Women have featured in our narratives in one way or another, it sells. But there is something different about the way these 3 new women centric stories are being told. These women are not your oft seen submissive, beaten up, “sad story needing a man” to save them typecast. These women are much more and a world apart from their sister heroines who graced our screens earlier. So join us as we tell you why these 3 women centric dramas need a watch!
The month took us in its grip as the drama marathon from new channel Green TV took drama viewers by storm. From cricket to divorce, tackling age difference in marriage and college life exploits, the stories had us covered – there’s something for everyone they say. And we seem to think there’s some truth to that premise. The color Green perhaps, adds to the new age Pakistani-ism aka new age dramas(?).
Despite the dramatic onslaught of varied and new, a singular theme that ran parallel in many narratives is the way women have taken centre stage in the story lines. But these women are not your average, ethereal beauty, or damsel in distress. They are not waiting for their knight in shining armour or even, a college degree for that matter, or a dream job. They have struggles though, and these are mirrored in their emancipated mood, courage and sense of self. These women have a journey but the journey hits different in each of the three narratives as well as, from any story ever told about women over the very vast landscape of Pakistani drama history.
So without any further ado, find out why Jindo, Rishtina and Munni strike a different chord and why they deserve a watch!
1. Jindo
Jindo essayed by the ever formidable Humaima Malik is yet to reveal all her shades. But what we know and can expect from this ‘strong woman character feel’ is loads of defiance, spirit and a zero fear zone. As Jindo the drama reveals the backstory about why Jindo the woman became an opponent to be feared and taken seriously by her evil male peers, we map out the journey of a woman who seemed to already have the seeds of resistance, a sense of self assuredness and quiet confidence.
Women on horseback, women engaged in physical battle, not fearing blood, death, murder or a fight to the end are visuals we are yet to witness on local television prime time drama slots; Jindo promises to give us all that. If nothing else, it will pave the way for many more story tellers to tell their story.
Even as she sets out to defend Faqeera in the recent episode, Jindo exudes an aura of her own – she isn’t afraid. Despite the terror that surrounds inhabitants in that small village of tyrants, she celebrated Faqeera’s outspokenness to take on the evil feudal, and much as we fear her fate, we also know that she will not be beaten into submissiveness.
Jindo is set against a hugely patriarchal landscape which makes it all the more intriguing as we get a peek into present times, where Jindo has become a force to be reckoned with for all the wronged women in her community. How she got there will of course, be the story that transformed her. And along with Jindo, we see a host of strong female characters breathing life to the battle for survival and self respect. Will the drama be viewed as an intensely feminist revenge on male dominance and liberties or will the fight for a strong female narrative, emancipation and independence shine through?
Jindo is one character that can be relegated to our wildest feminist dreams – or is it closer to home than we think? Is there an unaroused Jindo in each one of us? Questions lead to answers, and this one is shaking things up a bit and can be watched for some intense story telling set against a backdrop of vast territorial landscapes and a narrative that’s hooked viewers for its rustic feel and ‘intended to shock” storytelling.
Jindo is produced by A2W Productions in partnership with Multiverse Entertainment. It is directed by Anjum Shahzad and written by Qurban Ali Rao.
Jindo’s cast features Humaima Malick as the protagonist, with Gohar Rasheed, Hajra Yamin, Nazr Ul Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Faraz Ali, and Naeema Butt portraying complexities, miseries, and power in their roles. Jindo airs every Wednesday on Green Entertainment.
2. Nauroz
If Rishtina feared the outside world, if she were to cling onto her dad whilst the evil grandfather snatched her away, if she were to wait for her hero on horseback, correction, land cruiser, to come save her forlorn future and add the happy ever after to her unhappy end, we’d say, that’s one of your typical Pakistani dramas – give it a go for the performances, the dramatics and perhaps, because Mawra Hocane will always deliver.
But we’re not saying any of that.
Rishtina is in deep trouble. Oh yes she is. Fatherless, motherless, and with nowhere to go, our heroine will have a journey, yes. But this journey will work its way through the spirit of a woman challenged for her survival. How Rishtina battles the evils around her, including her dear old grandfather, and how she’ll manage to create a world all her own is the story we think we’re about to see unveiled on our TV screens.
Rishtina is scared and that makes her human. Yet she is courageous, and left for the city all by herself with only the promise of a phone call from her father to cling onto for comfort. Her sense of loss for her mother, her discovery that her parents were not really her birth parents, her desperate need to not let go of her father, the only human she knows on earth, yet her resolve to carry on, alone, in a world she knows nothing of, already tells us of her courage.
Rishtina’s journey is the one to watch. It almost echoes a female combatant who’s survival depends on keeping the wolves (her opponents at bay), her lone lifeline – her father, might not be able to save her, so what does she do next?
Nauroz is captivating story telling at its best and Mawra Hocane, in the brief time we’ve seen her on screen so far has given us enough reason to believe (with some help from the promos), that our heroine will defy all odds to make it happen.
How she does it needs a watch folks, so make a beeline for this one!
Nauroz, is produced by Nuqta Films in collaboration with Multiverse Entertainment. The is drama is directed by Shahzad Kashmiri and penned by Kashif Anwar. Featuring a stellar cast led by Manzar Sehbai, Mawra Hocane, and Shamil Khan, the series also showcases a talented ensemble including Mohsin Ejaz, Rana Majid, Mahnoor Shauqat, Saad Farukh, Mustufa Rizvi, Arsalan Khalid, Sultan sb, Alamdar Khan, Sami Niazi, Sanayah Khan, Khubaib, Areeba Tirmaizi, Ahmed Taha, Nadia Amjad, and Salman Shahid.
3. Jeevan Nagar
Munni is your girl next door. Or maybe she’s not. She’s the woman who doesn’t need a man and yet, is surrounded by them. In a world full of men, be like Munni. There. We’ve said it. This character has enough mojo to keep you waiting for the moments she reappears onscreen. Her body language, amused (shifting to exasperation) expressions, is another mood altogether.
Rabia Butt plays Munni like the pro she is. We have no idea about her backstory; how Munni came to be Munni, but we’re loving the way she’s shaking things up in her new neighbourhood, responding to unwarranted male attention, her resilient spirit and no-nonsense approach to life make her all that women want (and hopefully, some men learn from).
Point to note: Munni could have been your over the top character who was 1. preachy 2. exaggerated 3. bitter. But she’s none of the above.
Munni inspires hope, courage and gives voice and vision to the independent woman image we have in our heads but fail to fill in often, because, well, we’re not quite sure who or what she is.
Munni fits the bill, and like a glove, so far.
Watch Jeevan Nagar for the finer nuances of how a woman’s consent or refusal might turn against her, how she can stay independent yet make a place in an alien society (and do it without a man), how she sends out simple yet decisive messages to many young women who need inspiration on how to go it all alone.
Munni is a promising character in Jeevan Nagar and we have high hopes from her. Waiting to see how her narrative will unfold and we think you should too!
Produced by the talented Qaiser Ali, Jeevan Nagar is directed by Kashif Nisar and written by the skilled Awais Ahmed. The main cast features Sohail Ahmed and the stunning Rabia Butt, alongside Kashif Mahmood, Noor Ul Hassan, Saqib Sumeer, and Iftikhar Ahmed Usmani, adding humor and emotions to the story. Jeevan Nagar airs every Tuesday on Green Entertainment.
And that’s it folks, 3 women centric dramas to get you started if you’re struggling with what to watch and what to drop on the Green TV new dramas windfall. Tell us which one you love best so far!
P.S. If you’re wondering why we haven’t added 22 Qadam, fret not, we have a special place for this one, catch our series of back stories on Hareem Farooq aka Fari’s journey here.
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Tags: drama reviewEntertainmentGreen EntertainmentJeevan NagarJindoNaurozpakistanpakistani actorsPakistani dramapakistani dramas
