hen the long Eid holidays were announced, most of us were thrilled at the promise of respite from our hectic and regimented routines. What made this respite a little more special was the experience of tuning into Eid broadcasts while enjoying our savvayan with our loved ones. What made that possible was the fact that life went on as usual in the media universe.

Behind the scenes, people associated with the press and media work around the clock to bring us Eid transmissions, talk shows, special dramas and reality shows. There was a whole variety of special Eid broadcasts this year and a lot to pick from. It felt good to know that content producers had invested a lot of time and effort into Eid-themed broadcasts that the whole family could enjoy.

I decided to surf through the channels for some light-hearted entertainment and escape the issues that had riddled Ramazan. While lounging around, I turned towards my television to see what was on. Idly, I flicked through the channels and soon noticed that the broadcasts being aired were refreshingly different from regular transmissions.

Eid Dunya Kay Sang was a pleasant surprise. It brought together an impressive line-up of guests including the legendary Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, the talented Mekaal Zulfiqar, the iconic Resham, the multi-talented Fakhre Alam, prsenter Kamran Shahid, actor Shahid, journalist Mujeeb-ur Rehman Shami and the hilarious Sohail Ahmed.

Brimming with fun-filled activities, playful banter, musical performances and engaging discussions, the transmission was hosted by Fakhre Alam and Kamran Shahid.

Another transmission was hosted by Uzma Romi and Moneezay Moin. Both Romi and Moin are journalists who usually host current affairs shows. Seeing them in a festive mood was something new.

The show featured Samina Khawar, a PTI politician, Jawad Ahmed, the singer-turned-politician, and writer Iftikhar Iffi.

The panel of guests for this show mainly comprised politicians but the chatter remained light-hearted. It was evident that the guests were in a celebratory mood. The discussion centred on issues of social importance such as women’s empowerment, mental health and the pressure to be successful. While everyone gave their opinion, there was a general consensus on most issues.

It was heartening to know that as glamorous as their life appears to be, they too are human. The façade slipped and we found out that, just like us, our favourite celebrities surround themselves with family and friends. Just like us, they get giddy about dressing up for Eid in traditional shalwar qamees and ghararas. 

Dil Say Khair Say, which aired on Sunday, was another interesting transmission. It was hosted by Imran Hasan and Urmila Hasan. Their guests included actress Asma Abbas, comedian Honey Albela, Amna Butt of The Art Room and actor Hamza Majeed.

The energetic vibe that the show brought to the screen was satisfying. The hour-long conversations were truncated by live musical performances by qawwals. The guests spoke mainly about their Eid routines, the delicacies they enjoyed and how they spent the festival with their families.

Watching our favourite celebrities talk about their family lives was also great. It gave fans an insight into the lives of these people. The guests were laid back and more forthcoming about everything, from their family lives to culinary preferences. Some spoke of their outfits, a little inspiration for the fashionistas out there while others shared their plans for Eid.

Some channels also featured exciting telefilms with engaging content and blockbuster episodes. The last episode of the drama serial Fairytale premiered on the Eid day. Getting closure on that plotline made Eid sweeter for those who had been watching it.

While there were many shows and transmissions, the common theme was how people were enjoying Eid and it was bringing people closer. While some celebrities spoke of the spirit of Eid, others talked about the importance of spending quality time with people close to us. Still others shared family photos and spoke of their resolves.

Another takeaway was the importance of kind acts and charity. Guests and hosts in most transmissions urged the viewers to be inclusive in their celebrations. Many celebrities and stars chose to donate to charitable causes and participated in fundraising events.

Sharing festive greetings with the fans on social media was another trending element as they took to their handles and expressed their joy and happiness on this special occasion.

It was heartening to know that as glamorous as their life appears to be, they too are human. The façade slipped and we found out that, just like us, our favourite celebrities surround themselves with family and friends. Just like us, they get excited about dressing up for Eid in traditional shalwar qamees and ghararas.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Karachi