Underrated Pakistani dramas you must re-watch

Except for the poetry of words and inevitably strong performances, what else makes a drama serial possibly the best? Let me give you some reasonable grounds: 1) Cast: It seems to reason that the more well-known people on the team, the better the odds of the project succeeding. 2) Channel: It is a fact that if a show airs on a particular channel, it will have a high TRP owing to the popularity of the channel. 3) Directors & Writers: People are naturally drawn to watch someone’s work if they are prominent for providing adequate content.

Then comes the plot, themes, and OST. But why am I talking about the factors that contribute to a show’s success when the title says “Underrated”? Because dramas may occasionally tick all the boxes to be popular but still fall short. As is the case with the ongoing TV series Aakhir Kab Tak, which is not garnering that much recognition, despite the fact that it deals with a highly sensitive topic and features outstanding performances. Overlooking projects like this has been a significant issue for a long time. Let’s take a look at the list of TV serials that have been marked by bad fortune since 2010.

Uraan (2010)

Starring Humayun Saeed, Saba Qamar, Amina Sheikh, and Zhalay Sarhadi, Uraan, despite all of its positive aspects, was unable to make it onto our must-watch list due to the time period in which it was released. The plot of this show revolves around three women who get tied to one another through a string of unfortunate connections with a deranged man. Dealing with issues such as domestic abuse, dismal marriages, and mental health, this drama didn’t get much attention.

Sabz Pari Laal Kabootar (2012)

Considering the fact that Faysal Quraishi was a popular face at the time when Sabz Pari Laal Kabootar was aired, it could have been a blockbuster but it wasn’t. The plot of this drama focuses on a father who is suffering from financial despair and ends up slaughtering his four children. The play depicts the harsh reality of contemporary society, in which individuals become engrossed in mysticism without fully comprehending the ethical implications.
It touched a pressing and harsh truth of the society which was not easy to watch as it showed brutality and appeared gloomy, but that does not imply that awareness should be halted. As a result, this drama series did not receive the attention it deserved, despite the fact that the acting, editing, characters, soundtrack, plot, and everything else was fantastic.

Jackson Heights (2014)

A show which was shot in the neighborhood of Queens in New York City and written by the best-known comedy screenwriter, Vasay Chaudhry, this was similar to those Netflix series that is nothing but a basic light family drama set in NYC, something everyone is obsessed with. However, it didn’t get recognized as much although it featured an ensemble cast including Nomaz Ejaz, Aamina Sheikh, and Adeel Hussain. One obvious explanation for this could be that it was not shown on a major entertainment network. Well, it’s better late than never, right? If you ever feel like watching something lighthearted and fun, keep this gem in mind.

Inkaar (2019)

No Means No – an anti-rape slogan on which the drama Inkaar was based. Emphasizing consent, a concept that is often misunderstood, disregarded, or not even acknowledged in the lives of women. The series has an outstanding plot, highlighting such a complicated subject and depicting a real-life incident. Starring Imran Ashraf, Yumna Zaidi and Sami Kha, this show couldn’t reach the list of the popular ones. Call it poor luck or slow pacing pitch of the show, it took less interest of the audience. However, making a serial with a positive narrative and encouraging slim hope for everyone while promoting awareness was a wonderful move, especially with the rising number of injustice instances in this country.

Dushman-e-Jaan (2020)

Mohib Mirza and Madiha Imam gave an amazing performance in this series which revolves around a man’s guilt trip whose anger and rage end up destroying his life and future. This story was different, giving a lesson about the need of removing anger issues from one’s life since they have damaging consequences. It didn’t seem to be well received for some reason. With the current popularity of Ishq Hai, which has a more depressing narrative than Dushman-e-Jaan, I’m left wondering why people prefer to watch mainstream love stories rather than anything more moral and prudent.

Raqeeb Se (2021)

Known for its OST, Raqeeb Se was a romantic drama that avoided clichés. I agree that romanticism magnifies erroneous hopes and that today’s culture is no longer about quiet romance. However, with Kashif Nisar and Bee Gul’s impeccable directing and storyline, it becomes a must-watch. While Hadiqa Kiani, Noman Ejaz, and Sania Saeed gave their best, Iqra Aziz and Faryal Mehmood outshined. Complex emotions are what we feel difficult to deal with, and this drama provides validation for that. Despite all of these relevant factors, it was not a success. While there are a few reasons for its unpopularity, it was still a better alternative than some of the other bizarre tales that were sent out.

Dil Na Umeed Tou Nahi (2021)

Dil Na Umeed To Nahi was a superb serial beyond expectation. From the plot to the performances to direction, everything was finely placed. Human Trafficking is a taboo issue that is not discussed very often because many people are unwilling to acknowledge the brutality that exists, this show did an excellent job of raising awareness and addressing other concerns such as the significance of girls’ education and liberty. Although Yumna Zaidi and Wahaj Ali, who played the main characters, were later praised for their on-screen chemistry, the story did not receive the attention it deserved.