If we look at Pakistani TV plays that are presently on-air, we see diversity, even within the genre of ‘social drama’. From harassment to abuse; from mental illness to acid-attack incidents and social crimes, multiple themes are being explored on television. Directors are digging into the complexities of these issues that have serious consequences on society but weren’t being addressed openly earlier.
Instep lists five drama serials that are picking up appreciation and have us hooked to our TV screens these days.
Darr Khuda Se
Geo TV’s new drama serial Darr Khuda Se, featuring Imran Abbas and Sana Javed in lead roles, tackles the subject of sexual harassment at the workplace. Harassment remains a pertinent issue, not just in Pakistan but all over the world, and the play highlights how difficult it becomes for working women to keep up with their jobs if they face harassment at work.
The story follows the life of Afreen (Sana Javed), a middle class and educated young woman, who takes up the financial responsibility of her house. Her father isn’t well and her brothers refuse to take care of the family since they are too busy starting their own families.
Her boss, essayed by Imran Abbas, is married to an older woman; he hits on almost every woman around him and Afreen is on top of the list. He is creepy and annoying, and Afreen does not feel comfortable in his presence.
Afreen snubs her boss whenever he tries to make advances on her but he is persistent. Whether she surrenders or takes a stand, we will find out in the coming episodes. You can catch the play on YouTube if you have missed out on it.
Khaas
Ali Rehman Khan and Sanam Baloch starrer Khaas highlights a very important issue that is often neglected in our society: emotional abuse and its consequences on individuals. Saba (Sanam) and Ammar (Ali) tie the knot after Ammar sends a proposal to her and the two start a happy married life. However, almost immediately, Ammar turns from doting husband to the narcissistic, self-loving individual that he is. He constantly praises himself and puts her down.
This shatters her confidence and affects her well being, leading to conflicts between the two. In episode 16 that went on-air before Eid, Ammar decides to marry another woman, who he adored back in college, and who now constantly feeds his ego. Saba confronts him but acts alone as her parents don’t support her. Whether she manages to get out of this abusive relationship or not, we will learn in the next few episodes.
Surkh Chandni
We keep hearing stories of women facing violence, abuse and harassment at home and/or at workplace but our information remains on a very superficial level; we never really get to know what they go through. Drama serial Surkh Chandni, penned by Asma Nabeel, follows the life of an acid attack survivor Aidah, essayed by Sohai Ali Abro, and how the incident changes her life in ways more than one.
She loses her family’s trust, she loses her father and despite marrying the love of her life – Amaan, who dotes on her – the two are unable to lead a peaceful life due to societal pressures. In episode 17 that aired earlier this month, Aidha leaves the house so that her husband and mother in law don’t have to suffer due to her. She finds refuge in a shelter and starts working at a nearby salon to earn a living. Whether Amaan succeeds in finding Aidah or not, let’s wait and see in the coming episodes.
Ishq Zah e Naseeb
Eight episodes into the play, Ishq Zah e Naseeb is an intriguing watch and offers a very unique storyline. With an ensemble cast including Zahid Ahmed (Sameer), Sonya Hussyn (Gauhar), Sami Khan (Kashif), Zarnish Khan (Donia), Yumna Zaidi (Shakra) and Khalid Malik (Jehangir), the play has multiple interesting tracks. Gauhar is forced to part ways with the love of her life Kashif, who struggles to prove himself to his new boss Donia, who finds it difficult to get over her painful past. Sameer, on the other hand, lives with his step mother and suffers from split personality disorder with a female alter ego, Sameera. To take care of his mother, he hires Gauhar, who is engaged to her lousy cousin Jehangir.
These characters are interlinked and make up for a complex yet appealing plot that is engaging. If you haven’t watched the play yet, you can still catch up on YouTube.
Inkaar
Based on a real life incident, Inkaar continues to enthral viewers with a twisted plot; each episode offers a new turn and ignites curiosity. Hajra, essayed by Yumna Zaidi, is entangled in a situation, created by Rehan Chaudhry (Imran Ashraf), who she fell in love with while the two were in university. Upon discovering his ill intentions, she parts ways with him but Rehan refuses to comply with this and makes her life miserable. In one way or the other, Rehan tries to harm her and her family but Hajra continues to fight back, with the support of her father, while Shayan too stands by her. In recent episodes, Hajra and Shayan get married and decide to fight the system that keeps letting them down.
The play serves as a mirror to society where culprits get away with their crimes easily while victims have to suffer. Whether Hajra and Shayan are able to break the shackles or give up on the system, we will know soon since there are only a few episodes left before the play comes to an end.