Written by: Hurmat Majid
Posted on: July 02, 2024 | 
| 中文
Poster of drama serial Hasrat
"Hasrat," ARY Digital's latest drama offering, disappointingly ventures into familiar and predictable territory. Revolving around a typical love triangle, this time featuring a working woman, the storyline lacks originality and freshness. The plot relies on the overused trope of "saas" (mother-in-law) toxicity, a recurring theme in many Pakistani dramas. This narrative choice not only feels repetitive but also contributes to the overall sense of predictability that plagues the series from the start, and continues over 50 episodes.
The main cast of Hasrat with the director
A particularly unrealistic and odd scene epitomizes the drama's disconnect with reality. In that particular scene, the husband, Arham, played by Fahad Sheikh, engages in a blindfolded game with his children and their maid, Fabiha, while his mother applauds enthusiastically, creating an awkward and implausible dynamic. This bizarre scene detracts from any semblance of realism, leaving viewers questioning the drama's narrative choices and the credibility of its characters' interactions.
The character flaws in "Hasrat" are glaring and contribute to the audience's inability to connect with the story. Arham, portrayed by Fahad Sheikh, succumbs to his mother's pressure and his own shortcomings, leading to infidelity and subsequent remarriage to the children's caretaker, Fabiha. This portrayal not only lacks depth, but also reinforces negative stereotypes. Fabiha, played by Janice Tessa, is depicted as manipulative and conniving, further perpetuating harmful character archetypes. These character flaws undermine the potential for viewers to empathize with, or invest in the characters' journeys.
Kiran Haq, Samhan Ghazi, Fahad Sheikh and Janice Tessa
Weak character development is a persistent issue throughout the drama. Arham's character is shown as weak and easily manipulated, failing to evoke any sense of empathy from the audience. Despite being introduced as a strong and career-oriented woman, Sanaya, played by Kiran Haq, is ultimately reduced to a damsel in distress. This regression undermines the initial promise of her character and detracts from the overall narrative.
The storyline itself becomes repetitive and overly stretched, resembling the clichés often associated with soap operas. Viewers quickly sense that the drama is being unnecessarily prolonged to maintain ratings, resulting in a drawn-out and tedious viewing experience. The plot's descent into predictable dramatics and recycled conflicts only serves to frustrate the audience, who feel that the story has lost its momentum and direction.
This sense of viewer discontent is palpable, particularly regarding the betrayal by Arham and Fabiha. The audience's frustration with the characters' actions, especially Arham's desire to keep both wives, causing emotional distress to Sanaya, is evident. Arham's inconsistent behaviour, such as attempting to retain his first wife while being attached to his second, further undermines his character's credibility. Sanaya's inability to take a stand, despite being portrayed as strong initially, is seen as a disappointing regression, adding to the viewers' dissatisfaction.
Kiran Haq, Rubina Ashraf and Fahad Sheikh
The drama's themes of betrayal, infidelity and opportunism are presented in a clichéd and predictable manner, lacking any fresh perspective or innovative twists. "Hasrat" fails to bring new insights to these common themes, resulting in a narrative that feels stale and uninspired. Despite high ratings and views, the drama has drawn significant criticism for its unrealistic scenarios and inconsistent character portrayals. While some viewers find the story relatable, many feel it fails to deliver on its potential, leaving a sense of unfulfilled promise.
Interviews with the actors reveal behind-the-scenes motivations for character actions that do not always align with the on-screen portrayal, suggesting inconsistencies in character development. The justifications provided by actors for their characters' behaviour are often seen as insufficient by viewers, highlighting a disconnect between the production's intent and the audience's perception. This discrepancy underscores the drama's struggle to maintain a coherent and believable narrative.
Kiran Haq and Fahad Sheikh
"Hasrat" also suffers from an excessive focus on negative dynamics and toxic relationships, overshadowing any potential positive messages or resolutions. The portrayal of Fabiha enjoying her newfound wealth, despite the chaos she caused, feels unrealistic and unsatisfying. This emphasis on negative interactions detracts from the potential for a more balanced and nuanced storyline, leaving the audience with a sense of dissatisfaction.
Despite its high ratings, "Hasrat" ultimately struggles with a predictable plot, weak character development, and a storyline that drags, leading to a mixed reception. The drama's reliance on overused tropes and its failure to provide fresh perspectives or satisfying resolutions contribute to its overall shortcomings.
Fahad Sheikh, Kiran Haq and Samhan Ghazi
While viewers are quick to blame writers, directors and actors for regressive storylines and characters, the high TRP ratings and significant YouTube views of "Hasrat" suggest a more complex issue. The drama's popularity indicates that there is a substantial audience demand for such content, which in turn motivates directors, producers and writers to continue creating similar narratives. For actors, participating in a project that is set up to be a blockbuster, can be a career-boosting opportunity, making it less appealing to reject roles in favor of more progressive content.
This dynamic, raises important questions about the industry's responsibility for the type of content being produced. While the creators undoubtedly play a role, the viewers' preferences and viewing habits also contribute significantly to the perpetuation of regressive narratives. The only way to ensure that regressive content becomes a thing of the past is for viewers to collectively shun such content. By demanding more progressive and nuanced storylines, viewers can drive the industry towards creating content that reflects more contemporary values and diverse perspectives.
In conclusion, while "Hasrat" falters in delivering a compelling and original narrative, the drama's high ratings and views reveal a broader issue within the industry. Both the creators and the audience share the responsibility for the content that is produced and consumed. For a meaningful shift towards progressive storytelling, there must be a concerted effort from viewers to reject regressive content and support dramas that offer fresh, innovative and inclusive narratives. Only then can the industry evolve to meet the changing expectations and values of its audience.
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