All Karachites have a hot-sticky-dry situation going on in the summer but this summer has been lethal so far. With sandstorm and heatwave warnings scattered all over weather channels and the blistering heat, it’s impossible to step outside without being scorched. Result? Stay indoors and blast the air conditioning. Entertainment? Limited. Here are 5 Pakistani dramas that are guaranteed to kill time (maybe even have you hooked onto them):
Cheekh
Representing women empowerment, Cheekh is a drama that creates awareness. Saba Qamar as the fierce protagonist is torn between saving her marriage or fighting for justice. Much to our surprise, Emmad Irfani, playing Mannat’s husband supports her when she files an FIR against his brother – going against the norm of what we consider as a Pakistani “man” and showing what being a man really entails.
There are a range of emotions involved in this gripping story and our society certainly has a lot of take-away points from it.
Anaa
Debuting the gorgeous Naimal Khawar Khan, Anaa boasts a story full of twists and turns – the enmity between two nawab families. Hania Aamir and Shehzad Sheikh work opposite each other as the leading couple in the drama. Hania’s character (Daneen) is shown to be a free spirit, somewhat of a rebel and Shehzad’s character is composed yet conflicted. In the words of Hania herself, the drama explores romantic love as well as family bonds, “It’s about love between friends, between siblings, between parents and their children, between grandparents and their grandchildren. It’s a portrayal of how one’s love differs from another, how everybody’s standards of love are different. In between this chaotic web of love, Daneen is trying to live by her rules.”
A plus point? It’s shot in Chitral – not only do you get a compelling, easy-to-follow story but also all the “dilkash nazaray”.
Suno Chanda 2
Following on from the success of Suno Chanda (the original) last year, Momina Duraid Productions has given us comic relief this year too. This season continues from where the first season ended. The series explores the story of Ajiya (Iqra Aziz) and Arsal (Farhan Saeed) after their marriage and now focuses on performing the marriage ceremonies of Sherry with Kinza and Billo with Joji – both of the couples had fallen in love in the previous season. It also has new characters Mithu, who is the son of Shahana’s cousin Pari and Jalal’s niece Maina, both of whom started liking each other. As always, family drama comes in between – will their relationship survive the test?
Alif
Based on the latest novel by Pakistan’s acclaimed fiction writer Umera Ahmed, the drama serial will immortalise the resilient characters from the book through a multi-cosmic cast. The story revolves around a film maker and his journey which will be portrayed by Hamza Ali Abbasi, presenting the story of a Pakistani film maker for the first time. Paired with Sajal Aly, Kubra Khan, Ahsan Khan, this drama vows to be a story you’ve not seen before.
Surkh Chandni
Another cognizant drama, the story revolves around Sohai Ali Abro, who is playing an acid attack survivor in collaboration with Osman Khalid Butt. Considered to be one of Sohai’s “come-back” dramas, she had to undergo some serious SFX makeup transformations for this demanding role. Walk through her journey – it’s the journey of thousands of women who are acid attack survivors. This drama not only excites but also raises awareness.
