riyagohalblog

 I can’t quite pinpoint why I find so much peace and comfort in watching Pakistani TV dramas. Maybe it’s the beautiful language of Urdu. Maybe it’s the aesthetic Pakistani suits. Maybe it’s the extremely good looking cast. (hahaha)

I don’t know. I would actually rank Pakistani dramas pretty high when compared to TV shows from around the world.

I’m Indian, and of course, I watch Indian TV dramas too…

Actually, that’s a lie. I can’t stand them.

The melodramatic acting, the unnecessary visual effects, the background music, the same characters somehow re-emerging or outliving everyone else. Please kill me now.

When it comes to Bollywood films.. I LOVE THEM.

Not sure why the content on Indian TV doesn’t match that.

The problem is, maybe they’re trying too hard.

Pakistani shows, at their core, are very simple. Very short and sweet. Their scripts are straightforward, the outfits are simple, there’s no unnecessary obscenity, and the budgets aren’t crazy. They work with what they have. There’s family drama too, but somehow, it all comes together into this wholesome mix of things that are just… comforting.

It’s like a warm bowl of tomato soup on a cold, rainy day.

It’s like a hug.

One of my favourite moments in life is whenever my nani (grandmom) comes to visit me. We bond over Pakistani shows. We love to make our chai, sit together and watch them, and then discuss which shows we’ve watched and which ones we should watch next.

And the way they showcase love… is a whole other discussion.

There is so much intimacy without the characters constantly expressing physical intimacy. I find that so refreshing, especially in an era where every show seems to have a steamy scene every second.

With Pakistani shows, you can watch with your whole family without feeling extremely awkward or squirming in your seat, hoping the characters won’t suddenly take their clothes off.

Oh well. Maybe I’m too traditional.

But I do think the media world needs to learn a little something from Pakistani TV shows.

Like, hey, maybe we don’t need to undress our characters every second to prove their love.

Maybe we can make shows that we can actually watch comfortably with our parents or grandparents.

Maybe that’s what makes Pakistani dramas so comforting.