Re: Pakistani drama - An Indians letter in today's Dawn
There was a time when Pakistani TV was banned in India though terrestrial broadcasts could be seen in the border areas on most days. Serials like "Tanhaiyan" were immensely popular in India. Also Pakistani musicians have always been popular in India - ghazal singers like Mehdi Hassan and Ghulam Ali, bands like Junoon etc. Talent does not know any boundaries. Whenever there are talented Pakistani artistes, there are audiences not just in Pakistan but across the border as well.
Pakistani tv was banned in India to stop the kashmir propoganda, not because of the quality of its serials. Infact india that time was makeing better serials like buniyad, hum log, ramayan etc etc.....
I have never seen any pakistani serial being popular in India. I used to like one called "Family Front" but then i was tired of unexpected, long and never ending ads.
Not that indians are making great serials now days. though i havent seen a serial in years but i am people tell me that quality has gone down to the rock bottom.
I tell you what pakistani stuff was popular in india... it was Stage Dramas (comedy) and music. Omer sharif was the common and known name in all house holds in india that time (now he lost his mind and sense of humor) . We used to rent all his stage shows. it was like very popular. Pakistani sigers and music was always popular, is still popular and will be popular in the future too.
But not the serials... personally i think they are no match to already crap indian serials.
So give credit where it is due... pakistani stage dramas, and music "thumbs up:
tv serials :thumbs down: