Written by: Saman Khalid
Posted on: January 08, 2025 | 
"Dhum Tana Nana Dhum Tana Nana" - a classic tune that is recognized everywhere as the chief representative of Indian dramas. From the abundant use of this flashy tune, to ridiculous plot points to over-the-top visuals, Indian dramas have a reputation for it all. However, this horrendous treatment of television has spilled over into our own drama industry as well. This presents a concerning conundrum as far as entertainment is concerned. In this article, we will attempt to dissect the "star-plusization" of Pakistani television dramas, and juxtapose it to the golden era of local television.
Poster of Sunn Mere Dil
It wouldn't be wrong to say that the pioneer of this melodrama pandemic is GEO television. While other channels still retain the characteristic quality of our content, GEO television seems to have fully adopted the "Star-Plus" way. Here is an example of a stereotypical Star-Plus style dynamic: An extremely dolled up heroine, coupled with an exaggerated caricature of a "macho" hero; a dramatic love story rife with cliche tropes and unrealistic situations set in a fantasy world embellished with hollow aesthetics. Not to mention the mind-numbing overuse of music at every moment, regardless of whether or not it adds anything to the story. The best instance of such a drama is Sun Mere Dil, which is currently airing on GEO television. It checks all the boxes of an overhyped show with nothing but flamboyant visuals to show for it. Other shows that fit into this category are Tere Bin, Iqtidar, Mehshar etc. It is honestly redundant to mention names, since over 70℅ of on-air shows have the aforementioned elements. It is a truly sorry sight to witness, and unfortunately, one that doesn't seem to be coming to an end anytime soon.
Ali Raza and Anmol Baloch in Iqtidar
The reason as to why this change is so unwelcome and abrupt is the fact that over the years, Pakistani television has built an undeniably impressive repertoire in the world of drama. Our dramas are known for their simple charm and raw appeal that focus on real human emotions against a relatable backdrop. Blockbusters like Alpha Bravo Charlie, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Dur-e-Shehwar, Diyar-e-dil, Yaqeen Ka Safar, Alif, Parizaad and many more represent the true gems that our industry has produced. All these shows garnered insane popularity, simply because they tackled complex social issues as well as real relationships that the audience could root for. As opposed to meaningless clamour, these dramas showcased quality content backed by masterful performances. In contrast, current shows are dominated by famous names, none of whom seem to have an ear for subtlety.
Hamza Ali Abbasi and Sajal Ali in Alif
The reader might be wondering why this is such a pressing issue. In order to understand its significance, one must acknowledge the indispensable nature of drama for our entertainment industry. Unlike India, our cinema is not vibrant enough to be relied on. Therefore, Pakistan can't afford to lose the one medium that it is truly competent at. Considering the recent decline in content quality, it isn't absurd to stress over the future of our entertainment industry. As of now, Lollywood is a lost cause, with back-to-back flop movies failing to strike a chord with viewers. Bearing this stark reality in mind, it is high time someone spoke up about this dilemma.
Imran Abbass and Neelam Muneer in Mehshar
It would be ignorant and one-dimensional to place all the blame on production companies alone. Every party involved in the making of a show, including the writer, director, actors and most importantly, the viewers, bear responsibility of problematic trends. It is no secret that a compelling script can make or break any piece of content; which is why writers need to be mindful of the themes of their narrative. In addition, the power to paint that narrative in a certain light rests with the director, who can quite literally transform the entire vibe of the show with his stylistic choices. Next up are the faces that have the highest level of exposure, but are rarely held accountable for their actions. An actor has full control over the stories they choose to enact, and yet, more time than not, they take it lightly. If our so-called stars promote trash content, what precedent are they setting for the future?
Lastly, we can't ignore the massive influence of the audience on the making of new content. If viewers continue to complacently consume all sorts of shows, they are inadvertently sending out a thumbs-up to the ones in charge of bringing dramas to the forefront.
Burhan (Osama Khan) as a lawyer in Qarz-e-Jaan
As consumers, our sole job is to be more selective about the content we invest our time and energy in. We need to cut out all shows that insult our intelligence and dull our senses. At the same time, it is important to keep having conversations analysing what our screens serve us. Once the target audience takes a definitive stand, it is only a matter of time before producers catch up.
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