It is no secret that television is the most popular form of entertainment. In the recent past, all thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, TV networks as well as digital platforms have seen an unexpected spike in viewing habits all around the globe. And it isn’t surprising that majority of the people spend more hours sitting in front of the television – or screens of any kind and size - watching their favourite dramas or shows, even after two years (more or less) since the coronavirus took over our lives (actually, literally). There is no denying that there’s a lot of good TV out there, in fact, there’s even more on the way. Last year, a number of drama serials, such as the mega-hit series Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3, Rang Mahal, Dil Na Umeed Tou Nahin, Neeli Zinda Hai, Raqeeb Se and the recently-concluded Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay, not only offered a variety of genres but also some strong and intriguing performances. The year 2022 also has had a great start with compelling storylines that are enthralling audiences. Moreover, a few new narratives have recently hit the small screen as well, featuring some of our favourite artists from the entertainment industry. Instep gives you an insight into dramas with interesting themes currently on-air and you may want to catch up on them if you aren’t watching already…

Aye Musht-e-Khaak

Who:

Starring Feroze Khan as Mustajab and Sana Javed as Dua, drama series Aye Musht-e-Khaak is their third project together after Khaani and Romeo Weds Heer. The drama, written by Maha Malik, is directed by Aehsun Talish, and produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi of 7th Sky Entertainment. Besides Feroze and Sana, the cast includes the likes of Asad Siddiqui, Shabbir Jan, Nimra Khan, Iffat Omar, Shahood Alvi and Danial Afzal Khan.

What:

Presently airing on GEO Entertainment Aye Musht-e-Khaak is a compelling story about love, deception and religious values. With a few episodes already out, the plot is based on the fight between evil and good. Dua is a devout, kind-hearted yet strong spirited girl who firmly believes that God listens to everyone’s prayers while Mustajab is the opposite. He is aggressive and a go-getter who wants to get everything he sets eyes on. Now that the two are married, Mustajab wants to mould Dua into something she is not. However, as the story develops, things are taking an interesting turn where Mustajab is trying to hide a big secret from his wife. We will have to wait and watch how the story unfolds.

Why watch it:

Aye Musht-e-Khaak is an intense love saga with a strong spiritual angle to it, which is appealing to the masses. Moreover, the amazing onscreen chemistry between Sana and Feroze as well as Dua’s strong relationship with her brother Dayaan (essayed by Asad Siddiqui) is something that keeps the audiences hooked to their TV screens.

Sinf-e-Aahan

Who:

Sinf-e-Aahan has a star-studded cast that includes Sajal Aly, Yumna Zaidi, Kubra Khan, Syra Yousuf, Ramsha Khan, Saba Hamid, and Usman Peerzada. A joint venture of ISPR, Next Level Entertainment, and Six Sigma Plus Productions, the drama marks the acting debut of social media influencer Dananeer Mobeen. The very impressive onscreen talent coupled with the fact that the project is directed by Nadeem Baig (Punjab Nahi Jaungi, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani) easily make this Umera-Ahmed-penned series one of the standout dramas on air at the moment.

What:

The series revolves around six fearless women from diverse backgrounds who defy convention to join the Pakistan Army. The episodes highlight their passion and commitment as well as their struggles as these women of steel strive to establish themselves and build their careers, going from strength to strength in the process.

Why watch it:

One of the most expensive dramas ever made in Pakistani television history, Sinf-e-Aahan is an entertaining tale that is both touching and inspiring. And from the female-centric narrative and compelling story to the stellar cast and solid talent across the board … what’s not to like?

Sang-e-Mah

Who:

One of the most anticipated drama serials to air in 2022 is Sang-e-Mah, which is helmed by Saife Hassan and is written by Mustafa Afridi. It features an all-star cast including Saniya Saeed, Samiya Mumtaz, Nauman Ijaz, Atif Aslam, Hania Aamir, Kubra Khan, Zaviyar Ejaz and many others

What:

The drama which premiered its first episode in cinemas and then on TV recently most definitely captivated viewers. Sang-e-Mah highlights the social issue of ‘Ghag’, which is a Pashtun practice. It’s a tribal custom (form of forced marriage) where a Pashtun man fires three bullets outside a girl’s house, claiming her to be his. By doing this he declares that no one else can marry her and scares off any other suitor. The first episode introduces the characters of Zargona (Sania Saeed), a strong-headed Pashtun woman, her daughter, Gulminah (Hania Aamir) who is in love with her cousin, Hikmat (Zaviyar Ijaz). Due to the tension between Zargona and her sister Zarsanga (Samiya Mumtaz), the match cannot happen. The highlight of the drama is Hilmand, essayed by Atif Aslam in his debut television role, who is Zarsanga’s more spiritual and free-willed son and seems to be at odds with his mother and father (Nauman Ijaz).

Why watch it:

Add Sang-e-Mah to your list of must-watch dramas because the first episode has proved that it has some power packed performances, especially Atif Aslam who has done a phenomenal job. Surely, the drama hints towards a narrative that will keep the audiences on the edge. We’ll have to wait and see, what the upcoming episodes have to offer.

Jo Bichar Gaye

Who:

Also, currently on-air on GEO Entertainment is period drama series based on the book Bichar Gaye by Col. Z. I. Farrukh. The drama serial features Maya Ali, Wahaj Ali and Talha Chahour in lead roles alongside Nadia Jamil and Adnan Jaffer. Jo Bichar Gaye is penned by Ali Moeen and beautifully directed by Haissam Hussain, who has also produced the series under his banner H2 Films.

What:

The plot of Jo Bichar Gaye revolves around the history of Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Based on true events, the historical drama is set during the war of 1971 with clashes that led to the fall of Dhaka. Five episodes into the period drama, we see Maya Ali and Wahaj Ali essay the role of Sonia and Roomi respectively. Sonia is a college student in Dhaka and a patriot who doesn’t support the idea of revolt and revenge against West Pakistan. Roomi on the other hand is a Bengali freedom fighter and activist who wants equal rights for East Pakistanis and a separate homeland, Bangladesh. It shows the then East Pakistan with most of the scenes shot at the Government College University Lahore (GCU) and National College of Arts (NCA).

Why watch it:

If you are into history then Jo Bichar Gaye is a must watch. Remarkable performances by both Wahaj Ali and Maya Ali, their accents, intense dialogue delivery, amazing expressions and clashes between the two are not to be missed. Moreover, this series marks the return of actress Nadia Jamil on the small screen after a long time.

Mere Humsafar

Who:

The family drama is written by Saira Raza while it is helmed by Qasim Ali Mureed and stars Farhan Saeed and Hania Aamir in lead roles. Apart from these two, Mere Humsafar has an ensemble cast including Saba Hamid, Samina Ahmed, Tara Mehmood, Waseem Abbas, Aly Khan and Amir Qureshi among others.

What:

With two episodes already out the drama seems to be a saas-bahu saga and shows a joint family system where the two sons portrayed by Waseem Abbas and Amir Qureshi live with wives, essayed by Saba Hameed and Tara Mehmood respectively, and their kids. The daughters-in-law are mistreated by their mother-in-law (Samina Ahmed) and she is about to leave the house after creating a scene when her youngest son (Aly Khan) shows up with his young daughter, Hala, both of whom were abandoned by his foreign wife. The story takes a turn when Aly decides to leave his daughter with his mother and brothers’ families. Little Hala is upset but Hamza, her cousin, tries to be sweet to her. For now, we only know that Hamza will grow up to be Farhan Saeed’s character, while Hala is Hania and with the two growing up under the same roof, they will fall in love.

Why watch it:

This is the first time that we are seeing singer-turned-actor Farhan Saeed and Hania Aamir together in drama, though they previously worked together for Asim Jofa’s Ishq Sufiyana. The on-screen chemistry seems promising and the emotional rollercoaster ride might make things intriguing later on. Only time will tell.