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{{Short description|Pakistani television shows and dramas}}
{{more footnotes|date=August 2014}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}


'''Pakistani dramas''', or '''Pakistani serials''', are [[Serial (radio and television)|televised serials]] produced in [[Pakistan]]. Although most of the serials are produced in [[Urdu]], an increasing number of them are produced in other [[Pakistani languages]] such as [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Pashto language|Pashto]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and [[Balochi language|Balochi]]. One of Pakistan's oldest television dramas is the Urdu serial ''[[Khuda Ki Basti (TV series)|Khuda Ki Basti]]'', which aired in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1169324|title=Old but not forgotten: Top 10 Pakistani dramas to re-watch now|last=Ahmad|first=Bisma|date=13 March 2015|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|access-date=9 September 2019}}</ref> Pakistani dramas, like serials elsewhere, reflect the country's culture. According to critics, the decades of 1970s and 1980s are considered to be the golden age of Pakistani serials.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/why-turkish-soap-operas-are-a-hit-in-pakistan-20418|title=Why Turkish soap operas are a hit in Pakistan|website=Why Turkish soap operas are a hit in Pakistan|language=en|access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Humsafar.png|thumb|[[Humsafar]] was directed by [[Sarmad Sultan Khoosat]] and starred [[Mahira Khan]], [[Fawad Afzal Khan]] and [[Naveen Waqar]]. It was based on a [[Humsafar (novel)|novel]] written by [[Farhat Ishtiaq]] and was the [[List of most watched television broadcasts|highest-rated]] Pakistani television series of all the time.]]
A '''Pakistani drama''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|پاکستانی ڈرامہ}}}}) is a limited-run [[Serial (radio and television)|serial]] [[dramatic programming|drama]] popular in [[Pakistan]] and among its [[Pakistani diaspora|diaspora]]. Most Pakistani dramas are produced in [[Urdu]] as well as other [[Pakistani languages]].<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2697758/WEEKEND-ENTERTAINMENT-Drama-fence-Pakistani-soaps-TV-stars-fast-popular-Indian-couch-potatoes.html</ref>


In 2016, ''[[Dawn News]]'' senior subeditor Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui and journalist Shahrezad Samiuddin estimated that the five major entertainment channels alone, put together, produce around 80 dramas every year, with an average of 16 dramas per channel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Maleeha Hamid |last2=Samiuddin |first2=Shahrezad |date=26 June 2016 |title=The business of drama |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1266704 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204204048/https://www.dawn.com/news/1266704 |archive-date=4 December 2024 |website=[[Dawn News]]}}</ref>
==Format==
[[File:Pyaray-Afzal-1.png|thumb|[[Pyarey Afzal]] (Urdu: پیارے افضل, English: Dear Afzal) is a Pakistani romantic drama serial directed by [[Nadeem Baig]] and written by ''Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar''.]]
Pakistani dramas are known for being short and usually end after a run of less than one year. This makes them shorter than [[soap operas]], but still much longer than [[serials]]. Most Pakistani dramas are based on Urdu novels, however sometimes the story tends to deviate away from the novel in order to be television compatible. They have also been used repeatedly to transmit socio-cultural messages, by incorporating them into story lines. Traditionally, Pakistani dramas have been more appealing to women rather than men, however newer action dramas have slowly attracted younger male audiences in recent years and has overall helped in attracting a wide audience across the country.<ref>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/23/indian-tv-channel-show-pakistani-soaps</ref> Recent Pakistani dramas have evolved in the structure of their plots and in the themes they address. For instance, women are now seen having more non-traditional roles. Moreover, previously taboo themes such as divorce, sexual abuse and racism are now beginning to appear. Kissing on screen however is still considered unacceptable for Pakistani TV.


They have helped to attract viewers nationwide to television.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/23/indian-tv-channel-show-pakistani-soaps|title=Indians to get peek into daily lives of Pakistanis with new soap opera channel|first=Jon|last=Boone|date=23 June 2014|website=the Guardian}}</ref> The serials are watched in India and are popular in other [[South Asia]]n countries, including [[Afghanistan]],<ref name="geo.tv">{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/126730-The-Durand-Debate-Beyond-Boundaries-afghanistan-pakistan|title=The Durand Debate – Beyond Boundaries|website=www.geo.tv}}</ref> [[Bangladesh]]<ref name="tribune.com.pk">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/650893/bangladesh-government-to-ban-pakistan-tv-channels/|title=Bangladesh cable operators seek ban on Pakistani TV channels - The Express Tribune|date=26 December 2013}}</ref> and [[Nepal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/195864-Pakistanis-are-peaceful-hospitable-Nepalese-envoy|title=Pakistanis are peaceful, hospitable: Nepalese envoy|website=www.thenews.com.pk|date=31 March 2017}}</ref>
==Genres==
Pakistani dramas tend to fall within these six categories:


== Origin ==
*'''Middle-class melodrama''' set in urban regions and usually features a woman or man falling in love with one another and the hardships that follow.
Many Pakistani dramas are based on [[Pakistani literature|Urdu novels]] and in the subsequent years after 1969, many authors became television writers such as [[Umera Ahmad]] and [[Farhat Ishtiaq]]; both of whom have written content for [[Pakistani literature#Digests|digests]] as well as television serials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://herald.dawn.com/news/1153194|title=Read pray love: Inside the enigmatic world of Urdu digests|last=Asif|first=Haseeb|date=6 July 2015|website=Herald Magazine|language=en|access-date=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmer |first=Imtiaz |title=Pakistani dramas |url=https://greentvdrama.com/dramas/ }}</ref> In recent years, Pakistani dramas have increasingly begun to tackle social issues that are considered taboos.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/354672/tackling-societal-issues-through-televised-stories/|title=Tackling societal issues through televised stories|date=14 February 2019|website=Daily Times}}</ref>
*'''Rural drama''' set in rural regions and tends to me more traditional and tends to portray a poor woman or man who falls in love with a rich man or woman. This genre is usually noted for its simplicity and strong dialogues.
*'''Comedy drama''' have elements of comedy and drama, having both humorous and sometimes serious content.
*'''Historical drama''' usually portrays the life of a famous Pakistani in the past.
*'''Teen drama''' is a new genre which portrays the lives of teenagers and features [[coming-of-age]] related issues.
*'''Mystery/Thriller drama''' typically portray a major problem (death, disappearance, stolen money, kidnapping) which may tear couples and families apart.


==List of Pakistani dramas==
== Social impact ==
[[Feminism in Pakistan|Pakistani feminists]] are usually concerned about depiction of women in Pakistani drama TV serials, they receive many of those with skepticism & reservation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1531866|title=The contrite gender formula of Meray Paas Tum Ho and the portrayal of women in cultural scripts|last=Zia|first=Afiya S.|date=3 February 2020|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://nayadaur.tv/2020/01/10-problematic-things-about-meray-paas-tum-ho/|title=10 Problematic Things About 'Meray Paas Tum Ho'|last=Sarwari|first=Aisha|date=26 January 2020|website=Naya Daur|language=en-US|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> UK based Pakistani feminist Tasneem Ahmar, whose research institute focuses on the women-media relationships, complaints 99.99% of TV drama in Pakistan is misogynist, patriarchal medieval in its depiction and treatment of [[Women in Pakistan|women]] issues.<ref name=":52" /> Ahmar says there is no doubt that Pakistani Drama TV serials are hugely popular among all strata of Pakistani society, but unfortunately they waste their potential of doing better in projecting progressive values rather than regressive values of women's depiction & support to equal rights.<ref name=":52">{{Cite news|last=Sarfraz|first=Mehmal|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-good-women-and-bad-women-of-serials/article30831052.ece|title=The 'good' and 'bad' women of serials: How a Pakistan show has triggered debates on depiction of women on television|date=15 February 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=10 April 2020|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
{{see also|List of Pakistani television series}}


<!--In 2019-20 a TV drama series ''[[Meray Paas Tum Ho]]'' the serial which projects in conservative outlook towards limitations of [[Affair|extra marital relationships]] came at the backdrop of assertion of [[Aurat March|Women's rights movements]] in Pakistan. While largely conservative populace of Pakistan<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.com/mere-paas-tum-ho-makes-you-believe-a-man-can-be-so-good/|title="Mere Paas Tum Ho" makes you believe a man can be so good!|website=India Post|language=en-US|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref> overwhelmingly welcomed the TV serial; liberals & [[Feminism in Pakistan|feminists]] termed it as conservative backlash against assertion of their [[Human rights|rights]] hence controversial,''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/03/pakistani-women-are-ready-for-another-aurat-march-is-pakistan/|title=Pakistani Women Are Ready for Another Aurat March. Is Pakistan?|website=thediplomat.com|language=en-US|access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref>
===Notable dramas===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Pakistani dramas with the highest views of all time
|-
! Dramas !! Channel !! Date
|-
| [[Humsafar]]<ref>http://www.viewscraze.com/2012/03/03/humsafar-breaks-all-previous-records-last-episode-screening-throughout-the-country/</ref> || [[Hum TV]] || September 24, 2011 - March 3, 2012
|-
| [[Pyarey Afzal]]<ref>http://www.arabnews.com/news/514756</ref> || [[ARY Digital Network]] || 26 November 2013 – August 12, 2014
|-
| [[Khuda Aur Muhabbat]] || [[Geo Entertainment]] || February 17, 2011 – May 26, 2011
|-
| [[Zindagi Gulzar Hai]]<ref>http://www.speechofpak.com/zindagi-gulzar-hai-with-highest-rating/</ref> || [[Hum TV]] || 30 November 2012 – 24th May 2013
|-
| [[Aasmanon Pay Likha]]<ref>http://www.hamaralink.com/2014/03/highest-trp-pakistani-drama.html}}</ref><ref>http://reviewit.pk/aasmanon-pe-likhha-most-successful-play-of-2013/</ref> || [[Geo Entertainment]] || August 18, 2013 - 5th March 2014
|-
| [[Mera Naseeb]] || [[Hum TV]]] || April 1, 2011 – August 26, 2011
|-
| [[Mera Saaein]] || [[ARY Digital]] || November 21, 2010 – May 22, 2011
|-
| [[Durr-e-Shahwar]] || [[Hum TV]] || September 3, 2012 - December 10, 2012
|-
| [[Main Abdul Qadir Hoon]] || [[Hum TV]] || December 18, 2010 – May 21, 2011
|-
| [[Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan]]|| [[Geo TV]] || November 28, 2009 – May 22, 2010
|-
| [[Dastaan (TV series)]]|| [[Hum TV]] || June 26, 2010 – December 4, 2010
|-
| [[Bulbulay]]<ref>http://www.awamiweb.com/bulbulay-achieves-highest-ever-rating-of-a-comedy-series-33694.html</ref> || [[ARY Digital Network]] || October 22, 2008 – present
|}

==Music==
{{see also|Pakistani music}}
Original soundtracks, abbreviated as OST, are explicitly made for each series and plays an important role in Pakistani dramas. They are generally pre-recorded by [[List of Pakistani musicians|professional playback singers]]. OST have its own status in Pakistani dramas and play an important in enhancing the reputation and/popularity. In a drama, OST has been used for many purposes including heightening a situation, accentuating a mood, commenting on theme and action, providing relief and serving as interior monologues.

==Actors and Actresses==
{{see also|List of Pakistani actors}}
{{see also|List of Pakistani actresses}}

==Producers==
{{see also|List of television channels in Pakistan}}

==Awards==

[[File:Hum award.jpg|thumb|[[Fawad Khan]] receiving award from [[Hamza Ali Abbasi]] ]]

The annual [[PTV National Awards]] were presented by the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) to honor the best drama programs on Pakistani television of the preceding 12 months

The [[Lux Style Award]] ceremony is one of the most prominent events given for Pakistani Drama. The awards have been dubbed "Pakistan's Oscars" .

The [[Pakistan Media Award]] Over a year the ceremony garnered great attention due to the wide range of categories they presents for awarding.Pakistan Media Awards televised recorded in more than seven countries.

The [[Hum Award]] is reputed as an official ceremony of Hum TV. Hum channel present the awards only to its own channel dramas, but in Fashion and music, Hum honor all the artists from the country. Hum officially set this awards its annual event.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award !! Year of Inception !! Network
|-
| [[PTV Awards]]|| 1970 || [[PTV]]
|-
| [[Lux Style Awards]]|| 2002 || [[ARY Digital]]
|-
| [[Pakistan Media Awards]]|| 2010 || --
|-
| [[Hum Awards]]|| 2012 || [[Hum TV]]
|}

==Popularity==

===Pakistan===
Pakistani dramas have a cult following in Pakistan among the women and have recently also garnered the attention of men. [[Television in Pakistan]] is a growing industry.

===Kashmir===
Pakistani dramas have also gained a large following in [[Indian-administered Kashmir]]. The cultural affinity between the people of Pakistan and Kashmir and similar language ([[Urdu]]) has generated a huge response from Kashmiris.


Specially the script writer [[Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar]] got criticized for his misogynist views. Author Aisha Sarwari says drama convinces audience that it is okay to slur at and [[Slut-shaming|slut shame]] materialistic women, and this double standard is morally questionable since Pakistani society in general & bridegrooms in particular are known for [[dowry]] seeking and can not claim high moral ground vis a vis materialistic women.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=https://nayadaur.tv/2020/01/10-problematic-things-about-meray-paas-tum-ho/|title=10 Problematic Things About 'Meray Paas Tum Ho'|last=Sarwari|first=Aisha|date=26 January 2020|website=Naya Daur|language=en-US|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> While actually Pakistan is known for acid attacks, domestic violence, serious levels of [[Honour killing in Pakistan|honor killings]] of women even at suggestion of [[freedom of choice]]. Sarwari says sadly depiction is falsified far from real life and one won't find even in 1000 km of [[South Asia]] any very positive, patient and giving protagonist as depicted in the drama.<ref name=":02" />-->
==Popularity outside Pakistan==
{{also|List of Pakistani television series}}
===Middle East===
===Middle East===
The Pakistani drama [[Humsafar]] was dubbed into Arabic and aired on [[MBC]] under the name ''Rafeeq-Al-Rooh'' which means "soul mate" in Arabic.<ref>http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?218169-Pakistani-drama-Humsafar-(Rafeeq-Al-Rooh)-takes-the-Arab-world-by-the-storm</ref> <ref>http://reviewit.pk/pak-dramas-take-the-arab-world-by-storm-zgh-to-be-dubbed-in-arabic-now/</ref> It took no time for the show to gain immense popularity and only after a few episodes, became the most watched drama on the channel. In previous years, Pakistani dramas were not as popular in the Middle East due to language barriers and from the popularity of Latin dramas. However the new wave of Pakistani dramas have generated a large response and has appeared to have carved a niche for itself. Following Humasafar, [[Malaal]] and [[Zindagi Gulzar Hai]] were aired on MBC and again have generated a large response.
In 2013, the Pakistani drama ''[[Humsafar]]'' was dubbed into [[Arabic]] and broadcast by [[Middle East Broadcasting Center|MBC]] in the [[Middle East]] as ''Rafeeq-Al-Rooh''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?218169-Pakistani-drama-Humsafar-(Rafeeq-Al-Rooh)-takes-the-Arab-world-by-the-storm|title=Pakistani drama Humsafar (Rafeeq Al Rooh) takes the Arab world by the storm}}</ref> The show was immediately successful and, after its first few episodes were broadcast, became the channel's most-watched drama. Before this, Pakistani dramas were not broadcast in the Middle East. After ''Humasafar'', other shows such as ''[[Malaal]]'' (aired as ''Hob-Wa-Nadam''), ''[[Zindagi Gulzar Hai]]'' (aired as ''Asrar Al Hob''), ''[[Khaani]]'', ''[[Aisi Hai Tanhai]]'', ''[[Suno Chanda]]'' and several others were also dubbed into Arabic and broadcast by MBC.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cyberbullying drama Aesi Hai Tanhai gets an international release |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1180617/cyberbullying-drama-aesi-hai-tanhai-gets-an-international-release |access-date=7 August 2018 |work=Dawn |date=6 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/465044-feroze-khan-on-khaani-airing-on-saudi-arabian-tv |title=Feroze Khan on Khaani airing on Saudi Arabian TV |last=Shabbir |first=Buraq |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en|access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mashrqnews.com/post/141839/مسلسل-زفاف-بلا-زوجين-الحلقة-الاخيرة-زفاف-بلا-زوجين-الحلقة-30|title=مسلسل زفاف بلا زوجين الحلقة الاخيرة .. زفاف بلا زوجين الحلقة 30|last=نيوز|first=المشرق|date=2019-05-31|website=المشرق نيوز|language=ar|access-date=2019-06-02}}</ref>


===India===
===India===
Dramas such as ''Deewarein'', ''[[Waris (serial)|Waris]]'', and ''[[Jungle (PTV series)|Jungle]]'' were popular in India during the 1980s,<ref name = toi/> but the [[Government of India|Indian government]] has imposed a ban on Pakistani television channels in India.<ref name = toi>{{Cite web|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-looking-to-reverse-ban-on-Pakistani-TV-channels/articleshow/14877070.cms|title = India looking to reverse ban on Pakistani TV channels|date = 14 July 2012|access-date = 22 September 2014|website = timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher = Times of India|last = Parashar|first = Sachin}}</ref> In 2009, the [[Senate of Pakistan]]'s broadcasting division appealed to the [[Parliament of India]] to lift the ban. In 2012, India began debating whether to reverse the ban on Pakistani television channels. India assured Pakistan that it would consider a proposal by Pakistani foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani to lift the ban.<ref name = toi/>
[[File:Zee Zindagi Jodey Dilon ko Imran Abbas.jpg|thumb|Pakistani actor [[Imran Abbas]] at [[Zindagi (TV channel)]] Launch. ]]
Pakistani dramas have been hugely popular in India for a decades, even though the [[Government of India|Indian government]] has imposed a ban on all Pakistani TV for over 20 years now. In the late 1980s, Indians were noted for queuing up outside video shops to get their hands on Pakistani dramas like [[Dhoop Kinare]] and [[Tanhaiyaan]].<ref>http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/20065/india-should-lift-the-ban-on-pakistani-channels-before-attacking-pakistan-for-banning-indian-content/</ref> Many Indians were installing TV antennas in a bid to access [[Pakistan Television|PTV]] to watch Deewarein, Waris and Jungle and [[Alpha Bravo Charlie]].<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2014/0730/Why-do-Indians-like-Pakistani-soap-operas-so-much</ref>

In 2012, due to increased pressure from civil society, India began debating if it should reverse the ban on PTV as well as private Pakistani channels, both news and non-news, however nothing as of yet has taken place.<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-looking-to-reverse-ban-on-Pakistani-TV-channels/articleshow/14877070.cms</ref>


Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) launched an entertainment television channel, [[Zindagi (TV channel)|Zindagi]], on 23 June 2014.<ref name = ab>{{cite news|title=Bye-bye unending television dramas, welcome Zindagi|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news/Bye-bye-unending-television-dramas-welcome-Zindagi/articleshow/37520651.cms|access-date=22 September 2014|publisher=Times of India|date=1 July 2014}}</ref> The channel aired syndicated television shows from Pakistan, and has been well received.<ref name="Hindustan Times">{{Cite web|url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/television/zindagi-gulzar-hai-cross-border-love-on-screen/article1-1227084.aspx|title = Zindagi Gulzar Hai: cross-border love on screen|date = 7 June 2014|access-date = 22 September 2014|publisher = Hindustan Times|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140703124216/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/television/zindagi-gulzar-hai-cross-border-love-on-screen/article1-1227084.aspx|archive-date = 3 July 2014|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name = cb>{{cite news|title=Spotlight: A lifeline called Zindagi|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1114018|access-date=22 September 2014|work=DAWN.com|publisher=Asra Pasha}}</ref><ref name = z>{{cite web|title=Gear Up For Two New Shows On Zindagi|url=http://www.businessinsider.in/Gear-Up-For-Two-New-Shows-On-Zindagi/articleshow/38217298.cms|website=businessinsider.in|access-date=22 September 2014|last = Sharma|first = Nandini}}</ref> It has been criticized, however, for showing dramas with a smaller number of episodes. To appease viewers,<ref name="tvc">{{cite web|url=http://www.zeenews.india.com/entertainment/idiotbox/coming-up-new-hindi-channel-zindagi-june-23_155247.html|title=New Hindi channel Zindagi|publisher=[[Zee News]]|date=19 May 2014}}</ref><ref name = nn>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dawn.com/news/1122357|title = Zindagi channel treats Indian viewers to the best Pakistani dramas on offer|date = 30 July 2014|access-date = 22 September 2014|website = dawn.com|publisher = Dawn}}</ref><ref name = gg>{{Cite web|url = http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2014/0730/Why-do-Indians-like-Pakistani-soap-operas-so-much|title = Why do Indians like Pakistani soap operas so much?|date = 30 July 2014|access-date = 22 September 2014|website = csmonitor.com|publisher = The Christian Science Monitor|last = Nazakat|first = Syed}}</ref> the channel aired hundreds of Pakistani television shows since then including ''[[Aunn Zara]]'', ''[[Humsafar]]'', ''[[Pyarey Afzal]]'', ''[[Zindagi Gulzar Hai]]'' and ''[[Meray Paas Tum Ho]]''.<ref name="ab" /><ref name="cb" /><ref name="z" /><ref name = nn/><ref name = gg/><ref name="bb">{{Cite web|url = http://www.dawn.com/news/1119811|title = Zindagi Gulzar Hai: Pakistani drama serials win hearts in India|date = 17 July 2014|access-date = 22 September 2014|website = dawn.com|publisher = Dawn}}</ref> ''Zindagi Gulzar Hai'' became so popular that it was re-run one month after it ended its initial run in India.<ref name="bb" /> In September 2016, however, Zindagi dropped all Pakistani shows from their line-up. In this way, [[Zindagi (TV channel)|Zindagi]] came to its end on television.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/new-line-up-on-zindagi-has-no-pakistani-serials-3053535/|title=New Line Up On Zindagi has no Pakistani serials|publisher=Indian Express|date=29 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india.com/showbiz/zee-channel-zindagi-removes-pakistan-shows-announces-new-line-up-starting-october-3-1521365/|title=Zee channel Zindagi removes Pakistan shows, announces new line-up starting October 3!|publisher=India Today|date=29 September 2016}}</ref>
In 2014, [[Zindagi (TV channel)|Zee Zindagi]]<ref>http://www.dawn.com/news/1122357</ref> launched in India with the intention of airing syndicated shows from Pakistan. The channel has been very well received by the Indian public and among the most popular series are [[Zindagi Gulzar Hai]],<ref>http://www.zemtv.com/2014/07/22/popularity-of-pakistani-drama-zindagi-gulzar-hai-in-india/</ref>[[Aunn Zara]] and [[Maat]]. The recent surge in Pakistani dramas airing in India has created a whole new generation of Indian fans.<ref>http://reviewit.pk/simple-we-watch-your-films-and-you-watch-our-dramas/</ref> The drama [[Zindagi Gulzar Hai]] was so popular that it aired twice back-to-back due to immense popularity and demand.<ref>http://pakistan.worldnewsviews.com/2014/08/14/fawad-khans-zindagi-gulzar-hai-is-back-on-tv-by-popular-demand/</ref>


In July 2020, it was announced that [[Zindagi (TV channel)|Zindagi]] will make its comeback digitally and brand will come with its 5 original Web Series including ''[[Mrs. & Mr. Shameem]]'', ''Abdullah Pur Ka Devdas'', ''[[Churails]]'', ''[[Ek Jhoothi Love Story]]'' and ''[[Dhoop Ki Deewar]]'' along with some old and new shows from Zindagi Library.
According to "BizAsia", [[Humsafar]] managed to break the record on [[Rishtey]] for being the first non-film event to attract such a huge rating.<ref>http://www.tv.com.pk/news/maat-leads-popular-south-asian-tv-program-uk-last-sunday-270.html</ref><ref>http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/overnights-humsafar-gets-record-ratings-on-rishtey</ref> [[Aasmanon Pay Likha]] was another hit as well.


Some already broadcast television series and some of the recent years such as ''[[Diyar-e-Dil]]'', ''[[Mera Naam Yousuf Hai]]'', ''[[Mann Mayal]]'', ''[[Baaghi (TV series)|Baaghi]]'', ''[[Behadd]]'', ''[[O Rangreza]]'', ''[[Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi]]'', ''[[Shehr-e-Zaat]]'', ''[[Suno Chanda]]'' and many others started to premiere from July 2020 on [[ZEE5]] with a premium membership.
===Elsewhere===
The [[Pakistani diaspora]] is also noted for its hunger for Pakistani dramas and are now being aired on Asian channels in the [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]] and [[Canada]].<ref>http://www.apnahub.ca/entertainment-detail/pakistani-drama-humsafar-takes-the-arab-world-by-storm/#arvlbdata</ref>


[[Star India]] began airing of ''[[Mera Naam Yousuf Hai]]'' in 2015 on their channel [[Star Plus]] and thus becoming the channel's first ever Pakistani drama. The series was aired in India, UAE, USA, Ireland, UK, Austria, Europe, Canada and Latin America.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Mera Naam Yusuf Hai'' to hit the screens on Indian Channel|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1147642|publisher=Dawn News|access-date=7 March 2015}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Lollywood]]
* [[Pakistani theatre]]


As per research study of Pakistani popular drama conducted by Indian scholar Jyoti Mehra, North Indian audience gets a sense of cultural familiarity which they can relate to while watching Pakistani drama.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Mehra|first=Jyoti|date=2019|title=Analyzing Portrayals of Modern Women and Popular Culture in Television Soap Operas of Pakistan|journal=Media Watch |volume=10|issue=3|pages=628–684 |issn= 0976-0911 |doi=10.15655/mw/2019/v10i3/49678|s2cid=202532277|doi-access=free}}</ref> The study also gives credit to the content of Pakistani dramas for its comparative realism with fast pace, shorter duration and limited number of episodes for its acceptability among Indian audience.<ref name=":2" />
==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
===Other countries===
Pakistani dramas are shown in [[Afghanistan]],<ref name="geo.tv"/> [[Bangladesh]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://opinion.bdnews24.com/2014/08/12/on-pakistani-dramas-and-the-bangladeshi-mind/|title=On Pakistani dramas and the Bangladeshi mind - The Opinion Pages|date=12 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="tribune.com.pk"/> [[Nepal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1179118|title=Once upon a time in Nepal|first=Noman|last=Ansari|date=1 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/195864-Pakistanis-are-peaceful-hospitable-Nepalese-envoy|title=Pakistanis are peaceful, hospitable: Nepalese envoy|website=www.thenews.com.pk}}</ref> Pakistani television shows are aired on [[cable television]] channels in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Norway]], [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Turkey]] and [[Iran]] for the [[Pakistani diaspora]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apnahub.ca/entertainment-detail/pakistani-drama-humsafar-takes-the-arab-world-by-storm/#arvlbdata|title=Pakistani drama Humsafar (Rafeeq Al Rooh – رفيق الروح) takes the Arab world by storm!|date=8 November 2013}}</ref>


==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Dramatic television series}}
{{Dramatic television series}}
{{WorldTV}}


[[Category:Pakistani drama television series|*]]
[[Category:Pakistani drama television series|*]]
[[Category:Pakistan Television Corporation shows|*]]
[[Category:Pakistan Television Corporation original programming|*]]
[[Category:Soap operas]]
[[Category:Pakistani popular culture]]
[[Category:Television in Pakistan|*]]
[[Category:Television in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Television genres]]
[[Category:Asian drama]]
[[Category:Urdu-language television programming|*]]
[[Category:Punjabi-language television programming|*]]

Latest revision as of 20:49, 4 December 2024

Pakistani dramas, or Pakistani serials, are televised serials produced in Pakistan. Although most of the serials are produced in Urdu, an increasing number of them are produced in other Pakistani languages such as Sindhi, Pashto, Punjabi and Balochi. One of Pakistan's oldest television dramas is the Urdu serial Khuda Ki Basti, which aired in 1969.[1] Pakistani dramas, like serials elsewhere, reflect the country's culture. According to critics, the decades of 1970s and 1980s are considered to be the golden age of Pakistani serials.[2]

In 2016, Dawn News senior subeditor Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui and journalist Shahrezad Samiuddin estimated that the five major entertainment channels alone, put together, produce around 80 dramas every year, with an average of 16 dramas per channel.[3]

They have helped to attract viewers nationwide to television.[4] The serials are watched in India and are popular in other South Asian countries, including Afghanistan,[5] Bangladesh[6] and Nepal.[7]

Origin

[edit]

Many Pakistani dramas are based on Urdu novels and in the subsequent years after 1969, many authors became television writers such as Umera Ahmad and Farhat Ishtiaq; both of whom have written content for digests as well as television serials.[8][9] In recent years, Pakistani dramas have increasingly begun to tackle social issues that are considered taboos.[10]

Social impact

[edit]

Pakistani feminists are usually concerned about depiction of women in Pakistani drama TV serials, they receive many of those with skepticism & reservation.[11][12] UK based Pakistani feminist Tasneem Ahmar, whose research institute focuses on the women-media relationships, complaints 99.99% of TV drama in Pakistan is misogynist, patriarchal medieval in its depiction and treatment of women issues.[13] Ahmar says there is no doubt that Pakistani Drama TV serials are hugely popular among all strata of Pakistani society, but unfortunately they waste their potential of doing better in projecting progressive values rather than regressive values of women's depiction & support to equal rights.[13]

Popularity outside Pakistan

[edit]
See also: List of Pakistani television series

Middle East

[edit]

In 2013, the Pakistani drama Humsafar was dubbed into Arabic and broadcast by MBC in the Middle East as Rafeeq-Al-Rooh.[14] The show was immediately successful and, after its first few episodes were broadcast, became the channel's most-watched drama. Before this, Pakistani dramas were not broadcast in the Middle East. After Humasafar, other shows such as Malaal (aired as Hob-Wa-Nadam), Zindagi Gulzar Hai (aired as Asrar Al Hob), Khaani, Aisi Hai Tanhai, Suno Chanda and several others were also dubbed into Arabic and broadcast by MBC.[15][16][17]

India

[edit]

Dramas such as Deewarein, Waris, and Jungle were popular in India during the 1980s,[18] but the Indian government has imposed a ban on Pakistani television channels in India.[18] In 2009, the Senate of Pakistan's broadcasting division appealed to the Parliament of India to lift the ban. In 2012, India began debating whether to reverse the ban on Pakistani television channels. India assured Pakistan that it would consider a proposal by Pakistani foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani to lift the ban.[18]

Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) launched an entertainment television channel, Zindagi, on 23 June 2014.[19] The channel aired syndicated television shows from Pakistan, and has been well received.[20][21][22] It has been criticized, however, for showing dramas with a smaller number of episodes. To appease viewers,[23][24][25] the channel aired hundreds of Pakistani television shows since then including Aunn Zara, Humsafar, Pyarey Afzal, Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Meray Paas Tum Ho.[19][21][22][24][25][26] Zindagi Gulzar Hai became so popular that it was re-run one month after it ended its initial run in India.[26] In September 2016, however, Zindagi dropped all Pakistani shows from their line-up. In this way, Zindagi came to its end on television.[27][28]

In July 2020, it was announced that Zindagi will make its comeback digitally and brand will come with its 5 original Web Series including Mrs. & Mr. Shameem, Abdullah Pur Ka Devdas, Churails, Ek Jhoothi Love Story and Dhoop Ki Deewar along with some old and new shows from Zindagi Library.

Some already broadcast television series and some of the recent years such as Diyar-e-Dil, Mera Naam Yousuf Hai, Mann Mayal, Baaghi, Behadd, O Rangreza, Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi, Shehr-e-Zaat, Suno Chanda and many others started to premiere from July 2020 on ZEE5 with a premium membership.

Star India began airing of Mera Naam Yousuf Hai in 2015 on their channel Star Plus and thus becoming the channel's first ever Pakistani drama. The series was aired in India, UAE, USA, Ireland, UK, Austria, Europe, Canada and Latin America.[29]

As per research study of Pakistani popular drama conducted by Indian scholar Jyoti Mehra, North Indian audience gets a sense of cultural familiarity which they can relate to while watching Pakistani drama.[30] The study also gives credit to the content of Pakistani dramas for its comparative realism with fast pace, shorter duration and limited number of episodes for its acceptability among Indian audience.[30]

Other countries

[edit]

Pakistani dramas are shown in Afghanistan,[5] Bangladesh,[31][6] Nepal.[32][33] Pakistani television shows are aired on cable television channels in the United Kingdom, Norway, United States, Canada, Turkey and Iran for the Pakistani diaspora.[34]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ahmad, Bisma (13 March 2015). "Old but not forgotten: Top 10 Pakistani dramas to re-watch now". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Why Turkish soap operas are a hit in Pakistan". Why Turkish soap operas are a hit in Pakistan. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  3. ^ Siddiqui, Maleeha Hamid; Samiuddin, Shahrezad (26 June 2016). "The business of drama". Dawn News. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024.
  4. ^ Boone, Jon (23 June 2014). "Indians to get peek into daily lives of Pakistanis with new soap opera channel". the Guardian.
  5. ^ a b "The Durand Debate – Beyond Boundaries". www.geo.tv.
  6. ^ a b "Bangladesh cable operators seek ban on Pakistani TV channels - The Express Tribune". 26 December 2013.
  7. ^ "Pakistanis are peaceful, hospitable: Nepalese envoy". www.thenews.com.pk. 31 March 2017.
  8. ^ Asif, Haseeb (6 July 2015). "Read pray love: Inside the enigmatic world of Urdu digests". Herald Magazine. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  9. ^ Ahmer, Imtiaz. "Pakistani dramas".
  10. ^ "Tackling societal issues through televised stories". Daily Times. 14 February 2019.
  11. ^ Zia, Afiya S. (3 February 2020). "The contrite gender formula of Meray Paas Tum Ho and the portrayal of women in cultural scripts". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  12. ^ Sarwari, Aisha (26 January 2020). "10 Problematic Things About 'Meray Paas Tum Ho'". Naya Daur. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  13. ^ a b Sarfraz, Mehmal (15 February 2020). "The 'good' and 'bad' women of serials: How a Pakistan show has triggered debates on depiction of women on television". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Pakistani drama Humsafar (Rafeeq Al Rooh) takes the Arab world by the storm".
  15. ^ "Cyberbullying drama Aesi Hai Tanhai gets an international release". Dawn. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  16. ^ Shabbir, Buraq. "Feroze Khan on Khaani airing on Saudi Arabian TV". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  17. ^ نيوز, المشرق (31 May 2019). "مسلسل زفاف بلا زوجين الحلقة الاخيرة .. زفاف بلا زوجين الحلقة 30". المشرق نيوز (in Arabic). Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  18. ^ a b c Parashar, Sachin (14 July 2012). "India looking to reverse ban on Pakistani TV channels". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Times of India. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  19. ^ a b "Bye-bye unending television dramas, welcome Zindagi". Times of India. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  20. ^ "Zindagi Gulzar Hai: cross-border love on screen". Hindustan Times. 7 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Spotlight: A lifeline called Zindagi". DAWN.com. Asra Pasha. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  22. ^ a b Sharma, Nandini. "Gear Up For Two New Shows On Zindagi". businessinsider.in. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  23. ^ "New Hindi channel Zindagi". Zee News. 19 May 2014.
  24. ^ a b "Zindagi channel treats Indian viewers to the best Pakistani dramas on offer". dawn.com. Dawn. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  25. ^ a b Nazakat, Syed (30 July 2014). "Why do Indians like Pakistani soap operas so much?". csmonitor.com. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  26. ^ a b "Zindagi Gulzar Hai: Pakistani drama serials win hearts in India". dawn.com. Dawn. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  27. ^ "New Line Up On Zindagi has no Pakistani serials". Indian Express. 29 September 2016.
  28. ^ "Zee channel Zindagi removes Pakistan shows, announces new line-up starting October 3!". India Today. 29 September 2016.
  29. ^ "Mera Naam Yusuf Hai to hit the screens on Indian Channel". Dawn News. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  30. ^ a b Mehra, Jyoti (2019). "Analyzing Portrayals of Modern Women and Popular Culture in Television Soap Operas of Pakistan". Media Watch. 10 (3): 628–684. doi:10.15655/mw/2019/v10i3/49678. ISSN 0976-0911. S2CID 202532277.
  31. ^ "On Pakistani dramas and the Bangladeshi mind - The Opinion Pages". 12 August 2014.
  32. ^ Ansari, Noman (1 May 2015). "Once upon a time in Nepal".
  33. ^ "Pakistanis are peaceful, hospitable: Nepalese envoy". www.thenews.com.pk.
  34. ^ "Pakistani drama Humsafar (Rafeeq Al Rooh – رفيق الروح) takes the Arab world by storm!". 8 November 2013.
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