2023 has been a wild rollercoaster ride for Pakistani television, leaving us awestruck and glued to our screens. Some of course did not live up to the expectations.
The year kicked off with ‘Tere Bin’, a sensation that spread like wildfire, garnering billions of views and setting hearts racing across the nation and beyond. Green Entertainment also made a grand entrance, injecting a fresh wave of excitement into the industry. And let’s not forget the power-packed performances of Sajal Aly and Bilal Abbas in Nadeem Baig’s ‘Kuch Ankahi’, weaving a tapestry of social drama interlaced with pure entertainment. How can we forget to mention ‘Jannat Se Aagay’ when talking about social dramas of this year. The drama blended social issues within the theme of morning shows.
With dramas flooding in, we’ve sifted through the chaos to pinpoint trends we hope to see more of and bid farewell to as the new year approaches. Let’s unravel the highlights, the drama, and the juicy trends that rocked our TV screens in 2023.
Trends we would like to see
Introducing original and unique storylines
2023 witnessed a dramatic shift in narratives, welcoming stories straight out of our wildest Netflix daydreams. Take, for instance, the release of the two seasons of ‘Fairytale‘, serving up a relatable platter for the youth with an integration of romance, underlining issues faced by the youth, and diving into a couple’s life post-honeymoon phase. Then, cue the magic of ‘Kabli Pulao’, whisking us away into the enchanting world of Barbeena and Haji Mushtaq, where cultures collided, and the raw power of human connection took centre stage in an intercultural marriage tale. ‘College Gate’ didn’t shy away either, diving deep into the struggles of today’s youth and striking a chord with its authenticity. And let’s not forget the bone-chilling thrill ride brought to us by the Siyah Series, diving headfirst into the eerie world of horror.
These dramas weren’t just entertainment; they were a testament to the evolving landscape of diverse and gripping storytelling that’s finally making waves in our local drama scene. Needless to say, this is one trend we hope never dies down. Let that creativity flow.
Embracing imaginative direction and elevated production
Pakistani dramas are evolving, aiming not just for storytelling but an immersive experience. Take for instance ‘Serial Killer’ on Green Entertainment, kicking off each episode with an infectious opening theme song that hooks you from the start. Then, ‘Standup Girl’ steps up the game with its engaging use of the piece-to-camera technique, offering a fresh narrative perspective. We also see Ayeza Khan winning the audience’s hearts with her styling game in ARY Digital’s drama ‘Mein’. All these elements create an engaging and immersive experience for the audience.
Our drama makers can lend examples from popular shows that already have a nod of approval from the Pakistani audience. Take for instance Kdramas like ‘It’s Okay Not to Be Okay’ or ‘Mr. Queen’ nailed it with their animation game, and it’s high time we borrow some of that sparkle.
Welcoming fresh faces and embracing diverse casts for inclusive storytelling
Nothing quite matches the charisma of watching our favourite actors breathe life into new characters on screen. While we adore our favourites taking on diverse roles, the thrill of welcoming fresh faces remains unparalleled.
Enter Sabeena Farooq, whose portrayal as an antagonist in ‘Tere Bin’ and subsequent lead role in ‘Kabli Pulao’ stole the spotlight, showcasing exceptional versatility. Then, there’s Hamza Sohail, whose rapid rise saw Fairytale capturing hearts in record time—talent clearly runs deep in his genes. The duo, Khushhal Khan and Dananeer Mobeen left an indelible mark in HUM TV‘s ‘Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri’. Their arrival injects a refreshing perspective, invigorating our screens with boundless potential.
Their breakout performances infuse the drama scene with vibrancy, and we eagerly anticipate more stellar acts lighting up our screens in 2024.
Trends we wouldn’t like to see
Dialing down on-screen violence
We could see this coming, didn’t we? No matter how frequently and with how much conviction the audience and critics seem to condone violence, of any kind, on television, we just can’t see the end of it. 2023 marked another year where we see the characters on television-especially female protagonists-getting slapped left, right, and centre.
The recent slap in the currently airing drama ‘Mannat Murad’ is an example where Iqra Aziz’s character gets slapped by her husband Murad, in front of their entire family as she refuses to apologize to her mother-in-law. Mannat does not hold back and slaps her husband. Nevertheless, the impact of the slap was registered by the audience. How can we forget ‘Tere Bin’ — in one of the initial episodes, Murtasim slaps Meerub which results in her fainting. These are just the examples from the popular dramas of 2023. The list is certainly very long.
It’s high time that this trend is eliminated from our television screens, for this just results in desensitizing the audience against violence.
A shift away from clichéd, toxic characters, and storylines to foster progressive narratives
From toxic mothers-in-laws to evil sisters-the portrayal of evil characters knows no bounds when it comes to television dramas. Case in point is the character of Falak in the drama serial ‘Ehsaan Faramosh’. The character of Falak is characterized by greed and envy, whose pervasive jealousy wreaks havoc on the lives of those around her. Unfortunately, the drama serial ‘Mannat Murad’ is no exception as we see the character of Razia. Played by Irsa Ghazal, Razia is a possessive mother who is not ready to let go of her son which results in creating misunderstandings between her son and daughter-in-law.
Let’s take a break from these evil characters and toxic storylines that have become a staple plot of our dramas. It wouldn’t hurt to introduce characters like Rumi’s mother-in-law and sister-in-law from the drama ‘Ishqiya’.
Steering away from dragging plots and unnecessary melodrama for a more engaging watch
How often has this happened to you that you will tune in to watch a drama religiously and then after few weeks what’s left of the engaging plot is flashbacks, repeated conversations, and the frequent running of the OST in the background? We have been a victim of this too often to count now.
Take the example of the drama tackling the issue of child marriage in our society ‘Mayi Ri’. The drama continued to depict the torture and mental abuse of the female lead with some instances of relief as the romance between the lead pair continued to bloom. ‘Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha’ was no exception. The drama went on without any significant development in the plot, resting on the power of the star cast and the OST that garnered a high viewership.
It’s pertinent to take a break from dragging storylines, for our audience has evolved with an influx of content globally produced. Kudos to series like ‘Jurm’ that followed the miniseries format and received appreciation from the audience.
We hope 2024 marks the beginning of brilliant storytelling in the Pakistani television industry that is not only acknowledged and recognized in Pakistan but is also held in high regard internationally, paving the way for more recognition.
