Written by: Dr. Saba Noor
Posted on: April 13, 2022 | 
| 中文
Famous Ramazan game shows and drama serials in 2022
For the past few years, a new category of television dramas has become popular during Ramadan. They have been a source of post-Iftar entertainment in many Pakistani households. The trend of Ramadan special dramas started with the Geo Entertainment production of “Kis Ki Aayegi Baraat” series (also known as the wedding series), which consisted of dramas like Annie ki Aayegi Barat, Dolly ki Aayegi Barat, Takkay ki Aayegi Barat and Dhole ki Dhole. The hype and popularity, however, multiplied in 2018 with the success of Suno Chanda, which made the viewers relish the sweet, romantic and funny Ramadan dramas. Since then, such serials have been a part of the schedule of all Pakistani entertainment channels during Ramadan. This Ramadan, three dramas that have aired on Hum TV and Geo Entertainment have the audience glued to their TV screens due to their funny and romantic stories. These dramas include Chaudhary and Sons, Paristan and Hum Tum.
The cast of Chaudhary and Sons
Chaudhary and Sons is produced by Abdullah Qadwani and Asad Qureshi for Geo Entertainment, and is written by Saima Akram. Directed by Syed Wajahat Ali, this serial has all the ingredients of a popular drama: comedy, suspense, a star-studded cast and a love story. After seeing Aiza Khan as a naughty Meenu in Chupke Chupke, the audience is delighted to see her in the character of Pari (Parisa) in Chaudhry and sons. Imran Ashraf, after gaining fame as “Bhola” from Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, and his remarkable performance in various other dramas, is now making this romantic family comedy Chaudhry and sons more cheerful by his funny yet heroic character, Bilu (Bilal Chaudhry). Viewers are more fascinated by the English school principal Malika Daadi of Pari, and Bilu’s dynamic Dada Chaudhry Dildar Ali (played by the veteran actor Suhail Ahmed Azizi). The story is about the unraveling of the relationship of Pari with the Chaudhry family, and later the love story of Pari and Bilu. The supporting cast includes Asma Abbas, Yasir Nawaz, Madiha Rizvi, Zoya Nasir, Noor ul Hassan, Isra Ghazal, Saqib Sameer and Shagufta Ijaz.
Aimen Saleem as Pari and Arslan Naseer as Arsam, the central characters of Paristan
Produced by Momina Duraid Productions for Hum TV, Paristan is a combination of humor and romance. Written by Samra Bukhari and directed by Ali Hassan, Paristan revolves around the fairy world of the day dreamer Pari, played by Aimen Saleem. The most loved on-screen couple of Pakistani dramas, Arsalan Naseer and Aimen Saleem, are back again. Both the actors made their debut in acting together last Ramadan in the drama serial Chupke Chupke, which was an instant hit. This year, however, both have different characters but the story circles around the love story of the two. Moreover, the drama is not confined to the chemistry between Arsalan Naseer (as Arsam) and Aimen, but also includes that of Ujala and Babar, played by the young Meerub Ali and Junaid Jamshed Niazi, respectively. Seeing Ali Safina in a Ramadan drama is no less than a treat, as he graces the screen as Kamali and the audience is in love with his extraordinarily witty performance. Mira Sethi is also in the cast, but this time not as a control freak Gul Aapa as she was in Chupke Chupke, rather as an innocent home maid, Zubaida. Famous Youtuber Taimoor Salahuddin Mooro is making his debut in TV dramas, the supporting cast along with him include Javeria Saud, Asad Siddiqui and Navin Waqar. The plot of the drama finds humor in the tradition of finding suitable match for their off-springs in Punjabi families.
Snaps from Hum Tum: (L to R) Junaid Khan, Ahad Raza Mir and Ramsha Khan
Hum Tum, written by Saima Akram and directed by Danish Nawaz, is another masterpiece produced by Momina Duraid. The cast of the drama includes some famous Pakistani actors including Ahad Raza Mir as Adam, Ramsha Khan as Neha, Sara Khan as Maha and Junaid Khan as Sarmad. Based on the story of the competing neighbors and their amusing fights, viewers are enjoying Hum Tum the way they did Chupke Chupke and Suno Chanda. The love hate relationship between Ahad Raza Mir and Ramsha Khan has made fans call them the “Tom and Jerry” of Pakistani dramas. Fans are excited at the prospect that the perpetually fighting characters shall become love birds by the time of the last episodes. Viewers are thrilled to see Syed Mohammad Ahmed playing the role of Tiktoker “Dadu Handsome” in the drama. It is not only entertaining, but the serial also breaks gender stereotypes, since the two main characters Ahad Raza Mir and Junaid Khan are more into household chores and are great chefs. Ramsha and Sara Khan, however, are more into books and studies. The audience is fascinated at seeing Ramsha Khan riding a Vespa, and is hopeful that the discontent of Professor Qutub-uddin that his wife is unable to produce a son will end by the last episodes.
Ramsha and Ahad fighting in Hum Tum
Most of the actors from previous Ramadan dramas are performing in the new series, but in different roles. The good aspect of these dramas is that their entertaining stories can be enjoyed with the whole family. However, some flaws have been observed by the audience, like overacting and the predictability of the dialogues in all the three dramas. Hum Tum, Chaudhary and Sons, Chupkey Chupkey and Suno Chanda are all written by Saima Akram, due to which the storyline of all these dramas is almost the same, like that of the previous dramas, and not surprisingly, the fans would like a change from the set formula. Nonetheless, Ramadan dramas are an integral part of post-iftar entertainment in Pakistani households, and this year the tradition has continued. A little more effort on improving the storylines will increase the success of Ramadan dramas in the future.
(L to R) Mira Sethi as Zubaida and Mooro as Aman Ullah in Paristan and Ayeza Khan as Pari and Imran Ashraf as Bilu in Chaudhary and Sons
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