Tired of toxic love stories on TV?
Now, we're stuck in a loop. Most dramas are about a hot-headed guy with anger issues and a quiet, helpless girl he ends up "falling in love" with after slapping her mid-argument. You know the scene. She stumbles back, lands on a bed dramatically, and we're supposed to root for this romance. This template is, for the lack of a better word, slapped onto every channel.
Of course, it's easy to blame writers or producers, but the truth is we keep watching. It seems we have an appetite for these tropes. If you think about it, why would they be made if an audience was not tuning in?
But let's take a break from all that toxic romance and go back to a time when comedy dramas gave us something different. Colourful characters. Silly situations. And most importantly, they made us laugh.
Here are six iconic comedy dramas that remind us of what we're missing:
'Annie Ki Ayegi Baraat' (2012)
Part of the wildly popular "Baraat Series," this drama followed Annie, a London-returned girl, navigating her desi family's chaotic wedding preparations. And who can forget Bushra Ansari's magnum opus, Saima Chaudhry, who made this series what it is with her hilarious one-liners.
'Bulbulay' (2009)
Pure chaos, in the best way. The dysfunctional family of Momo, Mehmood Sahab, Nabeel and Khubsoorat live in a world where nothing makes sense, but it's always funny. There is a reason this slapstick comedy is the longest-running Pakistani sitcom.
'Akbari Asghari' (2011)
Before Fawad Khan became the full-package hero, he was Asghar. Loosely based on a classic Urdu novel, the show follows two sisters in arranged marriages to two very different cousins. The East-meets-West clash and sharp performances made it a comedy that felt fresh.
'Ankahi' (1982)
Written by Haseeina Moin, this classic follows Sana, a quirky, ambitious woman trying to make it in the corporate world. The awkward charm, hysterical office dynamics, and iconic lines like "Kya aap waqai mein sanjeeda hain?" made it an unforgettable gem.
'Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah' (2012)
A cult classic that still goes viral every Ramazan, thanks to unforgettable characters like Wadood and Rooh Afza. It mixed absurd comedy with sharp social commentary and let's be honest, we might never see a drama like this again. Women playing poker, men in makeup and sarees, it was way ahead of its time.
'Guest House' (1991)
Set in an Islamabad guest house run by the lovable Mr and Mrs Shameem, this sitcom gave us endless laughs with quirky guests and even quirkier staff, especially Jan Rambo. It's proof that we need to bring back proper Pakistani sitcoms.
Let's make room for more stories that bring us joy, not all drama needs drama.
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Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Tired of toxic love stories on TV?
There was a time when Pakistani dramas had heart, a lot of it. They were slice-of-life stories, the kind that made you laugh with your whole family and sometimes even made you tear up a little. Maybe it's the nostalgia talking, but those dramas had a magic that is hard to find now. Now, we're stuck in a loop. Most dramas are about a hot-headed guy with anger issues and a quiet, helpless girl he ends up "falling in love" with after slapping her mid-argument. You know the scene. She stumbles back, lands on a bed dramatically, and we're supposed to root for this romance. This template is, for the lack of a better word, slapped onto every channel. Of course, it's easy to blame writers or producers, but the truth is we keep watching. It seems we have an appetite for these tropes. If you think about it, why would they be made if an audience was not tuning in? But let's take a break from all that toxic romance and go back to a time when comedy dramas gave us something different. Colourful characters. Silly situations. And most importantly, they made us laugh. Here are six iconic comedy dramas that remind us of what we're missing: 'Annie Ki Ayegi Baraat' (2012) Part of the wildly popular "Baraat Series," this drama followed Annie, a London-returned girl, navigating her desi family's chaotic wedding preparations. And who can forget Bushra Ansari's magnum opus, Saima Chaudhry, who made this series what it is with her hilarious one-liners. 'Bulbulay' (2009) Pure chaos, in the best way. The dysfunctional family of Momo, Mehmood Sahab, Nabeel and Khubsoorat live in a world where nothing makes sense, but it's always funny. There is a reason this slapstick comedy is the longest-running Pakistani sitcom. 'Akbari Asghari' (2011) Before Fawad Khan became the full-package hero, he was Asghar. Loosely based on a classic Urdu novel, the show follows two sisters in arranged marriages to two very different cousins. The East-meets-West clash and sharp performances made it a comedy that felt fresh. 'Ankahi' (1982) Written by Haseeina Moin, this classic follows Sana, a quirky, ambitious woman trying to make it in the corporate world. The awkward charm, hysterical office dynamics, and iconic lines like "Kya aap waqai mein sanjeeda hain?" made it an unforgettable gem. 'Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah' (2012) A cult classic that still goes viral every Ramazan, thanks to unforgettable characters like Wadood and Rooh Afza. It mixed absurd comedy with sharp social commentary and let's be honest, we might never see a drama like this again. Women playing poker, men in makeup and sarees, it was way ahead of its time. 'Guest House' (1991) Set in an Islamabad guest house run by the lovable Mr and Mrs Shameem, this sitcom gave us endless laughs with quirky guests and even quirkier staff, especially Jan Rambo. It's proof that we need to bring back proper Pakistani sitcoms. Let's make room for more stories that bring us joy, not all drama needs drama.
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Bushra has no time for Indian bans
Behind the camera, Bushra Ansari may have played a bitter mother-in-law to Hania Aamir's Sharjeena in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum last year, but away from the world of fiction, this screen veteran has nothing but warm words of praise for Pakistan's fresh-faced young star — particularly in light of Indian backlash following the release of Bollywood film Sardaar Ji 3. "Our Hania is so talented, I don't know why these Indians are so afraid of her and blocking the film just because she is in it," mused the Deemak actor on her YouTube channel Busy B!. "So what if they picked a Pakistani actor for their film? Is it really necessary for you to go blocking her?" Praising her younger co-star's work ethic, Bushra noted that Hania is a committed actor bringing her A-game to the table whatever the circumstances. "It doesn't matter whether she is shooting in the summer or winter, she is always there devoted to her shooting without any fuss," said the veteran in her usual matter-of-fact way, and added, "Whether or not someone is earning ten rupees or a ten-million rupees, it doesn't matter — work is work, summer is summer, winter is winter! She has that dedication, I've seen it in her." Hania's presence alongside Diljit Dosanjh in Sardaar Ji has meant that the Pakistani star has borne the brunt of Indian rage — a fact that Bushra could not overlook in her video message. Mincing no words, she continued, "To my Indian friends, I would say this: stop behaving like children [...] If they have invested millions in the film, why are you so threatened by this young girl? Are you afraid of her talent? You shouldn't be! You have enough of your own talent, and it doesn't matter if they cast a Pakistani star this one time!" Supporting this one instance of cross-border collaboration, Bushra had one final no-nonsense piece of advice for her Indian cohorts: "You should have some principles in life!"
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Tired of toxic love stories? Watch these Pakistani comedy classics instead
There was a time when Pakistani dramas had heart, a lot of it. They were slice-of-life stories, the kind that made you laugh with your whole family and sometimes even made you tear up a little. Maybe it's nostalgia talking, but those dramas had a magic that is hard to find now. Now, we're stuck in a loop. Most dramas are about a hot-headed guy with anger issues and a quiet, helpless girl he ends up 'falling in love' with after slapping her mid-argument. You know the scene. She stumbles back, lands on a bed dramatically, and we're supposed to root for this romance. This template is, for the lack of a better word, slapped onto every channel. Of course, it's easy to blame writers or producers, but the truth is we keep watching. It seems we have an appetite for these tropes. If you think about it, why would they be made if an audience was not tuning in? But let's take a break from all that toxic romance and go back to a time when comedy dramas gave us something different. Colorful characters. Silly situations. And most importantly, they made us laugh. Here are six iconic comedy dramas that remind us of what we're missing: Annie Ki Ayegi Baraat (2012) Part of the wildly popular 'Baraat Series,' this drama followed Annie, a London-returned girl, navigating her desi family's chaotic wedding preparations. And who can forget Bushra Ansari's magnum opus, Saima Chaudhry, who made this series what it is with her hilarious one-liners. Bulbulay (2009) Pure chaos, in the best way. The dysfunctional family of Momo, Mehmood Sahab, Nabeel and Khubsoorat live in a world where nothing makes sense, but it's always funny. There is a reason this slapstick comedy is the longest-running Pakistani sitcom. Akbari Asghari (2011) Before Fawad Khan became the full-package hero, he was Asghar. Loosely based on a classic Urdu novel, the show follows two sisters in arranged marriages to two very different cousins. The East-meets-West clash and sharp performances made it a comedy that felt fresh. Ankahi (1982) Written by Haeesina Moin, this classic follows Sana, a quirky, ambitious woman trying to make it in the corporate world. The awkward charm, hysterical office dynamics, and iconic lines like 'Kya aap waqai mein sanjeeda hain?' made it an unforgettable gem. Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah (2012) A cult classic that still goes viral every Ramazan, thanks to unforgettable characters like Wadood and Rooh Afza. It mixed absurd comedy with sharp social commentary and let's be honest, we might never see a drama like this again. Women playing poker, men in makeup and sarees, it was way ahead of its time. Guest House (1991) Set in an Islamabad guest house run by the lovable Mr and Mrs Shameem, this sitcom gave us endless laughs with quirky guests and even quirkier staff, especially Jan Rambo. It's proof that we need to bring back proper Pakistani sitcoms. Let's make room for more stories that bring us joy, not all drama needs drama.
