These Progressive Pakistani Dramas A Must-Watch

Progressive Pakistani Dramas: When we talk about Pakistani dramas, what attract us are the crispness of the plot and the engaging concepts they showcase.

The dramas do not believe in extending the story beyond a certain limit just to reach a milestone of 'the longest running show' or something. Other than that, the subtle background score and poetic language also capture our attention. Most importantly, the on point acting and progressive themes make us want to go back to them again and again.

Beyond Saas Bahu

The women in Pakistani dramas are not the 'sanskari bahus', we are used to seeing. They are liberated with an identity of their own. Their lives don't start with and end on their their husbands. Just like all other South Asian countries, women have their own battles in Pakistan too but they don't let bitter experiences take the better of them. Instead they fight back and don't give up.

Asghari from Akbari Asghari is a woman brought up in London. She is independent, outspoken and clear about her decisions. Brilliantly played by Humaima Malick, Asghari challenges the narrow mindedness prevalent in South Asia and knows when and where to raise her voice. Kashaf from Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Dua from Ehd-e-Wafa also represent strong and opinionated women, contrary to the meek and submissive ones.

Gripping Content

Things like reincarnations, the return of the dead or black magic never happen in Pakistani dramas. The characters don't find their doppelgangers just to bring about a twist. Nor do the spirits of the deceased haunt their house. Also, we don't find them believing that religion rules their lives. Their belief or disbelief in the Almighty is not a parameter to judge their nature. The issues they deal with are real life situations we can all relate to. Religion as a factor is not even mentioned in most of the serials. A gripping story line is enough to keep the viewers glued to the show.

Focus on Social issues

Kankar deals with the issue of domestic violence and how a woman raises her voice against the wrong doings. The main theme in Mujhay Jeene Do is child marriage but it also focuses on other economic and social problems Pakistan faces. The tele film Behadd essays the psychology of a teenager when she sees her single mother falling in love with a man much younger than her. At the same time, it also proves that age difference in a relationship shouldn't be a taboo. Jackson Heights gives us insight into the lives of Pakistanis living abroad. The reality they face is completely different from the comfortable life they had imagined. These are some of the progressive themes the dramas present us with.

Pakistani dramas thus act as a mirror to the social realities. They don't force us to believe in things which are improbable. Nor do they stereotype Muslims as repeating Subhanallah and Mashallah after every other sentence. Soap Operas like Beintehaan and Qubool Hai have given us a wrong notion about the religious community. What they speak does sound graceful but not stereotypical and fabricated.

What are your views about the progressive themes we find in Pakistani dramas?

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