Those of us even mildly interested in the melodramatic world of Pakistani drama serials look forward to the mention of one name when the credits roll. For we can be certain that if this talented director is the one calling the shots, we are in for a ride that is anything but ordinary.

Since she directed her first serial for television over 16 years ago, Mehreen Jabbar has set the standard by which her contemporaries are judged. Her stories reflect the trials and travesties of the modern age and give voice to issues that were rarely explored before she started her career. Whether it’s a subject as common as a troubled relationship between a husband and wife or a more complex topic such as migrant identity, you can rely on Mehreen to give a layered and interesting twist to the tale.

Her foray into filmmaking with Ramchand Pakistani was just as impactful. The tearjerker of a movie, based on the true story of a Pakistani boy trapped in an Indian jail, earned numerous accolades across the world and won an honorable mention at the London Film Festival.

The addictive Jackson Heights, currently on air, is the talented director’s latest small screen offering and like millions of viewers across the country, it has us completely hooked. Mehreen’s signature subtle style shines through in the story of six inter-twined characters and explores the themes of immigration and domestic violence amidst numerous others. It has given us one of the most interesting anti-heroes of recent times, Sikander played by Ali Kazmi. Yet, despite its hard-hitting central themes, Jackson Heights remains entertaining, realistic and entirely modern in its approach.

That, in essence, is Mehreen’s strength and the very qualities that set her apart from the crowd. In a world where mediocrity is often overlooked in favour of masala, and where female-driven projects remain sidelined, Mehreen has learnt to strike just the right balance between commercial viability and creative integrity. Because she’s a woman who has blazed her own trail and succeeded in retaining her individuality while gaining mainstream popularity, she is Instep’s Hotstepper of  the Week.