Ramadan has come to an end, Eid has passed and Ramadan dramas are either over or coming to a close. With this, the selection of current on-air dramas is incredibly limited and so it’s only obvious that Pakistani drama viewers will be seeking out new dramas to start. Fortunately, there’s a plethora of new shows set to premier this week. Putting aside the offerings from Green Entertainment (22 Qadam, College Gate, Idiot, Jindo, 101 Talaqein and Nauroz), which deserves an entirely different, individual write-up, Hum TV, Har Pal Geo and ARY are launching promising new shows to fill now-vacant time slots. Let’s discuss what’s worth looking out for!
1) Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri (Hum TV)
Airing on Hum TV, “Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri” is a particularly exciting launch. Starring Khushhal Khan and Dananeer Mobeen, the show also stars Omair Rana, Farah Saida and Ayesha Toor in supporting roles. Directed by Shahid Shafaat and written by Rahat Jabeen, the pull of “Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri” is the youthful casting, the fresh look and what appears to be an out-and-out love story. Is this the love story of a rockstar? Is it a story of teenagers who grow apart? The teasers aren’t entirely clear regarding the storyline, but what is clear is that it will offer something offbeat and different from the tried and tested. “Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri” will begin airing on Friday, April 28, 2023.
2) Jurm (Har Pal Geo)
Rumored to be a mini-series, “Jurm” will be airing on Har Pal Geo. Wahaj Ali, who is at an all-time high in terms of popularity, returns to making unique script choices, portraying a character falsely implicated in a crime. Co-starring Durr E Fishan Saleem, Tooba Siddiqui, Atiqa Odho, Ehtashamuddin and Zhalay Sarhadi, the story has been directed by the brilliant Mehreen Jabbar and written by the talented Shah Yasir. Promising to be a thriller which will keep audiences on the edge of their seats with each step revealing a darker reality, the promos of “Jurm” look every bit as exciting as the claims. “Jurm” will air on Friday and Saturday, starting April 23, 2023.
3) Tere Ishq Ke Naam (ARY Digital)
“Tere Ishq Ke Naam” is the latest launch from ARY Digital. Described as an “intense love triangle” and “a whirlwind romance with unexpected twists and pairings,” this drama stars Hiba Bukhari, Usama Khan and Zaviyaar Nauman Ejaz in lead roles, along with Yashma Gill. Looking at the teasers, it seems the story follows a happily married couple who grow apart due to the interference of a third person. Audiences have been criticizing the promos for looking a bit too similar to “Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha,” but this show could leave us pleasantly surprised. This one will begin on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
4) Bandish 2 (ARY Digital)
Horror is not everyone’s cup of tea, but “Bandish 2” may be one to make an exception for. Starring Affan Waheed, Sania Saeed, Amna Illyas, Areej Mohyudin and others, the story follows a family being stalked by an invisible force within their home, a force which seems to be taking over the family members one by one. This may not be for the faint of heart, but promises to deliver something unique and exciting. Written by Syed Nabeel and Shahid Nizami and directed by Aabis Raza, the first episode of “Bandish 2” will air on Friday, April 28, 2023.
5) Fareb (Hum TV)
Starring Zain Baig and Zainab Shabbir, along with Maria Wasti, Adnan Jaffar, Adnan Shah Tipu, Hiba Aziz and Umer Alam, “Fareb” will air on Hum TV. The story has been written by Samra Bukhari and directed by Mohsin Talat. The storyline isn’t clear from the promos, but is described as a “riveting story of family, deceit and betrayal which will keep you on the edge of your seat.” This one looks fairly standard by the promos.
6) Title Unannounced (Har Pal Geo)
As always, Har Pal Geo tends to play the “do not reveal the drama title” game for their shows until the last moment. This Areej Mohyudin starrer also stars Fahad Sheikh, Saleem Miraj, Sana Fakhar, Babar Khan, Asim Mehmood, Farhan Ali Agha, Kashif Mehmood, Laila Wasti and many other talented faces in a story written by Imran Ali Safir and directed by Irfan Aslam. The story revolves around a family which falls apart after the head of household, played by Kashif Mehmood, is arrested for fraud and commits suicide in jail. This one does not look lighthearted and seems to follow the general path of “misery,” but looks promising due to the talented actors associated with it.
These are the shows set to launch this week. Which one are you most looking forward to?