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Here are your picks for the best of Pakistani TV in 2015
SADAF SIDDIQUE | SADAF HAIDER
Pakistani dramas have always been an alliance between artistic and commercial interests, but the relationship grew rocky this year as commercial interests (just like their favourite trope) found a “dusri biwi” in the form of films.
The nascent Pakistani film industry took its toll on the Pakistani television industry, cannibalising some of TV's best directors, producers and actors. While some some good dramas were produced in 2015, they were far fewer than in previous years.
At times it seemed as if dramas had become nothing more than a launch pad or a cash cow to finance the movie industry's almost exponential growth.
This year the nascent Pakistani film industry took its toll on the Pakistani television industry, cannibalising some of TV's best directors, producers and actors.
Movies weren’t the only factor in the changing entertainment landscape; ARY and GEO launched game shows Jeeto Pakistan and Inaam Ghar, which took over the usual primetime weekend slots when channels used to show their best serials.
These shows allowed contestants to become the entertainment, promoting a hitherto unseen level of shameless materialism.
Despite the generally downward trend, Hum TV managed to consistently keep both quality and innovation alive, a fact amply supported by the high count of nominees from their dramas in all categories.
Although ARY Digital was busy making movies, it still managed to produce a few quality dramas. A-Plus and Urdu1 focused on mostly commercial projects, but managed to keep a stake in the race with at least one or two serials worthy of mention.
The biggest surprise this year was that, Geo, once a reliable source of well-crafted productions, was unable to scrape together one noteworthy primetime drama serial.
4,402 people took Dawn’s Drama Polls 2015. Here are the winners:
Best Drama
People’s choice: Diyar-e-Dil
Winning by a sweeping majority with 58.2% of the vote, Diyar-e-Dil proved to be the popular choice for the best drama of the year. Sadqay Tumharefollowed at a distant second.
Critic’s choice: Diyar-e-Dil, Jackson Heights
Diyar-e-Dil was a hit across every demographic, and Jackson Heights offered a novel plot
Diyar-e-Dil: For capturing the imagination of every demographic, especially the youth. This was one serial that brought every generation together, sharing timeless traditions and bringing us truly wholesome family entertainment.
Jackson Heights: For looking beyond the television landscape of domestic squabbles and talking about live wire issues of immigration, domestic violence, and exploring ideas of home, love and loss.
It’s time Pakistani dramas step out of drawing rooms and look to a rich heritage of writing, which at one time could include everything from current affairs to satire, and intersect that with our personal lives.
Here’s hoping for a wider canvas in 2016.
Best Director
People’s choice: Haseeb Hassan (Diyar-e-Dil)
Continuing its majority lead in the people’s poll, Haseeb Hassan wins forDiyar-e-Dil. His masterful execution of this saga and marshalling of so many highly talented and diverse talents deserves recognition.
Critic’s choice: Mehreen Jabbar (Mera Naam Yousuf Hai)
Mehreen Jabbar telling of Khalil-Ur-Rehman Qamar's story was refreshing
Mehreen Jabbar’s strong directorial stamp and subdued interpretation of Khalil-Ur-Rehman-Qamar’s flamboyant and filmi style, made this drama an outstanding success.
Honourable mention : Ehtashamuddin (Sadqay Tumharey)
A more than honourable mention to Ehtashamuddin for bringing control but most of all vision, beauty and atmosphere to a story that might otherwise have turned into pool of sentimental mush.
Best Writer
People’s choice: Farhat Ishtiaq (Diyar-e-Dil)
The undisputed queen of romance strikes again and captured the hearts of the nation. What is it about Farhat ishtiaq’s heros that no woman can resist?
Exemplary in character, never short on looks and willing to do or die for honour and duty yet human enough to make the kind of mistakes we would never forgive anyone else, what’s not to love?
Critic’s choice: Amna Mufti (Farwa ki ABC), Fasee Bari Khan (Kitna Satatey Ho), Khalil Ur Rahman Qamar (Sadqay Tumhare)
This was a tough year for writers, with channels dictating longer and longer serials forcing writers to add completely ridiculous plot twists to garner ratings and even an attempt to deny intellectual property rights.
We chose Amna Mufti for simply brilliant writing in Farwa ki ABC. She had comedy, social commentary and a mirror for our times cleverly wrapped up in a simple romantic comedy.
Fasee Bari Khan for his complete and masterful understanding of the human condition and showing us a more gritty reality in Kitna Satatey Ho.
Khalil-Ur-Rahman-Qamar for his courageous and painfully honest writing ofSadqay Tumhare, critics be damned!
Best Actress
People’s choice: Maya Ali (Mera Naam Yousuf Hai)
This was a tough race with Maya Ali just pipping Mahirah Khan at the post and winning for her portrayal of strong headed Zulaikha from Mera Naam Yousuf Hai. Her restrained, sincere performance proved her to be a very capable actress under the right guidance.
Critic’s choice: Mahira Khan (Sadqay Tumhare), Naveen Waqar (Mol)
Naveen Waqar and Mahira Khan
Mahira Khan’s luminous near flawless performance was a pleasure to watch.
Naveen Waqar’s outstanding performance in Mol was an exercise in restraint and deeply powerful acting . Welcome back Naveen!
Honourable mention: Arij Fatima (Kitna Satatey Ho), Marina Khan (Jackson Heights)
Arij Fatima has been on a roll recently with one fabulous portrayal after the other, from Khilona to Kitna Satatey Ho to Ishqprast. She really has proven her versatility and range!
Last but not least, Marina Khan’s performance in Jackson Heights was quite simply a study in excellence – every colour, every shade of a woman from feisty to vulnerable flawlessly brought to life.
Best Actor
People’s choice: Osman Khalid Butt (Diyar-e-Dil)
Our only question is, Wali, aap itney achey kiyun hain? Osman Khalid Butt has always been an incredibly talented actor and has borne the burden of good looks and popularity with admirable patience. However, the real test is now at hand, as his popularity reaches such dizzying, iconic heights.
We suspect he will handle it with his trademark, self deprecating humour because good work always speaks for itself.
Critic’s choice: Faysal Qureshi (Rang Laga), Imran Abbas (Mera Naam Yousuf Hai), Nauman Ijaz (Jackson Heights).
Faysal Qureshi is quite simply one of the best actors of his generation and he proves it again with a knockout performance in Rang Laga.
Imran Abbas soulful performance as lovelorn Yousuf struck all the right chords. His ability to express his pain and pathos showcase his acting abilities and deserves praise.
Nauman Ijaz proved once again that he is in a class of his own. His inquisitiveNY cabbie with a heart of gold proved to be the strongest character inJackson Heights. Nauman Ijaz brought multiple layers to his performance showcasing desperation and humour, alongwith the bittersweet melancholy of pining for his homeland.
Best Supporting Actress
People’s choice: Hareem Farooq (Diyar-e-Dil)
Hareem Farooq is an actress to watch out for: skilled, sincere to her craft and let’s face it simply beautiful. Her role in Diyar-e-Dil was a welcome addition to the original novel.
Critic’s choice: Mansha Pasha (Mera Naam Yousuf Hai)
...........
Here are your picks for the best of Pakistani TV in 2015
SADAF SIDDIQUE | SADAF HAIDER
Pakistani dramas have always been an alliance between artistic and commercial interests, but the relationship grew rocky this year as commercial interests (just like their favourite trope) found a “dusri biwi” in the form of films.
The nascent Pakistani film industry took its toll on the Pakistani television industry, cannibalising some of TV's best directors, producers and actors. While some some good dramas were produced in 2015, they were far fewer than in previous years.
At times it seemed as if dramas had become nothing more than a launch pad or a cash cow to finance the movie industry's almost exponential growth.
This year the nascent Pakistani film industry took its toll on the Pakistani television industry, cannibalising some of TV's best directors, producers and actors.
Movies weren’t the only factor in the changing entertainment landscape; ARY and GEO launched game shows Jeeto Pakistan and Inaam Ghar, which took over the usual primetime weekend slots when channels used to show their best serials.
These shows allowed contestants to become the entertainment, promoting a hitherto unseen level of shameless materialism.
Despite the generally downward trend, Hum TV managed to consistently keep both quality and innovation alive, a fact amply supported by the high count of nominees from their dramas in all categories.
Although ARY Digital was busy making movies, it still managed to produce a few quality dramas. A-Plus and Urdu1 focused on mostly commercial projects, but managed to keep a stake in the race with at least one or two serials worthy of mention.
The biggest surprise this year was that, Geo, once a reliable source of well-crafted productions, was unable to scrape together one noteworthy primetime drama serial.
4,402 people took Dawn’s Drama Polls 2015. Here are the winners:
Best Drama
People’s choice: Diyar-e-Dil
Winning by a sweeping majority with 58.2% of the vote, Diyar-e-Dil proved to be the popular choice for the best drama of the year. Sadqay Tumharefollowed at a distant second.
Critic’s choice: Diyar-e-Dil, Jackson Heights
Diyar-e-Dil: For capturing the imagination of every demographic, especially the youth. This was one serial that brought every generation together, sharing timeless traditions and bringing us truly wholesome family entertainment.
Jackson Heights: For looking beyond the television landscape of domestic squabbles and talking about live wire issues of immigration, domestic violence, and exploring ideas of home, love and loss.
It’s time Pakistani dramas step out of drawing rooms and look to a rich heritage of writing, which at one time could include everything from current affairs to satire, and intersect that with our personal lives.
Here’s hoping for a wider canvas in 2016.
Best Director
People’s choice: Haseeb Hassan (Diyar-e-Dil)
Continuing its majority lead in the people’s poll, Haseeb Hassan wins forDiyar-e-Dil. His masterful execution of this saga and marshalling of so many highly talented and diverse talents deserves recognition.
Critic’s choice: Mehreen Jabbar (Mera Naam Yousuf Hai)
Mehreen Jabbar’s strong directorial stamp and subdued interpretation of Khalil-Ur-Rehman-Qamar’s flamboyant and filmi style, made this drama an outstanding success.
Honourable mention : Ehtashamuddin (Sadqay Tumharey)
A more than honourable mention to Ehtashamuddin for bringing control but most of all vision, beauty and atmosphere to a story that might otherwise have turned into pool of sentimental mush.
Best Writer
People’s choice: Farhat Ishtiaq (Diyar-e-Dil)
The undisputed queen of romance strikes again and captured the hearts of the nation. What is it about Farhat ishtiaq’s heros that no woman can resist?
Exemplary in character, never short on looks and willing to do or die for honour and duty yet human enough to make the kind of mistakes we would never forgive anyone else, what’s not to love?
Critic’s choice: Amna Mufti (Farwa ki ABC), Fasee Bari Khan (Kitna Satatey Ho), Khalil Ur Rahman Qamar (Sadqay Tumhare)
This was a tough year for writers, with channels dictating longer and longer serials forcing writers to add completely ridiculous plot twists to garner ratings and even an attempt to deny intellectual property rights.
We chose Amna Mufti for simply brilliant writing in Farwa ki ABC. She had comedy, social commentary and a mirror for our times cleverly wrapped up in a simple romantic comedy.
Fasee Bari Khan for his complete and masterful understanding of the human condition and showing us a more gritty reality in Kitna Satatey Ho.
Khalil-Ur-Rahman-Qamar for his courageous and painfully honest writing ofSadqay Tumhare, critics be damned!
Best Actress
People’s choice: Maya Ali (Mera Naam Yousuf Hai)
This was a tough race with Maya Ali just pipping Mahirah Khan at the post and winning for her portrayal of strong headed Zulaikha from Mera Naam Yousuf Hai. Her restrained, sincere performance proved her to be a very capable actress under the right guidance.
Critic’s choice: Mahira Khan (Sadqay Tumhare), Naveen Waqar (Mol)
Mahira Khan’s luminous near flawless performance was a pleasure to watch.
Naveen Waqar’s outstanding performance in Mol was an exercise in restraint and deeply powerful acting . Welcome back Naveen!
Honourable mention: Arij Fatima (Kitna Satatey Ho), Marina Khan (Jackson Heights)
Arij Fatima has been on a roll recently with one fabulous portrayal after the other, from Khilona to Kitna Satatey Ho to Ishqprast. She really has proven her versatility and range!
Last but not least, Marina Khan’s performance in Jackson Heights was quite simply a study in excellence – every colour, every shade of a woman from feisty to vulnerable flawlessly brought to life.
Best Actor
People’s choice: Osman Khalid Butt (Diyar-e-Dil)
Our only question is, Wali, aap itney achey kiyun hain? Osman Khalid Butt has always been an incredibly talented actor and has borne the burden of good looks and popularity with admirable patience. However, the real test is now at hand, as his popularity reaches such dizzying, iconic heights.
We suspect he will handle it with his trademark, self deprecating humour because good work always speaks for itself.
Critic’s choice: Faysal Qureshi (Rang Laga), Imran Abbas (Mera Naam Yousuf Hai), Nauman Ijaz (Jackson Heights).
Faysal Qureshi is quite simply one of the best actors of his generation and he proves it again with a knockout performance in Rang Laga.
Imran Abbas soulful performance as lovelorn Yousuf struck all the right chords. His ability to express his pain and pathos showcase his acting abilities and deserves praise.
Nauman Ijaz proved once again that he is in a class of his own. His inquisitiveNY cabbie with a heart of gold proved to be the strongest character inJackson Heights. Nauman Ijaz brought multiple layers to his performance showcasing desperation and humour, alongwith the bittersweet melancholy of pining for his homeland.
Best Supporting Actress
People’s choice: Hareem Farooq (Diyar-e-Dil)
Hareem Farooq is an actress to watch out for: skilled, sincere to her craft and let’s face it simply beautiful. Her role in Diyar-e-Dil was a welcome addition to the original novel.
Critic’s choice: Mansha Pasha (Mera Naam Yousuf Hai)
...........
