LAHORE: Pakistan Television’s long plays remained the hallmark of this premium channel of the country and had been known for their unconventional storyline focusing on the prevalent social and cultural issues.

Mini screen folks still have sweet memories of long plays of Drama 81, 82, 83, 84 to onward 88, used to be telecast at night.

Known for classic dialogues, strong and endearing characters, star-studded cast and stories based on social issues, the [long hours] TV productions indeed reflected the golden era of PTV and still reminds one of the glorious past of television.

Plays such as “Rago main Andhaira” written by Younus Javed, “Nangay Paaon” by Ashfaq Ahmed, “Na Qafas Na Ashiana” and “Mirza and Sons” by Anwar Maqsood, “Zard Gulaab” and “Chatan par Ghonsla” by Bano Qudsia, “Gumshada” by Munno Bhai and many others of Amjad Islam Amjad left a profound impact on the audience and echo of such plays were sounded across the country and the border.

Muhammad Nisar Hussain popularly known as MNH, a legendary figure of TV production, was pioneer in making long play. He produced maximum long plays from the Lahore centre and set a standard in TV production. Yawar Hayat, Rashid Dar and Nusrat Thakur were also among the distinguished producers whose work is not less than a thesis for newcomers.

Now PTV Lahore centre has decided to revive its golden era. After decades, long plays will once again rock the mini screen.

The Lahore centre has initiated 90-minute long plays and for this purpose first recording [of such a long play] commenced at the local centre.

There remained a great hustle and bustle of the stars and other showbiz personalities in the corridors of this pioneer TV channel during the recording.

The first long play of the 90-minute series is “Main Woh Aur Main” [written] by Riaz Ahmed Riaz, a well-known writer. The story is based on a rural social taboo - honour killing - and revolves around a man who killed his sister. His parents want to save him by not disclosing the murder committed by their son and trying to establish their daughter’s killing as suicide. Another beautiful aspect of the play is that the writer focused on moral values of society.

The main characters include Haider Sultan, son of Sultan Rahi, Ammara Butt and others. The producer is Matloob Baloch, a well-known name in producing socio-culture based dramas. He is confident that the 90-minute play will help bring the [PTV] audience back to television.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2018