Zee Zindagi isn’t coming slow as it tantalizes us with its original series, ‘Abdullahpur Ka Devdas’ marking a cross-cultural collaboration between Pakistan and India. With Pakistan’s A-list stars, Bilal Abbas Khan and Sarah Khan, taking centre stage in this thirteen-episode web series, it’s no wonder the show has captured attention on both sides of the border.
At first glance, ‘Abdullahpur Ka Devdas’ appears to be a romantic love story that explores the intertwining of friendship, and subtle political undertones, all within a magical setting of Abdullahpur.
The excitement is reaching fever pitch as audiences eagerly anticipate seeing Bilal Abbas and Sarah Khan in new roles. Both actors are currently involved in other projects, with Bilal Abbas captivating audiences in the highly popular drama ‘Ishq Murshid’ and Sarah Khan winning hearts in ‘Namak Haram’.
Behind the scenes, the series is helmed by director Anjum Shahzad, a renowned figure with an impressive portfolio that includes notable projects such as ‘Khaani’ and ‘Pehli Si Muhabbat’. The script comes from the talented Shahid Dogar, known for his work on the web series ‘Baarwan Khiladi’ and the currently airing drama ‘Akhara’.
Teasers
The teasers for ‘Abdullahpur Ka Devdas’ offer a glimpse into the vibrant city of Lahore, where the story unfolds. It revolves around the friendship between two characters, Fakhar and Kashif, portrayed by Bilal Abbas Khan and Raza Talish, respectively. However, their bond is tested when Gulbano, played by Sarah Khan, enters their lives and both friends develop feelings for her. As the story progresses, Kashif reveals himself as the true Devdas and Gulbano starts to develop feelings for him, unaware that Fakhar is the one who truly embodies the essence of Devdas.
We are also promised glimpses into the emotional rollercoaster that awaits us. Beyond the central drama of Bilal Abbas and Sarah’s characters, the narrative promises to delve into themes of heartbreak, betrayal, and the challenging choice between friendship and love, weaving these elements together into a compelling tale.
The Characters
Even in fleeting moments and glimpses, the multifaceted nature and complex personalities of the characters shine through. From the initial impressions and the OST, which features many scenes from the drama, Fakhar’s character, portrayed by Bilal Abbas, emerges as a poetic soul grappling with tough decisions. As hinted, his journey may lead him into the realm of politics, suggesting a transformation fueled by heartbreak and ambition.
Sarah Khan’s portrayal of the mesmerizing Gulbano is captivating. Her character exudes beauty and intrigue, yet her involvement with two friends who love her leaves unanswered questions. Will she be the catalyst for conflict, or merely a victim of circumstance? Scenes from the OST hint at Gulbano’s marriage to another man, leaving Fakhar devastated as he stands outside the venue.
While Sarah’s charm is undeniable, her character’s visual portrayal seems consistent with all her other roles, offering little variation in styling throughout the drama. We could have only hoped to see Sarah experimenting with her looks as she essays a new role.
Raza Talish takes on the role of Kashif, Fakhar’s loyal friend, who appears to play a pivotal role in the story. His character is depicted as someone who adopts his friend’s poetry to charm women, inadvertently finding himself drawn to the same woman Fakhar desires. His intentions remain shrouded in mystery, adding intrigue to his character’s arc.
Cast
The drama has a star-studded cast, which includes Bilal Abbas Khan, Sarah Khan, Raza Talish, Anoushay Abbasi, Adnan Shah Tipu, Nauman Ijaz, Saverah Nadeem, Shahzad Nawaz, Ali Ansari, Irfan Motiwala, Anjum Shahzad, Anumta Qureshi, Arjumand Rahim, Kashif Hussain, Saad Qureshi, Noorul Hassan Muhammad, Fazal Hussain, Zuhab Khan, Nabil Rizvi, Irfan Kazmi, Bilal, and Misha Saqib.
OST
Adding to the excitement, Zee Zindagi released the web series OST ‘Biba’, which was well-received by the audience. Kudos to the makers who gauged the pivotal role of original soundtracks in Pakistani dramas and incorporated that into the lineup.
Fan’s Reaction
The drama is garnering praise from both sides of the border, as the audience anticipates an exciting watch.
About Zee Zindagi streaming platform
Zee Zindagi, a subsidiary of Zee Entertainment Express, has been quite popular for introducing Pakistani content in India with shows like ‘Aunn Zara’, ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, and ‘Humsafar’. It has introduced a variety of Pakistani dramas to Indian audiences from 2014 to 2016.
‘Abdullahpur Ka Devdas’ is part of Zee Zindagi’s original five offerings which it announced back in 2020. Starring Pakistan’s top actors as well as directors, people across both sides of the border were elated to hear this. The list of 5 series included ‘Mrs. and Mr Shameem’, ‘Dhoop Ki Deewar’, ‘Aik Jhoti Love Story’, and ‘Churails’, all of which have been released on the platform, with the last series of the instalment finally releasing now.
Will Pakistanis be able to watch the series?
That being said, this brings us to the burning question will Pakistani audiences get to see their favourite actors in a project together? With the non-availability of Zee5 subscriptions or the channel, Zee Zinadi in Pakistan, the masses missed out on watching the previous offerings. We hope as the release date of the project fast approaches, the production works on logistics to make the series available to Pakistanis as well.
It is always good to see cross-cultural collaboration across borders end up producing such good projects that are enjoyed by everyone and only result in a better and more creative outlet of art. All the other projects that were previously offered were well-received by the audience as they explored daring issues and had a unique treatment of dramas. ‘Abdullahpur Ka Devdas’ looks equally promising, and we hope to see the drama soon.
The drama will be released on 26th February.
