Introduction

Zindagi Gulzar Hai is one of the finest and most entertaining dramas I’ve ever watched. It is loosely based on Umera Ahmed’s first novel of same title. Sultana Siddiqui has directed the drama. It is an MD production and aired on HUM TV.

I have been meaning to post about this since ages. Something or the other always comes up; or I end up watching the drama again, completely forgetting about the review itself.

Let’s meet the characters first.

Kashaf Murtaza is from middle class family. She had to struggle a lot to get admission into one of the most prestigious business management institutes of Karachi. She lives in a hostel room.

Kashaf has lived all her life deprived of the basic necessities. Therefore, she’s bitter, pessimistic, and constantly complaints to Allah for her predicaments. Her reasons for bitterness are poverty; how her uncle’s family treats her and her family, how her sisters never cared about a thing in the world. She recalls her childhood. Although she was only 12 years old, she vividly remembers that they didn’t get to eat, or read newspaper or watch television just because her aunty and cousins didn’t want to give her the luxury.

Her financial background doesn’t bring her down, though. In her class, she doesn’t hesitate to voice her bold opinions, even passing judgemental statements for other students, including and especially Zaroon Junaid.

Zaroon Junaid

Zaroon Junaid is from the opposite end of the socioeconomic spectrum. He comes from a place of privilege and it shows in his behavior. He spends most of his time with his friends Asmara, Usama and Farooque. The obvious difference of class and mindset creates a constant stream of uncivil and rude arguments between them. Incidentally, these are often in Sir Abrar’s class. He likes Kashaf for her strong opinions.

Irked and irritated by her self righteous attitude, Zaroon tries to befriend her; only to dump her later. In the library, he tells about his plans to Asmara. Little did he know that Kashaf was listening to the entire conversation. After an ugly and harsh confrontation, Kashaf gets scolded by Abrar.

Short Recap

A story about two people from completely different worlds.

Kashaf grows up watching her mother struggle after her father leaves them because he wanted a son. That bitterness shapes her into someone guarded, practical, and fiercely independent. Meanwhile Zaroon has grown up privileged, charming, loved, and honestly a little too sure of himself.

They meet in university and clash constantly. Their personalities, opinions, upbringing, everything is opposite. But somewhere between arguments, awkward conversations, misunderstandings, and unexpected moments of care, they slowly fall into each other’s lives.

And then comes marriage. Which is where the story actually becomes beautiful. Not because it suddenly turns perfect, but because it shows love in everyday things. Ego, insecurity, comfort, jealousy, companionship. The drama let all of it breathe naturally.

This is just a short recap. For detailed episode-wise plot, read below.

Plot Summary

Episode 1

We meet the two families.

Kashaf gets admitted to the university for doing MBA on full scholarship.

Episode 2

Ghazala doesn’t focus on household chores and doesn’t even feel embarrassed. Sara treats Farhan the same way, even makes him wait for hours.

When murtaza finds out about her admission z he talks shit with and Kashaf picks up the sweets plate from the tray.

ماتھے پر بل لیے ہوئے آتے ہیں اور دانت پیستے ہوئے چلے جاتے ہیں۔

Kashaf arrives at the University. Zaroon tries to talk to her and gets shocking response.

More episode details to come shortly.

Review

I have genuinely lost count of how many times I’ve watched this drama from episode 1 all the way to 26. And somehow, every single rewatch feels comforting. Like reopening an old diary or revisiting a city you once loved deeply.

This was romance at its absolute finest.

The original story this drama was based on was far more dramatic. The fights between Kashaf and Zaroon were harsher, more emotionally exhausting, and honestly difficult at times. But Sultana Siddiqui made one of the smartest creative decisions by softening some of that friction and replacing it with quieter, purer romantic moments.

And those moments worked magic.

Add Fawad Khan and that ridiculous charming smile of his, and suddenly even Zaroon’s flaws become entertaining to watch. Then there’s Sanam Saeed with those controlled expressions. The way Kashaf looked at Zaroon with equal parts adoration and annoyance deserves its own award category honestly. Half their romance lived in tiny expressions and pauses.

Even now, certain dialogues randomly pop into my head.

The costumes felt real. The homes felt lived in. The family dynamics felt painfully authentic. And the romance never felt artificial or overly cinematic. It was soft without being cheesy, emotional without becoming dramatic nonsense.

That’s what made it special.

From dialogues to performances, from depicting middle-class struggles to depicting married life and romance, this drama did everything right for me. No other Pakistani drama has managed to recreate this exact feeling since.

And maybe that’s why this one stays untouched at the top of my list.

My favourite. Of all time.

Moments That Stuck With ME

1. Murtaza trying to give his blessings to Kashf but she moves her head. The expression on her face. Gold!
2. Shehneela seeing Hammad as she opens the door: tum phir aa gaye?
3. This drama made me realize Pakistan mein har baat ke baad chai hoti hai. That was just a thought, and now it’s a reality at my home, too 😀
4. Ghazala cautioning Zaroon against giving Kashf money and Kashf overhearing it. Later, she refuses to take money from Zaroon. Her stubbornness was so endearing. I mean, she’d a khadoos, but so freaking relatable.
5. Sidra saying: “kisi kambakht ne tumhein pasand kar liya…”
6. Zaroon asking Kashf: Konsi namaz hai? And Kashf suppressing a smile as she says, “Asr”.
7. Kashf making sure she is in touch with Sara.
8. Zaroon: Chand kaisa lag raha hai? Kashf: Gol hai!

Parting Thoughts

Have you read this book? What do you think of Kashaf’s character? Check out my book vs novel post. I will meet you in another review.

Shabana Mukhtar