The maestro director Kashif Nisar stands tall as one of the most celebrated directors in our country. His secret recipe? In our opinion, it’s his ability to create a magical world that captivates and holds audiences bewitched, eagerly anticipating what will unwrap next.
Over the years, Kashif Nisar has treated our audience to some brilliant dramas. As the captain of the ship, he shoulders the responsibility of bringing something magical to our screens every time, weaving captivating narratives around scripts, dialogues, and characters.
Several projects by Kashif Nisar have garnered recognition and love from audiences. He consistently manages to deliver something unique, crafting dramas that connect with thinking viewers and often convey underlying messages.
Scroll down to discover the top 5 Kashif Nisar dramas over the years.
Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi
Produced in collaboration with Kashf Foundation and aired on TV One, ‘Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi’ emerged as a critical drama delving into key social issues often swept under the carpet. Penned by Amna Mufti, the narrative spotlighted child labour, human trafficking, and prostitution.
Directed in a unique manner, the drama skillfully teleported the audience to different timelines: one in the present, one in 2012, and one in 2008. The present storyline centered on a modern/elite brothel and its inhabitants; the 2012 timeline depicted a patriarchal society where young girls faced restrictions, while the 2008 timeline portrayed an underprivileged family struggling to make ends meet.
Kashif Nisar’s brilliance shines through in this drama, handling such a sensitive plot with finesse. The scenes depicting prostitution and the turmoil of the central characters were executed exceptionally well. Despite the limitations imposed on Pakistani dramas regarding explicit content, Kashif Nisar adeptly conveyed the message metaphorically, using symbols to communicate effectively.
At the heart of the project was Yumna Zaidi’s portrayal of Sumbul, impeccably showcasing the plight of women. The supporting cast, including Wahaj Ali, Nadia Afgan, Omair Rana, Kashif Mehmood, Samiya Mumtaz, and Noor-ul-Hassan, made significant contributions, leaving a lasting impact in their respective roles.
Raqeeb Se
What sets Kashif Nisar’s projects apart is their capacity to allow exploration, encouraging viewers to form their own interpretations and extract messages that resonate with them. HUM TV’s ‘Raqeeb Se’ exemplifies this approach.
The narrative centers on Sakina (portrayed by Hadiqa Kiani) and her daughter Ameera (played by Iqra Aziz), who seek refuge with Sakina’s ex-lover Maqsood (Noman Ijaz) to escape her abusive husband. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Sakina fled her husband due to domestic violence, determined to shield Ameera from the same fate.
Remarkably, Maqsood’s current wife Hajra (Sania Saeed) and daughter (Faryal Mehmood) are aware of Sakina and Maqsood’s past love story. The plot thickens when Hajra generously welcomes Sakina into their home, fostering a comfortable environment for her stay. As Sakina finds herself drawn back to her former lover, the narrative delves into the complexities of these characters’ relationships.
Collaborating with writer Bee Gul, Kashif Nisar offers audiences a mirror to reflect on themselves through the characters’ imperfections and moral ambiguities. The duo skillfully explores themes of patriarchy in unconventional ways, inviting viewers to contemplate the shades of grey within themselves as the story unfolds.
Ranjha Ranjha Kardi
Penned by Faiza Iftikhar, and aired on HUM TV ‘Ranjha Ranjha Kardi’ stormed onto the television screens, captivating audiences with its undeniable charm and becoming a phenomenon in its own right. The character of Bhola, portrayed by Imran Ashraf, became iconic, curating a fan base of its own.
The narrative revolves around Noori (Iqra Aziz), the daughter of a street sweeper, who falls in love with Sahir (Syed Jibran), a local shop owner. Despite her humble beginnings, Noori is determined and hardworking, envisioning a better future for herself and Sahir. However, Sahir shatters her dreams when he flees the country after landing himself in jail. Left heartbroken, Noori finds herself married to Bhola, a mentally unstable individual chosen by her guardian. The story unfolds as Noori navigates her relationship with Bhola and explores whether it can withstand the challenges thrown their way.
Kashif Nisar masterfully painted the drama on a beautiful canvas, infusing it with a myriad of emotions and shades. Each character was depicted with depth, showcasing their complex personalities and emotions. The narrative delved into dark moments that felt unforgivable, yet audiences found themselves fully immersed and invested in the characters’ journeys.
O Rangreza
Another of Kashif Nisar’s projects that teleported us to a world created by Kashif Nisar was ‘O Rangreza’. At its core was Sajal Aly, portraying Sassi in a completely transformative role, embodying an outspoken girl unafraid to voice her thoughts. The narrative unfolds as Sassi transitions from a carefree individual who idolizes her father to face the harsh realities of life, questioning her perceptions and encountering challenges along the way.
HUM TV’s drama, ‘O Rangreza’, penned by Saji Gul, was impeccably crafted and directed, resonating deeply with audiences. The characters felt remarkably authentic, almost as if they were speaking directly to us from the screen, making the drama incredibly relatable. Kashif Nisar skillfully balanced humour, seamlessly integrating it into the narrative while also delving into the profound pain experienced by the characters. It poignantly depicted the struggles of women, particularly those confined to domestic roles, whose stories often remain untold and emotions unheard.
Adding to the charm of the drama was the captivating chemistry between Bilal Abbas and Sajal Aly, igniting the screen with their undeniable spark.
Kabli Pulao
Among Green Entertainment’s initial offerings, ‘Kabli Pulao’ captured the audience’s attention with its subtle storytelling, nuanced writing, and adept direction. Starring veteran actor and director Ehteshamuddin alongside the young and immensely talented Sabeena Farooq, the project was penned by Zafar Mairaj. It depicted the story of an intercultural marriage between two individuals who selflessly surrendered themselves.
The narrative revolves around a simple Afghan refugee named Barbeena, portrayed by Sabeena Farooq, who ends up marrying a 51-year-old Haji Mushtaq, played by Ehteshamuddin, a dedicated and sacrificing family man. Haji Mushtaq, depicted as a pious man, served his family throughout his life, acting as a father figure to his siblings and their children, yet never settling down himself. The story unfolds as Barbeena and Haji Mushtaq attempt to adjust to their circumstances.
The direction of the show is commendable, capturing everything subtly, which became the show’s defining element. It eschews over-the-top scenes, and Kashif Nisar demonstrated through this drama that, despite the current trend of quick storytelling, the show’s deliberate pace in unfolding events was embraced and in fact thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
We eagerly anticipate Kashif Nisar’s future projects, hoping for more groundbreaking content that elevates the standard of television dramas. Which of his dramas will you tune in first, as we await to see what the maestro has in store for us in the near future?
