Television dramas are an excellent medium for creating awareness among the masses. Dejectedly, the contemporary TRP race has indulged the creators to spice up the dramas by extravagant sets, extortionate locations and ensemble cast. It is safe to state that the majority of dramas are oblivious of social concern. Only a few dramas of the present era create social awareness in a successful manner. Recently the two HUM TV dramas; ‘Parizaad‘ and ‘Laapata‘ addressed social issues prevalent in society.
‘Parizaad’
‘Parizaad’ is a HUM TV project which is written by Hashim Nadeem, directed by Shehzad Kashmiri and produced by MD productions. The cast of this show includes Ahmed Ali Akbar, Nauman Ijaz, Yumna Zaidi, Urwa Hocane, Tipu Shah, Leyla Zuberi, Syed Muhammad Ahmed, Ushna Shah, Mashal Khan, Nadia Afgan, Kiran Tabeer, Madiha Rizvi, Malik Hamid Raza, and many more.
Suicide Prevention Awareness
The third episode highlights the dilemma of suicide. It creates awareness pertaining to suicide prevention. In a particular scene, the male protagonist of the drama Parizaad, played by Ahmed Ali Akbar, devastated by his life, proceeds towards an approaching train in order to take his own life.
An anonymous person resting on the platform, named Ahmed Nawaz, thrusts Parizaad into reality through some powerful and poignant dialogues. He rightly mentions that suicide is nothing but merely a decision made by a person in the spur of the moment. If the person conquers this very fragile moment, they can defeat the suicidal thoughts altogether.
The character further makes the audience realize that a person trapped in suicidal thoughts only needs someone to listen to them. The male protagonist later realizes that it is indeed a matter of a weak moment.
The purpose of the scene is twofold. Firstly, it addressed those who have suicidal tendencies by making them realize that their life is far more worthy than a single weak instance that can render their families’ life devastated. Secondly, it urges the common people to be more vigilant of their surroundings and always help and listen to the victims of suicidal tendencies.
‘Laapata’
‘Laapata’ is another HUM TV project. This drama is written and directed by Khizer Idrees and produced by Momina Duraid. The show has acclaimed actors in the leading cast such as Ayeza Khan, Sarah Khan, Ali Rahman, Goher Rasheed, Asma Abbas and Rabia Noreen.
Female Education and Career After Marriage
The fourth episode of this project accentuates the true meaning of women empowerment and the role of a female in society after marriage. The protagonist of the show, Falak played by Sarah Khan, confronts her sister, who solely depends upon her husband for financial support despite the fact that she, herself, holds an MBA degree.
The scene advocates the need for women to work after marriage not only for the progress of the country but also for their own financial independence. Such type of awareness is highly crucial in our society as women often quit education after marriage and seldom pursue their careers.
The creators urged the women to have their own independent identities even after marriage and to work with their husbands side-by-side for the realization of their mutual dreams.
Social Responsibility
Pakistani dramas have humongous viewership. Viewers develop an emotive nexus with characters of their favourite shows, where they are strongly influenced by the characters in dramas. By virtue of this emotional bond, creators must advocate the social issues and create awareness through the powerful execution of storylines to ensure the television medium can contribute towards the betterment of society in the most effective way.
