10 Best Nashta Places in Lahore

Lahori nashta.. you will read this anywhere around the city or in other cities as well. Lahoris are famous for being food lovers. If you are in Lahore and you missed out Lahori nashta I wonder where were you staying in Lahore!!! You can’t afford to miss it. I’m talking about Halwa Puri, Naan Chaanay, Payee, Kachori, Nihari… It is your choice whether you want to go for Nashta or you want to pack it down and bring it home. People who visit Lahore they must try it. Some especially go to old/new food street for enjoying their breakfast. Lahori Nashta is so famous that our neighbor country can’t stop itself dreaming about it.

Special Lahori nashta is available on Sunday but wait! Guess what? If you wake up late you will miss it out. Because for Lahori nashta, you need to wake up soon to get it. Even restaurants and hotels have nashta/ breakfast timings… why I’m concerned about waking up early while I already mentioned “nashta” in the title? Every one of you is sensible enough to understand that nashta is breakfast… but I’m talking about time because we have a verrrrry good habit of waking up late : D especially on Sundays. I said very good in a sarcastic way : P

I have listed 10 best places to have nashta in Lahore. If you are planning to visit Lahore soon, you may find it useful.

1- English Tea House

2- Tenerife Cafe

3- Lahore Junction

4- The Garden by Bandu Khan

Address:  Liberty Market، Noor Jehan Rd, Block D 1 Gulberg III, Lahore, Punjab 54000

5- Shahi Baithak

Address: Dehli Darwaza (3.96 km) 54000 Lahore, Pakistan

6- Taj Mahal Sweets

Address: fort road lahore 54000 Lahore, Pakistan

7- Zafar Halwa Puri Shop

Address: 5-Jan Muhammad Rd, Lahore (0.00 km) 54000 Lahore, Pakistan

8- The Urban Cafe Yoglicious

Address: A 48 Ghalib Rd, Block C2 Block C 2 Gulberg III, Lahore, Punjab 54660

9- Sadiq Halwa Puri PIA Road

Address: PIA Housing Society Near Wapda Town (2.61 km) 54000 Lahore, Pakistan

10- Waris Nihari

Address: 7 Abkari Rd, Urdu Bazar Anarkali (4.05 km) 54000 Lahore, Pakistan

If you are a Lahori and find any place missing in the list, please comment below…

 

Snacks You Can’t Miss This Chilly Season

Winters are finally here, even Karachi’s gotten a little chilly, which means, it’s time to cozy up and enjoy our staple winter snacks! And today we’ve rounded up for you things that we personally love having in winters!

1. Roadside soups

                          

Is it even winters without soup? We think not! And nothing really beats the soup you get from thhelas near the road, if you’re in Karachi, try Bohri Kaka’s anda and papri soup, it’ll change your life!

2. Sweet potatoes

Another must have to keep you warm during the chilly trips to the market, get extra masala added and enjoy!

3. Dry fruit

While it’s something you can find all year round, there’s something really special about being all cosied up in your blanket and have dry fruit. And this year you can even get your hands on the chilghozas of you haven’t had them for the last few years because of it’s price!

4. Peanuts

I mean, once you start having them moongphhalis, its hard to stop!

5. Seafood

If you’re a fan of seafood but avoid it during summers, winters are the perfect time to enjoy some grilled prawns, fish and other kinds of seafood. And if you’re in Karachi, do not miss out on Rashid’s fish near Keemari!

6. Coffee

While most of us love waking up to a cup of coffee all year round, the pleasure of having coffee with your best friends over meaningful and sometimes silly convos when it’s dark and chilly has it’s own charm!

7. Hot chocolate

Bhaijaan, ab nahi toh kab piyogay? Add some marhmallows to the side and it’s a combination that feels like a warm hug!

8. Corn

Put it on a cob or have it drenched in butter, lemon and masala, corn will never leave you hanging in those chilly nights!

What’s your go to snack in winters? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Best Performances of Pakistani Actors in Challenging Roles

Acting is a difficult field since it entails not only hard work but there is also a great deal of pressure on the actor to choose the right roles. If an actor plays a particular role convincingly then there are also chances that he or she will be typecast. Therefore, it is extremely important for an actor’s growth to continuously reinvent himself by avoiding such typecasting. Although the Pakistani drama industry has plenty of gifted actors, there are only a few of them who take up challenging roles. There are fewer who manage to make an impression on the viewers when they take up such roles. Then there are those actors who are even fewer in numbers who can breathe life into every single character they play. Good acting requires a basic understanding of the script, the character being played by the actor, practice and most importantly leaving the inhibitions far behind. The treatment an actor gives to a particular role makes all the difference. Sometimes even the most challenging role on paper does not leave an impact if the actor performing the role fails to bring out the nuances needed to make it more believable and human. There are other times when some actors go over-the-top in order to make their presence felt and as a result of that they turn the character into something larger-than-life. When this happens then the viewers might not be able to point flaws in the performance but they are not able to relate to the characters. Even some of the most talented actors fail to make an impression in challenging roles because they try too hard. There are also so many such actors who took up challenging roles but ended up underplaying them and as a result, the essence of the character was completely lost on screen. Here are those amazingly talented actors who took up challenging roles and ended up giving some of the best performances of their careers.

Adnan Siddiqui – Sammi

Adnan Siddiqui is incredibly talented but he has also been typecast to the extreme. In drama serial Sammi he stepped out of his comfort zone and played the role of an antihero. His role was both meaningful and substantial. The look he sported to play this character was just as different as the role itself. It is always good watching an actor step out of his comfort zone and do something different especially after being part of the industry for such a long time. This basically shows that an actor does not have a shelf life especially when he is dedicated to his craft and willing to take risks. As compared to some of the other actors in the list, Adnan Siddiqui has not taken enough risks but this role he decided to take up was definitely one which showed his graph as a commendable performer.

Ahad Raza Mir – Ye Dil Mera

Ahad Raza Mir does not have as much experience in the field of acting as some of the other actors do. His knowledge and passion for acting however put him in the same league as some of the most seasoned actors. Even though most viewers would have gladly accepted Ahad Raza Mir in typical hero roles alongside some of the leading heroines of the industry but he did not settle for such roles. He chose to play different complicated characters and each one of them offered something new. His role in Ye Dil Mera was a challenging one yet his effortless yet apt portrayal made it the kind of role which showed his diversity as an actor. He can easily be termed as one of those few relatively new actors who do not compromise on quality when choosing their projects.

Ahsan Khan – Udaari

Ahsan Khan was typecast for the longest time as the done-to-death leading man with no substance or appeal. His primary job in most of the dramas was to look good. The only negative role he played was in Pani Jesa Pyar and most of the viewers had even stopped questioning his choices since they had pretty much given up on him. At such a stage, Ahsan Khan decided to do a negative character in Udaari which was a big gamble especially for someone who was evidently comfortable in the kind of characters he was playing. It won’t be wrong to say that this character reintroduced Ahsan Khan to the audience and once again the viewers started taking him more seriously. This was perhaps a defining moment for Ahsan Khan as well because he stepped out of his comfort zone and nailed a challenging character. The actor who always looked trim and proper on-screen sported a look in Udaari that went so well with his character but was completely different from what he and the viewers were used to. His performance in Udaari made a lasting impression. 

Bilal Abbas Khan – Pyar Ke Sadqay

Bilal Abbas Khan is another actor who got himself recognized as a serious character actor in the beginning of his career. Even though he is a handsome young man who can easily get away with not playing character roles, Bilal Abbas is never afraid to experiment and he is equally excited about every new project. After playing a negative role in Cheekh, he could easily have been typecast had he not chosen to play a completely different and extremely challenging character in Pyar Ke Sadqay. Even those viewers who were not fans before were impressed by Bilal Abbas’ solid performance in the drama. Although he was hesitant to take up this role since he was not sure whether he would be able to do justice to it or not, he was surprised by the kind of response his performance got. This role must have opened up new horizons for this young actor since the response from the viewers was so welcoming. 

Hina Bayat – Talkhiyan

Hina Bayat is usually seen playing graceful characters in dramas owing to her personality and dialogue delivery. She does justice to all the characters she plays but the role she played in Talkhiyan was hands down the most challenging one. Hina Bayat went against her graceful on-screen image and decided to take up a character that was completely opposite of the characters she often plays on the screen. This character had so many layers and these layers wouldn’t have come alive on the screen so beautifully had it not been for Hina Bayat’s uninhibited acting. She owned this role so much so that it was the kind of performance that made the viewers fall in love with a different version of the actor they had seen on screen so many times before. 

Imran Ashraf – Ranjha Ranjha Kardi

Imran Ashraf it seems does not have a comfort zone, he is always willing to experiment and most of the time he manages to give every character he plays his best. He is one of those few actors who completely transform themselves for the characters they play and give each one of these characters a tangible identity. Although Imran Ashraf played a challenging role exceptionally well in Alif Allah aur Insaan too the role he played in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi was one-of-a-kind. There are few characters that can make the viewers laugh and cry at the same time, Bhola was one such character which became iconic almost overnight. After Alif Allah aur Insaan the viewers were wondering if Imran Ashraf would ever give another such powerful performance and he left the viewers in awe by giving a performance which was even better. Through this performance, Imran Ashraf proved that no role could be too challenging for him. 

Iqra Aziz – Ranjha Ranjha Kardi

Iqra Aziz gave the best performance of her entire career in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi. She got new recognition as a result of this performance. The role she played in the drama was not an easy one since it was a grey character with many flaws. She made people fall in and out of love with Noori. For once, Iqra Aziz’s on-screen persona was nothing like before. She looked like the character she was playing throughout. The fact that she decided to take up a role that did not involve glamour made the viewers take her more seriously than ever. Even though Jhooti was the worst choice made by the actress but her performance in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi left the viewers spell bounded and in awe of her talent. 

Mohsin Abbas Haider – Meri Gurya

Mohsin Abbas Haider has always been a character actor but all of his choices have not been the best. He is however one of those few actors who have made some good choices over the years. Meri Gurya was the most challenging project of his acting career. He played the role of a psychopath serial killer, a story unlike others we have seen unfold on screen. His performance was chilling and his portrayal couldn’t have been more impressive. Mohsin Abbas showed his finesse as an actor who was capable of nailing a challenging role through this project. 

Sajal Aly – Nanhi

No one can beat Sajal Aly when it comes to playing challenging roles since she started playing such roles when most girls are learning how to perform. She is a natural actor who takes every role she plays like a challenge. The role she played in Nanhi however was extremely challenging for a number of reasons. Since Sajal Aly was so young and a new actress at that time, it was nothing short of a pleasant surprise that she acted so brilliantly. Even though there were so many seasoned actors who were part of this project, Sajal Aly’s performance always stood out. She made sure that her portrayal was so perfect that the viewers never had a problem feeling for or relating to the character she played. Even though Sajal Aly has experimented with so many different roles in her career, Nanhi still is the most challenging role she ever took up. Her performance in this role will never be forgotten. 

Sami Khan – Sabz Pari Laal Kabooter

Sami Khan is a phenomenal actor who makes his presence felt in every single drama. The character he played in Sabz Pari Laal Kabooter was different from all the other characters he has ever played on screen. This was perhaps also one of those performances which did not get the appreciation it deserves. He played the role of a transgender in the drama that had to hide his identity. Apart from this identity crisis, this character also had a gentle side to it. Sami Khan brought out the vulnerabilities of his character brilliantly on screen. This was a challenging role that most actors wouldn’t even have taken up but Sami Khan owned it completely and made it unforgettable. He proved that no challenge is too big for an actor who understands his character and is willing to give it his best. 

Mohib Mirza – Sabz Pari Laal Kabooter

Mohib Mirza has played many different characters in his vast career. Lately, he has taken up roles that offer neither diversity nor a challenge. In drama serial Sabz Pari Laal Kabooter however he took up a challenging role, especially when considering the kind of roles he is seen doing usually. He played the role of a drug dealer who enticed people into buying drugs. Even though there was nothing likable about this character but Mohib Mirza’s portrayal throughout was picture perfect. He breathed life into his characters and gave the viewers reasons to hate it even more. 

Noman Ijaz – Dar Si Jati Hei Sila

Just when the viewers thought they had seen the best of Noman Ijaz, he proved them wrong! His performance in Dar Si Jati Hei Sila showed his range as an actor like never before. Noman Ijaz has played all kinds of different characters in his vast career; negative, positive, and grey. Yet, Joi of Dar Si Jati Hei Sila was something completely brand new. This was not just another negative character but one which stays with you forever. Noman Ijaz looked completely different in this drama and his acting was on point throughout. His fans were more impressed than ever to find out that even at this stage of his career; he was more than willing to experiment. In fact, he seemed to have taken up this as a challenge and proved that he indeed is the most versatile actor in the industry. Through this performance, he proved that there is always something new for an actor who is ready to experiment and take risks. 

Ushna Shah – Alif Allah aur Insaan

Ushna Shah’s role in Alif Allah aur Insaan was a turning point in her career. When people watched her in an avatar which was unlike any other she had been seen in before, giving a performance which was mind-blowing, they were truly impressed. It was because of her brilliant performance that her track became the highlight of the drama. This was the first time that Ushna Shah experimented with a challenging role and she made the most of this opportunity. She showed through her performance that she had what it took to give an outstanding performance. 

Yumna Zaidi – Pyar Ke Sadqay

Yumna Zaidi has always been a character actor, in fact, only lately has she started taking up some commercial roles otherwise most of the time she is content with playing challenging roles. Her role in Pyar Ke Sadqay was undoubtedly the most challenging role played by her. Her performance was so amazing that people laughed and cried with Mahjabeen. Yumna Zaidi was really excited about this project because she knew that roles such as this one are offered to actors only once in a blue moon. She came up with her own impression of the character and ended up giving the best performance of her career. 

Zahid Ahmed – Ishq Zahe Naseeb

Zahid Ahmed is another actor who decided to take up a challenging role at a time when he could have easily played another typical character. He played the role of a man who had a split personality and a feminine side to him. He was highly convincing in both the versions of his character. This role was challenging as well as meaty. It gave Zahid Ahmed the opportunity to show the viewers how capable he was as an actor. Since this character also required makeovers that would have made any actor uncomfortable, it was even more impressive that he owned every aspect of this characterization without any inhibition whatsoever.  What do you think about the list? Are there any names missing from it? Feel free to add more names.

 

Best Pakistani Dramas of All Time

Best Pakistani Dramas of All Time is today’s Topic. Pakistani Dramas have evolved a great deal over the years. Back in the 1960s and 80s, the writers put in a great deal of effort to come up with original scripts. There was also the trend of making meaningful comedy plays which served a bigger purpose and kept the viewers engaged as well.

With the onset of the first private channel, things changed dramatically. There was more focus on making the dramas visually pleasing and there was also a time when the production houses started taking inspiration from Pakistani dramas which aired across the border. Luckily, that did not continue for too long and writers like Umera Ahmed, Faiza Iftikhar, Samira Fazal and others saved the day.

The new production houses also put in all their efforts into bringing those viewers back who had stopped watching Pakistani dramas. This started a new wave of Pakistani dramas lead by many new private channels which continue to provide the viewers with quality entertainment even today.

This list contains dramas which aired from 1960s to 2012. Anyone who wants to find out which Pakistani dramas were the best after 2012 can click on the links under this article because those years were covered by reviewit in the annual lists.

Contents

1 Alif Noon – 1965

2 Waris – 1979

3 Ankahi – 1982

4 Tanhaiyan – 1985

5 Dhoop Kinare – 1987

6 Marvi – 1993

7 Aanch – 1993

8 Dhuwan – 1994

9 Alpha Bravo Charlie – 1998

10 Doraha – 2008

11 Meri Zaat Zara e Benishan – 2009

12 Malal – 2009

13 The Baraat Series – 2009 to 2012

14 Daam – 2010

15 Dastan – 2010

16 Mera Saeein – 2010

17 Qaid e Tanhai – 2010

18 Maat – 2011

19 Mein Abdul Qadir Hoon – 2011

20 Roag – 2011

21 Hamsafar – 2011

22 Mere Pass Pass – 2011

23 Khuda Aur Mohabbat – 2011 & 2017

24 Akbari Asghari – 2011

25 Pani Jaisa Pyaar – 2011

26 Durr-e-Shehwar – 2012

Alif Noon – 1965

Writer: Kamal Ahmed Rizvi
Director: Kamal Ahmed Rizvi
Producer: PTV
Cast: Kamal Ahmed Rizvi, Rafi Khawar & others.

Alif Noon was mainly the story of two friends who were completely different from one another, one was clever and the other one was extremely innocent. Each episode of Alif Noon covered a specific social evil and it did so without getting too serious. The comic timing of the actors involved and the wit of the writer made this series a treat to watch. Alif Noon was the most entertaining social satire till date.

Waris – 1979

Writer: Amjad Islam AmjadDirector: Ghazanfer Ali and Nusrat Thakur.
Producer: PTV
Cast: Abid Ali, Mehboob Alam, Uzma Gillani, Samina Ahmad, Firdous Jamal, Ghayyur Akhtar, Tahira Naqvi, Agha Sikander and others.

This drama is based on a the family of a feudal lord and his sons. The story revolves around the contrast between the sons and the paths they later choose in their lives which also results in family fued and their downfall. The story of Waris portrayed family politics in a gripping manner.

Ankahi – 1982

Writer: Haseena Moin
Director: Shoaib Mansoor and Mohsin Ali
Producer: PTV
Cast: Shehnaz Sheikh, Shakeel, Javed Sheikh, Jamshed Ansari, Saleem Nasir, Qazi Wajid, Behroze Sabzwari, Badar Khalil and others.

The story of one of the classics Ankahi is based on the struggles of a young girl belonging to middle class and how she is adamant on making the ends meet to support her family. This story showed that despite being clumsy and causing one problem after another, Sana is aware of her responsibilities and believes in doing what is right. Ankahi also shows a love triangle with Sana being the one making the final decision.

Tanhaiyan – 1985

Writer: Haseena Moin
Director: Shehzad Khalil
Producer: Shalimar Recording Company
Cast: Shehnaz Sheikh, Marina Khan, Behroze Sabzwari, Qazi Wajid, Yasmin Ismail, Durdana Butt & others.

Tanhaiyan is one of the best family dramas in the history of Pakistani entertainment therefore even today it is considered a classic. Tanhaiyan was a coming of age story which showed the struggles of its leading characters. It had a comic element and was emotional throughout. The strong characterizations and superb performances left a lasting impression on the viewers. It is one of those Pakistani dramas which can never get old.

Dhoop Kinare – 1987

Writer: Haseena Moin
Director: Sahira Kazmi
Producer: PTV
Cast: Rahat Kazmi, Marina Khan, Sajid Hassan, Qazi Wajid, Badar Khalil, Arshad Mehmood, Kehkashan Awan, Ishrat Hashmi, Azra Sherwani, Hameed Wyne and others.

Dhoop Kinare was the finest drama which revolved around the lives of doctors and everything that they go through. This drama showed doctors’ lives in a very magnified and realistic manner. Dhoop Kinare gave everyone an insight that despite going through so much in personal lives, doctors never falter on their responsibilities. The staff room conversations and the love story of Dr. Ahmed Ansari and Dr. Zoya made this drama very special.

Marvi – 1993

Writer: Noor-ul-Huda Shah
Director: Sultana Siddiqui
Producer: PTV
Cast: Ghazal Siddiqui, Hassam Qazi, Mahnoor Baloch, Badar Khalil, Noor Muhammad Lashari & others.

Drama serial Marvi’s story revolved around a girl Marvi who leaves her village to get higher education in the city. This drama highlighted the feudal mindset and showed the importance of taking a stand as well as education. Even now Ghazala Naqvi’s first introduction is Marvi. This drama also had a massive impact on the viewers and proved to be an eye-opener – it was one of the first of its kind.

Aanch – 1993

Writer: Naheed Sultana Akhtar
Director: Tariq Jameel
Producer: PTV Karachi Center
Cast: Shafi Muhammad Shah, Shagufta Ejaz, Sami Saani, Mehak Ali, Shehla Solangi, Ayesha Khan, Mehmood Ali, Qaisar Naqvi, Farheen Nafees, Kunwar Nafees and others.

Aanch drama is one of its kind. Aanch brought to light the kind of story which was rarely discussed or depicted on TV before. It is a story about the relationship between a step mother and her step children. This drama beautifully showcased how perseverance, patience and love showered by a strong and patient woman makes it possible for her to earn a place in her step-children’s hearts.

Dhuwan – 1994

Writer: Ashir Azeem
Director: Sajjad Ahmed
Producer: Sajjad Ahmed
Cast: Ashir Azeem, Nabeel, Wajid Ali Shah, Zubair Khan Achakzai, Nazli Nasr, Nayyar Ejaz, Rija Amir & others.

Drama serial Dhuwan too was a complete package and a must watch for all those people who haven’t watched it. An extremely engaging and powerful play, this drama showed how five friends who were highly educated decided to make their lives more purposeful by helping their country and people. Their friendships and their objectives both kept the viewers hooked. These character made the viewers laugh and cry with them.

Alpha Bravo Charlie – 1998

Writer: Shoaib Mansoor, Zia-ur-Rehman
Director: Shoaib Mansoor
Producer: ISPR, Shoman Productions
Cast: Qasim Khan, Abdullah Mahmood, Faraz Inam, Shahnaaz Khwaja, Aarshid Kazmi, Wiqar Ahmed, Hashmat Shaikh & others.

Alpha Bravo Charlie was a sequel of the mini series Sunehry Din but this drama gained much more popularity as well appreciation than its prequel. Alpha Bravo Charlie was another entertaining, meaningful and simply beautiful drama which showed how different young boys join the armed forces and grew with each other. The leading lady of this play was also its main attraction since her character was unconventional and appealing.

Doraha – 2008

Writer: Umera Ahmed
Director: Mehreen Jabbar
Producer: 7th Sky Entertainment
Cast: Humayun Saeed, Sanam Baloch, Sonia Rehman, Adnan Siddiqui, Badar Khalil & others.

Doraha aired at a time when most people had given up on Pakistani dramas. Doraha’s story was somewhat simple but the performances and the execution was perfect. Doraha was also liked by the viewers because of the cast since all the actors performed really well. This was also the time when Pakistani dramas were short and to the point therefore even if you tune into Doraha today, you will enjoy watching it.

Meri Zaat Zara e Benishan – 2009

Writer: Umera Ahmed
Director: Baber Javed
Producer: 7th Sky Entertainment
Cast: Faysal Qureshi, Samiya Mumtaz, Adnan Siddiqui, Sarwat Gilani, Imran Abbas, Samina Peerzada, Ismat Zaidi and others.

Meri Zaat Zara e Benishan was based on the novel written by Umera Ahmed. It was a story of false accusation that the character of Saba faced and the humiliation and rejection that came along. Saba goes through the worst because the pious and most respected member of the family plots against her only because she can not accept Saba as her daughter in law. Meri Zaat Zarra e Benishaan was a melodrama which covered the destruction that Saba’s entire family faces because of one such incident.

Malal – 2009

Writer: Umera Ahmed
Director: Mehreen Jabbas
Producer: Momina Duraid
Cast: Sarwat Gillani, Deepti Gupta, Faisal Rehman, Imran Abbas, Ismat Zaidi, Shamim Hilali and others.

Malaal was a story of two friends Danish and Zeenia. Zeenia loves Danish but because he ends up succumbing to the pressures, he leaves her in the lurch and gets married to Mahi. Malaal was a story showcasing how wrong decisions can affect everyone’s lives. It also focused on how selfishness ends up getting you nowhere. This drama had one of the best acting performances to its credit and the best part about this drama was that it highlighted the struggles of people of modern day and age in a realistic manner.

The Baraat Series – 2009 to 2012

Writer: Syed Mohammad Ahmed, Khadija Shah, Vasay Chaudhry, Bushra Ansari
Director: Marina Khan, Nadeem Beyg
Producer: Evernew Studio
Cast: Bushra Ansari, Javed Sheikh, Hina Dilpazeer, Saba Hameed,Samina Ahmad, Hassan Niazi, Ayesha Omer, Shehryar Zaidi,
Sana Askari, Arjumand Rahim, Samina Ahmad & others.

The Baraat Series titled Kis Ki Aye Gi Barat had 4 seasons which were thoroughly entertaining. Each season covered the wedding of a particular character. This series was the perfect combination of comedy and drama. Some of the characters were an instant hit and continued to be the highlight of every season.

Daam – 2010

Writer: Umera Ahmed
Director: Mehreen Jabbar
Producer: 7th Sky Entertainment
Cast: Sanam Baloch, Aamina Sheikh, Adeel Hussein, Nimra Bucha, Sanam Saeed, Faisal Shah & others.

Pakistani drama serial Daam was also one of those dramas which contributed greatly to the revival of Pakistani dramas at a time when most of the production houses were too busy copying our neighboring country, writers like Umera Ahmed brought back the charm of Pakistani dramas. Daam was the story of relationships, friendship and deceit beautifully penned down and presented on screen by the best people in the business.

Dastan – 2010

Writer: Samira Fazal
Director: Haissam Hussain
Producer: Momina Duraid
Cast: Sanam Baloch, Samina Peerzada, , Ahsan Khan, Fawad Khan, Mehreen Raheel, Affan Waheed, Babrik Shah, Saba Hameed, Daniyal Raheel, Anita Camphor and others.

Dastan drama was based on a novel by Razia Butt titled Bano. The story of Dastaan was based on the Indo-Pak partition and how it affected and changed the lives of people involved. The story revolved around the journey of the central character Bano who lived a comfortable life but later the idea of going to Pakistan and becoming a part of the new formed Islamic state made her go through the worst experiences of her life. Bano’s journey was filled with ups and downs and it was conveyed in a brilliant manner which made the viewers feel for Bano and every single character every step of the way.

Mera Saeein – 2010

Writer: Samira Fazal
Director: Babar Javed
Producer: A&B Entertainment
Cast: Amina Sheikh, Sunita Marshall, Noman Ejaz, Mohib Mirza, Beenish Chauhan, Savera Nadeem, Faysal Qureshi, Saba Faisal and others.

Mera Saeein is a story of a feudal lord Malik Wajahat Ali who lets his desires rule him, desire for a son, for power, for wealth and desire to be with women and have a control over them. During this course, he meets a strong-willed woman who believes she can bring a change in Wajahat’s personality but she ends up becoming a rival of her best friend. Mera Saeein was all about greed and emotions that were conveyed brilliantly.

Qaid e Tanhai – 2010

Writer: Umera Ahmed
Director: Babar Javed
Producer: A&B Productions
Cast: Savera Nadeem, Faysal Qureshi, Saba Hameed, Sunita Marshall, Syed Jibran, Neelam Munir, Lubna Aslam, Ismat Zaidi and others.

Qaid e Tanhai is a story of a family that goes through trials and tribulations. A young married couple facing financial difficulties and the mother in law controlling her son which lands his wife in trouble. Qaid e Tanhai is a story of longing and long-distance relationships, it focuses on how when a couple is distant, they start relying on other people for the sake of companionship. In Qaid e Tanhai it is also shown that what goes around comes around because the one who was responsible for distancing the couple ends up all alone too.

Maat – 2011

Writer: Umera Ahmed
Director: Amna Nawaz Khan
Producer: MD Productions
Cast: Saba Qamar, Adnan Siddiqui, Aamina Sheikh, Noor Hassan Rizvi, Shamim Hilali, Asad Malik & others.

The characters in this drama were black and white but this was an enticing play nevertheless. This was the first drama which showed sibling rivalry and one of the few Pakistani dramas in which the negative character stood out more than the positive one. Maat was an extremely popular drama and as a result a lot of writers copied the idea as well. Even now there are some dramas airing on television which are highly inspired from Maat.

Mein Abdul Qadir Hoon – 2011

Writer: Sarwat Nazir
Director: Babar Javed
Producer: A & B Productions
Cast: Fahad Mustafa, Alishba Yusef, Aamina Sheikh, Faysal Qureshi, Sana Askari, Saba Hameed & others.

Mein Abdul Qadir Hoon was one of those very few Pakistani dramas of that time which showed the struggles of a young man and focused on the male protagonist at a time when most stories revolved around women. This was another coming of age story with a spiritual element to it. The role played by Fahad Mustafa in this drama was one of the best performances of his entire acting career which gave him a new introduction.

Roag – 2011

Writer: Faiza Iftikhar
Director: Babar Javed
Producer: A & B Productions
Cast:Asif Raza Mir, Faisal Qureshi, Sumbul Iqbal, Shagufta Ijaz & others.

Drama serial Roag covered the sensitive topic of child rape at a time when such topics were considered extremely tabooed. Apart from this, it also covered many other pressures and challenges faced by young people. Roag set the bar really high and even today the dramas which cover such topics are often compared with it.

Hamsafar – 2011

Writer: Farhat Ishtiaq
Director: Sarmad Khoosat
Producer: MD Productions
Cast: Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Naveen Waqar, Atiqa Odho, Behroze Sabzwari, Hina Bayat, Saba Faisal & others.

Hamsafar was the most gripping play of its time, it also had an unmatched fan following. It was the story of two people who are forced to get married, they fall in love and the rest of the drama covered the ups and downs in their relationship. Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan’s on-screen couple as well the fast pace of this show in the first few weeks won the viewers over completely.

Mere Pass Pass – 2011

Writer: Samira Fazal
Director: Misbah Khalid
Producer: MD Productions
Cast: Deepak Perwani, Nadia Jameel, Moammar Rana, Aysha Khan (senior), Faisal Shah, Ayesha Sana & others.

The story of Mere Pass Pass was unusual; it was the story of a man who falls hopelessly in love with a married woman. The beauty of this play lied in its simplicity, the perfect characterizations and a very engaging screenplay. Every character and actor left a lasting impact. The casting was faultless and all the actors shared superb on screen chemistry. There were times when the camera work wasn’t very impressive but overall the direction and editing was spot on.

Khuda Aur Mohabbat – 2011 & 2017

Writer: Hashim Nadeem
Director:
Season 1: Anjum Shehzad
Season 2: Syed Ali Raza Usama
Producer: Javeria Saud
Cast: Imran Abbas, Sadia Khan, Kubra Khan, Salman Shahid, Firdous Jamal, Khalid Butt, Shafqat Cheema, Fazila Qazi, Rambo and others.

Khuda aur Mohabbat was a drama based on the novel written by Hashim Nadeem. The story of Khuda aur Mohabbat was based on the journey of Hammad who goes from loving a human being to finding the love of his Creator through that. Hammad and Imaan’s short-lived love story was one of a kind. Their love goes through the scrutiny of societal obstacles and they don’t get to be together. This novel was dramatized twice. The first season that aired in 2011 covered half of the novel but the second season that aired in 2017 showed the complete story.

Akbari Asghari – 2011

Writer: Faiza Iftikhar
Director: Haissam Hussain
Producer: Six Sigma Presentation
Cast: Imran Abbas, Fawad Khan, Sanam Baloch, Humaima Malik, Nargis Rasheed, Asma Abbas, Rehan Sheikh, Nasreen Qureshi, Kiran Haq and others.

Akbari Asghari drama was based on the infamous novel Mirat ul Uroos written by Nazir Ahmed Dehlvi. The story highlighted the stark differences between two sisters Akbari and Asghari. This drama has a comic take on the theme of the story and the Punjabi humor made it one of its kind. This drama was a fine example of ‘never judging a book by its cover’ and the realistic portrayal made it a very interesting watch.

Pani Jaisa Pyaar – 2011

Writer: Moomal Shunaid
Director: Sarmad Sultan Khoosat
Producer: Momina Duraid
Cast: Saba Qamar, Mikaal Zulfikar, Juggun Kazim, Ahsan Khan, Samina Peerzada, Babrik Shah, Samina Peerzada, Firdous Jamal and others.

Pani Jaisa Pyaar is a story of rape victim Sana who is put through tough circumstances because of some wrong decisions made by her family. It also showcases how keeping the truth haunts Sana in her marital life but in the end, when she decides to take a stand for herself by putting her self-respect and mental peace before anything else, everything else shapes up. Pani Jaisa Pyaar was one of those few Pakistani dramas which gave a happy ending to a rape victim showing that what they go through is never their fault.

Durr-e-Shehwar – 2012

Writer: Umera Ahmed
Director: Haissam Hussain
Producer: MD Productions & Six Sigma Entertainment
Cast: Sanam Baloch, Samina Peerzada, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Qavi Khan, Nadia Jamil, Noman Ijaz, Umer Naru, Syed Muhammad Ahmed & others.

This drama had some of the most heart-warming, soul-stirring and effective dialogues. Durr-e-Shehwar covered the story of two different generations and their attempts to make their marriages work. Durr-e-Shehwar is a classic which every drama fan must watch. If you haven’t watched it do give it a go, it will transport you in a world of its own right from the get-go. You cannot watch it without crying buckets of tears.