Home Blog Page 41

10 Years of Zindagi Gulzar Hai: Reasons Why the Drama Still Remains a Timeless Pakistani Classic

By
Ehsan Khan
-
Zindagi Gulzar Hai Cover

Picture this: a young, ambitious woman from a lower-middle-class family falls in love with a wealthy, charming man. It’s a tale as old as time, but in “Zindagi Gulzar Hai,” it’s told in a way that’s both fresh and timeless.

In this article, we’ll delve into the reasons why the show has remained a classic, why its themes are still relevant today, and why it continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

A Love Story Bridging Social Classes

At its core, “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” is a story about love and the ways in which it can bridge the gap between social classes. But it’s also so much more than that. The Pakistani drama, which premiered a decade ago, broke barriers and shattered expectations, becoming a hit not just in Pakistan, but around the world.

Kashaf’s Character was Magnificent

Kashaf’s character in “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” was a defining moment for Pakistani television, and Sanam Saeed’s portrayal of her was nothing short of magnificent. Her performance captured the nuances of a young woman struggling to navigate the complexities of love, family, and societal expectations, all while maintaining her independence and sense of self.

Through her character, Kashaf, Sanam Saeed showcased the power of female resilience and determination. She challenged the notion that women must conform to patriarchal norms and instead showed that they can be independent thinkers who chart their own course. Kashaf’s story was inspiring, relatable, and empowering, making her a role model for young women everywhere.

Zaroon was the Pulse of the Show

If Kashaf was the heart and soul of “Zindagi Gulzar Hai,” then Zaroon, played by Fawad Khan, was its beating pulse. As the male lead of the show, Zaroon’s character was the perfect foil to Kashaf’s enigma, with their conflicting ideologies creating an intriguing dynamic that made the drama a must-watch.

Kashaf and Zaroon’s relationship showed that true love isn’t about grand gestures and cheesy Bollywood-style romance, but about understanding each other’s sensibilities and accepting each other’s vulnerabilities.

Zindagi Gulzar Hai Simplified the Challenges of Love

Zaroon was the epitome of privilege, a wealthy and entitled young man who had been handed everything on a silver platter. He was the kind of guy who liked to imagine he could have any girl he wanted, but he was drawn to Kashaf precisely because she was so different from him. In Kashaf, Zaroon saw a challenge; here was someone who didn’t fall for his charm and wasn’t afraid to call him out on his privilege.

Despite their differences, however, Zaroon and Kashaf’s relationship was one of the most compelling aspects of the show. Their conflicting ideologies and the way they challenged each other’s beliefs made for an intriguing watch. Zaroon was a character who wasn’t afraid to question his own privilege and who was willing to learn from Kashaf’s perspective, while Kashaf, in turn, was able to soften her edges and let herself be vulnerable with Zaroon.

Fawad Khan Was Exceptional

Fawad Khan’s performance as Zaroon was nothing short of stellar. He brought a nuance and depth to the character that made him more than just a stereotypical privileged playboy. Zaroon was a complex and multi-dimensional character, one who was flawed and imperfect but who also had the capacity for growth and change.

Zindagi Gulzar Hai Showed Love in Its Truest Form

Throughout the show, we saw the characters open up to each other, sharing their deepest fears and insecurities. They learn to support each other through difficult times, and they find strength in each other’s love. The moments of intimacy and affection between them are magical, not because of any grandiose displays of love, but because of the genuine connection they share. We saw love in its truest form.

The way their relationship develops is a testament to the maturity and respect with which the show handles the subject matter. It’s a refreshing change from the over-the-top, melodramatic love stories that are often portrayed in mainstream media. “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” reminds us that love is a complex and multifaceted emotion, one that requires patience, understanding, and mutual respect.

Pakistani Version of Pride and Prejudice

In conclusion, “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” is the Pakistani version of “Pride and Prejudice,” a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. While the Pakistani drama industry has produced many hits over the last decade, none matches the charm, intimacy, and depth of “Zindagi Gulzar Hai.”

The show’s nuanced storytelling, relatable characters, and exploration of complex societal issues make it a must-watch for anyone interested in Pakistani television. 10 years on, it remains a Pakistani classic that will continue to inspire and entertain audiences for years to come.

Saad Or Murtasim: Which of Wahaj Ali’s Characters is Better?

By
Ifrah Butt
-
Saad or Murtasim?

Perhaps you’d think we’re obsessed with Wahaj Ali and it is partially true as well. And why shouldn’t we be? He’s such a brilliant actor and his recent characters have become all the rage. Whether it is Saad in Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha or Murtasim in Tere Bin, Wahaj Ali is playing both of these contrasting characters to the best of his abilities, making both of them believable and making the audience fall in love with both.

But, which one of Wahaj Ali’s characters is better? Naturally, picking between the two was a herculean task, but we have done what we can to pick the better character.

Saad or Murtasim? Take A Pick

When it comes to taking a pick between Saad and Murtasim, we’d say, perhaps most ladies of today would hardly fall for a guy like Murtasim. Controlling and with anger issues, Murtasim is, however, devoted and a man of his words. He stands by his wife in front of his mom, he goes into enemy’s land armed to avenge the honour of his woman, come on, who does that in times like today? Only a guy like Murtasim.

Murtasim is hardcore and he’s not the average boy next door. On the contrary, Saad is your chocolate hero. Silent, devoted and again a man of his words. He supports his woman through and through and is ready to take her pain away. While Murtasim knows how to lay a claim, Saad is one who would let his love go, only because he wants to see her happy. For Saad, Maheer’s happiness is everything, while for Murtasim, Meerab is everything but he will not compromise on his honour.

Saad embodies everything a girl would ever want in a guy. He is charming, devoted and loving, someone who will always be there for you with a smile on his face, to take your pain away. Murtasim, he’ll be the one to give you pain, get you in the eye for an eye if you so much as think about deceiving him. When he loves, Murtasim goes all over and above, but when he hates, he detests with a capital D. Saad, on the contrary.. he’ll take the deceit with a smile as long as it makes his woman happy. Murtasim lives with Meerab, but Saad, he lives for Maheer and her happiness.

Saad or Murtasim, its hard to decide who to pick. It is even harder to believe that these both are fictional characters played to perfection by Wahaj Ali that have women swooning over them, left, right and centre. But there is one thing though.. “Its hard to fall in love with a guy like Murtasim, but if one ever does, its hard to fall out”

Wahaj Ali’s Brilliant Acting Chops

Years laters, when the history of Pakistan television will be written, it will certainly talk about the characters played by Wahaj Ali. Whether it is Shariq Habib in Ehd-e-Wafa or Hamza in Fitoor, whether it is Saad in Mujhay Pyar Hua Tha or Murtasim in Tere Bin, Ali has played all his characters with sincerity and utmost brilliance.

Wahaj can make you love or hate a character with his acting. He conveys emotions without dialogues, purely with his expressions. His eyes do most of the talking in scenes where he is quiet. Currently Wahaj Ali has become one of the most celebrated actors on screen. His acting is perhaps one of the main reasons why critics have glorified Ali’s antics and his shows revolve around his characters. The writers do write characters and anybody could play them. But when Wahaj takes over a character, he makes it his entirely.

So yes, the love and adulation you see in the audiences for Saad and Murtasim together, it has to be Wahaj Ali’s doing for now. Both these characters will be remembered for times to come, alongside our personal favorite Hamza from Fitoor. These characters may have been the writers’ product in the script, but once Wahaj Ali touched them, he made them his own through and through. Saad and Murtasim will continue to be loved for a long, long time. Why pick one when you can swoon over both?

Hum TV Has No Cast Budget: Saima Akram Chaudhry

By
Ifrah Butt
-
Saima Akram Chaudhry and Chand Tara

Saima Akram Chaudhry’s is a name that needs no introduction. The veteran writer has become a constant for Hum TV, especially when it comes to its Ramzan specials. Hits after hits in the faces of Suno Chanda season 1 and 2, Hum Tum, Chupke Chupke, and now Chand Tara this year, Saima Akram Chaudhry ensures Hum TV has its audiences glued to the screens from 8 to 9, every single year. But things haven’t been as good as the previous years this time.

Lukewarm Response To Chand Tara This Year

2023 seems to be not so thrilling in terms of Ramadan special for Hum TV. Even with a ensemble cast that comprises of the biggest names of the industry, especially Danish Taimoor and Ayeza Khan, Chand Tara has not garnered as good views as its predecessors. In fact the audience has noted how despite being a drama that revolves around the dynamics a joint family, Chand Tara lacks a pivotal character of a mother in law in the serial.

When questioned about the same during an interview with Fuschia Magazine, the ace writer Saima Akram Chaudhry revealed that she had indeed written the character of the mother in law alongside a sister in law and her two children but both were slashed off by Hum TV.

“I had written the characters of a mother-in-law as well as an older sister who keeps coming to the house with her two kids. But after Hum TV calculated their estimates, they cut off the older sister and made both the kids of Danish Taimoor’s character while they also cut out the mother-in-law,” said Saima Akram Chaudhry leaving viewers to wonder why was that so.

Has Inflation Hit TV Channels As Well?

Its not surprising that Pakistan’s economic crisis are growing by the minute and inflation is at an all time high. In such circumstances when a powerhouse television network like Hum TV slashes off cast budgets, one is left wondering why the network took such an approach. Hum TV is usually known to give creative liberty to their writers and directors.

However considering the lukewarm response that Chand Tara has been getting, perhaps the character or a mother in law or a nosy sister in law wouldn’t have made much difference. What do you guys think?

The Hits and Misses of Ramadan Transmission 2023

By
Faizanullah Khan
-
Ramadan shows

Ramadan transmissions are the norm in Pakistan these days, and 2023 was no different. We saw exciting new content come up and were host to some sizzling celebrity discussions on Iftar and Suhoor shows. With the third Ashra having started, we take a look at the hits and misses of Ramadan transmission 2023.

Ramadan transmissions are popular among Pakistani viewers and attract a significant audience. They also provide a significant opportunity for brands to advertise their products and services, as the transmissions are watched by millions of people across Pakistan. Let us look at the best and worst of Ramadan transmission 2023.

Chand Tara – Miss

Chand Tara promised a lot. It was supposed to be the rightful heir to the throne of Suno Chanda and Chupke Chupke. However, the drama failed to live up to the promise. Audiences were left ruing the lack of a few important characters during the show. The story in itself is found lacking in certain spots with the joint family setup not engaging viewers anymore. Danish Taimoor and Ayeza Khan were the saving grace with their chemistry, but little could they do to salvage some pride.

Tere Aany Se – Miss

Tere Aany Se shines in a few spots but was overall a miss due to the lack of chemistry between the main leads and a gripping storyline. The primetime Ramadan drama is written by Samra Bukhari and directed by Zeeshan Ahmed and sees star attraction Muneeb Butt and Komal Meer pairing up yet again after an intense show like Qalandar. The chemistry, however, fails to excite viewers.

Heer Da Hero – Miss

Heer Da Hero is another miss for this season. Starring Amar Khan and Imran Ashraf in lead roles, Heer Da Hero promised a lot but failed to deliver. While the show is based in Lahore, typical Punjabi tropes and jokes were found missing. However, the serial does excel in a few spots, including Amar Khan’s whimsical dialogue delivery and Imran Ashraf’s new action avatar.

Fairy Tale – Hit 

Fairy Tale is the saving grace for Ramadan serials and Ramadan Transmission 2023. The drama has gripped viewers with an exciting storyline. The love story of Farjad and Umeed is the focal point of attention for viewers post-Iftar. We are excited to see what the show offers and can’t wait for the last few episodes.

Jeeto Pakistan League – Hit

Pakistan’s biggest game show Jeeto Pakistan has come with its own unique model for Ramadan transmissions. Featuring Shaista Lodhi, Adnan Siddiqui, and Sana Javed among others as team captains, the game show has crossed new heights this Ramadan season. Fahad Mustafa is elegant as ever and adds his youthful vigour and charisma to the post-iftar session. The winnings are also bigger and better than before, with families winning cars worth PKR 5M plus.

Khel Kay Jeet – Hit

Express TV’s Khel Kay Jeet features Sheheryar Munawar as host and Umer Aalam as referee. The show follows a captivating league format that includes teams led by Kinza Hashmi, Minal Khan, Saboor Aly, Ali Rehman, Moomal Sheikh, and Yasir Hussain among others. The show itself and all behind the scenes glimpses are worth a watch and have gripped viewers this season.

Shaan e Sahoor – Hit

Nida Yasir’s Shaan e Sahoor was a hit, despite being a late-night affair. Nida Yasir is brilliantly settling into Sehri transmissions and is using her experience from morning shows to grip and excite viewers. The show saw plenty of starting interviews and exciting revelations.

Abdullah – Hit

Geo Entertainment’s Abdullah is our favourite for this year’s Ramadan transmission. Revolving around a young kid Abdullah teaches the importance of certain virtues in Islam and is preaching the right message this Ramadan. The show has garnered quite a following, with people of all ages tuning in to learn from Abdullah.

Shan e Ramazan ARY – Hit

ARY’s Ramadan transmission has only grown bigger and better. Featuring Waseem Badami, Iqrar ul Hassan, Ahmed Shah and his brothers, the show is a fusion of informational content and pre-Iftar discussions.

Bol Ramazan Transmission (Faysal Quraishi) – Informational Content

Faysal Quraishi and Bol go a long way back but were sadly unable to leave a mark. We won’t call the show a miss because it did bring up some key discussions. Faysal Quraishi is also improving as a Ramadan host, and we may see more of him in the years to come.

There were plenty of Ramadan shows gracing our television sets this month. While a few were a hit, others failed to leave a mark. Let us all enter the last Ashra with renewed vigour and passion.  

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy Is Excited to Take Audiences on An Immersive Journey as First Woman of Colour to Direct a Star Wars film

By
Kasim Bilal
-
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy Star Wars

Pakistani filmmaker and Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, from Saving Face fame, is set to embark on a journey to a galaxy far far away. Hollywood history was made this past weekend at Star Wars Celebration as they announced their upcoming theatrical slate and mentioned one of the new films will be directed by Sharmeen.

Kathleen Kennedy, the President of Lucasfilm, had a panel on Friday, 7th April at Star Wars Celebration. She announced three new films for a franchise that hasn’t been in theatres since 2019. One of these films, set after the events of Star Wars Episode XI: The Rise of Skywalker, will be directed by Sharmeen.

This marks several milestones for the franchise and Hollywood blockbuster filmmaking in general. Let’s discuss the exciting implications and possible concerns regarding this announcement.

A New Jedi Order

The film is going to be penned by Steven Knight of Peaky Blinders fame. It is set more than a decade after the events of Star Wars Episode XI: The Rise of Skywalker following Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker as she is tasked with having to rebuild the Jedi Order.

This is huge for the franchise which had not seen a theatrical release since Episode XI and had completely moved to the streaming space with hits like The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The project is still in its developmental stages and has not yet been dated.

A Huge Milestone for Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy

Sharmeen, a Pakistani filmmaker, being at the helm of one of Hollywood’s biggest franchise films is no small feat. While women have been directing their streaming shows, this will be the first woman and woman of color to direct a Star Wars film.

Sharmeen of course, is no stranger to franchise work, having directed the fourth and fifth episodes of the similarly monumental Ms. Marvel series on Disney Plus.

Sharmeen spoke exclusively to Galaxy Lollywood saying, “Being a woman in the director’s chair for Star Wars will be special and I’m excited to take the audiences on a journey immersing them in the New Jedi Order“. She also took to Instagram to express her excitement and share some of her insight going into this film.

“I have always been attracted to the heroes journey and the world definitely needs more heroes! – the blueprints of the heroes we see on screen are rooted in reality – I’ve spent my life meeting real life heroes, who have overcome the most oppressive empires and battled impossible odds and that to me is the heart of Star Wars…which is why I was attracted to the promise of a new Jedi Order …And why I’m particularly excited about being immersed inside a Jedi Academy with a powerful Jedi Master”

Congratulations All Around

Celebrities also took to social media as soon as this news broke to congratulate Sharmeen. Mehwish Hayat, who worked with Sharmeen on Ms. Marvel, commented on her post.

Mahira Khan also took to Instagram stories to express excitement.

What This Means for Representation

While Ms. Marvel from its very inception was a story about a Pakistani-American Muslim family, the news of this film opens the door for more meaningful and much-needed representation. So far, we’ve only seen Kumail Nanjiani in Obi-Wan Kenobi where he played a con artist Haja Estree.

But now with Sharmeen at the helm, expect to see more representation across the board, both in front and behind the camera. This is an exciting time indeed considering how poorly Hollywood has treated Pakistani characters and actors in the past. In fact, Sharmeen was right at it, as she walked to the event donning a traditional Pakol cap.

In Ms. Marvel, she got to portray the beauty of Karachi. The Indo-Pak Partition storyline was also handled by her. It being a milestone on its own, being the first time that this part of our history was portrayed on such a global platform in Hollywood. So naturally, we expect more of this from her in her other projects.

We here at Galaxy Lollywood are ecstatic by this development and are very proud of Sharmeen and this constant upward trajectory her career is on. We will be closely following this film and her career. May the force be with her!

ARY Digital Gears Up For The Sequel Of Supernatural Thriller Bandish

By
Ifrah Butt
-
Bandish 2 cover

ARY Digital has has the reputation of delivering one super hit drama after another and keeping the reputation alive, the channel is now gearing up to bring a sequel to one of its top supernatural thriller, Bandish. Although the sequel has been titled as Bandish 2, a whole new cast will be seen in this one. The release date is yet to be announced but the sequel’s teaser has certainly created quite a stir amongst fans.

Expected Storyline for Bandish 2

The spine chilling teaser for Bandish 2 has created a buzz about the sequel among fans and followers. The drama will be starring Sania Saeed, Affan Waheed, Amna Ilyas, and Areej Mohiuddin in the lead and is giving off some serious horror vibes.

Their’s seem to be a happy family with Sania Saeed as the mother goose, Affan Waheed and Amna Ilyas as the couple with a daughter and Areej Mohiuddin as the sister. But then there’s trouble in the paradise as the family feels the presence of a supernatural entity in their home.

Although we see a few cliched horror situations where Areej is pulled off the bed while sleeping, door locking with the child inside, the baby girl being possessed, Sania Saeed carrying a knife at her back with a creepy smile on her face and the usual television and lights flickering scene, the execution of all these has been tremendous in Bandish 2. And yes we can tell all these from the sequel.

Will The Sequel Meet The Bar Set By The Prequel?

Like its prequel, Bandish 2 has also been directed by Aabis Raza and written by Syed Nabeel and Shahid Nizami. While Hira Mani, Zubab Rana, Marina Khan and Farah Shah delivered exceptional performances in Bandish, the same is expected from the cast of Bandish 2. Sania Saeed and Affan Waheed are power house performers while Amna Ilyas is known to deliver some strong expressions. With the scenes that the teaser has shown, even Areej Mohiuddin is delivering spot on.

Usually it happens that a sequel to a hit franchise is often below par and disappoints viewers most of the time but this time, Bandish 2, looks as if its ready to set the bar higher for all supernatural thrillers to come on Pakistan television.

Who are the Most Followed Pakistani Celebs on Instagram?

By
Faizanullah Khan
-

Welcome to the glamorous world of Insta celebs and followers. It is where fans and followers gather to interact with their favorite celebs and also keep tabs on their lives and new projects. Such is the growing importance of social media that social media followers are often equated with the popularity of a celeb or individual. Stay with us as we look at the 10 most followed Pakistani celebs on Instagram and the number of followers they currently have.

Ayeza Khan

Ayeza Khan is the undisputed queen of Pakistani social media with some 12.7M followers. Currently starring in Chand Tara, Ayeza uses her Instagram handle for inside scoops into her upcoming projects, brand promotions, new looks, and personal shares.

Aiman Khan

Aiman Khan is at second on the list of most followed Pakistani celebs on Instagram. Aiman has over 11.2M followers and is a frequent user of the social media platform.

The recent trouble in paradise concerning celebrity managers doesn’t seem to have reduced her following, as Aiman’s account is among the fastest growing in the industry. Be it pictures of her daughter Amal or with husband Muneeb, Aiman is frequently posting on her Insta handle.

Mahira Khan

Mahira Khan is perhaps Pakistan’s biggest female celeb. She is third on our list with some 9.9M followers on her Insta. Perhaps the only reason why Mahira doesn’t have as many followers is because she doesn’t post as frequently as Ayeza or Aiman. However, we can’t wait for the diva to reach 10M followers soon and encompass the milestone.

Iqra Aziz

Iqra Aziz is the fastest growing Pakistani celeb on Insta. With under 8M followers last year, Iqra Aziz has now leapfrogged others to reach some 9.8M followers. The Suno Chanda fame actress uses her Insta to share her opinions, reels, pictures, and much more.

Minal Khan

Closely following Iqra Aziz at number 5 is Minal Khan with some 9.7M followers. Minal loves running promotions on her Insta and regularly shares pictures with husband Ahsan Mohsin Ikram.

Minal has, however, also been found reusing images from Kendall Jenner and posting them on her story.

Sajal Aly

Sajaly Aly is 6th on our list of most followed Pakistani celebs on Insta with 9.6M followers. Sajal is not as active on Insta as the others, but regularly uses the platform to post stories and other relevant info. She also runs promotions on her handle.

Mawra Hocane

Mawra Hocane is 7th on our list and trails Sajaly Aly with some 8.1M followers. Mawra has followers from both Pakistan and India due to her performances in Bollywood, alongside some famous Pakistani dramas. She also runs promotions on her account and interestingly follows just 87 people.

Maya Ali

Host to perhaps the brightest Insta feed among all celebs, Maya Ali has some 7.4M followers on her Insta account. Maya’s timeline is gorgeous with beautiful use of colors and promotions. She also regularly updates her timeline with pictures from drama sets.

Atif Aslam

Our residential king of music, Atif Aslam is 9th on our list with 7.1M followers. Interestingly Atif Aslam follows no one on Insta. Atif Aslam uses his Insta feed to promote upcoming events and concerts.

Hira Mani

Hira Mani just makes it to our list with 7.1M followers. Controversial views, a new career in singing, and multiple TV show appearances have helped Hira Mani’s cause. Her Instagram feed is a culmination of both her and husband Mani.

Note: This article is published in the month of April, 2023 and numbers may change in the future.

Is Podcaster Nadir Ali Encouraging Hateful Comments for Viral Fame?

By
Ehsan Khan
-
Nadir Ali with podcast guests

In the world of entertainment, controversy sells. It garners attention and earns more views, clicks, and shares. Pakistani podcaster Nadir Ali knows this all too well, and he has built a career out of deliberately stirring up trouble on his show.

While Nadir rose to fame with viral prank videos, he has entered the world of podcasting and is approaching otherwise controversial topics with distasteful humor.

Nadir Ali’s Problematic Episodes

Nadir Ali recently invited Pakistani politician Nabeel Gabol on his show, who made derogatory remarks about women and spoke in a racist manner about Urdu-speaking Pakistani population.

While Nabeel’s comments have rightfully drawn widespread condemnation, Nadir Ali’s role in encouraging his guests to make sensational and often harmful comments for the sake of virality has gone largely unnoticed.

In two different clips, Nadir can be first seen sharing contact details of viral dance sensation Ayesha, and replying with acclamations of ‘haye haye’ when Gabol shared narratives of abducting girls he liked.

In another recent episode featuring cricketer Sohail Khan, Nadir Ali can be seen goading him into speaking ill of Virat Kohli and sharing explicit details of an on-field exchange. This repeated pattern of behavior is not only harmful but also irresponsible.

In the same breath, there were also a few controversial views shared in an episode with Behroze Sabwari. Sabzwari questioned the attire women wear on bikes, and Nadir quipped in to mention they were ‘see-through’ and ‘tight’, giving a sexual touch to the conversation.

While guests should be held accountable, it’s equally important to hold Nadir Ali accountable for his role in promoting and encouraging such harmful and derogatory remarks.

Nadir Ali is an Amplified Version of Nida Yasir

Nadir Ali’s behavior is loosely reminiscent of another Pakistani television host, Nida Yasir, who also capitalizes on the virality of her guests. However, while Nida Yasir is a thorough professional who maintains decorum and respect on her show, Nadir Ali’s approach is more dangerous.

He not only encourages his guests to make distasteful comments but then shares those clips for viral fame. This behavior is not only harmful but can have real-world consequences for the individuals and communities targeted by such comments.

Similar Trends Across Podcasts

It’s not just Nadir Ali but a growing trend among some podcasters to invite controversial guests and provoke them into making outrageous comments that go viral. They have nothing of substance to contribute to the conversation but instead try to make themselves relevant by cashing in on their guests’ notoriety.

Nadir Ali’s latest episode with Nabeel Gabol is a prime example of this. By inviting a controversial politician on his show and then encouraging him to make sexist and racist comments, Nadir Ali has not only disrespected his audience but also the wider community.

His attempts to make provocative comments about women and Indians only further highlight his lack of understanding of what is acceptable and respectful discourse.

Our Thoughts

It is high time that celebrities and stars alike steer clear of such podcasts that do nothing but fuel hatred and controversy. Nadir Ali and others like him should not be given a platform to spew their toxic rhetoric.

It’s also time for us to demand more from our content creators and expect them to contribute meaningfully to the dialogue and conversation rather than cash in on controversy.

Pinjra Sets High Standards with Interesting Take on Parenting and Upbringing

By
Armaan Shehreyaar
-
Pinjra cast

Pinjra is a Pakistani television drama that premiered in October 2022 and aired its last episode this week. The show is a powerful depiction of the struggles of children troubled by problematic parenting, societal pressures, and comparisons within household.

Written by versatile writer Asma Nabeel, who passed away last year of Cancer while working on the script of the show, and directed by Najaf Bilgrami, Pinjra is produced under the banner of Showcase Productions of Wajahat Rauf and Shazia Wajahat.

The stellar cast of the show includes Hadiqa Kiani, Omair Rana, Sunita Marshall, Aashir Wajahat among some of the brilliant child artists that amazed us with their fine performances throughout.

Pinjra’s Unique Storyline:

The show follows young Abhaan’s journey as an almost rejected child who is struggling to make his own identity in his surroundings. His parents, especially his father, a slight inclination toward the elder siblings.

One of the most compelling aspects of Pinjra is its honest portrayal of domestic issues and how they impact parenting when two individuals are already trying to deal with their marital issues. The show doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional abuse that the mother played by Hadiqa Kiani experiences at the hands of her husband. It also explores the psychological toll that the abuse takes on the young boy and the difficulties he faces in trying to escape his situation.

The show also touches upon other important social issues such as the issues faced by single mothers. It highlights the patriarchal attitudes that are deeply ingrained in Pakistani society and how they contribute to the mistreatment of working women who are also single mothers.

Pinjra Last Episode:

As many viewers were expecting a tragic end to Abhaan’s journey, but fortunately the intriguing court room drama concluded in the boy’s favor and most of the things got sorted at the end.

The courtroom was presented with an interesting piece of evidence that ruled the court in Abhaan’s favor. The court saw how Umer lost control while passionately beating Abhaan and fell in that fervor. The evidence was the tilting evidence in the court case and changed proceeding in Abhaan’s favor.

Pinjra has had a significant impact on Pakistani society. The show has sparked important conversations about parenting, domestic abuse, child psychology, and more. The show has encouraged conversations in families and households regarding parental trauma and teenage imbalances.

Our Verdict on Pinjra

In conclusion, Pinjra is a powerful and important drama that addresses important social issues in Pakistan. Its honest portrayal of domestic issues and its impact on children’s lives is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Pinjra is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to create change. By shedding light on the issue of modern-day parenting, the show has contributed to the ongoing conversation about several social issues in Pakistan. It has also shown the potential of Pakistani television to tell important stories that resonate with audiences.

Why Does Tere Bin’s Meerab Refuse to Budge?

By
Faizanullah Khan
-
Meerub in Tere Bin

Tere Bin is Pakistan’s most exciting and trending serial currently. Meerab and Murtasim’s love story has kept viewers hooked to their TV screen. In fact, last night’s episode was also trending on YouTube across both India and Pakistan.

While Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi have done outstanding jobs as the male and female leads in Tere Bin, there are questions asked of writer Nooran Makhdoom’s character arc for Meerab. Even after 30 see-saw episodes of love and unrequitedness, Meerab refuses to show signs of maturity and pragmatism.

We look at some of the different ways Meerab leaves a lot to be desired in Tere Bin:

Meerab Refuses to Love Her Husband

Meerab’s refusal to love and fall for Murtasim is a baffling mystery for audiences. Such is Murtasim’s charm that every young girl in Pakistan has fallen for the character, except, of course, Meerab.

She refuses to budge for him through his show of love, care, possessiveness, and what not. In fact, the only time she shows love for Murtasim is when Haya tries to lure him.

Stubborn Behavior (Not Being Stubborn Where It Matters)

Meerab is stubborn, and by stubborn we mean obstinate, ziddi, and every other related adjective. She cuts off Murtasim when she wants, she goes by her own will, and even sometimes befuddles users with impractical demands.

However, the one time you really wanted her to be stubborn and obstinate, she completely disses that part of her. Meerab meekly follows Rohail when he stops her cab on the road – the cab driver was probably more stubborn than Meerab in that particular scene.

She then follows Rohail to his apartment, and then to his room, without once showing the ziddi behavior we had all become used to. And, we’re guessing Rohail didn’t have to hold her by the hands and drag her to the flat, as Murtasim would have done.

Not Learning from Mistakes

She fails to learn from her mistakes. Be it speaking against Murtasim or not blocking approaches from Rohail, Meerab completely refuses to accept reality and learn from her mistakes. There are similar glitches in Murtasim’s character as well, especially since he slapped Meerab in one of the earlier episodes, and then asked her to jump off the terrace to prove she’s right in the recently concluded episode. However, Murtasim has shown signs of improvement throughout the drama, especially in his acceptance of Meerab.

Our Thoughts

Yumna Zaidi is absolutely spectacular as Meerab. But, after 30 episodes of Tere Bin we can’t help but wonder where exactly is Meerab’s character headed. Are we going to see a twist and change in her behavior, or is the climax going to be a lesson in karma for her?

1...404142...299Page 41 of 299