It is no secret that Pakistani dramas have a widespread viewership, not just in their home country but all over the world where they tune in and follow our stories. When it comes to quality television content to consume in the subcontinent, Pakistani dramas do far better than Indian ones with relatable content and realistic portrayal of life and events. In fact, our dramas are the reason behind the revival of Lollywood as most new actors began their careers from the small screen.
Compared to drama series across the border, Pakistani drama’s are avidly followed for various reasons.
Relatable storyline
Most of our drama serials have a storyline that different audiences can relate to in one way or the other. Be it stories like Zindagi Gulzar Hai showing a simple yet strong woman like Kashaf Murtazawho belonging to a “middle-class” family, or stories revolving around serious social issues like Udaari and Dil Na Umeed To Nahi addressing the deep-rooted problems like patriarchy in villages as well as the urban side of town, even drama’s like Humsafar which tell a typical love-story; our drama’s tap all sorts of audiences with stories that relate to everyone on some level.
OST’s
Every Pakistani drama made has an OST which is solely produced to blend in with the theme of the show. Not only the storyline but the OST also manages to grab attention and gain millions of views. Examples can be seen in the form of Do Bol and Mere Paas Tum ho and how can we forget “Vo humsafar tha!”
Picturesque locations
Pakistani dramas have always been at the top of their game with their visuals. From international locations in Jackson Heights, Bilqees Kaur, and Alif, to showing the beautiful Northern areas of Pakistan in Diyar-e-Dil, Yakeen Ka Safar, and Ye Dil Mera, Pakistani dramas have always given location the due importance it needs and make the audience want to rush to those surreal locations.
Use of the Urdu language
Our dramas always make sure to make use of the Urdu language in the best and correct possible way there is. Known for its simplicity and beauty, Urdu is far easier to understand than Hindi, for example. Because of this reason, Pakistani dramas gain a huge fan following as audiences get to learn and appreciate the language spoken.
Dialogues
Writing a drama is never an easy task and when the dialogues become viral, that is when you know a drama is a sure shot hit. Pakistani dramas have given us many dialogues from time to time that can never be erased from our memories. From Humsafar‘s “Mummy yeh ap kya keh rahi hain?” To Suno Chanda‘s “Nawa katta khul gaya” and Meray Paas Tum Ho‘s controversial “Do takay ki aurat” and many more; the dialogues in our dramas are nothing short of iconic.
A way to connect to home
When people are away from home and settled abroad, and tune in to Pakistani shows, they are immediately transported back through the visuals, the language, and other aspects shown in dramas like the family bond, the family politics, the love of siblings, and parents.
Star power
As an industry, ours is not as huge as compared to international counterparts such as India or the west. The actors we see on the small screen are the ones we now get to see in our movies as well. So in this case, audiences do not have to wait to watch their favorites in just films. A recent example is how Maya Ali and Shehryar Munawar were off our televisions for some time and focused solely on movies. Now, we get to see them in the new drama serial Pehli Si Mohabbat. We can now catch our favourite stars on regular dramas as well.
Do not drag on
Last but not the least, Pakistani shows are made within a few episodes (30+) and do not drag on for years. Taking into account some of the 90’s favourite Star Plus dramas like Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kyunke Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, these dramas just never seemed to end. Generations died and new ones came in, but the dramas would somehow keep dragging to unrealistic points. Hollywood’s ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ is yet another such series that wouldn’t let go. On the contrary, Pakistani dramas keep it short and relevant while keeping the audience engaged. One can easily keep up to date with these dramas.
