In an era where the Pakistani film industry is still struggling to win the audience’s praise, drama serials have already taken the stage. Unlike Indian dramas which are hugely dragged with the plot twist and the limelight on every character, our drama deserves the pinnacle.
They talk about reality and play a pivotal role in schooling us with untold lessons of life. The stories talk about the happenings in Pakistan and are highly relevant to the Pakistani audience. So, like me, if you’re also a huge fan of Pakistani dramas and looking for the best hit serials of the past then allow me to recommend the list to you.
Have no doubts because this list is from someone who’s a huge Pakistani drama fan since it started getting in shape.
The Must Watch: Dastaan
Based on the novel by Razia Butt, this is a telltale of the partition between the subcontinent. For us, life has been all about our challenges, miseries, and happiness but the people who were affected by the partition don’t have anything theirs. They fought for their identity, for a separate state, for their honor and dignity. This is a must-watch for all, a perfect concoction of love, fear, courage, and patriotism. The major part of the story is centred around Bano who is so dedicated to Pakistan that she won’t compromise anyone shattering it. Rated 8.8 on IMDB, it has become one of the most iconic dramas of Pakistan television to date.
Based on Real-Life Events: Akhri Station
Pick out any Khoosat productions and you would be inspired by his storytelling that identifies the rotten spots of our society. Baaghi and Akhri Station are the two best among all his heart-winning stories.
This story is centred around Sanam Saeed a.k.a Tehmina who becomes a mental health patient since the day she saw her mother giving up her life by jumping off the rooftop. She got married later but depression was killing her gradually. From psychiatrist to serene nature views and to giving birth to a child there was nothing that could help her out.
But her life takes a twist when she met a group of women traveling with her on the same train. Episode by episode these women shared their depressing tell tales and listening to them helped Tehmina free her mind from depression. Now, who were these women?
The common women of our society were tortured, abused, prostituted, acidified, and abandoned by their men. The only thing that was common between these 7 stories was the Pain each of them went through. The stories were an emotional ride and even after a long time, I can feel the tears while writing about it.
The Cost of Speaking Up: Cheekh
Cheekh has a strong storyline and the plot is bolded by the brilliant acting of Saba Qamar who fights till the end for her friend’s justice who was sexually abused and thrown off the building by her brother-in-law. During her battle of truth, she lost everything; her mother, husband, and even her unborn baby but she didn’t give up. The story is long dragged but the lessons it left for us are remarkable. Ranks third to the list, it’s a silhouette of justice and Allah’s mercy on the one who chooses the right path.
When Lust & Luxuries Blindfolded You: Dil Mom Ka Diya
Dil MKD is another megahit release under the umbrella of ARY Digital. The story revolves around the narcissist girl who hardly found anyone compatible with her looks. Her father tied her knot with the middle-aged man who according to her was the beast with beauty. Although he was rich by heart and did his best to please his wife she never thanked God and always cursed her life for being his wife. The story is a lesson for those who follow their wishes blindly and want everything in their hands. If you won’t be grateful for the blessings, you’d be left with deprivation and regrets for the rest of your life. Summing it up, this tale has a lot to teach us. I’m wondering to watch it again so I can be nourished with the lessons one more time.
If You’re an Optimist Then: Zindagi Gulzar Hai
ZGH is a super hit TV serial broadcasted on HUM TV. The story is about a middle-class girl Kashaf who is always complaining about her life miseries to Allah. Her father abandoned them because the mother bore three daughters and not a son. Being the elder sister of the family, she took the pledge to better their financial situation. During her university life, she met a boy Zaroon who was the center of attention for everyone but he can’t bear the fact that a middle-class girl like Kashaf would straightforwardly ignore him. But silently, he was attracted to her intelligence and found her different from other girls. Later their paths met and then their fortunes. This story is a perfect example for the ones who think daughters can’t be equal to sons and aren’t capable of achieving big. This one is celebrated across the borders as well and sums up to the IMDB ratings of 9.0 successfully.
The Consequences of Social Media: Aesi Hai Tanhai
The story of a university couple who were desperately in love with each other but fall on a weak point. The boy Hamza challenged her love that if she trusts him, she shouldn’t be conscious of sharing her private photos with him. The girl Pakeeza was about to surprise her with the private photos in her phone but to her dismay, the snatchers take off her phone, and pictures spread like scent in the air which later become a shame for her. From abandonment by her real family to rape, and torture, there was nothing that wasn’t waiting to welcome her. The reason why I’m listing it in best Pakistani dramas is because the plot is highly relatable to the youth of today. It gave me goosebumps that what can happen if we involve ourselves in forbidden relationships.
A Tribute to Marium Mukhtiar: Ek Thi Marium
A short documentary depicting the life of the brave and courageous fighter pilot Marium Mukhtiar who embraces martyrdom in the line of duty. She’s a girl embodied by patriotism to Pakistan and was dedicated to her dreams at the peak that she achieved it. Presented by the brilliant acting of Sanam Baloch, this documentary is another bow down to the Khoosat production. You can draw the lessons of Consistency, Bravery, Patriotism, and strong will from this admirable documentary.
The Masterpiece: Khaas
Another Sanam’s Baloch megahit serial who gets married to the one and only son born with the golden spoon. His parents kept him pampered to an extent that he hardly feels anyone good other than himself. He feels proud of demeaning her wife in public and make her feel bad about her. Despite all, Saba tried to make the relationship work but later realized that she had caught the wrong end of the stick. In these circumstances, Ammar’s best friend Fakhar becomes the emotional support for Saba. Treating women as an object is the worst thing a man can do. Our religion Islam has laid emphasis on women’s dignity. Hence, disrespecting them is totally discouraged and this drama is the best example of that.
A Tale of Child Abuse: Udaari
This story receives a sensitive topic of our society’s child abuse. The girl is sexually harassed by her stepfather and was tongue-tied to utter a single word about it. She grew up with the torture by his stepfather and shattered to pieces when he saw her father living the life of freedom despite all the ill acts he had done to her. The story left us with a strong message to speak up when you’re victimized, raped, and tortured. Never zip your mouth.
There’s a facebook group Soul Sisters Pakistan where you’re encouraged to speak up. We should have more organizations and leaders like these who uplift women to talk about their sufferings.
A Trailblazing Success: Ranjha Ranjha Kardi
It’s an odd love story of a sweeper’s daughter Noori, played by Iqra Aziz, and a mentally challenged boy Bhoola, played by Imran Ashraf. The plot takes a drastic turn when Noori and Bhoola were tied in the knot of marriage. It also talks about marital abuse and the factors women have to bear when they have people like Bhoola in their lives. Rated 9.1 on IMDB this one has gained recognition globally.
Some Others I’d Like to Add
It’s a story of a 35-year old, elegant painter who’s also a mother of a 15-year old daughter. But her husband treated her as an unnecessary woman on earth and always devalued her beautiful artistic skills.
Story of a manipulative woman who wants everything to be hers and doesn’t want to share her husband with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Last Thoughts
Well, these are the dramas that have ruled their eras and are still the center of attention because of their incredible storyline and lessons it left for us. And they all have one thing in common that women are the subject of every drama where they are tortured, killed, murdered, harassed, abandoned, and ill-treated.
When will the time come in Pakistan where the women will be empowered, appreciated and applauded for standing up for themselves and the drama industry will be moulded to showing a strong empowered woman, WHEN?
The reason why I’m sharing these dramas is that they have a lot to school us and they deserve to be there. If I’ve missed your favourite ones, you can add in the comments below. And I’ll be happy to discuss the plot with you.
Do you agree with my list or prefer adding more?
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I prefer books and diaries more than phones and Facebook. Soulfully connected to Pakistan. And I passionately believe that I can change the world through blogging.
