From top drama series to actors on the role of producers and admiring each other’s works, a look at the world of television.
Jaan Nisar
Geo TV drama Jaan Nisar stars Hiba Bukhari, Danish Taimoor, and Nosherwan Ghaznavi. The latest episode has accumulated 23 million views in just five days and is trending on YouTube. This prime-time drama airs twice a week. The synopsis is about how a rich young man faces a major change after his brother’s death. This tragedy brings him many responsibilities, which he reluctantly takes on and later cause him problems. His life changes when he meets Dua and falls in love with her at first sight, but this complicates his duties.
Kaffara
Kaffara is a daily soap serial broadcast on Geo TV. It is one of Geo TV’s most popular soap operas, attracting 8.3 million views in just one day, surpassing many prime-time dramas due to its star-studded cast. The series starts Ali Ansari, Laiba Khan and Zoya Nasir in pivotol roles.
Ishq Hua
Ishq Hua, a mini-series on Geo TV, accumulated 2.4 million views within 24 hours. The series stars Haroon Kadwani, Komal Meer, Sohail Sameer, Sahar Hashmi, Fazila Qazi, and Ramiz Siddiqui. The storyline revolves around two people in love, who encounter numerous obstacles, such as misunderstandings and societal pressures. Their journey highlights how profound love can bring both immense joy and significant heartache. Haroon Kadwani and Komal Meer excel in the lead roles, demonstrating their strong on-screen chemistry. The supporting cast, including experienced actors like Sohail Sameer and Fazila Qazi, enriches the narrative with their performances.
Faysal Quraishi on producer attitudes and Fahad Mustafa’s return to television
Faysal Quraishi, a celebrated Pakistani actor renowned for his exceptional acting ability, has delivered numerous remarkable performances in popular dramas. His acclaimed works include Boota from Toba Tek Singh, Qaid E Tanhai, Meri Zaat Zarra E Benishan, Main Abdul Qadir Hoon, Bashar Momin, Fitoor, Rang Laga, Haiwan, Sabz Pari Laal Kabootar, Aap Ke Liye, and Bheegi Palkain. Recently, he has received praise for his roles in Farq, Khaie, and Zulm. At present, Faysal Quraishi is hosting his own podcast, Pressure Buhat Hey, on his YouTube channel.
In a recent episode, he discussed the practices of producers when negotiating with actors for drama projects and also offered his views.
Talking about producers, Faysal Quraishi remarked, “With my thirty years of experience, I have never heard a producer say that they have a substantial budget and that actors will be well-compensated for their roles. Instead, producers often claim, ‘We are hand to mouth, the budget is too tight, please consider this role.’ I tend to agree to their terms, often feeling pressured by the allure of a good character. Most of the time, I accept their offers due to the promise of a compelling role.” With so many different mediums nowdays, perhaps producers should stop being frugal and pay these respected actors their worth.
Talking about Fahad Mustafa’s return to a drama serial, he commented, “I have enjoyed Fahad’s performance and encouraged him to continue working on television. However, it remains to be seen what he chooses to do next. I believe he may prefer films, but it is wonderful to see him back on TV.”
It’s encouraging to witness the camaraderie within the industry and we hope this will contribute to growth through substantial work, rather than getting caught up in petty bickering.
Emmad Irfani admires Mahira Khan
Emmad Irfani, an actor and model, has steadily made a name for himself as a reliable star. He began his career in modeling and later transitioned successfully into acting. Notable for his role as a villainous character in Cheekh, he has demonstrated his range with compelling performances in Jalan and currently stars as Adeel in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. Besides his acting career, Emmad is passionate about sports and music, topics which he discussed on the TV show Showtime with Ramiz Raja.
In a recent conversation, Emmad shared his admiration for various actors. From the Pakistani film industry, he expressed his respect for Firdous Jamal, Rahat Kazmi, and Mohammad Qavi Khan. Among the younger generation, he mentioned Fawad Khan and Fahad Mustafa, noting their contributions to the art form during a time when the industry was not as prominent, which adds to his admiration for them. Emmad also spoke highly of working with Mahira Khan, emphasizing how she exemplifies respect for everyone on set. He highlighted Mahira’s approach to treating the crew with dignity and acknowledging their hard work behind the scenes, which is a valuable lesson for others. Her respect for the entire team, despite being a star herself, is something he particularly appreciates. And this is perhaps one of the reasons why Mahira Khan is the most beloved star in the country.
Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum
Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum is a drama serial that airs at prime time twice a week. Each episode garners 15 million views within 6 days and frequently trends on YouTube. The cast includes Fahad Mustafa, Hania Aamir, Emmad Irfani, Javaid Sheikh, and Bushra Ansari.
Gentleman
Gentleman is currently one of the most prominent drama serials, owing to Humayun Saeed’s return to televison after a few years. It consistently collects 2.5 million views within 24 hours, with each episode averaging 4.5 million views over the course of a week.
Waseem Abbas’s perspective on Firdous Jamal’s recent controversial comments
Waseem Abbas, a distinguished Pakistani television and film actor with nearly four decades of experience in the industry, has made significant contributions to Pakistani dramas. His notable projects include Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Mere Humsafar, Ashiyana, Din, Family Front, Landa Bazar, and Prem Gali. Known for his outspoken nature, Waseem Abbas frequently shares his views on various media controversies.
Recently, Waseem Abbas appeared on a YouTube vlog hosted by Zaheer Ahmed, where he addressed the controversial statements made by Firdous Jamal about Humayun Saeed and Mahira Khan. Regarding the comments, Waseem Abbas remarked, “What can I say about this? I believe we have no right to comment on others based on their age; it is ultimately about public acceptance. For me, age is inconsequential. She looks pretty, and she is still beautiful. Her last appearance in The Legend of Maula Jatt was stunning. We should accept that. As seniors, we need to be cautious when expressing our opinions about fellow actors. Critiquing an actor’s performance is one thing, but criticizing them based on their age is inappropriate. To me, it feels like a low blow.”
Addressing the remarks about Humayun Saeed, Waseem Abbas stated that Humayun Saeed is a commercially successful actor who knows how to attract audiences. He continued, “Humayun Saeed has a massive fan base and is a significant star. Despite this, Firdous Jamal has criticized him, questioning whether he is Marlon Brando. Yes, Humayun Saeed is Pakistan’s equivalent of Marlon Brando. I believe such criticism is unnecessary and should not be made. We previously condemned similar statements.
Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan are around 54 or 55 years old and are still working because people appreciate them.”
It‘s reassuring to see that senior actors in the industry continue to show their wisdom and support for both the industry and its people.
