Ramadan is not only a month of fasting and prayer but also a month of entertainment for families across Pakistan. Ramadan shows and serials have been a staple in the country’s television industry for years, providing a perfect blend of family-friendly humor, drama, and romance.
These shows are a great way to bring families together during the holy month and enjoy quality entertainment together. While some may argue that the quality of Ramadan sitcoms has declined in recent years, there’s no denying the success of classics like Suno Chanda, which captured the hearts of millions with its relatable characters and witty humor.
Despite the changes, these shows remain a beloved tradition and a highlight of the Pakistani television landscape during the holy month of Ramadan.
Fans Left Disappointed with Ramadan Shows
Fans and families are visibly disappointed this year with Ramadan sitcoms. The trends show in general viewer interest on Social Media platforms and YouTube. Although the cast and crew of post-iftar sitcoms have done a reasonably good job, fans were left with a lot to desire. Tere Aany Se, Heer Da Hero, Chand Tara, and Fairy Tale are the premier sitcoms airing this Ramadan season on Geo and Hum, and while the shows are pretty good, they are not worth the hype.
Don’t get us wrong, if viewed on a standalone basis, the shows would have been a hit, however, with changing tastes and expectations, it is time for the dramas to evolve.
Lack of Creativity in Content
One of the primary reasons for this is the lack of diversity in the content. Most Ramadan sitcoms revolve around a joint family, and the storylines almost always include a cousin marriage between a bubbly and young female character and a sensible and mature cousin. While this trope may have been popular in the past, it is no longer relevant to the evolving tastes of the Pakistani audience, who are looking for more unique and unconventional stories.
Lack of Original Humor
Another reason for the decline of Ramadan sitcoms is the lack of original humor. Ramadan sitcoms often rely on Punjabi paindu tropes and jokes that have been used repeatedly in previous years. While these jokes may have been humorous in the past, they have become stale and repetitive, leaving the audience bored and uninterested.
Moreover, the humor in these shows often relies on sexist and regressive themes, which do not resonate with modern audiences. The portrayal of women in these shows is often one-dimensional and stereotypical, further limiting their appeal.
Dragged Stories
The dragged storylines in most of these sitcoms are also a major turn-off for the viewers. Instead of keeping the storylines tight and fast-paced, the writers and directors drag the storylines to fill up airtime, leading to a loss of interest among the audience.
Rise of Alternative Streaming Services
Another factor contributing to the decline of Ramadan sitcoms is the rise of streaming services. With the availability of diverse and high-quality content on platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, viewers have more options than ever before. The same audience that would sit down to view TV shows post-Iftar three to four years ago cannot wait to view their favorite shows on mobile once they break their fast.
How to Improve?
For Ramadan shows to become relevant again, they must show they care about their audiences. And what better way for artists to engage their audiences then churning out content that is relatable.
Unwillingness to evolve can make the shows redundant, and after losing a significant share of the urban audience, they could also end up losing out on rural audiences too. Experimenting with different scenarios and trying different ideas could be the one thing that can set them on their way for revival. Till then they’ll have to stay content with depleting audiences and irrelevant humor.
