TV: What 2024 has given us so far

With a fresh roster of new dramas ever ready to be churned out, the Pakistani showbiz industry is the gift that keeps on giving. So far this year, we have already had Humayun Saeed and Yumna Zaidi enthral fans as they join forces in Gentleman. We sat with bated breath for the series finale of Ishq Murshid (although how well that particular ending was received by fans is another discussion altogether.) And of course, although not technically a Pakistani show, the much-talked of Barzakh featured showbiz heavyweights Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, setting tongues wagging before its inevitable shutdown.

But with the sway both actors have in the Entertainment industry, a series shutdown is no problem for either Fawad or Sanam. Their stellar careers remain unaffected. With both A-listers due to appear in the much-anticipated Netflix series Jo Bachain Hain Sang Samait Lo – the first Pakistani OTT series ever to grace global screens – the bar has been set sky-high. Pencilled in for a September 2024 release date, as any drama afficionado will know by now, Jo Bachain Hain Sang Samait Lo promises to be a feast for the eyes for anyone with a penchant for watching Pakistan's celebrated stars get to work behind the camera. As well as Fawad and Sanam, we can expect to see Hamza Abbasi, Mahira Khan, Ahad Raza Mir, Hania Aamir and Maya Ali – what more could a drama fan ask for? We're not sure – but with September still tantalisingly near yet far, let's take a closer look at some other shows we can devour in the meantime.

Let's Try Mohabbat

Released in May and starring the ever-watchable Mawra Hocane as the perky Fizza and the handsome Danyal Zafar as Zohan, Fizza's Romeo to her Juliet, Let's Try Mohabbat focuses on love and family relationships, and has all the cliches you need in a show revolving around 'mohabbat'. A declaration of love on a breezy sunlight (and stunningly clean beach, a keyboard with a magical electric supply, and a tongue-in-cheek detailed timeline of when exactly Zohan fell in love with Fiza: here is a show with the perfect concoction of cliches and the 'feel-good' factor. With a heartwarming soundtrack threading through the background between Zohan and Fiza, head towards Let's Try Mohabbat for a much-needed dose of feel-goodness. And when are overdosed on saccharine sweetness, there is tense family drama to provide some between the show's elders running in the background just to mix things up a bit. Is there anything groundbreaking on offer? Not really. But sometimes, with the humdrum of daily life, a little escapism doesn't go amiss.

Zard Patton ka Bunn

With the doe-eyed Sajal Ali at the helm in the role of blah blah opposite the dashing Hamza Sohail, Zard Patton ka Bunn, which premiered in May, is the show to turn to if you can no longer stomach the everlasting saas-bahu trope flooding Pakistani dramas. For anyone wanting a meaningful non-preachy commentary on women's Education, population control, family planning, patriarchy, maternal Health, drug abuse, and gender-based violence – this is the show for you. Throw in some stellar acting and expert story-telling in the mix, and you will understand why Zard Patton Ka Bunn is a show that will stay in your head.

Sajal's Meenu takes the reins as the shining star of the show. Meenu is loaded with ambition, and she is determined to see her goals through. Her goal is not to be united with the love of her life, but to be the first girl in her village to attend university so she can become a doctor, Meenu is a loveable heroine, determined to fight against all odds, be it her five brothers or using her bicycle to get around wherever she needs to go. Can Meenu make it in a world pitted against her? Can anyone take away her fire? Watch and find out!