Pakistani dramas are mostly applauded for their diverse and distinct stories, however, few dramas appear to have similar storylines. Critics believe that few typical story plots always succeed in grasping the attention of targeted audiences. Such stories also perform moderately well in terms of TRPs. Hence, creators tend to follow stereotypical stories rather than experimenting with new genres. Here is a list of Pakistani dramas that have similar storylines:
‘Ijazat’
‘Ijazat’ aired on ARY Digital drama in 2010. The drama is written by Seema Ghazal, directed by Misbah Khalid and produced by Samina Humayun. The show has acclaimed actors in the leading cast including Humayun Saeed, Ayesha Khan and Sadia Immam.
The story of this show follows the life of a struggling actor Hamza, played by Humayun Saeed, who is deeply in love with his wife Muqadis, played by Ayesha Khan, and his two children. Muqadis is a warm-hearted wife, mother and daughter-in-law. Hamza’s encounter with a rich and cold-hearted woman Nijaat, played by Sadia Immam, turns his life upside down. Nijaat is married to an ordinary-looking yet rich man. She possesses a desperate urge of entering showbiz.
Subsequently, Hamza and Nijaat marry after an extramarital affair. The latter half of the story shows the two opposite female protagonists along with the guilt of Hamza. Nonetheless, he divorces Nijaat and in the end, Muqadis divorces Hamza. The story is a typical triangle of a married couple befouled by a homewrecker.
‘Thori Si Wafa Chahiye’
This 2010 drama aired on Geo TV. The show is written by Syed Wasi Shah, directed by Yasir Nawaz and produced by Hassan Zia. The cast includes Sajid Hassan, Mehwish Hayat and Iffat Omer in pivotal roles.
The drama follows the life of Sheraz, played by Sajid Hassan, and Rania, played by Iffat Omer, who have been married for several years and have two children. Rania’s life changes forever when Sheraz divorces her and marries a young woman named Mahreen, played by Mehwish Hayat. In the end, Rania lives a satisfactory life whereas Sheraz lives a despairing life.
‘Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai’
‘Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai’ is another tale of a vicious woman, who dismantled the married life of a couple. This drama aired on Geo Kahani in 2015. It is written by Nusrat Jabeen and directed by Shahood Alvi. The cast of the show includes Shahood Alvi, Sabreen Hisbani and Mira Sethi.
The story revolves around three protagonists of the play named Shazma, played by Sabreen Hisbani, who is a submissive wife and a mother of two young daughters. Moazzam, played by Shahood Alvi, is a rich yet dominant and discourteous husband. Moazzam is unhappy with his wife Shazma as he feels a lack of compatibility between them.
Seemab, played by Mira Sethi, being a selfish and opportunist girl, successfully attracts Moazzam and finally enters his rich world as his second wife. Ultimately, the story meets a predictable end. Moazzam realizes the atrocious personality of Seemab and Shazma being a stereotypical Pakistani wife forgives Moazzam.
‘Maan’
‘Maan’ aired on HUM TV in 2015. The drama is written by Syed Shehla Shakoor, directed by Amin Iqbal and produced by Abdullah Kadwani, Asad Qureshi and Mikaal Zulfiqar. The cast includes Mikaal Zulfiqar, Kiran Haq, Maha Warsi and Seemi Raheel.
‘Maan’ is yet another story of a broken home at the hands of an envious woman. The drama revolves around the happily married couple of Imaan, played by Mikaal Zulfiqar, and Wafa, played by Kiran Haq. They have two young daughters.
One of their daughter’s heart illnesses paves way for turmoil in their life. The couple struggles in collecting money for surgery. Imaan marries Maya, his first love, in exchange for money. In the end, Imaan returns to Wafa and she, being a stereotypical wife, forgives his actions.
‘Naimat’
‘Naimat’ is a similar story of a broken relationship at the hands of a villainous woman. The drama aired in 2016 on ARY Digital. The play is written by Naila Ansari and directed by Abdullah Badini. The show stars Zahid Ahmed, Sunita Marshall and Kiran Haq in leading roles.
The story unfolds the life of Babar, played by Zahid Ahmed and Sara, played by Sunita Marshall, who are happily married and have a son named Bilal.
The illness of Bilal absorbs all the attention of Sara. Neglected, Babar finds his happiness by initiating an extramarital affair with Zara, played by Kiran Haq. His second marriage and divorce to Sara render her life devastated. In the end, Sara remarries whereas Babar spends a regretful life.
‘Laut Kay Chalay Aana’
‘Laut Kay Chalay Aana’ is a similar tale of a troubled marriage and an extramarital affair. This drama aired on Geo Entertainment in 2017. It is written by Shahzad Javed, directed by ZEEKAY and produced by Asif Noor and Huma Khan. The star cast includes Noman Ejaz, Savera Nadeem, Sharmeen Ali and Arisha Razi
The drama projects the story of Farhan, played by Noman Ijaz and Zainab, played by Savera Nadeem. They are parents of two grown-up girls. Farhan accuses Zainab that she has just limited herself as a mother and has forgotten her role as a wife.
Meanwhile, a young girl named Areeba enters Farhan’s life. Farhan marries her. Nonetheless, this tale ends on a typical note as well where Farhan returns to Zainab.
‘Tum Say Hi Taluq Hai’
This drama aired on Geo in 2018. The drama is written by Wasi Shah, directed by Shaquille Khan and produced by 7th Sky Entertainment. The cast includes Syed Jibran, Tooba Siddiqui and Faryal Mehmood.
‘Tum Say Hi Taluq Hai’ is a drama based on the abusive marriage of Alina, played by Tuba Siddique and her husband Saadan, played by Syed Jibran. They have two daughters. Saadan never liked Alina as his wife. Rahma, played by Faryal Mahmood, takes advantage of this fragile relationship.
Saadan soon marries Rahma and divorces Alina. The drama ends with Rahma, taking all the money from Saadan and leaving him in a pitiful situation.
‘Mohabbatein Chahatein’
‘Mohabbatein Chahatein’ is a HUM TV project that aired in 2020. It is written by Samira Fazal, directed by Ali Hassan and produced by Momina Duraid. The show stars Junaid Khan, Hira Mani, Armeena Rana and Tipu Sharif in leading roles.
The drama narrates the story of a happily married couple and a devious woman, with an anguished desire to ruin their relationship. Faraz, played by Junaid Khan and Sneha, played by Hira Mani have been married for ten years. They have a son too. Their life is shown to be perfect and they are madly in love with each other.
Tara, played by Armeena Rana, after separating from her husband, who is Faraz’s friend, starts living in Sneha’s house. The story takes several twists and at last, Junaid indulges in an affair with Tara. The drama ends on an unsurprising note where Tara’s reality reveals itself to Faraz and he apologizes to Sneha. Like Shazma, Sneha forgives her husband too.
The above-mentioned dramas not only have a similar story plot but witness the exact sequence of events as well. A typical storyline with a predictable end engulfs the particularity of each project. It is important that creators must produce dramas on some novel concepts to maintain the distinctiveness of each show since repeated premises can stifle creativity and starve the viewers of new stories and ideas.
