Dushman on PTV: Is A Revival for the Channel in Order?

The millennials and Gen Z drama buffs have been blessed with television gems like Alif, Udaari, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Dastaan, Jackson Heights and so many more. But none of those stories could match the glorious entertainment of the yore when PTV was all the industry had.

It was the unforgettable golden age of Pakistan television that shaped the dramas of today. While the tales of the past were mostly low-budget projects, they boasted stories that had value and kept the whole country glued to their T.V sets.

How much we have heard from our elders about the evergreen Dhoop Kinary, the forever memorable Alpha Bravo Charlie, the witty Ankahi, the gripping Tanhyaaiyan, the king of all comedy shows ’50-50’, and the ultimate game show ‘The Tariq Aziz’ show. The channel and its projects proudly became the breeding ground for the crème de la crème of actors, writers, and directors we take inspiration from today.

A revival on the way?

Unfortunately, PTV lost its soul with the influx of various channels back in 2000. Initially, Indus TV was launched and it ended PTV’s supremacy forever. However today, hundreds of channels combined have not been able to give us the treasure trove of entertainment that PTV still possesses.

Nevertheless, we continuously see a ray of hope for PTV’s revival. From Turkish dramas to those of ISPR, we often see attempts to attract audiences towards the national channel. The much recently launched ‘Dushman’ is one of the projects that signifies a much-awaited comeback of contemporary Pakistani dramas on PTV.

Those who have seen its teasers will know that it appears as a coming-of-age saga that will hook millennials and Gen Z with its striking story. Starring veterans like Saman Ansari, Nadia Afghan, the late Naila Jaffery, Ayub Khosa along with a fresh cast of Rose Mohammed, Sabeeka Imam, Hadi Bin Arshad, and Hassan Niazi. The masterminds behind the drama are director Abdullah Badini and writer Ali Moeen.

A love-hate sage between families

Shot in exotic locations, Dushman appears to be a tale of two vengeful families with centuries-old rivalries. What is the most interesting part of the teasers is that it shows women in power with Saman Ansari as the silver-haired leader ‘Mai Lali’ of her tribe along with the fierce Nadia Afghan as ‘Malkani Bibi’- the head of the rival family. Women empowerment is definitely a trendy narrative PTV needs to propagate to attract drama aficionados.

Both blazing guns and murder in their eyes, the actress appears the epitome of power as they set out to avenge the deaths of their beloved in the past. It is clear that love is considered a forbidden crime in both families. From the looks of the promos; it is evident that the cunning female leaders leave no stone unturned to unleash wrath upon each other. From poison to swords; they are ready to use all to achieve the downfall of the enemy.

However, their young generation is becoming a pawn in the battle. We see a blazing Rose Muhammad setting a trap to ensnare a dandy-looking Hadi while a poised Hassan Niazi has his love game ready to lure a stunning Sabeeka Imam. It’s a mystery about which actor is exactly essaying what role and belongs to which tribe. For that, we are ready to switch on to PTV or surf the intriguing drama on YouTube.

Dushman’s script-writing too seems robust with its enigmatic dialogues. We see multiple locations being used in the teaser and we are counting on the aesthetic cinematography that will make the drama looks brilliant on our screens.

The presence of Naila Jaffery

A very special part of Dushman appears to be the presence of the late Naila Jaffery in the cast. This was a drama she was working on while she was battling cancer. A strong warrior she has been with the deadly disease, we see her bald in the drama- signifying that it must be a harsh time she was surely undergoing her treatment.

It warmed our hearts to witness her in an avatar after ages, something that the industry will cherish and relish after her ill-fated demise. It is so uncanny that she began her career with Family 93 on PTV and her last drama too will be aired on the channel she kickstarted her journey with.

We have our hopes high for this project! Will it meet the expectations and truly become the stepping stone of PTV’s eventual revival on our screens? Let’s wait and watch.