Since most of the guppies here are living abroad, Im not sure if you guys have seen all the dramas on PTV, or zee/star/sony for that matter…
However, id still like you to give your opinions between Pakistani dramas such as Tanhayaan, Alpha Bravo Charlie, Chand Grahen AND Indian ones like Tara, Hinna, Imanat.
I for one believe PTV has done an incredible job with making such excellent drama serials… I heard they allowed private companies to make their own plays, which has resulted in a bit of a slump recently…
One difference between Pakistani and Indian dramas is that the ones in Pakistan run for a shorter time (8 to 12 weeks), as compared to the never ending stories that the Indian ones seem to run. Remember, the ones in India have lesser financial limitations as they are aired on pay channels, whereas the ones in Pakistan mostly air on PTV-1, which is a free-to-air channel and has lesser sources of income and a national audience, compared to the regional audience that its Indian counterparts enjoy.
Everyone talks about money and private productions and audiences and going global. Pish posh. If someone is dedicated to their job of making a good drama, they'll do it regardless of who their audience is or how much money they're getting. We Pakistanis are good with dramas, cuz educated folk dont really go into films and dramas are the only avenue of entertainment and a great way to adddress important issues. (However, these days, theatre is getting a lot of creative attention in Pakistan).
One big difference is the openness of issues on Indian dramas that Pakistani dramas are prevented from having due to strict censor boards. I think that's somehow hurt the Pakistani industry, becuz the issues u see in Indian dramas are going on full force in Pakistan right now and the teenagers know it well. Thus, you see a lot of young people tuning into Indian dramas, cuz they ACTUALLY relate to them more than Pakistani dramas now. The quality of dramas hasn't really dropped due to private productions, although u are seeing quite a few flop private dramas. But even before private dramas, ptv had quite a few flops too. Now there are more channels, more dramas, so more flops and more hits.
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Originally posted by PyariCgudia: One big difference is the openness of issues on Indian dramas that Pakistani dramas are prevented from having due to strict censor boards.
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Its true that Pakistani dramas are not so open in their content description, but isnt that reflective of the mainstream Pakistani society and culture? Thats how it is in our homes as well.
Same is the case with most indian homes as well, regarding conservatism, and I believe that in being overly open in their dramas, they misrepresent their society, since the indian media sees 'vulgarity' as advancement, whereas thats not the case.
Though Pakistani media too has started delving into non-mainstream content occasionally, I still believe that head to head, Pakistani dramas are far better, despite much smaller budgets to work with.
Our dramas, especially the older ones based on rural lives are the best!! 'Rahein' was a good example...
However, there has been a slight change now,the media companies, who have been allowed to make their own dramas, are going abroad and are concentrating on glamour rather than character. I just wish they'd stop doing that... Otherwise these dramas would lose the element they were best noted for in the first place.
You are very right. Indian Media especially the ones controlled by Zee/Sony/Star are spreading vulgarity and young kids in cities like Bombay and Delhi are the worst affected by that.
However, Indian Dramas weren't that bad - If you remember (I dont know If you have seen those) 'Mirza Ghalib', 'Yeh Joh Hai Zindagi', 'Ham Log', 'Maila Anchal','TAMAS', 'Sword of Tipu Sultan' etc.. All of them used to air on Door Darshan and were very good.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to see any Pakistani dramas so I am not in a position to Compare them, But I definately feel that Invasion of Zee/Star/Sony has degraded the level of our dramas/serieals.
AK
[This message has been edited by Asif_k (edited April 03, 2002).]
Every local desi food/video store carries Pakistani drama. Thus I'm able to watch every drama when released.. oh and also having Prime TV.
Hehe I've noticed on Sony TV, they show every drama as lavish living, with big houses, etc. Although I watch a few sony drama, which interest me a lot, Hinna, Kkusum, Dhadkan. Zee TV too, has some very nice drama like Gharana.
It came to me late but, on those drama that air for 30min - 1 hr. every day, they have resorted to vulgarity.
Pakistani drama don't run for everyday like Soups of the west or India. They are more serials. Only complaint I have with the Pakistani drama is, too much paindoo, vaderain, Chaudhry, etc.. drama being made.
If you guys saw Sawan recently, that was a beautiful drama, that was really touchy :)
Chaand Ghiran, Doosra, Aasmaan, Alpha Bravo Charlie, Dasht, those were the great days, still can't find any dramas in India or Pakistan to match with the mentioned above.
Mirza Ghalib and Tipu Sultan were 2 Indian good dramas.
That's cuz Pakistani writers are more concerned with giving out a message and Indian dramas are more geared to plain entertainment.
But that is true. too many dramas on waderas, etc. And it hasn't made these fuedal lords stop their injustice and it hasn't motivated ne1 to oppose it.
Peoples champ, I actually prefer the dramas with the paindoos rather than all that glamour etc... The way they portray Pakistani rural life is awesome!!
All the dramas that have been portraying the army have also been so good!! Sunehrey din, Alpha Bravo Charlie, Rashid Minhas, Aziz Bhatti etc, all of them were pretty good, thanks to the ISPR