Renowned TV and film director Mehreen Jabbar must have seen one of those inane and redundant storylines on TV recently. She took to Twitter and expressed her disappointment on the work that’s airing on television these days.
Mehreen highlighted some of the main issues that are responsible for the downfall of our TV dramas. The director rightfully pointed out that our dramas have become Indian soap operas.
“Why have most of our dramas become like Indian soap operas? Bad lighting, non stop carpet music, perfect blow drys for women, the same stubble/beards for men. Everyone in constant trauma & shouting or crying & 1000 eps of a stretched out storyline. Kahan kho gaiye vo lamhey?” she tweeted. It is a recurring fact that most dramas shot with 15 to 20 episodes on script are now stretched into 40 episodes with unnecessary OSTs, flashbacks and long scenes. This was the classic Indian soap formula in which dramas were aired for years with no character development or new story. It has been pointed out time and again by critics that every leading man looks the same; he has the same tapered haircut, stubble, and wear suits even at home brandishing his savior complex. The male antagonist looks identical too. Even the women have perfectly blow-dried hair and makeup when they get up in the morning or are crying at a funeral. The essence of a relatable and mature Pakistani drama is long forgotten, or at least is a rare discovery. It has been replaced by a more gift-wrapped, sanitized and frivolous version. Read: Mehreen Jabbar revives her 90s telefilm ‘Farar’ with new cast in upcoming web series Mehreen Jabbar has given masterpieces like Doraha, Kahaniyaan, Malaal, Vasl, Daam, Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu, Rehai, and Jackson Heights as her notable projects on TV. Her most recent work was the Zee5 web series Ek Jhoothi Love Story.Why have most of our dramas become like Indian soap operas? Bad lighting, non stop carpet music, perfect blow drys for women, the same stubble/beards for men. Everyone in constant trauma & shouting or crying & 1000 eps of a stretched out storyline. Kahan kho gaiye vo lamhey?
— mehreenjabbar (@mehreenjabbar) June 3, 2022
