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KARACHI: As the clever saying goes, if you’ve got it, flaunt it – and our Pakistani drama serials are doing exactly that across the border.
With the launch of Zee Network’s Zindagi TV channel last month, Indians are being treated to the best of new-age Pakistani TV dramas on offer. Hum TV’s booming success Zindagi Gulzar Hai and A-Plus’ Aun Zara have earned much praise and appreciation in Indian newspapers and social media, with the former drawing to a close with its season finale in India tomorrow (Friday).
On-screen couple Kashaf (Sanam Saeed) and Zaroun (Fawwad Khan) were the subjects of adoration and amazement, as fans tweeted their respect with no praise barred.
Bollywood actor Divya Dutta is just one who was blown away by the duo:
Another Indian actor, Kamya Punjab expressed the desire to work for Pakistani dramas. Kamya tweeted:
Actors and film directors from Bollywood also showed their appreciation for Pakistani soaps.
With its tagline ‘Jodey Dilon Ko’, Zindagi TV is fast becoming a platform radiating Pakistani art and culture to a receptive Indian audience.
A report published by Caravan Daily said, TV shows on Zee’s Zindagi channel were shattering misconceptions and stereotypes about Pakistan and Pakistani society.
Another report in India.com listed seven reasons why Zindagi Gulzar Hai was a smashing hit, listing suave Fawad Khan and brilliant Sanam Saeed as top reasons. Other factors behind the general success of Pakistan TV shows in India are the number of fixed episodes, their closeness to reality, nicely-woven sub-plots, and a brilliant supporting cast.
The Caravan Daily also quoted an Indian filmmaker Kunal Kohli as saying that the technical side of Pakistani soaps is superior. “Must say the quality of shooting [and] writing of the shows on Zindagi is [very] refreshing.”
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| A scene for drama 'Zindagi Gulzar Hai'. – Publicity photo |
Sanam Saeed is overwhelmed
According to Indian media reports, the 29-year-old is ecstatic and "grateful" that Zindagi Gulzar Hai has turned out to be the "first drama to have broken the ice across the borders in current times".
In an interview with IANS, she said, "India uses Bollywood, rather cinema, to tell its stories. It is one of the largest filmmaking nations in the world and so your talents get to tell stories about politics, love and drama through films. In Pakistan, our medium is the small screen.”
"We don't make many films, and hardly have theatres. A majority of people seek entertainment while sitting at home and TV gives it to them, so we excel on that part," Sanam said, stressing that since the command over language and gift of the gab are "strong", and that Pakistan has some prolific writers.
Regarding India and Pakistan, Sanam said they are not very different. "I don't understand why we are considered different. We were one nation. We are not different. In fact, there is so much similarity between us culturally, in terms of food, clothes, family, bonds and language. So, I have never been under the impression that we [India and Pakistan] are different. Nevertheless, I'm glad that the shows are having a positive impact on people in India – it's the same effect that they had on people here [in Pakistan]," she said.
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On DawnNews
Comments (107) Closed
Jul 17, 2014 05:08pm
Why is acceptance and popularity of Pakistani TV dramas in India a yardstick of quality? Are we blind? Do we need Indian audience to tell you what is good and what is not? When I think about quality of 90% movies in crowded Bollywood, I really doubt taste of Indian audience.
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Jul 17, 2014 05:15pm
@event horizon : you have issues even with the appreciation coming from Indians !
Why such a negative point of view ? Wish I could change the neighbors since changing hearts is not possible anymore !!
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Jul 17, 2014 05:15pm
I don't watch any Pakistani plays and don't know who Sanam is. However, what she said about India and Pakistan is so true. I wish we were all as smart as her and the people of the two countries start working with each other. I have said in these columns before that I get to go to India regularly and the genuine smiles, love, affection, respect, humility and hospitality that I experience is second to none. I have always felt so much at home in India that I forget that I am in a foreign country. I always pray to God to bring Pakistan and India closer. There are so many similarities between the two countries that it is impossible to differentiate. Don't let the politicians, religious leaders, armies and silly people in both countries fool you.
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Jul 17, 2014 05:21pm
@event horizon ;;; yes it should be a bench mark, as Pakistan tv/film is way below compared to Indian industry . Bollywood learns a great deal from Hollywood as well and we copy too. No harm in having to compete with the best ! Also the first step to introduce cross border tv shows is taken by Indian Tv network learn to appreciate. U doubt taste quality of Indian audience ? how did u come to this conclusion.? did u do some survey ? Anything that has an Indian connection , how much ever remote Pakistan gets all rilled up . chill, open ur eyes n most importantly ur brain.
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Jul 17, 2014 05:32pm
I used to watch Zindagi ... show on you tube way before. I was never surprised at the quality of the acting and storyline of Pakistani TV serials. Unlike many Indian Tv shows which are nothing but million miles away from reality and have nothing good to show, Zindagi... presents a true social problem with its characters being among normal people.
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Jul 17, 2014 05:40pm
Those actors and actresses look all Indians to me! Are they from Pakistan or Bollywood ones?
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Jul 17, 2014 05:45pm
If there is a tool which can bring together the people of both countries, estranged by religious and military hatred, indoctrinated perspectives and false dogmas, it should be whole-heartedly welcomed. And what better tool could it be other than cinema/tv ? The kind of deep impacts these can make is unparalleled, this we all know. Let this refreshing breeze of exchanges continue and intensify, such that they can diminish the hatred, and sew up the hearts. Of course tricky problems left behind by the wise rulers and animosity in various forms perpetuated by diff wings are there around....but as they hopefully get addressed and resolved, let's not continue to be filled with prejudice...let there be more cultural exchanges between the people in all forms...such that the two nations will benefit their people as well as bring them closer together.
And we'll keep appreciating the best among the movies/tv shows/sports....despite prejudiced views. For starters, all the serials aired on the Zindagi channel are good, with Zindagi Gulzar Hai being exceptionally good - Sanam and Fawad: excellent !!
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Jul 17, 2014 06:08pm
Hope this is the beginning of giving much needed substance to the INDIAN PUBLIC. Arts has fallen from GRACE.
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Jul 17, 2014 06:18pm
I greatly appreciate the large heartedness of the Indian audience in recognizing the merit and quality of our TV drama serials. Shedding un necessary prejudice by the educated and discerning audience on both sides, will forge the much needed understanding between the peoples of the two countries. " Hay aadmi alag alag, lahoo ka rang ek hay; juda juda hain soortain, magar umang ek hay".
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Jul 17, 2014 06:18pm
@event horizon absolutely right, we just follow the crowd as far as indian cinema is concerned. going to watcha movi only if it has big stars or everyone is talking about it is the way to go these days. Indian taste of movies is somewhat different than pakistanis. I bet no one would have listened the lungi dance song if it was a pakistani creation.
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Jul 17, 2014 06:19pm
@jay sorry .. it shouldnot be ..
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Jul 17, 2014 06:28pm
I hope Indians drama writters such EK learn that there are stores beyond 'Saas , one good daughter in law and other a notoriously deceitfull... and it is time that they stop shoving those low-life dramas down the throats of Indians. The quality of Pakistani dramas is amazing and should give some pointer to Indian writers. I enjoyed all the dramas and Thanks you.
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Jul 17, 2014 06:30pm
When you say TV dramas in India are found "wanting", you are talking about the stuff dished out in the North. Most of those dramas have actors (female) wearing too much jewellery, artificially dressed up even when relaxing at home! They try to imitate bollywood and that is where they fail miserably.
TV dramas in South are very different. For eg a famous film director by name K.Balachander has been dishing out some superb familiy dramas on TV for quite sometime now. These TV serials are closer to reality and much superior to the ones dished out in the North.
TV dramas are usually about social themes most of the time. They can tell the reality of the society if they are honest. Do the Pakistani dramas really claim to speak about the real Pakistan? Nobody can make that claim. The reality of Karachi today is that there is a lot of violence on the streets. Is that what is shown? I bet that is not the case. It is difficult to show this directly in a TV serial. That is where movies score over the TV dramas.
Some Indians are going overboard over the Pakistani dramas because they have been seeing trash so far.
I have not seen even one TV serial from Pakistan, so I cannot comment on the quality of these serials. I did see some TV plays by Umer Sharief many years ago. Hilarious though they were, they were not what I would call top of the notch.
I think the North Indians (some at least) are finally discovering what it is to watch a quality TV drama. I hope this would trigger better TV serials in India in future. I hear big B is taking a plunge in a TV serial. It would be interesting to see how that one goes.
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Jul 17, 2014 06:33pm
"Why is acceptance and popularity of Pakistani TV dramas in India a yardstick of quality?"
Dont' know but you Pakistanis should know the answer to this question.
Why does Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (who was already famous in pakistan before he started singing in Bollywood) become a hot commodity in Pakistan after he has made a name in India? And, he also hikes up his price many times!
Perhaps it has to do with the much wider audience in India.
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Jul 17, 2014 06:34pm
@event horizon - dude, u have such a narrow minded approach when it comes to ppl of India. I get it, there are ppl on both sides of the border who dislike each other, but when it comes to art and culture we are not much different. If Indians like Pakistani dramas, or anything for that matter, learn to appreciate that. Come out of the box and stop hating each other.
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Jul 17, 2014 06:35pm
Zee
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Jul 17, 2014 06:36pm
Zindagi Gulzar hai was awesome .......... top top script/dialogues and great actors
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Jul 17, 2014 06:43pm
Pakistani dramas have always been better than their Indian counter-parts.
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Jul 17, 2014 06:43pm
@Devil - I disagree with what event horizon said and being a Pakistani will draw your attention to the Indian comments including your own. You took one comment and judged everyone. Please do read more before you make a statement. It shows how both of you are limited in your knowledge and shallow in your sayings. After all different ears of the same animal
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Jul 17, 2014 06:45pm
@Devil - and by the way you ignored what sanam said on widely watch media
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Jul 17, 2014 06:45pm
Every parent think their off springs are charming .Really beautiful are those who are appreciated by others,.Appreciation by Indians means that the quality has transcended all the biases and stereotyping.
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Jul 17, 2014 06:46pm
@jay - Jay I disagree with event guy but tv was never below indian tv
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Jul 17, 2014 07:02pm
the people behind the scenes and the governments also need to be congratulated. The mere fact that a channel or similar arrangement of Pakistan being telecasted as a regular one is big thing. I think Modi - Nawaz have done a good job in even letting this happen. It would not have been lot different if both sides had a ego clash and would have started oppossing the telecast of each other content.
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Jul 17, 2014 07:05pm
This is Indian way of replying.. Pakistan banned our channels and we replied it by showing their shows on our channels. And believe me at the end only we Indians are going to be benefited by this because if the Pakistani shows are good it will force our Indian channels to raise their bars and if they are not it will be life as usual. We want good from every where.
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Jul 17, 2014 07:12pm
@Khalid, 67 years ago we were the same country man! You are a chip off the old block )-
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Jul 17, 2014 07:14pm
My mom recently told me she watches them as well. She finds them different because most indian shows are saas bahu crap. She also confessed that these shows are generally really really slow and are now where nearly as good as Dhoop Kinarey etc.
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Jul 17, 2014 07:21pm
This Drama serial was awesome watched all the episodes twice
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Jul 17, 2014 07:29pm
One of the reasons for the success of Zee - Zindagi is that they get to pick choose the best dramas.
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Jul 17, 2014 07:30pm
@jay I don't agree with you that it should be a benchmark. Is that clear?
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Jul 17, 2014 07:37pm
This drama was useless, there are tons better than it. But nonetheless, Fawad was excellent as always.
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Jul 17, 2014 07:42pm
Really appreciate Indian viewers for liking Pakistani TV plays. Very good initiative by Zindagi TV.
Thank you Indian viewers. :)
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Jul 17, 2014 08:08pm
@Gnanesh
Well said. Your comments are full of common sense and intelligence.
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Jul 17, 2014 08:09pm
@event horizon couldn't agree more!
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Jul 17, 2014 08:18pm
Great Write Up.
No doubt, Pakistan TV serials are best
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Jul 17, 2014 08:31pm
We Pakistanis love Indian movies, it is great that they are also getting a chance the watch our super quality drama seriels. Spread love, we are fed up of the hatred that some people in both the countries have been nurturing in the last 65 years. It is time to move forward and behave like civilized neighbors.
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Jul 17, 2014 08:35pm
Why must Pakistani newspapers run a report on this every day? i'm sure we don't need their validation, we already know our dramas are better.
It's very good that our dramas are getting the attention they deserve in India and I'd like to thank the Indian audiences for the love theyr'e showing. But that still doesn't change the above.
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Jul 17, 2014 08:52pm
Glad the Indians enjoy our dramas.
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Jul 17, 2014 08:56pm
@jay Sorry to burst your bubble about Pakistani Dramas being way behind Indian dramas but you don't know anything about Pakistani dramas. For movies, I accept they are way better than Pakistani movies.
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Jul 17, 2014 09:24pm
I'm so proud of our actors at home being appreciated across the border. Don't understand why people generally feel the need to be critical every time we seek recognition from India. It's a bigger market and we all aspire to get recognition from bigger markets. Would the same criticism be made if Saman and Fawad suddenly made it big in Korean markets or Hollywood?? I think we should be supportive and immensely proud that our talent is being appreciated in a bigger, competitive market which is closest to us in language, culture and traditions - hence, the most natural step in our progression. Great job everyone! I think the audience of this particular channel will enjoy old plays (Haseen Moin, Sahira Kazmi, Anwar Maqsood etc.) just as well as the new ones. The administrators should invest in buying copyrighted content and playing it.
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Jul 17, 2014 09:55pm
@event horizon point taken. I think its not about the appreciation from a different audience but more about the acceptance of the good quality tv dramas that are being produced in Pakistan across our borders. I don't believe this is any different from the recognition that Saving Face received internationally.
And the best part is it is opening new markets for our productions and more exposure to our actors/actresses which is always a positive sign. Just the way people in Pakistan like Bollywood movies more than Pakistani movies in the same way they like our tv dramas more than their own tv dramas which are literally dramas :)
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Jul 17, 2014 10:31pm
Kudos to Sultana Siddiqui and HUM TV for making history. And thanks to Zee Network (india) for taking such bold steps into creating a first ever India-Pakistan Partnership. I am sure partnerships like these will bring the two nation close together again.
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Jul 17, 2014 10:32pm
@jay : Pakistani TV is way superior than India, has always been (indians watching pirated tapes of Pakistani soaps since the 80s is a testament of that). About films, quantity is not quality, you are right about India copying 80% of Hollywood stories and making 100% bogus movies :) Btw I am all for opening the border, demilitarizing and embracing everyone, but you call a spade, a spade.
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Jul 17, 2014 10:44pm
Thanks to Zee Network for bringing this serial"Zindagi Gulzar Hai" to India.There could be a regular exchange of TV serials by the two Countries.
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Jul 17, 2014 10:45pm
@Taimur Khan Art and Talent knows no boundaries.
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Jul 17, 2014 10:55pm
Miss Sanam Saeed! We were never a 'one nation'. We were always two different nations!
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Jul 18, 2014 12:07am
@Sridhar First view some drama then comment, also Umer Sharif is not drama but stage show with live audience.
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Jul 18, 2014 12:11am
@Saad Zafar How modest!
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Jul 18, 2014 12:16am
what a great show...heads off....
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Jul 18, 2014 01:00am
@event horizon Say what you like, but success in India basically means we make A LOT MORE MONEY !
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Jul 18, 2014 01:10am
@event horizon take it easy buddy.. it is just a fact that one of your shows is getting popularity in India. anything wrong with that? India matters for pakistan and pakistan matters for india because of the huge market, political vendetta, and similar culture. Altogether it makes very interesting, nothing else!!
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Jul 18, 2014 01:12am
@Anil Misra I agree, I feel most Indian directors have lost the plot, every song or joke has to be chichora.
I strongly believe though that India has some amazing film makers and very unique story tellers however I feel the general public lets them down. Bollywood has become about commercial viability rather than quality movies. For example 'Dil se' and 'Khamoshi' were fantastic movies but no one wants to see something like that, they rather watch Salam Khan beating up 50 people or Hrithik ROshan flying through the air. Aamir Khan in my opinion is a great film maker as is Farhan Akhter and no doubt Anurag Kahsyap.
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Jul 18, 2014 01:48am
please appreciate the appreciation, its about winning the hearts both sides of the border
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Jul 18, 2014 02:09am
@event horizon You are missing the point dude. There are 300 million + people in the Indian middle and upper class, which is a really big market!
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Jul 18, 2014 03:22am
@event horizon
Anything is better than Lahore standup comedians.
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Jul 18, 2014 03:53am
@Khalid Agree 100% with you Khalid sahib. I felt at home at Lahore, Kasur and every where I went during my last tours of Pakistani Punjab. We are one and will remain one just living in separate homes. God bless Pakistan and all.
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Jul 18, 2014 04:53am
Must admit, Pakistan is way ahead in play's on small screen.
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Jul 18, 2014 05:29am
I normally do not watch hindi tv serials except reality shows. All sop operas are same ugly cat fights between mother in law and daughter in law with absurd and repetitive story lines. It has become an addiction for Indian house wives. It is good that some sensible and real drama from Pakistan is being aired in India. It must work as a wake up call to the people involved with this soap opera industry in India.Most dramas in Indian tv are in exaggeration mode,which really turn me off.It is better to watch stage drama which are of high quality.All wonderful actors in Indian film came from this stage acting.
Once upon a time in 80s,India also had wonderful tv serials. I do not know what's wrong with our house wives ! Why they need an adrenalin rush of cat fight between mother in law and daughter in law ! And some producers are minting money out of this weakness and dishing out trash one after another.
By the way,there are very good tv dramas in India in regional languages.
Indians in general have big hearts and we do not consider that Pakistanis are different from us.In fact, we hope Pakistan develops like South Korea and we Indians book our holiday plans to spend few nights in Lahore,Islamabad and other cities of Pakistan.
Love,peace and unity will benefit both India and Pakistan.
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Jul 18, 2014 07:58am
It is so delightful to see such wonderful comments from our Indian friends. Thank you so much for appreciating the work of our artists. We too, like the rest of the world, adore your movies.
TO me fellow countrymen please learn to take appreciation with humbleness. Even if you have done a really excellent job please have the heart to accept praise with modesty. Some of the comments just spoil the whole mood. I will request Dawn not to let such unfriendly remarks pass the moderation test.
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Jul 18, 2014 08:01am
One little sure step at a time,,,,,,,and,hopefully strong and enduring economic ties in the future?:):):)
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Jul 18, 2014 08:19am
ZGH was one of the best (Hamsafar should be shown next) in the current lot of drama serials; acting by all, the two leads and the supporting cast was superb. No doubt it is winning hearts across the border. Turkey next, maybe!
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Jul 18, 2014 09:33am
Why Arabians do not watch our serials as they are more culturally similar to us than Indians!
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Jul 18, 2014 09:48am
@Rao
Very surprised to hear that. I don't have to watch an ad for more than 10 seconds on our TV to know that it was made in India, even the ones made for Pakistani audience.
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Jul 18, 2014 09:56am
Glad to see more comments from Indians then Pakistanis. Thanks dawn (and this time TV dramas too) for bringing these two hostile neighbors on same page. We don't need to hate India to show our love for Pakistan. Admire good people and work wherever they are.
I always loved Pakistani drams and Bollywood movies. There is not a single Pakistani movies that could ever touch my heart, though an Indian TV drama "Mirza Ghalib" by Gulzar is among my favorites. Indians best work is their movies that are freely available in Pakistan and it is good that now they have access on best of Pakistani art. We both will enjoy.
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Jul 18, 2014 10:11am
@ayushman, thanks for appreciation but my suggestion is to keep your head on your shoulder but you can take your hats off. :)
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Jul 18, 2014 10:52am
Zindagi while a good drama does not typify one very healthy trend in Pakistani dramas. Several of our recent dramas have moved away from typical stories where we have a few people who are all good and a few others who are all bad. Real life is shades of grey.
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Jul 18, 2014 11:04am
@roshan, are you kidding me. You can't be that naive.
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Jul 18, 2014 11:57am
Too funny. I think DAWN cherry picked last paragraph of article, a quote from sanam to get some extra "clicks".
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Jul 18, 2014 12:04pm
@event horizon Friend, India is the second largest TV market in the world. The truth is that Indian soaps are really bad. I mean, some are so bad that we suspect its a government plot to torture us. Pakistani soaps that we see are fantastic. A Pakistani show being a hit in India means more money and more exposure for Pakistani artists and relief for Indian audiences who are being tortured by Ekta Kapoor. And in the end "Bhai, artist ko daad chahiye
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Jul 18, 2014 02:01pm
Wat an awesome soap! saw 5 episode continuously! Hooked! :)
Actually its nothing having new as such but to watch Pakistani actors and to hear urdu was fun! Good work guys!
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Jul 18, 2014 02:21pm
Now both of these kids will go to India and get used UPPP
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Jul 18, 2014 03:09pm
Sanam talking with indian media said she seems no different between 2 nations and we pakistan and india were suposed to be one nation... is ths the straight neglection of two nation theory just to gain publicity of her show in india ?were we really a single nation on the base of culture language and customs?i thnk our actors should need to read the history of sub continent.
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Jul 18, 2014 03:43pm
@event horizon Could not agree more; both Indian and Pakistani audiences must have awful standards to like Bollywood films; 95% of which are absolutely horrible.
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Jul 18, 2014 03:47pm
@Sridhar Should have regional programmes shown on national tv with subtitles; I have watched many Tamil films although I am Urdu speaking; because now these films are sub-titled. Tamil films are better than Bollywood ones by a long way, better storylines, and more real.
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Jul 18, 2014 05:18pm
@event horizon : A couple of days I read in the dawn about 5 Pak actresses who can make it into Bollywood. The article had pictures of those pretty ladies too.
There were some 100 comments on that article- most common was- why are Pak actresses dying to get into Bollywood. Cant they make it here in Pak? Why cant Indians appreciate Pak artists and their work.
Now here is something that is appreciated- and there are people like you who again rant the same. As a rationalist I truly cannot appreciate your feedback as it seriously lacks merit.
Appreciate good everywhere- sadly most in Pakistan will accept any inferior workmanship as long as it is from 'one of their own'. Even if the best quality output is presented- Pakistanis will rubbish it since it is not from 'one of their own'.
I am appalled!
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Jul 18, 2014 05:23pm
Good thing our serials deserve this praise!!
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Jul 18, 2014 05:24pm
@jay We were making Khuda ki Basti and Waris in Pakistan when all Durdarshan could come up was Chitar Haar on their pathetic channel. So much for grand delusions. Indian movies might be way ahead than ours but TV plzzz..........
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Jul 18, 2014 08:33pm
Humsafar, Dastaan and ZindaginGulzar are also broadcast in the Arab World. Humsafar is Rafeeq Al Ruh and Zindagi Gulzar as Asrar Al-Hob. They are on YouTube and positive Arab comments are very encouraging.
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Jul 18, 2014 09:32pm
@Tejaswi Sharma. Indian channels have always been aired on Pakistani TVs (Except for a small time in 2001-02) even now they r being aired so please stop posting such irresponsible comments. However if i am not mistaken, it were the Pakistani channels which were banned in India .
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Jul 18, 2014 11:41pm
Just finished watching the whole series..... it took me aobut 14 hours straight but loved every bit of it, totally worth the time i spent :) thanks to this article :)
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Jul 19, 2014 07:16am
I think female audience are large in india that watch drama s beause most of male are only intrestd in news,movies,and cricket..
We dont watch pakisthani movies but love your singers..
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Jul 19, 2014 07:23am
I agree that indians drama s are mostly sas bahu type,too long and boring but many dancing reality shows,singing ahows,social shows like satyamev jayte is really good.
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Jul 19, 2014 10:21am
Enjoyed watching pak dramas. Brings a breadth of fresh air in the stereotype environment.
Most importantly it clears up misconceptions about each other. I am sure if terrorist attacks stop, it will go long way in improving relation between neighbours.
Cheeeers to Zee for the initiative.
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Jul 19, 2014 10:36am
@Khalid - You are welcome Khalid. Keep coming and bring good tidings.
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Jul 19, 2014 10:46am
Reading the following comments. I see hate so much infested in our heart and soul. For god sake it is nothing but a drama. Both Indian and Pakistani should enjoy something different than the political dramas being played in our region. Please remove the spectacles of hate hate n hate u may learn some thing from each other. We shared our past. Why can't we share our future.
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Jul 19, 2014 10:48am
@event horizon
Looking at Govinda's movies or more recently, Salman Khan's random movies like Ready or Ek Tha Tiger, it CLEARLY shows the taste of the Indian cinema goers. They like them, hence more such movies are being made. Same goes for the soap operas that they play on Indian channels. Nothing wrong with it. Just that they don't have a better quality product to compare it with.
The Pakistani drama serials being played there gives them a chance to actually see a quality product on smaller screen. It will give competition to their soap operas and other drama makers to make better serials going forward. A healthy competition. Nothing wrong with that either.
We already knew this was a super hit drama serial. All this article said was, it got praises from across the border, just like the movie WAAR did. What's so bad about that?
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Jul 19, 2014 01:28pm
@AUH I used to watch Pakistani dramas and news as a kid living in Jammu(we get Pak TV reception there).Pakistan TV has been way ahead of Indian counterpart for decades.I live overseas now and when ever i am in India i cant stand to watch Indian serials or Movies.I usually log on to you tube to see news and discussion programmes from Pakistan.
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Jul 19, 2014 03:05pm
kEEP pAKISTANI TALENT IN pAKISTAN
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Jul 19, 2014 09:10pm
I am not sure why we keep saying that we are the same when this was the basis of two nation theory and that's why we have a separate country. We have a separate religion, culture, values etc. I am pretty sure Quaideazam and Allama Iqbal would not have liked it at all.
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Jul 19, 2014 09:16pm
Very Nice Drama
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Jul 19, 2014 09:22pm
@Gaurav Arya
Don't bother about event horizon. their likes just mae statements to gets more responses. Most of the people in Paistan want to have peace and live good lives.
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Jul 19, 2014 09:24pm
@zak is that an order or a suggestion or a request. whatever it is no one is going to pay any heed to it. please keep it to yourself.
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Jul 19, 2014 11:05pm
@An Indian I appreciate your thoughts and agree with you.
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Jul 20, 2014 05:24am
Always good to see good news between India and Pakistan. Hope things only keep improving each day between us.
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Jul 20, 2014 09:19am
Those who have watched 'ZINDAGI GULZAR HAI' should watch 'HUM-SAFAR'. I assure them they will forget ZINDAGI..
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Jul 20, 2014 09:26am
@Ali - Watch HUM-SAFAR and you will forget zindagi.
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Jul 20, 2014 10:13am
What nonsense of scale to measure Pakistani Dramas.
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Jul 20, 2014 10:58am
@Devil In that case both you and event horizon are two sides of the same coin for painting everybody with the same brush.
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Jul 20, 2014 11:15am
It is a welcome break from utterly loud expressions, mediocre plot, never ending story line and pedstrain acting being dished out by Indian soaps. Indian serials show characters that seems to have come from different planet. On the other hand the characters in Pakistani serials seem like people next door. It is amazing to discover the similarities. Except from the fact that characters speak in Urdu you can hardly make out whether the actor or the background setup is Indian or Pakistani.
For a change time for Indian TV to learn from Pak counterparts. I also agree with one gentleman above that the serials shown in regional channels in India are more superior and definitely more realistic to what is dished out on national TV.
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Jul 20, 2014 11:20am
@roshan Arabs are no way culturally close to you than Indians. They may be of same religion, but culture wise (which by the way includes language) you will always be at home in India rather than Arab.
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Jul 20, 2014 04:29pm
'Nanhi' is another drama serial worth-seeing on Geo TV. Characters have done justice to their roles . Set in the inner streets of Karachi the play gives a touch of reality. Location selection is par excellence . Lead role "Nanhi" portrayed by an actress whose name I don't know is picture perfect . It is one of the dramas which I anxiously look forward to every week.
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Jul 20, 2014 04:47pm
"I don't understand why we are considered different. We were one nation. We are not different."
Um remember the Two Nation Theory? Yes we are similar in many aspects and it's important to improve relations,get rid of misunderstandings and hostility and build bridges but please don't go overboard by with statements like that that.
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Jul 20, 2014 05:07pm
It is true that the drama serial " Zindgi Gulzar Hai" has got high acceptance from Indian viewers. So has on a little lesser scale " Aun Zara" . Both the serials stand out in terms of their quality and presentation. But allow me to say that some other Pakistan serials being shown on Zindgi tv channel here are of not the same quality to sustain interest as these two had been. The interest in these two serials was so intense that I watched ahead on You Tube before the coming episodes would be on tv. But it is a fact that there are always few master pieces which can make the others incoming serials from Pakistan to follow the trend but then fail to capture the interest. But then there are always few trendsetters which are immediately spotted and appreciated and enjoyed.
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Jul 20, 2014 05:25pm
Let's look the popularity of Pakistani Dramas from a different perspective.
Most of us have definitely watched indian film awards with different names like IIFA,Star Dust & so many others.Bollywood uses these platforms to encourage their actors,writes,musicians & etc. These shows are organized in major cities around the world.But main idea behind these shows is "Promotion of Indian Movies".
They also use their TV shows like KBC,Night with Kapil & Coffee with Karan & so many others for the promotion of their movies. All such shows made public just before the release of these Movies & naturally their movies make a huge business i.e. 100 crore Indian rupee business is very common.
I watched an Indian Film Award in which 10 best Directors of 2014 were awarded. Each movie made by these directors made a business of 100 crore Indian Rupee or more.
Can't we adopt same strategy for the promotion of our Dramas.
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Jul 20, 2014 07:42pm
@Khalid : You r so true Khalid...happy EID in advance....from a very ordinary citizen across the border....
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Jul 20, 2014 09:45pm
@hassan
Mr. Hassan, I think that we should read the correct history and not Sanam who basically has said the right things.
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Jul 20, 2014 10:57pm
@roshan
I am saddened to read your comment. You are either not familiar with the Arab culture or you have no idea how similar India & Pakistan are. I wish (and hope) for people like you to get educated. It is about time you started using your own intelligence rather than believing people with hidden agendas.
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Jul 23, 2014 05:50am
@roshan Yes Arabs do watch Pakistani drama. I'm living here in Riyadh Saudi Arabia here on a Channel MBC showed 5 Pakistani Shows Including ZGH, Humsafar, Mata E Jan, Malal and Dastaan this Ramadanand Arab audience loved it. Specially Humsafar (???? ?????) and Dastaan (?? ??? ?????). All were Arabic dubbed.
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