"Dramas Are Made in a 2-D Format:" Deepak Perwani on the Regressive State of Pakistani Entertainment

Express Tribune

24-02-2025

Deepak Perwani is a household name in Pakistan, not only for his iconic fashion designs but also for his acting chops.
With decades of experience as one of the country's leading designers, Perwani has carved a space for himself in both the fashion and entertainment industries.
Known for his influential work in both areas, Deepak has contributed to Pakistani pop culture as both a creative genius and a public figure. These days, he is shining on the small screen with his role in the hit drama Qarz-e-Jaan.
But recently, Deepak turned his attention to the state of Pakistan's entertainment industry, particularly the limitations and censorship challenges plaguing the country's drama sector.
He recently appeared on the DigiTales podcast, where he shared his insights on the fashion history of Pakistan, his influential family, and, notably, the stagnation he believes the local drama and film industries are experiencing.
While he acknowledged that Pakistani dramas have gained immense popularity both locally and internationally, Deepak also pointed out how the country's entertainment sector remains stagnant due to significant restrictions.
He explained that Pakistani dramas, while highly regarded abroad, are still stuck in a "backward" state. 'Our dramas are doing great, but we are still backward,' he said, reflecting on how the industry's creativity is stifled by PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) regulations.
According to Deepak, even the portrayal of simple things like red blood in a scene is prohibited, making it impossible to create crime thrillers or show intense dramatic moments that are often central to gripping stories. "How come we don't have crime thrillers? How come we don't have true crime stories?" he questioned.
Deepak's frustration doesn't end there. He also pointed out how absurd some of the restrictions are. He revealed that, in many dramas, a husband and wife cannot be shown sitting on the same bed together, even in an affectionate or romantic context.
The sheer number of limitations, from banning certain depictions to restricting specific themes, discourages drama creators from taking risks or doing something different.
After all, when you have so many barriers, you're just stuck making the same type of story again and again.
In an industry heavily burdened by these constraints, Pakistani creators often play it safe to avoid the wrath of the censor board.
Shows that are considered 'too provocative' for the mainstream audience or are deemed inappropriate by the board are often banned outright, costing producers huge amounts of money and reputational damage. This results in a cycle of repetitiveness—leading to the production of shows that follow the same tired tropes. For example, dramas like Barzakh and Churails attempted to break away from the formulaic storytelling of typical "saas bahu" plots or mafia and land-grabber sagas, but the risk involved in producing such content is high, and not all networks are willing to take it.
The stories that have flooded television for years involve evil mother-in-laws plotting against sweet daughter-in-laws, a charming but scheming sister-in-law, and of course, the cousin who's hopelessly in love with the protagonist and will do anything to tear the couple apart.
However, Deepak's podcast appearance didn't solely focus on the limitations of the drama industry.
As a fashion icon with over 30 years in the business, he shared some entertaining anecdotes from his career in the fashion world. He recalled a particularly wild night when he received a call in the middle of the night informing him that the lead actor's sherwani had been stolen just hours before a crucial shoot. "I had to rush and grab one of my own sherwanis to get the shoot done,' Deepak said, laughing.
The chaos didn't end there; the actress, who was supposed to perform a dance number, refused to dance with the hero's cousin, demanding script changes to have a solo with the hero instead.
To close out the discussion, Deepak shared his thoughts on the controlled nature of the state, not just in the entertainment industry but across society in general. He emphasized that in such a controlled environment, it's impossible to build a true cultural foundation. He quipped that without freedom, there is no culture to build!
In an industry where creativity is constantly boxed in, it's clear that the real drama in Pakistani entertainment happens off-screen.