Every year an abundance of dramas are released on Pakistani television with different narratives and plots. Some gain recognition from the critics for excellent storytelling while others win the rating game and few are able to do both. Despite this large influx of projects, we rarely see dramas catering to our younger audience. This trend has resulted in the young generation of our country turning to Netflix and other streaming platforms to fulfil their entertainment needs.
It is only now that we have started seeing a trend with the release of new dramas that have stories with which the young audience can resonate and we all get a break from saas-bahu drama or love-triangle tragedies. We have compiled a list of 5 currently airing dramas that the young generation can tune in on television for an entertaining watch.
Standup Girl
If you are a fan of the Amazon Prime Video series ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Pakistani Green Entertainment’s new project, ‘Standup Girl’ might just be for you. We are not claiming that ‘Standup Girl’ is the desi version of the show, though it’s worth a watch. Instead of Mrs. Maisel who finds her passion for standup comedy after her husband leaves her, we have our very own Zara who faces an identity crisis following her mother’s death and the revelation that she has relatives from her maternal side, whom she has never met.
Written by Awais Ahmad and Adeel Afzal, under the script supervision of none other than Bee Gul and a directorial venture of Kashif Nisar, ‘Standup Girl’ is a romantic dramedy that marks many firsts. The drama follows Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui’s character Zara who dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian and a charismatic rap singer, played by Danyal Zafar.
What spiked our curiosity to watch ‘Standup Girl’ was of course the novel storyline. The drama ventures into an entirely new territory which has not been explored in the context of Pakistani television dramas or films. Essentially the story is about two creative artists and the challenges they face in pursuing their passions. It talks about the real issues that an artist encounters, such as Danyal’s character going through a phase of creative block, thus making it a perfect watch for an aspiring artist or anyone who wants to unwind.
22 Qadam
The passion for cricket is what unites us as a nation. If you are a Pakistani, I refuse to believe that you would have never sat through at least one cricket match in your life. Starring the charismatic heartthrob of Pakistan, Wahaj Ali and the stunning Hareem Farooq, the drama serial ‘22 Qadam’ ventures into the life of Fari and Junaid who have a relentless passion for cricket.
Written by Zeeshan Ilyas and directed by Anjum Shahzad, the drama aims to shatter deep-rooted stereotypes whilst proving that cricket and dreams transcend gender boundaries. 22 Qadam is set in a backdrop of fierce competition and captivating cricket matches that resounds a chord with the audience, compelling them to reflect on the limitless potential and the power of breaking barriers.
Through the lead character of Fari, we witness the challenges faced by women in pursuing their passion and the pressure they face from society, as well as, the internal obstacles they have to go through to achieve their goals. The drama aims to achieve a balance between showing the professional challenges encountered as well as what unfolds behind closed doors by talking about pivotal issues like domestic violence, mental health, suicide etc.
What’s more, is that as the audience you get to see the booming romance between Fari and Junaid and the cute moments that follow. If you are looking for something substantial to watch with some light-hearted scenes interweaved in between, ‘22 Qadam’ is just for you.
Baylagaam
In the age of social media, which heavily influences the life of Gen Z, various dramas on Netflix underscore the aftermaths of excess use of social media or have a plot that revolves around it. Pakistani drama ‘Baylagaam’ falls in the same category.
The drama follows the life of a young girl Ramsha, whose initial interest in social media transforms into an insatiable quest for fame, driving her to extreme lengths. Along the way, she encounters Afnan, the son of influential businessman Qasim Ali.
While Afnan sees Ramsha as a source of entertainment due to his affection for his cousin Aleezay, Ramsha misinterprets their bond as love. Disappointed in her pursuit of love, Ramsha redirects her focus toward achieving popularity. This relentless journey disrupts her family’s peace and distances her from loved ones.
As her fame grows, Ramsha discovers the hidden challenges fame brings, throwing her life into turmoil. This story, penned by Huma Hina Nafees and directed by Zahid Mehmood, stars Ali Abbas, Afnan Laiba Khan, Ramsha Haroon Shahid, Shani Tuba Anwar, Alizeh Shabbir Jan, and an exceptional cast.
Breaking News
In need to watch a suspense thriller that will keep you hooked, try giving the new drama around the block ‘Breaking News’ a try. Written by Aamir Raza and directed by Kashif Nisar, ‘Breaking News’ is a drama revolving around the inner workings of journalism and media houses.
It revolves around two emerging and passionate journalists who refuse to surrender to the corrupt system and aim to traverse through the world of journalism with honesty and integrity. Through the lens of Mishal Jamil and Hussain, we get to see the relentless pursuit of truth and ethics amidst the ruthless competition, shedding light on the stark contrast between sensationalized content aimed at garnering views and the fundamental principle of delivering factual news.
As the episodes progress, we get to see the integration of more characters in the drama, with the involvement of politicians and influential forces, turning it into a thriller powerplay.
Ishq Murshid
‘Ishq Murshid’ is the perfect watch if you are looking to watch a fictitious lighthearted romantic tale that will engulf you in its universe. The compelling light-hearted romantic drama follows the lives of Shahmeer Sikandar and Shibra Salman, portrayed by the talented Bilal Abbas Khan and Durefishan Saleem, respectively, as they embark on a heartwarming coming-of-age love story.
In the spotlight of this drama, we see Bilal Abbas playing the role of a rich guy Shahmeer Sikandar who has returned from abroad after completing his education. At a friend’s wedding, he falls for Shibra Salman, a middle-class girl who believes that a man chosen by her father will keep her happy and money is not the answer to all the problems. To win her heart, Shahmeer disguises as Fazal Baksh, a humble man from a lower-class background. The drama progresses as the romantic tale flourishes between the two characters, giving us heartwarming scenes that make you smile.
This brings us to the end of our list. Which drama serial are you going to watch first? Do share with us.
