September 04, 2020

Urdu mom’s guide to PTV GOLD!

Tamania blogs as @UrduMom, sharing the everyday adventures of a Canadian-Pakistani family, passing on the love of culture and Urdu to the next generation!

She’s a compiled a list for Binge watching, Read one and let us know?

There is something timeless about classic Pakistani dramas with their beautiful dialogs, strong storylines and well-developed characters. Soak up the sun (but remember to shade your face with a dupatta), enjoy maaltay and revisit the days of your childhood by watching these classic Pakistani dramas:

1. Aangan Terha:

This satirical drama written by Anwar Maqsood and directed by Farooq Qiaser is a treat for all times. Angan Terha is full of wit, humour and shows the realities of society and politics. Bushra Ansari, Shakil, Arshad Mehmood, Salim Nasir and Durdana Butt all played characters that are etched in our minds forever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MMXKOQXQ8o

2. Aanch:

Aanch is the story of a second wife and step-mother played by Shagufta Ejaz who learns and grows through her journey to make space in her new home. All of us loved the family and her graceful affluent husband played by Shafi Muhammad. The drama also had popular characters played by the children and was a huge success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjfi2XwoQLs

3. Sitara aur Mehrunissa:

How I love this drama! Each time you watch it you notice the subtlety of an expression or the humour in a line. All of us fell in love with Atiqa Odho, Sania Saeed and Sajid Hasan, breathing their emotions with them. I can safely say that all girls had a crush on Ramiz Hussain in those days!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHRnOsm8-yQ

4. Nadan Nadia:

Babra Sharif plays the adorable Nadan Nadia in this famous drama from the early 90s written by Anwar Maqsood. Full of famous actors, hilarious situations and witty lines, you will love watching Nadan Nadia again!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugfql4JXNS4

5. Tanhaiyan:

All of Pakistan (and beyond) fell in love with Tanhaiyan, the story of two sisters played by Marina Khan and Shehnaz Sheikh. It wasn’t just the sisters though, it was everyone in the Tanhaiyan world from Aani, to Qabacha, Buqrat, Zain, Faraan and Apa Begum. And who can forget Saad Salman: the uber sauve fiance of Zara who turns into a villian!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbkIj55Byuc&t=54s

6. Dhoop Kinaray:

Millions of little girls in Pakistan vowed to become a doctor after watching Zoya (played by Marina Khan) in this 80s hit drama written by Haseena Moin. Dhoop Kinaray has every element to make it worthy of a binge-watch: from the haunting soundtrack, the friendship between Zoya and Anji, the antics of Dr. Irfan, and the romance between Dr. Ahmer and Dr. Zoya.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGwd9gVD94Y

7. Afshan:

This classic PTV drama written by Fatima Surayya Bajia will take you into the world of your dadis and nanis with its language, culture and family structure. I love the Urdu language, phrases and traditions shown in this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooz5KQZZCLA

8. Mirat ul Uroos:

The classic Urdu story of two sisters by Deputy Nazir Ahmed was immortalized by Arifa Siddiqui and Arsa Ghazal and takes you back into history to the era of pre partition India, palkis and adaabs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXKDJNhgYDk

9. Parosi:

This is another story by Haseena Moin that I love for its portrayal of women and their issues such as infertility, divorce and finding their own paths, all presented with humour, real life situations and characters that stay with you forever!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q-bVUbGVQ8

10. Tum Se Kehna Tha:

This story was an adaptation of the Hollywood movie “While you were sleeping” and stars Marina Khan, Ali Haider (yes, the famous pop singer) with an ensemble cast. It’s a light romantic story that’s easy on the senses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqWDUfOtPDQ&t=8899s

11. Aroosa:

This is the drama that launched Mishi Khan and everyone’s universal crush, Adnan Siddiqui. I loved Ghazala Kaifi’s character in this classic by Fatima Surraiya Bajia. This drama was also produced in the days when females had to place a dupatta on their heads at all times according to state rules, which made for quite a few funny (and unrealistic) situations as the heroine getting up from bed with a dupatta pinned on her head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drBto6z1TS4

12. Rahein:

I loved Rahein for its beautiful portrayal of Punjabi culture and traditions. Starring Saleem Sheikh along with many other seasoned actors, this memorable drama was written by Mansha Yaad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AV1kbDK4u0

13. Waris:

Waris was the most famous drama of its time and you will still be intrigued by Chaudry Hashmat Khan and his feudal world of power and politics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djMlLV4hIJA&t=970s

14. Ankahi:

When a drama has names such as Shoaib Mansoor, Haseena Moin and Shehnaz Sheikh associated with it, you can be assured of its quality. The story, humour and characters of Ankahi stay fresh, however many times you watch it. It definitely deserves a rewatch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNs6Krt5Jn4

15. Alpha Bravo Charlie:

Alpha Bravo Charlie is another classic by Shoaib Mansoor, showing us the life and struggles of army life with humour and relatable characters. Captain Faraaz, Gulshair, Captain Kashif, Shehnaz and their stories are still alive in our memories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30ZYWjJUwkY

16. Rozi

Rozi is a long play from the classic PTV days. Moin Akhtar shows us the struggles of an actor, who dresses up as a female to get a role he desperately needs. What follows is a comedy of errors augmented by strong supporting actors and also a portrayal of reality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGVg8r4NWv0