5 actors who are trailblazing their way through 2019

In the last one year, television in Pakistan has once again proven itself by becoming a source of path-breaking narrative and this magic appears to be continuing through 2019. Whether it’s a show such as Dil Kya Karey that softly plays with human emotions, Cheekh, which breaks away from family drama to create suspense and thrill, period play Aangan or Ranjha Ranjha Kardi where the ever-changing story keeps building momentum and suspense, these plays are ensuring a very strong year for Pakistani television.

However, in a more holistic view, it’s beyond just the play itself. It is the actors behind these characters who are changing the way television plays are and will be plotted in the times ahead. But, who exactly are these actors who are causing Pakistani plays to reach their Age of Aquarius?

Instep looks at five trailblazing names…

Imran Ashraf

Making his debut in 2011 with Wafa Kaisi Kahan Ka Ishq, Imran Ashraf’s star took its fair share of time to reach the level of popularity it has today. However, from the get-go, there’s been one comment that has constantly been made about the actor and that is about his bravura acting skillset in whichever role he has gotten.

Hence, with his comeback on our television sets on Ranjha Ranjha Kardi as Bhola – a man with a brain functionality of that of a child less than seven years of age who’s fallen in love with Noori (Iqra Aziz), one can’t help but be in awe of how Ashraf breathes life into the character. It also weaves seamlessly with the plot of the story, where we see it bringing new twists with each episode.

Mawra Hocane

After trying her hands on a social play like Sammi and being part of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, Mawra Hocane’s popularity has managed to attain new heights with her role in the ensemble play, Aangan. Playing the role of Aliya, who as we know is the narrator in the Khadija Mastoor novel, the actress has managed to embody the traits of how one imagines the character to be.

In many scenes, one feels she goes beyond the skillset she has shown in the past and proves Mawra can also be a force to reckon with. So much so, that the actress has managed to carve her own niche in the play.

Sajal Aly

Already an icon in every sense of the word, Sajal Aly’s name is synonymous with brilliance in performance. Whether it has been her role in O Rangreza or her rise as an international star with Bollywood’s Mom alongside Sridevi, the actress has broken one bound after another with her path-breaking roles.

With Aangan’s Chammi, she’s pushing the envelope above and beyond and to an extent, she’s proving how to do a partition-play right. In many ways, she is also reminiscent of how Fawad Khan had changed the field with his portrayal as Hassan in Dastaan, when it comes to bringing the right amount of emotion into the play.

Bilal Abbas Khan

Ever since the promos of Cheekh were released, the play has made its fair share of waves amongst avid television viewers. From its ‘whodunit’ moments to the question of whether justice will prevail, the show has been on everyone’s watch list for all the right reasons.

However, if there’s truly one actor who’s doing justice to the show, it has to be Bilal Abbas Khan. Playing his negative role to a tee, the actor has managed to break many stereotypes of him being single-track in his skillset and has instead shown the myriad of emotions he can bring to the narrative.

Feroze Khan

Ever since his rise to fame with Geo’s cult-classic Khaani, Feroze Khan has gone from strength to strength with his projects. Now, with his latest stint in Dil Kya Karey, the actor has once again proven that he is a force to reckon with and has much more to give to the audience than just his looks and bad boy avatar.

In DKK, this trailblazer has given his fans what really was missing from his career chart – something less brooding and more romantic to look at. Will lightening strike twice and get Feroze the same popularity that his chemistry with Sana Javed in Khaadi brought? One will have to wait and watch.