Pakistani dramas have always found ways to wow audiences around the world. From the Middle East to our eastern neighbours, our stories and shows have found an interested global audience despite political tensions and severed cultural ties. We now look at some of the reasons behind the popularity of Pakistani dramas in India:
Popularity of Pakistani Dramas in India: Acclaim from the Other Side of the Border
Pakistani dramas have often received acclaim and praise from the other side of the brother. Fawad Khan starrers Humsafar and Zindagi Gulzar Hai were particularly praised by Indian fans.
Tapping the Indian market has always been a goal for Pakistani producers and directors. Many ongoing serials have also found quite the audience in India.
Another show that is making headlines across the border is Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi starrer Tere Bin. The chemistry between the two leads and the contrasting ideology is portrayed exceptionally in the Abdullah Kadwani feature and is one of the reasons for the massive success of the drama.
Geo TV’s Qalandar is also a hit in the neighbouring country, with YouTube comments showering praise on the quality content.
Shared Cultural Similarities
One reason why Pakistani sitcoms and serials are gaining popularity with Indian audiences is the shared cultural similarities between the two countries.
Pakistani producers and directors have taken advantage of these cultural connections to make their content more relatable to Indian viewers. By incorporating similar cultural norms and customs, Pakistani shows can resonate with Indian audiences, making the viewing experience more engaging and enjoyable.
Stories Transcend Borders
Additionally, the traditional values portrayed in these shows, such as family unity, respect for elders, and charity, are universal themes that transcend cultural boundaries and can be appreciated by audiences of all backgrounds.
The success of Pakistani serials in India highlights the importance of cultural awareness and the potential for cross-cultural exchange to create meaningful connections between people from different countries and backgrounds. In fact, a quick YouTube search of hit Pakistani dramas, and you’ll find comments from people across the border sharing insights into how much they like the shows.
Grounded Narratives
While Indian TV serials are often criticized for their unrealistic plotlines, melodramatic acting, and lack of creativity, Pakistani serials offer a refreshing change with their grounded, character-driven narratives.
Pakistani shows like Tere Bin explore complex themes such as love, loss, family, and societal issues in a nuanced and realistic manner, which resonates with audiences across the border. Additionally, Pakistani serials often have shorter seasons, which allows for tighter storytelling and more focused character development.
Realistic Depiction of Romance and Love
Another key factor behind the growing appeal of Pakistani stories in India is their refreshing and unique take on romance. Pakistani dramas often depict romance in a more subtle and realistic way, focusing on the characters’ emotions and the development of their relationship, rather than relying on exaggerated gestures and grand romantic gestures. This allows for a deeper exploration of the characters’ motivations and personalities, which resonates with audiences in India.
Shorter Stories
Furthermore, Pakistani dramas are also known for their tight and focused storytelling. Rather than stretching out storylines for months on end, Pakistani dramas typically have shorter seasons, which allows for a more concise and impactful narrative.
This allows for more focused character development and an engaging storyline that keeps viewers invested and hooked. Indian dramas on the other hand have never ending storyline with changing characters which can be hard to follow for the audiences.
Longer Indian dramas often lead to a convoluted and confusing storyline, with multiple characters and subplots that can be difficult to keep track of.
Maybe, if Indian shows focused on telling a good story rather than getting ad revenue things would change!
Anyways, the success of Pakistani serials in India is a testament to the power of good storytelling and quality acting. As cross-border cultural exchanges are at a standstill, there is great potential for more collaboration and appreciation between the entertainment industries of both countries.
