Written by: Farheen Abdullah
Posted on: December 28, 2021 | 
| 中文
Popular Dramas in 2021
Primetime television has always been an important part of people’s lives in our part of the world. But with cinemas shut down until the end of the year, and fewer outlets of entertainment available for the public, local dramas really had the opportunity to take centre stage. With more than 80 serials produced throughout the year, we saw some phenomenal storylines and even better performances. Others failed to deliver something unique, while a few actors marked their return to the small screen. To sum it up, here is what happened on local television in 2021.
Mahira Khan in Aik Hai Nigar
As the pandemic put a lock on movie theatres and production was halted for multiple projects, we witnessed the return of some of the audience’s favourites from the world of television drama serials. Sheheryar Munawar and Maya Ali returned to television after a break of six and four years respectively, for Pehli Si Muhabbat. Mahira Khan, on the other hand, graced our TV screens after a gap of five years, with her ongoing drama Hum Kahan Keh Sachay Thay. Khan also played the lead in telefilm Aik Hai Nigar, which marked the television debut of her superstar co-star Bilal Ashraf.
Hadiqa Kiani and Bilal Abbas Khan in Dobara
In 2021, we saw the likes of fashion designer HSY and singer-musician Azaan Sami Khan become actors for some prominent serials. Hadiqa Kiani surprised audiences with her remarkable debut performance in Raqeeb Se, and returned for her second serial soon after titled Dobara.
Speaking of remarkable performances, Ahmed Ali Akbar amazed viewers with his portrayal of Parizaad. Definitely not a new actor, Akbar adapted a very different avatar for the show and was impressive with the way he altered his body language, tone and appearance to fit the character.
Yumna Zaidi and Ahmed Ali Akbar in Parizaad
If there is one thing that local storytellers have learnt over the years, it is to be brave and to take risks. Our films and dramas have finally begun to address important issues and remove the taboos around them. Sexual abuse and rape continue to be topics that are hushed in our part of the world. Victim blaming continues to be practiced while survivors are told to keep quiet. A number of dramas attempted to change the narrative this year. Phaans told the story of Zeba, played by Zara Noor Abbas, who is raped by her employer, Sahil, played by Shahzad Sheikh. In Zeba we saw a survivor who was ready to fight for herself and seek justice. Her mother served as an example for others to believe their daughters, and stand by their side even if the culprit is someone who is socially and financially better placed than them. While Sheikh delivered the best performance of his career so far, Phaans tread on dangerous waters by portraying his character as a neurodivergent individual, with Sahil only faking his condition throughout the drama.
Zara Noor Abbas and Shahzad Sheikh in Phaans
More recently, the Mawra Hocane and Ahsan Khan starrer Qissa Meherbano Ka, started the conversation around marital rape. However, if there is one project that truly deserves recognition for the maturity and sensitivity with which it dealt with the topic of rape, it is the recently concluded Aakhir Kab Tak. Featuring brilliant performances by Srha Asghar, Azfar Rehman and Juveria Abbasi to name a few, the drama highlighted how society forces women to stay quiet while predators roam free, sometimes even inside the homes of their targets. The drama proved how rape is never an isolated incident but scars a human to the extent of driving them to suicide. The show, with its narrative, attempted to put an end to victim blaming and painted a more hopeful picture for the survivors in our society.
Aakhir Kab Tak
Mental health continues to be deeply tabooed in South Asian societies in general. While many find it embarrassing or equate mental illness with madness, Pakistani dramas in 2021 took a step towards changing that perception. The Sonya Hussyn starrer Saraab, narrated the story of a schizophrenic individual while Hum Kahan Keh Sachay Thay has done a great job at starting the conversation around mental health and therapy. The latter delved into childhood trauma and the long-lasting effects it can have on an adult’s personality. Through characters like Aswad, played by Usman Mukhtar, audiences were educated about how often mental illnesses go unnoticed, and how the first step towards recovery is acknowledgement and acceptance of one’s condition.
(L-R) Kubra Khan, Usman Mukhtar, Mahira Khan in Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay
It would be unfair to say that all dramas produced this year were remarkable and that all scripts stood out. While not every story was worth narrating, a few themes really did test the audience’s patience. Ramzan specials Ishq Jalebi and Chupke Chupke really gave way to the obsession with cousin marriages. To top off the trend, shows like Laapata introduced the concept of a love triangle between cousins. Hum Kahan Keh Sachay Thay framed three cousins around a similar narrative, but gave the story a different direction while showing two strong, independent women fighting over a mediocre man, much like Laapata. Audiences also got tired of watching women getting slapped and abused on screen, while many violent scenes came without a trigger warning.
The cast of Chupke Chupke
2021 seems to have been a good year for local television with a number of telefilms released over the year as well. We may not have perfected the art of narrating unique and brave stories but we are definitely on the right path, with a willingness to give newer talent a fair chance.
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