ZINDAGI
the PAK way
What’s restricted is
always enticing. People have always been intrigued to know how life is beyond
the borders and if beyond it lies Pakistan, with whom we share a history
blotted with conspiracies, conflicts and treachery, the curiosity is increased!
A series of cricket
matches, a handful of singers traveling to and fro between the borders,
interaction with few actors and of course complimented with the volatile
political past all we know about Pakistanis was that they had a great pool of
talent along with good looks.
On 23 June 2014 Zee TV launched a new
Indian entertainment television channel named ‘Zindagi’ which airs syndicated
shows from Pakistani top-rated serials. The channel is owned by the Zee
Entertainment Enterprise. With the theme
of “Vasudeva Kutumbkam” or “The whole world is my family”, Zindagi channel
promises to bring in stories from around the world. It is said that
later it would telecast shows from various others countries too, for instance
countries like Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The Channel launched with the multi
-faceted vision of bringing fresh content to Indian television from
international markets, and for an alternative way of goodwill building between
the two countries. .. The channel theme
and the tag line “Jodey Dilon ko” or “to connect hearts” clearly indicates that
this channel has a clear mission - It is trying to use the medium of television
to create a culture of peace. Well, the risk has been well rewarded.
In a television market, reeking with the stench of serials focused on the
superficial dynamics of saas and bahu, brothers, etc., the
new channel seems like a breath of fresh, aroma-filled air.
The content starved Indian audience
received it with open arms. This phenomenon is not restrained to the
‘Aunties’ of India, but has spread across a section of youth, and is
slowly trickling to the masculine population too. People are literally glued to
the shows on the channel. There are more positive reviews than negative. It is
thus safe to say that the channel Zindagi has generated more goodwill and
respect in its short stint, than a series of matches between the two countries
could, in years.
Why is this so? Why are people even
getting excited about serials, dramas, and all this supposedly run-of-the-mill
Ekta Kapoor-ish stuff? Is it actually capable of breaking stereotypes?
Let’s take a quick look at what makes Zindagi so popular!
With only a couple of programs in its
kitty, the channel still manages to walk the talk!
The channel
started its run with two very popular serials of Pakistan Auun Zara and Zindagi Gulzaar Hai both of which have received immense praise and popularity in their
home country.
Aunn Zara has the male
protagonist in a house filled with elder single females who fuss over him. The
fun begins when they actually trust the new daughter-in-law with the
car-driving- more than their own son, due to his past track record! These
females have been cut across generation and need no men to take care of them.
The channel’s most popular serial, Zindagi
Gulzar hai, is about the complex relationship between two headstrong,
intelligent individuals and class rivals, Zaroon and Kashaf.
The serial delves into the subject of marriages and human errors of judgments
in the most mature manner. It’s not over dramatic- it’s far from sluggish, but
in fact uses common everyday life incidents to make its point. This serial made
its lead actors, Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, household names in India. This show
also enjoyed 2 reruns on the channel due to its popularity among indian
audiences.
Other very popular serials on the channel
were kitni girhain baaki hai, kaash main teri beti na hoti, and humsafar.
Kitni Girhain Baqi Hain is an anthology series of 90
minute telefilms promoted as a "collection of assorted love stories". The series is based on real life situation and
stories. Kitni Girhain Baqi Hain is a satire based on the ironies and harsh
realities of a woman's life, but also gives hope to, and creates awareness
among women.
In india it is hosted by actress kirron kher.
Kaash Main Teri Beti Na Hoti. was also one of the serials broadcasted on the day Zindagi channel was launched. The story
highlights the concept of living conditions of a very poor family in Pakistan
and the hardships and difficulties they have to face daily to earn their
living. It shows how the elite rich class manipulates the poor class for their
own motives and then discard them off once they are no longer needed. You get
to see that money is such a powerful force which can force parents to take
certain steps which are unethical.
Humsafar, is the most watched drama in pakistan media history. The story
revolves around the trials and tribulations of a married couple. This is a
story about Khirad who becomes a part of Ashar’s life, ultimately resulting in
a marriage that is based on the foundation of compromise. Unwillingly, Khirad
leaves Ashar, but fate once again brings them together with another
family-member, Hareem, playing a crucial role in the reunion. The story focuses
on the ups and downs in their married life. Sarah, Ashar's friend is the reason
for the rocky patches in Khirad and Ashar's life. Sarah's obsession with Ashar,
and her inability to accept his marriage with someone else, leads her to create
unpleasant situations in their lives. The
show which again stared Fawad khan as the lead garnered huge praises from the
indian audiences particularly on lead actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan’s
performances.
Another highlight of the
channel in terms of content was telefilm Behadd.
"Behadd"
reflects upon the relationship dynamics of a 'Parent' and 'Child', and shows
how their love for one another becomes the cause of their heartache and the
reflection of 'selflessness' verses 'selfishness' in Love. It stared india’s
soon becoming heartthrob Fawad Khan and popular pakistani actress Nadia Jamil. Behadd
received highly positive and critical response upon its broadcast.
There are two phenomenal achievements of
this channel. One is that while getting us into the houses of an average
Pakistani, it broke the biggest mental block. It made Pakistanis to be a normal
bunch of human beings in our mind. When they bore open their fears, attitudes,
habits, and circumstances to us, Indians, through this medium, we immediately
empathize and connect. The problems and situations seem to be quite common
across borders.
The second achievement is the portrayal of
females in the serial. The very fact that females are not questioned for every
decision they take and some characters in the story are extremely headstrong
about balancing career and work, should make us clap with respect. What is
heartening to see, is the liberal thinking women with a strong rooted sense of
culture. They do get their share of chauvinism, but that’s beside the point, as
those are extrinsic factors. Even the director is a lady, Sultana Siddiqui, and
that’s a first considering I am yet to know an Indian television lady director.
When I delved into the subject more, I came to know she owns the broadcasting
network, Hum TV, in Pakistan, from where Zindagi has bought most of
its content.
The channel also demystifies the need for
baroque-looking sets, garish makeup, and blingy clothes with its no-nonsense
approach. What makes Zindagi even cooler is its tight script, crisp
screenplay, well delivered dialogues, subtle acting, and the rich language of
delivery i.e., Urdu. Can you imagine that a marriage scene between the
protagonists took less than 10 minutes to get over? And that, too, in a single
episode itself? I was astounded for a while, with the lack of melodrama, and
the non-repetitive script that the channel was offering. Its well-paced content
makes it suitable for us, the attention-deficit youth population to watch.
Another plus point for the channels and
its serials popularity is that almost every serial finishes in about 25 to 30
episodes unlike Indian serials that stretch on to 100+ episodes and lose their
authenticity on the way and also their fan base.
There was a huge
enthusiasm from people of India for this new channel. This can be inferred from
the response that can be seen on social networking sites and ofcourse, the
TRPs. A Times of India report dated 1 July 2014 had argued that not only the
channel has received good response from the public but even bollywood and
television celebrities are welcoming the new channel.
Today, with the entry of Zindagi Channel,
people are excited with the fact that after a long time, a drama is respecting
their intelligence, and thinks of them worthy enough to appreciate complex
plots.
On a very strong note, these Pakistani serials make
a mockery of our long held rigid belief system about them. Its meaningful
content is a slap on the face for every prejudiced person. Its far advanced
portrayal of the complexity of human relationship makes us cringe when we
change channels and see its Indian counterparts. Zindagi TV is a modern
updated version of good old Doordarshan serials and surely must be
sending shock waves in the Indian television industry these days.
It’s about time our television serial industry also
rose up to the standards and stopped over-simplifying plots, and serving
half—baked personalities as characters. The very reason that dramas work is
because there is an urge in us to understand human relationships. We relate to
it, cry with it, and also try to evolve through it. Dimwitted scripts are the
mother of all issues that the Indian television industry faces today, and the
entry of Zindagi only made it more obvious.
For a change, it’s the turn of Indian production
houses to worry and fret. And as for us, the audience, let’s sit back, relax,
sip a cup of tea, and enjoy this wave of change because Zindagi aajkal
really Gulzar hai!
