Drama Queens!
The Indian channels have recently started airing on my cable again, for some it started earlier and others remain deprived. Legally, or illegally, with permission or without it, they are however back. The point is, were they missed? Our local channels were quick to fill the void with the Indian stars from star plus, the thunderstorms, the shaking camera close up shots, the horrible family secrets, the conspiring sari clad females, and the mute dumb men with the single streak of white hair in their gelled hair. Who is watching these dramas and why have they taken over sensible normal television?
Showing lives of huge families going through trial, tragedy and triumph, the stories are spear headed by the women of these families, playing a major role in every aspect, be it sacrificing their happiness for family honor, scheming against their saas/nand/bahu, rescuing a kidnapped child, or successfully running the family business, all the time sporting the best of saris, the gaudiest of jewelry, the perfect blow dried hair and the most melodramatic of emotions. Trivial incidents are highlighted with multiple shaking shots, sound effects, and echoing sounds. Men stand around watching the women run the show. Are the desperate housewives of Pakistan living out their fantasy of being the Super Woman of the house through these soap operas?
Following the stories of these dramas is no daunting task, it takes around 2 minutes to catch up with what has happened so far, due to the simplicity of the story, the repetition in the script and general pattern recognition for any immature TV viewer. Do these dramas then give the same sense of comfort to their viewers as the 130 th viewing of “finding nemo” to a 3 year old???
Of the various aspects of an individual’s life these dramas focus on the home field, which is spiced up with melodrama, conspiracy, romance, tragedy, and dirty family laundry all rolled in one. All of these dramas, running back to back on week nights, are identically alike. There is a huge parevar/khandaan, a family business, the core family, the off shoots, the legitimate and illegitimate children, and the occasional murder. They propagate seriously harmful values to adults, and lets not even talk about what the non-volunteering child sitting with the elders watching this learns.
Women are not the only ones watching these dramas, they are also watched though denied on confrontation, by curious men and boys. This curiosity is however not new and has been around for long, filled with publications like the “khawateen” digest and columns like “teen aurtien teen kahaniyan” read by both men and women. The appetite for cheap thrills in mundane lives is fueling a huge entertainment industry.
If life was actually as portrayed in these dramas, all women would parade around in blow dried hair, in all their jehaiz jewelry and the brightest of saris. They would be equally adept at wedding dancing, songs, house running, business, politics, gun shooting, poisoning and all religious rituals. They would additionally be ageless: episode upon episode, generation after generation, they would remain the same. The only sign of age being an odd grey strand of hair, after they graduate to the grandmother generation.
While these dramas can be accepted for entertainment purposes alone, and the glamour considered a necessary evil in the age of countless channels and limited viewer attention span, they are fast eating up the existence for any other form of drama entertainment. Dramas that do not run as soap operas and are on serious, important, interesting issues in society get lost in this sea of sense less melodrama. Switching desperately from channel to channel in the search of a good Urdu drama, you are usually disappointed and only seldom pleasantly surprised. Most of the dramas are spin-offs of Indian soap operas with necessary Pakistani adaptation. If they are original they are bland with weak story lines or they are too depressing to watch after a long tiring day at work.
Jumping from one channel to another, your heart yearns for the assertive, interesting witty confident Drama Queens of yester year: Shahnaz Sheikh in Tanhayian and Ankahi, Marina Khan and Badar Khalil in Dhoop Kinaray, Saniya Saeed and Atiqa Odho in Sitara aur Meherunisa, Bushra Ansari in Angan Tera, Huma Nawab in Nijaat, Rubina Ashraf in Kasak, and Shahnaz from Alpha Bravo Charlie. I have only mentioned a few of these ladies here and the list is long and endless.
These women were beautiful, and vulnerable, strong and powerful on screen. They involved us in their character and story, making us view them as beyond pretty objects but as heroines, steering their life towards betterment. They were not necessarily clinically depressed or serious, but in their fun, life like way, taught us important lessons such as pursuing your dreams, determination of purpose and most importantly of respect.
The Drama Queens of today, however delve in triviality and shine in controversy. Is this same myopic outlook now creeping from outside dramas to real life, where we view an adventurous paratrooper jump of our Tourism Minister not as a fun, adventurous activity but as a source of cheap speculation? Is this even worth a controversy? What can I say, drama seems to sell, at the expense of all other virtues.
This is gorgeous. I’m so happy you’ve written on this issue. I hate it when those awful stupid sounds bhisooooomm and dhisooom! rise up each time a mundane kabhee saas bhee kabhee Superbitch thee character opens his/her mouth. Ive told my mom and khala countless times NOT to watch these soap operas that depress the hell outta u…but sigh! woh maney to tab na…
8.5/10
I’ve gladly never been a star plus fan/viewer but I’ve heard alot about it. However, sparingly, when I do watch a Pakistani drama, it hasn’t been a pleasant surprise, atleast in the past 2-3 years.
Now-a-days, due to the absence of good drama, my family has started to get DVDs of old ones and we watch ‘em together on weekend nights. I’m glad you mentioned classics like Ankahi, Tanhaiyan, Alpha Bravo Charlie, Aangan Tairha. These are the ones I’ve seen recently and I simply loved them! I loved their non-sari clad characters, the fact that they were so CLOSE to real life and how the dialogue did not seem pretence at all. It sounded so much like our everyday conversation.
Hi folks and fellow bloggers…This is Shahnaz Khan from Alpha, Bravo, Charlie….One of the psychologists I intern with in the U.S. was facinated to hear that I had worked in a TV series in Pakistan and he googled this site…At first I had a good giggle over how funny it was to actually do that, but after reading the praise you have put in writing for my performance alongside such screen legends as Shehnaz Shaikh, Marina Khan etc…I was so touched and honored to be held in such high regard. Thanks truly..It means so much!
Hey Shanaz…I cant presuppose to claim that im representing all of us here when I say anything, but one things fer certain: You did a great job in the serial. The acting is a separate issue, though interlinked, but your character was tremendous. And at least I am pleasantly surprised( and secretly star-struck) to see you here. Hopefully, we shall see you around, and might even see something from you here?
Dear Shahnaz we are delighted to hear from you. We hope we will see you regularly on this site.
Helloooo every one . I m very glad 2 get chance to comment on such stupid indian soaps in which main theme is : shadi divorce shadi phir divorce phir shadi phir divorce phir……………….
i think pakistani dramas were good and in our days only Hum TV is presenting some nice serials with good acting,theme , script and a beautiful direction with less jewelery and less make-up .some good presentations of Hum TV are : Dil ,dia dehleez(in which heavy jewelery and dark make up is demand of story and characters), malika(so decent), mery pass pass and muhabat tum se hai etc
Hello Pakistan !
Read your blog and its true the Ekta Kapoor dramas are absolutely intolerable. But everywhere (India & Pak) the housewives are hogging the TRPs and making Saas Bahu et al the most watched shows. I have seen Shahnaz Sheikh and Marina Khan in their old drama series in bits n pieces and they are such fine actors and such pretty ladies. Would love to see more of them. Tried to google Shahnaz but couldnt find a lot about her.
PS: Watch Office Office .. its hilarious.
It’s a pleasure to hear from an Indian here if I may say so. That’s the ultimate purpose of writing and art in general: to bring people together. If you write, Saurabh, I would love to read your work here.
hey shahnaz… we want to here more from u…tell us about ur experience u had been working with a legend shoaib mansoor….n for sure at present each and every one of us is eager to know more n more abt u
Usman Tanveer you are starstruck! But why? I am always amazed to meet/hear from someone who thinks of me as a star. I never considered I was.
Well I will definitely try to remain as active on this site as I can. To answer your question, working with Shoaib Mansoor was okay. He is very talented and does amazing work. For me, however, the charm lay in working with my cast members. Faraz, Qasim(GulSher) and Abdullah (Kashif) were a lot of fun. We became great friends and had a blast during the whole recording. I love to act and must admit it is very addictive.
Shanaz:
Why are u amazed at me being starstruck? I was a Paki kid growing up watching Paki media and film industry crumble around me. ABC was one of those things that just made our heads spin. Sohnere din and ABC got more kids going into the army than all the claimed stories of bravado by our generals. This is especially true when we look at the political situation around us these days. Its sad to see an institution one of whose greatest claims was soldiers strapping bombs onto their chests and crawling under enemy tanks to blow them up.
Muslims and Pakis are still strapping bombs, but oh for such diff reasons now. Hurts my heart!
Khair, I apologise for not havin replied earlier. I didnt know ud replied. Please stay in touch with us. We need experienced ppl like u werkin with us here…well at least aspiring if not werkin!
Salam Shahnaz
This is usman here, u don’t know me but say another fan of ABC and ur acting at first appearance.
I still can’t get Alpha Bravo Charlie(ABC) out of my system, blieve me. I still remember those days when it was on air on ptv and never missed a single second of that. Today I am in london and still we friends get together and play ABC to recall the memories of the master piece. Please tell me something about yourself, where are you from, what r u doing now-a-days. Waiting for ur reply.
Thanks
Allah Hafiz
Hey… well I have a fan site on Orkut. Type in Shahnaz Khan.
We exchange comments on that and you’ll probably find some answers there.
Shahnaz
Salam Shahnaz
Wow…..so you have become a star. But anyways I will give it a try though never used Orkut before, probably bcoz its a waste of time. Hope to see you there.
Allah Hafiz
salaam Shahnaz g!
i can not believe that i am reading comments sent by you…believe me or not but i was watching Alpha bravo Charlie for couple of days on youtube…it jst refreshed all my memories….your performance was absolutely outstanding….and also you were looking really gorgeous in that drama.
AOA, Hi Shehnaz,
I dont know how i have found this site and i cant believe u r the real shenaz from drama. Every one says u were great and excellent and they are true but i would like to say that u were special and very special dont know what was special. i am going to marry a girl who has bit of ur looks, i have told her that how big fan i was of u and she is jaleous of that. My wishes are with you to have a very beautiful life.
Sounds like this post is becoming a bit of a Shenaz Khan Praiseville.
i have posted one comment .. do any one let me know why its deleted???
well what can i say.i really like the ABC.and the whole characters of this drama.but gulsher and shahnaz was too good…well shehnaz actually u r a patan?ur pushto was so good.and 1 thing i m patan too..
well,to cut it short,ABC was a gem of an experience,can;t forget those days!!
well.. guess wht! as i write now,just watching ABC 4 probably the 50th time eversince it had been on air 4 the first time(1998). Got Dvds of it 2,ABC is one heck of a play,u keep watching it over n over again n yet u wont get tired seeing it. bottom line is.. Dhuwan and ABC are my all time fav dramas.. yet,mesmerising acts of all the characters in ABC are inevitable.. especially shahnaz is unforgetable.. i dont know shahnaz if u cud ever jump on this site again and read this but fact is u just rock.. n frankly speaking, if u r the same in real life as u were portrayed in drama, then u got one gem of a personality. n dont ever work again, let us preserve ur acting in ABC as the only 1 to remember and enjoy 4evermore! cuz may b u wont b able to do it like tht again!!! .. n can i’ve ur email add? u urself said in drama ‘u appreciate good things abt people regardless of they r men or wemen’. i m sure i m a good boy!
salam to everybody……………
I really impress from all of u. you have knowledge about our society and it is good to share ur opinin with others.
sorry my full name is sidra khan.
hi shehnaz
i cant explain in words how glad i m to see ur comments on this site. im a big fan of alpha bravo charlie and all its cast. u were marvellous.its my deepest wish to talk with u.I have watched that drama a lot of time.and ur acting was outstanding.i think u should do more dramas.
hi shehnaz
when will u come on this site i m waiting for u and missing u
A million ppl have commented here appropriately and in-, but I just noticed the author, the creator, stays silent, placid, in the shadows. Is that what contentment is?
Do tell, Tamania!
Hello folks! Last I visited here someone had googled this site for me. I just stumbled upon it again. So folks as always, I am delighted to hear from you.
I blog at
http://shahnazness.blogspot.com/
It is an open forum so you guys are welcome to visit and join in the discussions. I try to keep up with replys as ofeten as I can. Thanks again to the author for all her kind words and to all of you for your comments, support and sweetness.
You guys are great!
assalam-u-alaikum shehnaz really loved the drama i actully gave out 4 sets of drama dvd’s as a birthday gift i wish you come again in any other drama serial. Allah hafiz
I just completed ABC on youtube, Awesome series. It truly reflects on certain aspects of Army life(in subcontinent)… things are exactly the same across the border
(I was part of it once).
And yes startv sucks
I must say ABC was one of the wonders created by PTV as it was a mixture of a slight glimpse of pak military life, humour, tragedy, relationship, knowledge abt historic events such as the massacre of Bosnian muslims by the hands of serbs and croats terrorists backed by western allies. it was simply the greatest combination and creativity by the talented mind of Shoaib Mansur. truly hes an artist. ive heard recently that hes been hired to make bollywood films.
I congratulate the role of Shenaaz, Kasim Faraaz and Abdullah in ABC.They are ameteurs but their high skills and lively characters made ABC having a long living impact on viewers.
Is someone here to tell me Shahnaaz khan of ABC has really graduated from Cambridge or what?? bc i couldnt her profile aft great searh in the internet.
salam,
hey anyone here to inform me that is Shahnaaz Khan of ABC really got graduated from Cambridge and in what field because i really couldnt find much about her in the internet. i wonder Shahnaaz gives reply herself.
I am currently attending a Master’s programe in Counseling at Wake Forest University in the US.
one two three.
Shahnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazzz
So glad if its really you. I said “if” coz you never know what is going on the internet. But i am going to check your website in a minute.
So glad to see you now if the luck is with me i am gonna talk with Jodie Foster one day.
Asslamoalikum,
oyeeeeeeeeeeeee! am i dreaming or what…..? Is it really Shehnaaaaaazzz…thhheee reeaalll oneeee..??? Naaan kro!!!!pinch me Amman…1 2 3 4 times. oh oh ok..that means I really am not dreaming. SheHnAaaZz how r uuu..and how is A, B and C all three of um??? Why didn’t you come in the last show of ABC??? anddd is the real shehnaz the same as ABC’z “Shehnaz?” I’m very curious to know that..plz must answer me.
Thanks.
Now let me go to drink a glass of water.
Whatttt and Faraz Inam was also here….!!!oh plzzz..!!now thats too much.
AOA all of u. i m really shocked that there is SHAHNAZ to join us,also FARAZZZZZ! yes u r legendry bcoz legenderies r so humble to reply fans like us.shanaz u did well done. me apki acting or apka character marte dam tak nai bhul sakti yahan tk ke khuda na khasta mujhe dementia ho jae! u know insan jisse muhabbat karta he usi ko copy krne ki koshish krta he so i came to assesss that im n love with ABC n YOU shenaz! bc i always tried to copy u unconciously even tried to make up me like u! also i want to be an army doctor just to go to go to siachin n serve my country n give my life to ALLAH ALMIGHTY. plz pray for me to be succesful in my ambitions ok bye shehnaz i really love u n lovers of u in drama!ALLAH HAFIZ
Aqsa….
You too too sweet and kind! Thanks a bunch and may Allah bless all your endeavors in life…
Eh, a drama series actually depicting life as it is in Pakistan will, a) likely not pass both the internal and external sensors, b) would create a furore among certain portions of our society.
In general, we are not interested in moral lessons, nor do we want to see what’s happening around us reflected back in the television screen.
My heart doesn’t yearn for the ‘assertive, interesting, witty confident drama queens of yesteryear’ simply because our society has evolved beyond that – gender roles have shifted significantly, or at least have become more transient; a new equilibrium has taken hold – one where there’s no place for characters popular during the later 80′s and early 90′s.
The TV executives merely produce what sells.
Shahnaz Khawaja…. who can forget your invincible performance in ABC. We are waiting for your come back. I have heard that you are doing graduation in USA. Please come back with a big blast… we all love you and miss whole ABC team… there should be sequel… talk to Shoaib Mansoor about this….
please do write at faysalriazch@gmail.com
AsalamuAlaikum,
Shahnaaaz!i can’t believe she is her,oh my god i just can’t explain how much happy am i now,I am addictive of ABC,if i don’t watch it in a week then i just get ill,i really need a new dose by the same team,or else i’ll ………,so i am waiting for them (Faraz,Abdullah,Qasim and Shahnaz) to come back.and in last,
one,two,three
Shahnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazzz.
hey…shshnaz h r u ? iam a die heart fan of yours , dieing to meet u. resently i hear ur voice in nadia khan show .is there any web or link that we all fan`s of ur can be in touch with u . do u have joine facebook
ok allh hafiz
wating for ur replay
Moon, i think if you google around typing shahnazness you’ll find what you’re looking for
AOA, how r u shahnaaz, i really cant believe its really u. Me and my wife watched complete ABC on last sunday and refreshed our old memories. You people really were great. I am in army and i have served for a couple of years with Gul Sher (Qasim), baharhaal, we really want to see you again on TV thought it is difficult to see the complete team again but ur come back after ur studies will be great news for all of us. What so ever written in the article above is true. You really deserve the praise coz u have inspired at least one (i am from that lucky generation). Take care Allah Hafiz
last line is incorrect i wanted to write “You really deserve the praise coz u have inspired at least one complete generation (i am lucky to be from that generation). Take care Allah Hafiz”
hey guys ..hope all of u r well… as much as i liked the drama i dont see what the hugeee fuss is … i mean 3 guys hankering after one gal is not my cup of tea… i mean come on ppl .i loved the army aspect ….but i thought the romantic aspect was a bit dry sorry if im offending any of u die hard fans out there… but i thought just having one gal in the drama was a bit boring… anywyas thts my opinion for gods sake dont go biting my head off now \\:) but a gorgeous girl like amina haq would have looked gud in it too
anyways asta la vista
hi shahnaz.how are u?i am great fan of yours.i have seen you only in ABC and that only drama made me your fan.i heard your voice in nadia khan’s show.please we want to see you again.
Reply to Samreen, its ok what u said about storyline, it requires improvement but for GOD’s sake not amina haq, that puppet is just a model, she is no one if she doesnt show her skin (sorry for offending someone). This blog is about shahnaz and ABC, she became a legend just by that one drama, so please give her at least this much of room, thanx
hello ppl. i have to am compelled to agree with samreen here , (not the part abt amina haq no way shes just not a gud actress) but abt the storyline. i myself wanted some more action in there . one girl and 3 successful men,, alll of them interested in just one girl was corny to say the least. i myself live in the cantt area and let me tell we get some very pretty chicks out here
yes shahnaz acted well in the drama but a mediocre girl and 3 successful army officers all knocking over each other to get to her was just very. lets just say unrealistic..
tough comments imran ..albeit rough but i guess the truth… its true the love story line of abc was a bit sad….anyways not nice to put a girl down like tht ..shudnt comment on girls looks they r so sensitive to such stuff… i dont think shahnaz would like to hear herslef called MEDIOCRE… its teh acting tht counts not looks…. look at nick nolte … hes not all the gud looking but look how well hes done for himself..so plz be careful next time..dont be rude..its hurts other ppls feelings
Hi everybody.Hi shehnaz how r u i am a big fan of u.I must say u were brilliant in ABC.I just wana know what r your future plans and will u resume your acting career and start apearing in pakistani dramas.Miss u khuda hafiz.