Over the years, the Pakistani drama industry has immensely evolved in content, developing a paradigm shift that focuses on the celebration of women rather than their objectification.
There is nothing better than watching a fierce female protagonist on-screen being an ultimate boss woman, rocking it while breaking free from the shackles society chains her to.
Since it’s the month of rejoicing and honoring all things women, it is only time that we give a shout-out to our most loved female-centric dramas that moved us and made us proud to be empowered ladies!
Thundering with girl power, these projects featured stereotype-breaking, ceiling-smashing, fearless superwomen who smashed down the patriarchy and stood up for themselves. Somewhere while watching these conversation-starter stories, their leading female characters inspired us about life, love, career, and friendship at a whole new level.
Here’s to recognizing some of the most outstanding portrayals and accomplishing stories of women on our television screens that made us roar ‘YOU GO, GIRL!’
Kankar
Back in 2013, Kankar became one of the early master dramas that broke silence over domestic and marital abuse against women in Pakistan,
It boasted an unpretentious plot of how a young, gullible girl Kiran becomes a victim of beatings and violence by her husband, Sikandar. But the story’s beauty lied in how she rises to power to escape the domestic hell and break the cycle of aggression.
As a matter of fact, its tale was not easy to fathom nor was it openly welcomed by the masses in the preliminary stage of its release. The audience, who were clearly not much exposed to such stories seven years ago, were shown an account that made it ‘okay’ for women to stand up for themselves. As expected, it sparked a buzz that shook the audience to make a difference against the erring of physical abuse against women.
Gently making Pakistan females realize how important it is to protect one’s honor, Kankar was a progressive story of its time. It will make you weep, will tear you apart but in the end, will make you cheer for the daring female protagonist ‘Kiran’ who stood for herself and so many other women in the name of abuse.
Zindagi Gulzar Hai
Despite being aired seven years ago, Zindagi Gulzar Hai remains an ageless drama, making Kashaf one of the most protuberant female characters in the drama scene. After all, her story wasn’t reliant on a prince to come and rescue her out of her anguishes. She was headstrong, independent, and even stubborn while dreaming about being liberated from the dark side of life.
Kashaf checked all the boxes as far as ‘Girl Power’ goes! A powerful persona that stands her ground? Check. Studying hard to end her mother’s financial woes? Check. Leading a high-salaried career in a world of men? Check.
Most importantly, the drama portrayed her mother- an equally strong woman, yet optimistic-, being a true warrior in the time of adversities. Regardless of living such a harsh life, she imparted the message that one must work hard and never stop believing in themselves.
Breaking the mold, Zindagi Gulzar Hai questioned chauvinism that also irked various critics. Kashaf’s character has been a subject to the disapproval of being too negative, inflexible and critical about existence. But that doesn’t change the fact that she carved her life out of nothing, became a classy working woman, dealt with a difficult partner, and raised a family while dealing with anxious thoughts in her brain. All in all, she realizes it, no matter late, that life can indeed be glorious!
Udaari
For years to come, Udaari will always remain a revolutionary project. And will also have the honor of being one of the first contemporary Pakistani dramas to raise voice against child abuse and supporting women empowerment while at it!
The drama also faced a hard time making itself accepted in Pakistan. But when it did, it sent shockwaves in the society. Making ripples across the nation, Udaari became a voice for those that had been silenced and a beacon of hope for those who had been living in dark for a long time.
Shining through its layers of plot, the drama revolved around the lives of so many women, all eventually becoming successful after knocking down doors and being resilient. Be it Sajda starting a business to turn a life around for her abused daughter, Meera becoming a popular singer or Zebo fighting like a lion against her rapist, the drama established that life of scarred women can be better even after being marred by tragedies.
Imparting the positive affirmation of “Main victim nahi main survivor hoon. Main beychari nahi banoo gee, main apney mujrim kos azaadi dilwaoon gee. Sharam mujhai nahi ussay karnee chahiye,”; Udaari will forever be a champion of women empowerment for all ages to come.
The writer Farhat Ishtiaq remains proud to be a powerful force behind the drama and expressed in an earlier interview that Udaari became an important medium to spread awareness amongst women.
Before this drama, nobody could have even thought that they can even make a drama on child abuse. They took such risks and at that time, even us makers were not aware that how the audience will take it. We could have gotten severe backlash but the channel took a daring step and the drama went on-air.
Not only we reaped rave reviews but Udaari also educated a lot of women. It gave them the strength to voice such critical issues and bring awareness.
Khaas
Six years after Kankaar, came Khaas- a story that also addressed the matter of abuse, albeit not domestic but emotional.
It exposed how the behavior of a male partner can be condescending towards his wife while his conduct could be passed as a ‘light joke’ or ‘normal’ by those around. It also brought to light the matter of manipulation, gaslighting and revealed a genuine, unbiased depiction of a toxic a marriage. Ammar’s attitude towards Saba made us realize that how words can hurt more than punches and sometimes fancy gifts can never heal wounds of the heart.
Moreover, in its bid to empower females, Khaas enunciated that a single, divorced woman can also find happiness and even get married to a desirable candidate. She can have a roaring career, be a mother and even raise children alone in the time of misfortune.
However, it takes great courage to rebel against the noxious minds around us and Saba’s story proved that leading such a life is indeed not a bed of roses. A lot is lost on the way, but in the end, it proves to be worth it once you find the happiness and respect you are entitled to.
Ranjha Ranjha Kardi
There are many reasons Ranjha Ranjha Kardi has been crowned as one of 2019’s blockbuster dramas- one of them being its story imparting the importance of education for women.
Noori, who hailed from a low-income background, turned her life around only because she had a thirst for knowledge and a passion to move ahead in life. Leaving her home behind, she worked hard in a garment factory and later, even came out of tricky situations only because she knew how to read and write.
Her awareness and education made her summon up the courage to swim against the tide, giving her confidence in front of those who were far more shrewd than her. Later, she even teaches Bhola how to study as he strives to prosper himself in life.
Groundbreaking in its unblinking, real-time portrayal of a young girl struggling for empowerment and flourishing life, RanjhaRanjhaKardi is a story that can mend any women’s broken spirit and urge them to take charge of their own destiny.
Yaqeen Ka Safar
True YaqeenKa Safar made waves for Dr. Asfandyar and Dr. Zubia’s romance. But this drama was beyond a complicated, love story.
Deep in its plot, the drama brought to light a number of societal issues revolving around women, including the stigma of being a rape victim, getting sold off to men double their age and fighting for their right to education.
It also highlights the emotional damage such incidents can have on the minds of the victims if they are not given help and support they deserve at the right time.
However, the drama also affirmed that all hope is not lost for women battling against such aggressive stereotypes! Renewing our faith with its bonafide conclusion, YakeenKa Safar became a wonderful reminder that love and goodness always win 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 of empowerment and it turned out to be a remarkable project against domestic violence against women. 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.
Inkaar
In a society that is just too sexist in its norms, Inkaar emerged as an exemplary, hard-hitting tale that women can be as brave and capable as men when it comes to saying ‘NO’ to injustice.
The emotion-filled story portrayed how a humble girl ‘Hajra’ learns to break free from the bonds of vulnerability and weakness to stand up against her sexual offender.
The drama also exposed men in power and affluent positions that exploit women. Yet, Inkaar with its theme of sensitizing ‘No means No” expressed that facing the world boldly might come as a challenge but being silent is not the solution.
This story has also led to a subtle, cultural shift and became a catalyst against the systematic undervaluing of women. It accurately depicted that females, subjected to the terror of physical assault, can arise victorious if they dare to share their stories with the world.
What is noteworthy, the female protagonist fighting against her oppressor had a strong father trusting her by her side that empowered Hajra all the more against the vile, Rehan Chaudhry.
Speaking to Spotlight in an earlier interview, Rehan Sheikh who played Hajra’s father accurately described the vision behind Inkaar:
Inkaar was a different kind of play because it didn’t bank on a victimized crying woman; in fact, it showed how that injured woman, supported by her father, goes out of her way to get justice. There were many scenes in the play that I loved performing, but the one that stands out takes place after Hafiz Ilyas’s daughter Hajra played by the brilliant Yumna Zaidi is shifted to her ward and he meets her for the first time since the accident.
from HUM TV – Watch Dramas Online https://ift.tt/2vJwJ6H
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