- Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Be-NishaaN
- Alif
- Shehr-e-Zaat
Quesion: What do these dramas have in common? Other than the fact that they are all penned by acclaimed Urdu novelist and drama writer Umera Ahmed.
Answer: They all have a very strong religious connection, a connection with Allah.
And that brings us to today’s topic:
Pakistani Dramas and Their Use of Religious Card Insensitively and Excessively
Recently, there is a flurry of dramas that use the religious card to tap into the viewership, and exploit the religious person in us. There is a difference between showing a character who is close to Allah, or just showing a one-off scene where they are offering namaz.
In Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Be-NishaaN, we see Saba Kareem and her unwavering faith in Allah despite the shit she goes through.
Alif show Qalb-e-Momin (and partly Husn-e-Jahan) transition from atheism to the path of Allah.
In Shehr-e-Zaat, we see Falak’s quest for “zaat” or “self”.
And there are other dramas that show their main characters on a spiritual journey without rubbing it in your nose.
These stories also have a religious element to them, but they go beyond starting an episode with azaan, or a main character offering namaaz. By the way, they should retire this scene–episodes beginning with azaan. You know what I mean? A while ago, several years ago, I was watching a Russel Peter clip where he told one joke, and then he retired it. He wouldn’t use that joke anymore. Similarly, Pakistani drama industry in general and the directors in particular, must retire the azaan scene. It is used so often that it has lost its charm.
Talking of azaan, there are some more scenes that Pakistani dramas should retire.
Scenes That Pakistani Dramas Should Retire
- The main character offering namaaz even though azan is still in progress. If you know a little bit of Islam, or ask Muftis; the best ibadat to do when you hear azaan is to repeat azaan’s words, even offering namaaz at that time is not afzal, not the best.
- The heroine waking up with full makeup and accessories and not even a single strand of hair out of place. What is up with that?
Religious Dramas Done Right
Coming back to the main topic at hand, I don’t mind watching a drama with a religious or spiritual theme. I don’t mind if even via dramas (not allowed in Islam) puts me back on the path of righteousness. Apart from the drama listed above, there are several other examples where they have done religion right. Main Abdul Qadir Hoon shows Abdul Qadir’s journey from a shy teenage boy to the new adult who parties and gets arrested, from that to a man who drinks and doesn’t shy away from hooking up, and then to a man who wouldn’t get rid of his beard and cap even if it cost him a handsome job.
No, I don’t mind such dramas where religionality is supported by a well-written script with strong characters and defined character arcs. It’s not just the spirituality that pulls you in, you also root for the characters, and you also enjoy great story-telling.
Religious Dramas Done Wrong
My grouse is with the dramas that manipulate us viewers in the name of religion. There are many, but I will only mention the two dramas that are currently being aired. Dil-e-Momin, and Aye Musht-e-Khak.
Dil-e-Momin: Story of a Pious Man
Dil-e-Momin is about a pious man–a man who does everything to please Allah. And yet, he doesn’t mind flirting with his cousin. On one side, we see him and others talking about various teachings of Islam and Quran; on the other hand, we see the main character violating many teachings of Islam. How are we supposed to empathize with such characters?
Aye Musht-e-Khak: Story of an Athesit
And then there is Aye Musht-e-Khak which has taken ineffective spiritual drama this to a whole new level. This drama is so full of shit, for lack of a better word. The characters are either too white or two black. They don’t know the middle ground. Dua and her family are all white, Taqi and his family are all white, Bobby and her friend Shiza is just black. The only exception is Shakeela who was pure evil and then suddenly transitioned to being reasonable.
The main lead Dua leaves her husband only because he is an atheist, which I think is fair. But she still meets and talks to Bobby after divorce who is now a namehram for her. She even meets Imam Sahib regularly. Now, he is an old man, but Islam tells us women to observe purdah even from religious scholars. What I’m trying to get at is, if you are making a religious drama, then make it in a way that nobody can point a finger or highlight a flaw. The problem with these dramas is that their main intention is to show a different story, but they wrap it up in a religious package to garner more viewership, which is so so sad. I would much rather watch dramas that have no religious inkling and yet part several little messages of shariah.
I guess that’s enough rambling for now. So long!
PS: I published a YA romance novella yesterday, if you’re interested. It has no religious value, don’t worry. 😛
Shabana Mukhtar