15 years ago, Hum TV kick-started an era of progressive television and enabled a dignified level of excellence on the small screen, suitable for all Pakistani families.
Since then, the entertainment network has been on a steady climb and gave us some glorious years of quality projects with aplomb.
Some great dramas were released in these past 15 years! We witnessed inspirational stories that became a part of us with diversity being celebrated, women’s rights finally taking center stage, new talent making stunning debuts and our stars reaching the pinnacle of success beyond borders.
From periodic dramas to romantic tales, socially charged stories to tasteful thrillers, there have been masterworks of projects by established writers and directors that will be remembered for ages to come.
Let’s reminisce about some of the biggest hits by Hum TV that transformed the television landscape by generating influential conversations.
Of course, narrowing down this list has been a difficult feat. Check out if your favorite drama made it to the list!
Dastaan (2010)
The most ambitious periodic drama of its time, Dastaan was an unflinchingly brutal look at Indo-Pak Partition but also brilliant in its essence.
Based on Razia Butt’s novel ‘Bano’ and directed by Haissam Hussain, the drama has been that one romantic-tragedy that shook the audience to the core and left them trembling with its painful plot. You can re-watch it 10 times but its poignant story will always leave you teary-eyed.
The best part of the drama remained that how its story remained unbiased over any school of thought by narrating stories of both good and evil amongst all religious groups delving in the subcontinent.
Despite partition being a sensitive subject, Dastaan was rebranded as ‘Waqt Ne Kiya Kya HaseenSitam’ in India to be aired on Zindagi TV.
Periodic dramas will continue to come and go on Pakistani television. But none will be as organic, genuine and heart-wrenching like Dastaan.
What critics had to say: It deals with a sensitive issue; you’ll want to watch for Fawad Khan, Sanam Baloch- News18.com
Maat (2011-2012)
Released in 2011, Maat boasts impeccable performances by Adnan Siddiqui, Aamina Sheikh, and Saba Qamar. It is amongst the most compelling dramas of its time, top of its game in terms of acting, storytelling, and direction.
Penned by Umera Ahmed, it was an unusual story of a dysfunctional family and estranged sisters, revolving around love, lust, greed, jealousy, and redemption. While Aamina played the role of the loving, devoted sister, it was Saba who donned the role of the antagonist and made it one of her best performances so far!
So much so, Maat received immense appreciation in India after it was aired on Zindagi TV in 2014. What’s more, it even made waves in Iran and Turkey, being broadcasted three times on Turkish television due to its immense popularity.
Earlier in an interview with Hum Spotlight, Saba talked in detail about playing a negative role in Maat:
I have had my share of negative characters and I feel that they give the actor in you a chance to do something different. Everybody can become a pyari beti but not everyone can become the vamp who wants to do things her own way, whatever the repercussions may be.
Off-screen I am a pyari beti but on it, I have to be something I am not, something out of the box and that’s why I go for challenging roles.
What critics had to say: Indian television has witnessed a number of shows on the camaraderie of sisters but Maat brings out the enmity between two sisters that have never been seen before-DNA India
Humsafar (2011-2012)
Want to feel old?
It has been almost nine years since Humsafar premiered on our television screens but it seems just like yesterday that Khirad and Ashar came into our lives to stay with us forever.
To date, Humsafar is Hum TV’s behemoth of a fantasy romance saga. It has the credit of revolutionizing Pakistan’s drama industry by setting a historical viewership record and becoming a worldwide phenomenon.
Even years later, fans are still not over the show and crave to see Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan’s passionate pair all over again. From its dominant cast to its moving OST, filmy scenes to fashion inspirations, classic plot by Farhat Ishtiaq to powerful direction by Sarmad Khoosat; Humsafar became an ageless, high-octane love story that reaped massive accolades.
Not to forget, our stars became a sensation in India and their huge demand compelled Bollywood to star them in their movies.
We asked Farhat Ishtiaq over how she perceived Humsafar to be a game-changer for Pakistan’s drama industry. Here’s what she had to say:
Humsafar surely changed the dynamics of not only Pakistan’s television industry but the entertainment industry overall and helped to revive it. And this drama proved to be in favor of Pakistan in various ways.
There were quality dramas being produced before as well. However, it was after a long time that a television project made waves worldwide. The audience appreciated it and truly got obsessed with its story. Moreover, it helped to grow our industry on a massive scale. With its growth, it also gave a boost to employment opportunities. It gave the people the confidence to invest in this industry, caused an increase in T.V channels, establishment of production houses and consequently, a rise in dramas.
People became ready to take risks to make simple love stories that created a soft image of Pakistan as well. The world used to perceive Pakistan as a backward country, with its people considered as extremists and its women being suppressed. These misconceptions got destroyed through Humsafar!
What critics had to say: This Pakistani drama-romance is a breath of fresh air in comparison to its Indian counterparts –Indianexpress.com
Yaqeen Ka Safar (2017)
Six years after Humsafar, Farhat Ishtiaq’s penchant for sociocultural stories reached a new peak with Yaqeen Ka Safar. Directed by Shehzad Kashmiri, the drama evoked strong sentiments in the audience, inspiring the mind and moving the spirit.
Rich, heart-rending and motivational, YaqeenKa Safar was an energetic reinforcement about how difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. It was not just an unforgettable love story of Dr. Zubia and Dr. Asfandyar but also a kaleidoscope of various social issues that plague our society.
All the characters and their tales resonated so well with the audience because they radiated warmth, passion, and humanity.
The drama effortlessly created a massive frenzy in the country and was amongst the most trending shows of its time. Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir became the hottest couple in Pakistan, beating the likes of popular pairs like Mahira and Fawad!
Throwback | Yakeen Ka Safar | HUM TV | HUM Spotlight
Miss Yakeen Ka Safar? Here's a little treat for you guys! How beautiful was this scene
#DrAsfi #DrAsfandyaar #AhadRazaMir #YakeenKaSafar #YKS #HUMTV #HumSpotlight
Posted by Spotlight on Thursday, March 7, 2019
It won’t be wrong to say that Yaqeen Ka Safar became a comfort for the viewers, a source of reassurance that love and goodness are always triumphant in the end.
Two years later, Farhat Ishtiaq reminisces over the success of the drama and how it felt penning down a blockbuster project!
Yaqeen Ka Safar had beautiful messages and it turned out to be a remarkable project against domestic violence. Those lessons regarding abuse, human rights, saying no to what’s wrong, supporting the truth and justice were delivered without compromising the value of entertainment. The performances were tremendous, the direction was impeccable and the entire team worked with positive energy.
When we saw the successful outcome of the drama after the effort, it was a moment of great happiness for us that the audience loved it and it was a hit!
What critics had to say: Yaqeen Ka Safar is honest and original and has changed the paradigm of Pakistani dramas- The Express Tribune Blogs
Ranjha Ranjha Kardi (2018-2019)
It is hard to think of RanjhaRanjhaKardi without cracking a smile over how this unconventional love story of acceptance and compassion has now become a classic!
Together, the writer Faiza Ifthikar and director Kashif Nisar created a gripping and emotive masterpiece, depicting the labyrinthine life of Noori entwined with the unsettling narrative of the mentally-challenged Bhola. Sumptuous and subversive, it questioned taboos and exposed injustices that are often snubbed in our society.
Consequently, Bhola and Noori stirred significant social media conversations revolving around mental health and marital abuse.
The drama even caught the eye of the Bollywood actor, Dino Morea who couldn’t help lauding Iqra Aziz’s acting in one of the significant scenes.
Amongst the best dramas of 2019, Ranjha Ranjha Kardi is bound to take many trophies home this year. The champ of the story remains Imran Ashraf, who has unarguably listed his powerful performance as Bhola amongst the most titanic acting moments on TV.
While talking to Hum TV Spotlight about how Bhola changed his life, here’s what Imran Ashraf had to say:
You may not believe me but when FaizaIftikhar penned the script, she chose the director Kashif Nisar and me, as Bhola. Those were the two names that were written on the front page of the script and although I don’t know what made her choose me, I am glad she did.
And there was a time when KashifNisar and I had forgotten about the play and were thinking of doing something else when suddenly we realized that we had ‘RanjhaRanjhaKardi’ with us and the rest they say is history.
What critics had to say: Despite the problematic idea of setting up a deeply mentally challenged man as a hero and marital rape, FaizaIftikhar touched on some difficult societal issues with RanjhaRanjhaKardi – Images Dawn News
Special Mention
There are also some more praise-worthy dramas that set the standard for what great television should be like.
Udaari’s eye-opening story sowed the seeds of a strong movement against child abuse that has infected our country. Dramas like Diyar-e-Dil, Shehr e Zaat, and Zindagi Gulzar Hai achieved mass critical acclaim from across the border. And how can we forget Sang e Mar Mar that kept us hooked to its thrilling tale to the end! Not to forget, Man Mayal’s love story was the most trending dramas on social media of its time.
This list could be never-ending as Hum TV has given Pakistan’s drama industry several blockbusters that will be remembered for years to come. So many more are on their way and we are eagerly waiting for the exciting lineup of entertainment the channel has in store for us in 2020!
from HUM TV – Watch Dramas Online https://ift.tt/30ol5cq
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