Dramas that taught us ‘Steady wins the Race’

The Pakistani television industry deserves praise for enhancing the quality of its content over the last decade. That is why we have lost interest in the usual saas-bahu dramas and pointless dramedies. However, because it takes time for something to become a complete success, we are sometimes disappointed to see a subpar plot receive undue praise. But that truth fades as the television provides a wealth of other entertaining shows to watch, where everything is handled in a decent manner, from significant social concerns (Kankar, Akhir Kab Tak, Udaari) to addressing everyday difficulties of an ordinary man (Kankar, Akhir Kab Tak, Udaari) (Parizaad, Meri Zaat Zarra e Benishan, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi).

There’s nothing worse than drama serials with needless scripts being praised, but failing to win an award doesn’t negate the fact that several plays have performed admirably and imparted valuable lessons. Here are a few dramas with essential themes that may not have won any Oscars, but they surely caught our hearts, teaching us one of life’s most important lessons: “Steady Wins The Race.”

Daam

Daam, a drama serial, was one of the dramas that helped revive Pakistani dramas. When most production studios were too busy copying scripts from foreign countries, it was a welcome change. Writers like Umera Ahmed have resurrected the allure of Pakistani dramas. Daam was well written. It’s a narrative about friendship, betrayal, and relationships.

The film Daam tells the story of two best friends from various social strata. However, as basic as it may appear, it illuminates a sea of complexities. From those who lacked basic necessities to those who owned luxuries, their adventures were unquestionably well documented. One thing that stood out for me the most about Zara’s character was that she was never seen hopeless about the situations in life.

Parizaad

Parizaad was a game changer for Pakistani television and a warm welcome to Ahmed Ali Akbar’s universe. While there are plenty of unanswered questions and gaps in simple cause and effect events in the serial, this isn’t about them. It’s about how Hashim Nadeem gave voice to thousands of socially uncomfortable people who are dealing with an inferiority complex, impostor syndrome, and what appears to be a forever cursed fate.

Parizaad’s happy ending was finally finding love, but it was how he found a place where he genuinely belonged that stood out the most. ‘Zindagi mohabbat ke bina kaati ja sakti hei maqsad ke bina nahin,’ hei maqsad ke bina nahin’. In an industry, where happy endings are usually associated with marriage and love, it was brave of Nadeem to show an alternate reality where he finds a meaningful purpose alongside the desire to love and be loved all as a result of his patience and good faith.

Alif Allah aur Insan

A drama that is nothing short of a fountain of life lessons, and enough to drive any human to be unrelenting. It teaches moral lessons about religion, faith, and personal convictions. I personally followed the drama week after week since it first aired and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the various stories it was based on unfold. It was eye-opening in many ways, and it simply goes to show how Allah rewards people who are just in their cause. With a superb cast and a compelling storyline, this is one to watch, and if you haven’t already, all of the episodes are available on the Hum Tv YouTube page. It’s something that any human may benefit from!

It tells the narrative of five different characters with completely different origins who all have one thing in common: God. Shahzeb (Mikaal Zulfiqar), Nazneen (Kubra Khan), Rani/Reena Begum (Ushna Shah), Basit (Shahzad Sheikh), and Nighar Begum are the five main characters (Sana Fakhar). Although there are many other fantastic characters played by similarly outstanding performers who, in my opinion, play an important role in the lives of the major characters, there are many others.

Mein Abdul Qadir Hoon

Even today, Mein Abdul Qadir Hoon is one of the few Pakistani dramas that depicts the problems of a young man rather than a lady. In an era when most stories revolved around women, the story focused on a male protagonist.

After a heartbreak, Mein Abdul Qadir Hoon is a narrative of a guy who seeks solace in religion, but discovers more than he bargained for. The story begins with Abdul Qadir, a young man who falls in love with the girl who lives next door. The girl leads him down the wrong path, where he begins to drink and use drugs. She dumps him and leaves him for good when he asks her to marry him later. Abdul Qadir, goes to study abroad as a result of this breakup. However, he regains his faith and belief after marrying a housemaid, but she succumbs to aids later. Abdul Qadir’s reputation has been shattered again and again. Nonetheless, he finally returns home but with a beard, a cap, and completely transformed. From a boy led into the wrong path to this faithful believer, Abdul Qadir still finds it difficult to being accepted in the society – told to be an extremist of his acts and beliefs.

The various stages of his life demonstrate how patient he was, remaining calm in the face of adversity. This is a superbly written and directed drama that transports the spectator into a magical world.

Durr-e-Shahwar

Durr-e-Shehwar depicted the narrative of two generations of people who were trying to make their marriages work. The drama depicts the struggles and tribulations that a lady must face in order to gain her husband’s affection. Dur e Shahwar and her daughter, Shandana, are the central characters in the novel. The drama takes place in modern-day Shandana. In flashbacks, Durr e Shahwar’s life is revealed. Shandana is having marital problems and openly blames her mother, Durr e Shahwar, of not being able to comprehend because she has always had a devoted husband. Durr e Shahwar describes how she fought hard to earn her husband’s love and then goes on to describe the difficulties she had in the early years of her marriage.

Some of the most heart-warming, soul-stirring, and impactful dialogues were found in this show. Durr-e-Shehwar is a must-see drama for all drama fans. If you haven’t seen it yet, do do since it will immediately transport you to another universe. It’s impossible to see it without crying buckets.

Cheekh

The drama serial Cheekh isn’t your typical love story or drama. It’s the story of a woman named “Mannat” who preached the importance of sticking up for what’s right and just no matter who! She stood up to her own family to demand justice for her best friend, who was raped and murdered in her own house by her brother-in-law.

The plot of Cheekh is bolded by Saba Qamar’s superb performance, who battles until the end for her friend’s justice after she was sexually molested and pushed from the building by her brother-in-law. She lost everything in her quest for truth, including her mother, husband, and pregnant child, but she didn’t give up. The The story is long dragged but the lesson it left for us is remarkable. All in all, it’s a silhouette of justice and Allah’s mercy on the one who chooses the right path.

Zindagi Gulzaar Hai

The plot revolves around Kashaf, a middle-class girl who is constantly lamenting to Allah about her woes in life. Her father had abandoned them since her mother had given birth to three daughters rather than a son. She took the commitment to improve the family’s financial status because she was the family’s oldest sister. She met a boy named Zaroon at university who was the centre of attention for everyone, but he couldn’t stand the fact that a middle-class girl like Kashaf would just ignore him. But, quietly, he was drawn to her intellect and thought she stood out among the other girls. Their paths eventually crossed, and their fortunes changed.

This story is a perfect example for the ones who think daughters can’t be equal to sons and aren’t capable of achieving big. She struggled hard and made her way up on her own, becoming a strong example in front of her father.