around affairs and weddings, upon which she was told that such subjects garner ratings.

    Disagreeing with this, the First Lady remarked: “Why don’t they make anything decent? People appreciate good and decent content.”

    Read more – Naumaan Ijaz slams Pakistani dramas for spreading negativity

    Mrs Alvi further said that whatever content will be shown on TV, people especially children will learn from it whether it’s good or bad.

    “Aap jis cheez per daalein gay, bachay ussi taraf jayen gay,” said the First Lady. “Dekhain aap jo bachon ki dikhain gay, woh wohi karein gay.”

    Mrs Alvi and her husband President Alvi have often praised Turkish drama Diriliş Ertuğrul in the past. When asked if she has seen the entire series, the First Lady said that she watched a few episodes during the COVID-19 lockdown.

    Concluding her remarks, the First Lady said that it is high time the content of Pakistani Dramas is changed, adding that she liked Diriliş Ertuğrul because it did not have any vulgarity.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGfTgHgJO-f/

  • Senator Faisal Javed Khan is writing a drama and it isn’t a saas-bahu saga

    Senior PTI leader Senator Faisal Javed Khan has revealed that he is writing a drama on the “basic problems of our society”.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, when asked to share details of his upcoming drama, Senator Faisal said: “There is no substance in our dramas. That is why I want to write one.”

    Elaborating further, the lawmaker said: “I have started writing the story. [It is based] on the basic problems of our society, such as sifarish (nepotism). It has become very common for people to say ‘My son is very smart’, ‘I knew someone, they got it done’. It has become a fashion statement when it is the wrong thing to do.”

    “We don’t think twice before lying or backbiting. Stealing has become normal. Bribing has also become very common. [People say] ‘My son was not getting his passport, we paid Rs500 and got it done’. It’s bribery! Bribery is wrong.”

    “These are the five topics around which my story revolves,” shared Senator Faisal further. “And it is the story of a teacher.”

    Concluding his answer, he said: “It will be really good. Insha’Allah when you will watch it, you’ll enjoy it.”

    Read more – Govt pledges to promote the film industry

    When asked which recent Pakistani dramas he watched and enjoyed, Senator Faisal revealed that he enjoyed Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat’s Dil Lagi and “loved” Meri Zaat Zara-e-Benishaan. Humayun and Mehwish are also Senator Faisal’s favourite Pakistani actors.

    “To be very honest, I haven’t as such watched the very recent ones,” he added. “But my top favourites are Nijaat and Chaand Grehan. I have DVDs of old dramas at home.”

    When asked about why Bollywood movies continue to trend on Netflix Pakistan despite being banned in the country, Senator Faisal said: “People used to watch them a lot before the ban too. But that’s not the problem, the problem is that it should be bilateral.

    “If we’re showing their content, they should show ours too,” he continued. “And we shouldn’t if they aren’t. They ban our [content] on their TV, cinemas, radio but here we were continuing to show theirs.”

    “It should be bilateral”, he concluded.

    Watch the complete interview here:

  • PEMRA bans ‘Jalan’ over ‘immoral’ content

    PEMRA bans ‘Jalan’ over ‘immoral’ content

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has ordered an immediate ban on ARY Digital’s ongoing drama Jalan, saying that the content of the drama goes against the “social and moral ethics of Pakistani society”.

    In a notification, PEMRA said that the content of Jalan goes against the values of the Pakistani society and that viewers and audiences have been strongly criticising the drama and its storyline. It further said that the channel and the drama’s makers had been repeatedly told to modify the script and content of the drama and bring it in line with Pakistani morals and ethics. But because they did not comply with PEMRA’s order and ignored its warnings, the regulatory body had no choice but to ban the drama under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance.

    Jalan is about two sisters Nisha (Minal Khan) and Misha (Areeba Habib). While Misha is the sweet and obedient sister, Nisha is a spoiled brat and wants to be better than her sister, so she sets her sights on her brother-in-law Asfandyar (Emmad Irfani) because he’s rich and good-looking. Ignoring the fact that her sister is married to Asfandyar, Nisha openly flirts with him and urges him to divorce his pregnant wife. Despite, its convoluted and twisted storyline, the drama trends on TV and social media every week.

    Earlier, in a notice issued on September 4, PEMRA had directed ARY Digital and the makers of Jalan to review its content and script and modify it in accordance with Pakistani values.

    In the press release, the media regulatory body said that it has been getting multiple complaints regarding the drama, its content and script through the Pakistan Citizens Portal, PEMRA social media accounts, and PEMRA call centres. It added that the content of the drama, especially the main storyline, is being strongly criticised by audiences on social media.

    “Audiences have strongly criticised the drama saying that it has made a mockery of sacred relationships,” the notification had read.

    PEMRA had also requested all stakeholders, including TV channels and production houses, to immediately review the content of their future dramas.

    “Regardless of the cost and time invested in the drama, if the content of a play is against national values and expectations of the audience, the play will be banned without any warning,” stated the press release.

    While the lead cast and makers of the drama have yet to respond to the ban, Fahad Sheikh who plays Ahmer in the drama, expressed his disappointment over the decision.

  • PEMRA directs ARY to review ‘Jalan’s’ content after multiple complaints

    PEMRA directs ARY to review ‘Jalan’s’ content after multiple complaints

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed ARY Digital and the makers of Jalan to review its content and script and modify it in accordance with Pakistani values.

    In a press release, the media regulatory body said that it has been getting multiple complaints regarding the drama, its content and script through the Pakistan Citizens Portal, PEMRA social media accounts, and PEMRA call centres. It added that the content of the drama, especially the main storyline, is being strongly criticised by audiences on social media.

    “Audiences have strongly criticised the drama saying that it has made a mockery of sacred relationships,” said the press release.

    Jalan is about two sisters Nisha (Minal Khan) and Misha (Areeba Habib). While Misha is the sweet and obedient sister, Nisha is a spoiled brat and wants to be better than her sister, so she sets her sights on her brother-in-law Asfandyar (Emmad Irfani) because he’s rich and good-looking. Ignoring the fact that her sister is married to Asfandyar, Nisha openly flirts with him and urges him to divorce his pregnant wife. Despite, it’s convoluted and twisted storyline, the drama trends on TV and social media every week.

    Similarly, PEMRA also banned the repeat telecast of Ishqiya and Hum TV’s Pyar Ke Sadqay saying that the content of the dramas is against the “morals” of society. Though both dramas have completed their prime time run, they are being re-aired at different times. The notification added that the dramas cannot have a repeat telecast on the ARY Zindagi or HUM Sitaray sub-channels either.

    Read more – ‘Pyar Ke Sadkay’: All’s well that ends well

    Furthermore, the regulatory body warned drama makers that if they do not oblige with their recommendations, PEMRA will take strict action under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance and stop the drama from being aired without any prior notice.

    Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance prohibits the broadcasting or re-broadcasting or distributing of any programme that PEMRA deems is against society values. The section states: “The Authority shall by order in writing, giving reasons, therefore, prohibit any broadcast media or distribution service operator from broadcasting or re-broadcasting or distributing any programme or advertisement if it is of the opinion that such particular programme or advertisement is against the ideology of Pakistan or is likely to create hatred among the people or is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order or is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility or endangers national security or is pornographic, obscene or vulgar or is offensive to the commonly accepted standards of decency.”

    PEMRA said that the channels have been repeatedly informed about viewers’ concerns regarding the content and have been directed to produce content according to Pakistan’s social, religious, social and moral values. It is pertinent to mention here that in June Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a video meeting with renowned writers across the country, urged them to promote family values and national identity through their writings and dramas.

    “As there was no improvement in the script of the dramas by the channels, a final instruction was given to the channels on August 18 to produce the content of the dramas in accordance with the values ​​of Pakistan,” read the press release.

    Read more – ‘Ishqiya’ ends on a bittersweet note

    PEMRA has also requested all stakeholders, including TV channels and production houses, to immediately review the content of their future dramas.

    “Regardless of the cost and time invested in the drama, if the content of a play is against national values and expectations of the audience, the play will be banned without any warning,” stated the press release.

    Watch The Current’s review on Jalan here:

    https://youtu.be/5hnENdVFBh8
  • Aijaz Aslam reveals he got hurt while shooting the suicide scene for ‘Log Kya Kahengay’

    Aijaz Aslam reveals he got hurt while shooting the suicide scene for ‘Log Kya Kahengay’

    Aijaz Aslam has shared that he got hurt while shooting for Log Kya Kahengay‘s suicide scene.

    Read more – ‘Meray phone kay darwazay hamesha khulay hain,’ Yasir Hussain tells colleagues

    Sharing the scene on social media, Aslam said that he got hurt while performing the scene because the harness broke and his neck “got stuck in the rope”.

    “Those few seconds were devastating,” said the actor. “My feet were numb and swollen, my throat was choked [while my head was] head spinning. I couldn’t swallow food for a few months.”

    He continued, “Those few seconds made me realise those who commit suicide go through such pain and agony and leave their families devastated forever.”

    The actor also appealed to his followers to take care of their loved ones “so they don’t reach the extreme point of no return”.

    The scene was not aired on television because of its sensitive content. However, it is part of the episode that has been uploaded on YouTube.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CD61xr-J8ca/

    Aslam in the drama plays Haseeb, a father of two, who loses his job and is buried under debt. He is unable to fulfill his family’s wishes and collapses under the pressure because of which he takes his own life.

    Read more – ‘Pyar Ke Sadkay’: All’s well that ends well

    Log Kya Kahengay also starres Faysal Quraishi, Saheefa Jabbar Khattak, Sakina Samo and Kinza Razzak. It airs every Saturday on ARY Digital at 8pm.

  • Three new drama serials are airing soon and here is everything you need to know about them

    As the season wraps up, so do many dramas and with the weather expected to change in the upcoming weeks, our TV screens will also witness the winds of change. Three new dramas –Mushk, Saraab and Prem Gali – are scheduled to air in the near future and their teasers have already dropped. Check them out below:

    Mushk

    Featuring Imran Ashraf, Urwa Hocane, Moomal Sheikh and Osama Tahir, Mushk is a layered love story. Speaking to a local media outlet, Ashraf said that “Mushk revolves around the concept of love, in all forms – good, bad and ugly. It presents a sharp contrast between good and evil.”

    He adds: “It is not a formula play, it has been created differently. The dialogues are very poetic.”

    The drama has been written by Ashraf himself and directed by Aehsun Talish (Suno Chanda, Ye Dil Mera). It also marks the return of Hocane to the small screen after a break of almost three years.

    https://youtu.be/8qyqg0zFv70

    Read more – ‘Family-friendly’ movies you should NOT be watching with your family

    Prem Gali

    Penned by Faiza Iftikhar (Akbari Asghari, Aunn Zara, Dil Lagi, Ranjha Ranjha Kardi) Prem Gali has been directed by Qasim Ali Mureed and features Farhan Saeed and Sohai Ali Abro in the lead. Not much is known about the drama except that it is a romantic comedy. From the teasers, it is also safe to say that Saeed is playing a similar character to that of Arsal in the superhit Suno Chanda.

    According to the director, the drama “will remind people of old school romance, where setting up a meeting with the beloved used to be a big task.”

    “It is a light-hearted project. We’ve tried to create something exceptional with major themes including love, family values, neighbourhood, etc,” he adds.

    It has been produced by Humayun Saeed under his production house Six Sigma Plus.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDg7_XVpcDx/

    Read more – The ‘Churails’ are coming to shake things up on August 11

    Saraab

    As the conversation on mental health gains traction, it is also being explored in more depth on our drama screen. Sonya Hussayn and Sami Khan’s upcoming drama Saraab aims to highlight schizophrenia and the plight of those suffering from the illness. It has been written by Edison Idrees and directed by Mohsin Talat.

    In an interview, Sonya said that the makers of the drama did thorough research on the project, including visiting mental asylums and rehab centres to understand the conditions of these patients, before beginning work on the drama so that it could be as realistic as possible.

  • Imran Abbas will soon be seen in an international film

    Imran Abbas will soon be seen in an international film

    Imran Abbas has revealed that he is working on an international film and will not be seen on television for at least the next year and a half.

    In an interactive question and answers session with his fans on Instagram, when a follower asked if he was growing his hair for a special project, Imran said that he is working on an international film. He added that although extensions can be added, “your own hair makes it feel different”. While the actor did not share further details on his upcoming project, it is likely that he is referring to the British feature film, titled The Trojan Horse, he had announced he will be doing back in May 2018. Imran had shared that he will be playing a spy in the film who is of Syrian-Morrocan descent.

    “I have many get-ups in the film and I will be seen in about six to seven disguises as I play the lead protagonist,” the actor had said. Filming for the movie was scheduled to begin in July 2018 but it appears that it might have been delayed.

    Later, when another follower asked when he will be seen next on television, Imran responded: “You won’t be able to watch me on TV at least for another one and a half year more (And even don’t know about after that either).”

    Meanwhile, Imran also joked that one of his recently concluded serials Jo Tu Chahy “kaafi farigh tha”. He added that this is what happens when you sign a project without reading the script.

    Read more – Imran Abbas defends himself after backlash on lion picture

    Imran also said that he is looking forward to watching Dil Bechara because it is his “moo bola bhai” Mukesh Chhabra’s first film and “the last film of the very talented Sushant Singh Rajput”. Dil Bechara released on Disney Hotstar on Friday and has become a huge hit. On the other hand, Imran has done several Bollywood films, the last one being Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in which he played Alizeh’s (Anushka Sharma) boyfriend.

  • Neelam Muneer’s ‘Bikhray Moti’ is not for the faint-hearted

    Neelam Muneer’s ‘Bikhray Moti’ is not for the faint-hearted

    Every now and then Pakistani dramas touch upon topics of social issues which highlight societal ills. The latest to do so is Bikhray Moti starring Neelam Muneer, Wahaj Ali, Yasir Nawaz, Samina Ahmed and Nausheen Shah. The drama, which airs on ARY Digital aims to highlight domestic and child abuse and exploitation. It is raw, unfiltered in a few places and honest which is why it makes a depressing watch.

    Ayeza

    Bikhray Moti is centred on Ayeza (Neelam Munir), the daughter of an abusive and misogynistic father (Waseem Abbas) who believes daughters to be a burden. He is ruthless and egotistical and doesn’t appear to care much about the women of his house. Ayeza’s elder sister Faiza (Nausheen Shah) is married to Zulfi (Yasir Nawaz), who is lafanga (useless person). Faiza and Zulfi have three children together and are expecting a fourth but due to Faiza’s weakness and years of abuse, she is unable to give birth to the child and passes away in the process. Before dying, she entrusts Ayeza to take care of her children and save them from their father, who will also not hesitate to use them for his gains. Ayeza vows to become independent and financially stable so that she can take care of them and fulfil the promise she made to her sister.

    After Faiza’s death, Zulfi takes his children back home much to Ayeza’s protests and hands them over to his mother (Samina Ahmed) because he can’t be bothered to take care of them. The children’s grandmother sends her elder grandson Jaanu to Hyderabad to work at Zulfi’s brother’s shop and decides to sell her teenage granddaughter Shehzadi to an older man in marriage.

    Read more – Naumaan Ijaz slams Pakistani dramas for spreading negativity

    On the other hand, Ahad (Wahaj Ali) is Ayeza’s childhood friend and neighbour who she loves very much and wants to get married to. He is the son of a maulvi sahab and wants to become an actor much to his father’s disapproval. Ahad also loves Ayeza and is willing to go any length for her. Wahaj has done a fantastic job as Ahad: he is soft-spoken, warm and gives a very measured performance which deserves an applause.

    Ahad

    Ahad and Ayeza plan to run away and get married. However, before that can happen, Zulfi’s manipulative brother and Ayeza’s father plot to trick Ayeza into marrying Zulfi. While the earlier episodes have been slow-paced, the latest one (Episode 9) was packed with action, masala and a lot of slaps to get the momentum going. Ayeza’s father abhors her defiant and independent nature and despite knowing Zulfi is useless, insists on getting his daughter married to him to teach her a lesson. Over the course of his career, Waseem Abbas has perfected the role of a heartless father and his performance as Ayeza’s father is no less.

    Given that the central theme of the drama is domestic and child abuse, there is a lot of it in the drama, in graphic detail. The honesty with which it is presented is a true reflection of society and is bound to shake you up, especially given how cases of child abuse have been on the rise in the past couple of years.

    While the lead actors have given solid performances, it is the child actors who stand out in the drama especially Jaanu. They have delivered brilliant performances and are so convincing that you end up feeling every emotion with them.

    Jaanu

    Bikharay Moti is not everyone’s piece of cake and takes a lot of courage to watch. Written by Edison Idrees and directed by Shahid Shafaat, it every Tuesday at 8pm on ARY Digital.