Television has a mass reach in today’s world, in some contexts even wider than movies. And now with the reign of OTT, a person living anywhere has access to content from all across the world. Shows and Movies with engaging storylines are viewed and loved across countries and continents. A prime example of this is the response towards Pakistani content in India.
Although the Pakistani TV Industry is relatively new, the shows being produced here are fast gaining popularity due to a variety of reasons. Just like dramas from US and UK, Pakistani dramas also appeal to a wide array of consumers who are not fond of typical saas-bahu sagas that are made in India. Some reasons why Pakistani stories are loved in India are-
- Not all Indians are fluent in English and hence Pakistani dramas will be more watchable and understandable to them as compared to US/UK content.
- There are shared cultural similarities between the two countries.
- The traditional values depicted in these shows like love for family, respect for elders, love and friendship are universal themes that transcend borders.
- Pakistani serials are a refreshing change with their grounded, character-driven narratives as compared to melodramatic Indian dramas.
- Pakistani dramas are known for their tight and crisp storytelling. They have shorter seasons and episodes are limited to under 50 or 60 most of the time.
- Pak shows depict romance in a more subtle and realistic way, focusing on deeply embedded emotions rather than grand gestures.
There are many Pakistani dramas that can be called hidden gems. These hidden gems can be streamed for free in India. Read on to know more.
1. Humsafar
About the show- Humsafar is a Pakistani TV Series based on the novel of the same name penned by Farhat Ishtiaq. The series stars Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in lead roles and originally aired on Hum TV. It remains the most successful Pak Drama to date. Humsafar is directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat.
The series follows the struggle of a woman, a daughter, a wife, and a mother who beats all the odds and comes out as a stronger person. Khirad and Asher are a couple who are pressured into marriage due to the untimely death of Khirad’s mother. However, Sara, Asher’s best friend is heartbroken because she is in love with him.
Additional details
- Streaming on- YouTube
- No of episodes- 23
- Runtime- 35 minutes
- IMDb Rating- 8.9/10
2. Zindagi Gulzar Hai
About the show- Zindagi Gulzar Hai is based on the novel of the same name authored by Umera Ahmad. It stars Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed in lead roles and originally ran from 30th November 2012 to 24th May 2013. The show is famous for being a light-hearted drama entwined with romance, and friendship.
The plot revolves around 2 individuals- Kashaf Murtaza and Zaroor Junaid who are poles apart in thoughts and financial status. The two different minds clash yet come together leaving their differences aside in the end.
Additional details
- Streaming on- YouTube
- No. of episodes- 26
- Runtime- 42 minutes
- IMDb Rating-8.9/10
3. Diyar-e-Dil
About the show– Diyar-e-Dil originally aired on Hum TV in 2015 is based on the novel of the same name written by Farhat Ishtiaq. The show stars an ensemble cast of Osman Khalid Butt, Maya Ali, Sanam Saeed, Hareem Farooq, Ali Rehman, and others in lead roles. The show tells the story of an extended family that is broken apart years ago but later come together in the form of a reunion between cousins.
The series focuses on a dysfunctional family led by Agha Jaan, portrayed by veteran TV artist Abid Ali. It is directed by Haseeb Hassan.
Additional details
- Streaming on- YouTube
- No. of episodes-33
- Runtime- 30-45 episodes
- IMDb Rating- 9/10
4. Yaqeen Ka Safar
About the show- It is one of the most successful Pakistani telenovelas that is originally adapted from a popular novel. It is directed by Shahzad Kashmiri and stars Ahad Raza Mir, Sajal Ali, Hira Mani, Shaz Khan, Suhaee Abro, and others in pivotal roles.
A young woman is shattered by the death of her mother caused by her father, and an upright lawyer fights for justice when a poor girl is sexually assaulted by a political heir and his friends.
Additional details
- Streaming on- YouTube
- No. of episodes- 29
- Runtime- 37 minutes
- IMDb Rating- 9/10
5. Daam
About the show- The screenplay for Daam is penned by the famous Urdu Novelist Umera Ahmad while the series is directed by Mehreen Jabbar. It originally aired on ARY Digital in 2010 and later on the Indian TV channel Zindagi in 2015.
The show revolves around friendship bonds and their price. It stars Sanam Baloch, Aamina Sheikh, and Adeel Hussain in lead roles and follows the lives of 2 best friends from opposite financial backgrounds.
Additional details
- Streaming on- YouTube
- No. of episodes- 18
- Runtime- 40 minutes
- IMDb Rating- 8.5/10
6. Dastaan
About the show- The show is based on the famous novel Bano written by Razia Butt. The series stars Fawad Khan and Sanam Baloch in lead roles and is directed by Haissanam Hussain. The series is set during the partition of the Indian subcontinent resulting in the formation of Pakistan.
The show follows a love story amid the Pakistan movement and ideology differences between 2 childhood friends as well as depicts the brutal history of violence and abuse during the partition of India in 1947.
Additional details
- Streaming on-YouTube
- No. of episodes- 23
- Runtime-40 minutes
- IMDb Rating- 8.7/10
7. Shehr-e-Zaat
About the show- Shehr-e-Zaat is based on the novella of the same name written by Umera Ahmad. You will like this one if you are religious or spiritual. It features Mahira Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, and Mohib Mirza in lead roles. The show originally aired on Hum TV in 2012.
It follows the life of Falak Sher Afgan and her transformation from a young girl who is a daydreamer lost in worldly pursuits to a spiritual person. It is about Falak’s journey from Self to Subsistence.
Additional details
- Streaming on- YouTube
- Episodes- 19
- Runtime-45-50 minutes
- IMDb Rating-8.2/10
8. Ranjha Ranjha Kardi
About the show- The Pakistani drama series is directed by Kashif Nisar. The show aired on Hum TV in November 2018 and features Iqra Aziz in the lead role of Noori. The series focuses on her hardships, struggles, and eventually her wedding and married life. The show also stars Imran Ashraf and Syed Jibran in important roles.
The plot focuses on how Noori who loved Sahir ended up marrying Bhola.
Additional details-
- Streaming on- YouTube
- Episodes-31
- Runtime-40 minutes
- IMDb Rating-8.9/10
9. Mora Piya
About the show- The Pakistani drama was broadcast on Geo TV in 2013. It stars Aamina Sheikh and Adeel Hussain in lead roles and is also known as Piya Re. It is a romantic love story between Faisal and Ujala. Faisal is a journalist who has been working on the illegal activities of the land mafia. The night of his wedding to Ujala, she is raped by a gangster who is out to revenge on Faisal. Soon, she gets pregnant and their relationship faces turmoil as Faisal can’t accept the child as his own.
Additional details
- Streaming on- YouTube
- Episodes- 18
- Runtime- 40 minutes
- IMDb Rating- N/A
10. Suno Chanda
About the show- Suno Chanda is a romantic comedy that aired on Hum TV. The series stars Iqrz Aziz and Farhan Saeed in lead roles and celebrates the Pakistani wedding traditions and relates the story of a couple who are in Nikaah, living separately as Rukhsati is yet to happen and the relationship between their families. It received a humungous response and returned back with season 2 as well. It has 60 episodes in total.
Additional details
- Streaming on- YouTube
- Episodes- 60
- Runtime- 40 minutes
- IMDb Rating- 8.8/10
11. Mere Humsafar
About the Show- Mere Humsafar is a Pakistani drama television series under the banner Six Sigma Plus. It aired from 30 December 2021 to 29 September 2022 on ARY Digital. It is a story about a British national Hala, who is left to his father’s relatives when her father and mother decide to separate after her birth. The show stars Hania Aamir and Farhan Saeed in lead roles.
Additional Details-
- Streaming on- YouTube
- Episodes- 37
- Runtime- 40 minutes
- IMDb Rating- 8.5/10
12. Badi Aapa
About the show- The central character of this drama Zubeida is addressed as Badi Aapa by everyone. She is the one who makes all the important decisions in the family. Things change dramatically when her husband marries another woman and she decides to marry her old lover. Her plans go awry and she is left on a crossroad. It was telecasted on Hum TV from 1 September 2012 to 16 February 2013. The show stars Savera Nadeem, Noman Ijaz, and others in lead roles.
Additional Details-
- Streaming on- YouTube & Zee5
- Episodes- 22
- Runtime- 45 minutes
- IMDb Rating- 7.2/10
13. Sadqay Tumhare
About the show- Sadqay Tumhare is a Pakistani biographical drama series that was telecasted on Hum TV from 10 October 2014 to 10 April 2015. The story is about an arranged marriage between a village girl and her city cousin which shows signs of true love, but an indiscretion decades ago could doom their romance. It stars Mahira Khan and Adnan Malik in lead roles.
Additional Details-
- Streaming on- YouTube
- Episodes- 27
- Runtime- 43 minutes
- IMDb Rating- 7.4/10
So these are some of the best Pakistani Dramas that are available to watch for free in India at the moment. Which one’s have you already watched and which are on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments section below.
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