Instep gives a lowdown on four genres that are ruling television these days.
Admit it or not but the percentage of family dramas airing on television is much higher than the rest of the genres. Even though there are some exceptions - like comedy or horror - family dramas are more popular because they cover a long time period and allow the audience to establish an emotional bond with the characters.
However, things are changing and in the recent past, writers and producers have been experimenting with diverse genres such as horror, mystery and period dramas being some examples.
Instep lists down four different genre-based TV serials that are on air these days.
Dil Kiya Karey
Genre: family drama
Directed by Mehreen Jabbar, the drama serial stars Yumna Zaidi, Feroze Khan and Mirza Zain Baig, in pivotal roles. Written by Asma Nabeel of Khaani fame, Dil Kiya Karey is a love triangle between the three protagonists. 13 episodes into the play, the remarkable performances by the actors, especially Feroze Khan, Yumna Zaidi, Shamim Hilaly and Marina Khan, take the plot forward. With brilliant direction from Mehreen Jabbar, DKK shows the ups and downs that close-knit families go through and how they deal with different situations.
Produced under the banner of 7th Sky Entertainment, the drama has an all-star cast, including Mariyam Nafees, Sonia Rehman, Sarmad Khoosat, Abid Ali and Tanveer Jamal among others.
Aangan
Genre: period (historic)
Aangan is based on the pre-partition era and follows the story of multiple characters. Directed by Mohammad Ehteshamuddin (of Udaari fame), the serial is an adaptation of Khatija Mastoor’s award winning novel of the same name, which was honoured with the Adamjee Award for Literature and translated in 13 languages.
High on emotional quotient, Aangan has an all-star cast that includes Ahsan Khan, Ahad Raza Mir, Sajal Aly, Mawra Hocane, Sonya Hussyn, Uzma Hassan, Abid Ali and Hira Mani. However, it is Sajal Aly as Chammi who is stealing the show with her powerful acting – so far.
Inkaar
Genre: social drama
Stories, when told with a social context, have the ability to resonate strongly with the audience. And this is exactly what drama serial Inkaar has managed to do.
Directed by Kashif Nisar and written by Zafar Mairaj, Inkaar features Sami Khan, Yumna Zaidi and Imran Ashraf in key roles. Four episodes into the play as the name suggests, Inkaar highlights the importance and power of the word ‘No’. The story revolves around the plight and sufferings of a brave girl and her battle against the flawed justice system. With a number of terrific actors on board, let’s see what the upcoming episodes have in store for us.
Bandish
Genre: horror
Directed by Aabis Raza and written by Syed Nabeel and Shahid Nizami, Bandish is one television serial that is intriguing audiences with its effective and scary storytelling. Supernatural stories are hard to pull off but Bandish, which features Marina Khan, Sajid Hassan, Farah Shah and Hira Mani among others, has a solid script, coupled with good direction and a stellar cast.
The horror play follows the story of a family that is being tortured by black magic. The performances by all the actors is commendable - especially the two youngest actors Hoorain (Aleena) and the other young girl who essays the character of the little jinn. In addition, Farah Shah and Marina Khan pull off their characters really well.
