Drama serial “Uraan”, based on PIA, covered different aspects of air travel and events related to lives of passengers and airline professionals like cabin crew and pilots. Shooting of serial’s episodes took place in various cities served by PIA including Paris, New York, London, Kathmandu and Nairobi. Faryal played role of PIA Senior Flight Purser while Shakeel acted as PIA aircraft Captain in this
drama serial.
PTV drama serial "Uraan" cast members Faryal Gohar and Shakeel Ahmed seen with Managing Director PIA Air Vice Marshal Farooq Umar at dinner hosted by Mr & Mrs Air Vice Marshal Farooq Umar in honour of "Uraan" team members at Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, on October 25, 1995.
Mr & Mrs Air Vice Marshal Farooq Umar in a group photo with PTV drama serial "Uraan" team members. The photo was taken at dinner hosted by Mr & Mrs Air Vice Marshal Farooq Umar in honour of "Uraan" team members at Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, on October 25, 1995.
Flight Engineer Sohail Malik in the cockpit of PIA Boeing 747-367 (AP-BFW) flying from London to Islamabad on August 18, 2000. Sohail was one of real-life PIA crew members who acted in "Uraan". He played the role of a PIA Flight Engineer.
PIA's first woman pilot First Officer Maliha Sami (right) seen in conversation with cast members Faryal Gohar (centre) and Savera Nadeem. This photo was taken at dinner in Pearl Continental Hotel,Karachi, on October 25, 1995.
A memorable drama by Ptv Lahore centre in 1999 after Waris. Based on Punjabi novel “Tanwa Tanwa Tara” by Mansha Yaad
This drama talks about different societal issue of people both living in urban and rural areas that how villagers are considered “seedhay saadhay bholay bhalay” and how everything is connected i mean entire village will know about one single incident. moreover, drama talks “nakhray” of city people as they find every of their “gaaon”, stinks.
there are people who do knows the value of education and for this they even leave their home, but they come back after realizing that only their homies knows their real value.
overall a great production!
The story revolves around a servant, Akbar (Salim Nasir), previously a classical dancer, working at the house of a retired civil servant Mehboob Ahmed (Shakeel) and his wife Jehan Ara Begum (Bushra Ansari). Mehboob Ahmed regularly seeks Akbar’s advice on different matters, often with hilarious results. Arshad Mehmood playing the role of Chaudhry Sahib (Mehboob Ahmed’s neighbor) is one of the trump cards of the play. His typical chaudhry accent and the way Akbar tries to imitate him is a source of much amusement. A host of prominent guest stars such as Moin Akhtar, Film star Lehri, Alamgir, Subhani Younus & Anwar Maqsood also add to the appeal of the play. Although there is so much on offer, the highlight of the serial without doubt is Jehan Ara’s ranter- the interactions that take place between Jehan Ara & Akbar with Mehboob Ahmed acting as a biased (towards Akbar) mediator between the two- one will want to watch these scenes over & over again.
Directed by:- Qaiser Farooq
Written by:- Anwar Maqsood
Aahat (An Approaching Sound) is the story of a young couple, their dreams, social pressures and the consequences of having too many children too soon. The television drama of six one-hour episodes is an outstanding example of the success of the Enter-Educate concept in diffusing family planning messages. It marked the first highly visible collaboration between Pakistan TV and the National Population Program, signaling a positive change in high-level government commitment to family planning communication in Pakistan. As in many Muslim societies, family planning has long been considered too sensitive a topic for mass media. However, the overwhelmingly positive response that the drama received has quieted such misconceptions and given high visibility to family planning. Originally scripted in Urdu, followed by an English subtitled version, the drama was broadcast on Pakistan Television (PTV) beginning October 1, 1991.
The best combination of the great actors of all times – Rahat Kazmi, Saira Kazmi, Talat Hussain and Shakeel, all together in a play written by Hasina Moin, whose name is enough for a drama to be a hit. This drama is best known for the interactions between the major characters and dialogues that can be compared with the best that PTV has ever produced. Rahat and Sahira Kazmi (the husband and wife team) are terrific and so is the wonderfully wicked Talat Hussain (the character that he has played in this drama).
Cast: Shakeel, Sahira Kazan, Rahat Kazmi, Begum Khurshed Mirza, Roohi Bano, Lubna, Begum Azra Sherwani, Mehar Rizvi and Talat Hussain
In this drama Aijaz Aslam (now a renowned dress designer & actor) made his debut. He played the main role of Roshoo who was kidnapped by some beggars in his childhood and one day he manages to escape. He was then raised by a family who took care of him and he got the opportunity to study. His story moves on and takes lots of twists and turns and the complications arise as the story moves on.
Quality acting by quality actors with superb directions and script ensures engrossing viewing experience for the masses and has made this drama a classic.
This drama is Salim Nasir’s last performance on Television as after a short time of its release, he expired and left the gap unfilled forever.
The story revolves around two thieves Laali (M. Warsi) and Raheem Dad (Shabbir Jan), who escaped from the prison and have been running from the authorities throughout the play. The role of both the prisoners have been performed extremely well by the actors. This play has been Shabbir Jan’s debut play. In this play Salim Nasir has again performed extremely well in a role of a cruel brother.
The drama gained immense popularity due to superb direction and performances by the great actors.
Writer : Shaukat Siddiqui
Director : Kazim Pasha
Cast: M Warsi, Shabbir Jan, Zahoor Ahmad, Subhani Bayounus, Salim Nasir, M Yousuf, Ashraf Khan, Shagufta Ejaz, Tahira Wasti, A. R. Baloch
The drama is directed by Abid Ali who also played a powerful role in this drama. The story revolves around the 3 tribes of Baluchistan who were at war with each other due to personal enimities. Born in these tribes are Shah Taj (Atiqa Odho) and Balaj (Nauman Ejaz). Despite of being surrounded by hatred all their lives, both are gentle souls who fell in love with each other. Fearing that their union could unite the two tribes, the head of the third tribe tried to plot against their marriage.
Continuous twists and turns and the complications that arise as the story moves on, along with quality acting by quality actors ensures engrossing viewing experience for the masses. The cinematography of this drama is also great.
Producer: Abid Ali
Writer: Munnoo Bhai
Director: Abid Ali , F H Qureshi
Cast: Abid Ali, Atiqa Odho, Nauman Ejaz, Fazeela Qazi, Asad, Shaista Malik, Noor Mohammad Lashari, Rasheed Naz, Sabiha Khanum, Ayyub Khosa, Aslam Latar
‘Uncle urfi,’ could be ranked among the three greatest drama serials in Shakeel’s forty-year eventful career. Cast included Shakeel in the title role of ‘Uncle urfi,’ Shehla Ahmed as Beena, Qurban Jeelani as Shaheed bhai, Azra Sherwani as Ghazi, Jamshed Ansari as Hasnat bhai.
As the story goes, Shakeel, who is super-smartly dubbed as ‘Uncle urfi,’ takes interest in Beena. In reality, uncle urfi was desirous to make Beena happy. Logically, urfi should have taken Beena into confidence before doing her a favor. Instead, he kept her in the dark. The final moments of the last episode are fraught with pain and pathos.
Urfi tells Beena with certitude, ‘hamari shadi hogi to sara zamana deikhey ga.’ to which poor Beena replies, ‘kuchh shadiyaan dil kay weerano mein bhi to ho jaati hain, sirif khuda gawah hota hai.’
The emotionally charged conclusion of ‘Uncle urfi,’ was so unexpected that literally nobody was prepared for it. Indeed, Haseena Moin had instilled so much despair in its dialogues that thirty-two years later, it still stands as a classic in its bittersweet illustration of the unbreakable bond of family.
KHUDA KI BASTI ( 1969 & 1974 )
PTV’s “Mother of All Serials”
By RAJU JAMIL, Karachi
Shaukat Siddiqui’s Adamjee Adabi prize winner of 1964 “Khuda Ki Basti” is perhaps the only novel-based TV serial in the history of Pakistan which not only drew large viewer-ship but still remains an infectious memory of yesteryears.
Initially, KKB was produced in Nov-1969 jointly by producers ; Ishrat Ansari and Rasheed Umar Thanvi at Karachi TV’s that small and historical studio “A” which still stands galore at the Centre. There was an advisory committee of KKB comprising a panel of famous intellectuals; Faiz Ahmed Ahmed, Jamiluddin Aali besides Shaukat Siddiqui himself to ensure the perfection of the adaptation of the novel into drama.
The 1969 black & white serial had a booty of top PTV artiste of Karachi; Zahin Tahira, Zafar Masud, S.M.Saleem, Zahoor Ahmed, Qazi Wajid, Zafar Siddiqui, Tauqir Fatima, Shahjee, Arsh-e-Munir, Qayyum Arif, Amir Khan, Iqbal Tareen, Shakil Chughtai, Andaleeb, Raju Jamil and many others. It was a 25 minute weekly serial then which lasted 26 episodes. It is said that the day of KKB’s telecast saw the roads and streets of Karachi without traffic….soundless and absolutely quiet. The invitation cards of the wedding parties being held on the day and time of KKB’s schedule, always carried a small message saying “ TV Set Ka Bhi Intizam Hai “.
Halfway through KHUDA KI BASTI on air during 1969, the leading girl Tauqir Fatima suddenly expired of ulcer problem. Her on going character was replaced by the inclusion of Mussarat Sahafi.
At the unofficial awards ceremony held in Apr-1970 at Rio Cinema hall, KHUDA KI BASTI bagged 15 awards with Qazi Wajid receiving as the best actor award for character of “Raja” and Zahin Tahira as leading girl’s mom. The best supporting actor award went to Raju Jamil for his memorable character of “GEOFFERY” calling his subordinate “Solomon” instead of Salman. Both; Ishrat Ansari and Rasheed Umar Thanvi received the best producers award…a black & white 23” TV set.
In 1974 when Z. A. Bhutto was PM, he directed Yusuf Buch his Information Advisor for re-telecast of KHUDA KI BASTI as it was Bhutto’s favorite serial having awami message also. But the PTV had problems as the VTRs
( Video Tape Recordings ) of KKB on spool then (1969), had long been erased due to their scarcity and re-recording of other programs. Z.A.Bhutto insisted that the serial must be re-telecast even if fresh recording is essential hence the entire cast (of 1969 version) was again gathered at Producer Bakhtiar Ahmed’s room at Karachi TV Centre except for Zafar Masud who died in car accident in Egypt a year back, Iqbal Tareen who migrated to USA and Andaleeb who had shifted to Bangladesh in 1971. Zafar’s role as “Nausha” was enacted by Behroze Subzwari ( a young lad then ) and Andaleeb’s by Zooni Butt the then famous TV model and Iqbal’s by Saqib Shaikh as Salman. The rest of the cast remained the same with Munawwar Sultana ( now Mrs. Ghulam Mohiuddin ) playing the leading girl “Sultana”.
The 1974 version of re-recorded KHUDA KI BAST was 50 minute episode which lasted 13 weeks and created the same impact which the 1969 version did. It was KKB and nothing for the viewers. Bakhtiar did the fine job and this time the entire serial has been well maintained by PTV with a repeat telecast in 1990 which termed the adaptation of Shaukat Siddiqui’s novel KHUDA KI BASTI as “Mother of All Serials” at Pakistan Television.
Written by: Shaukat Siddiqui
Directed by : Bakhtiyar Ahmed
Cast : Zaheen Tahira, Qazi Wajid, Mehmood Ali, Zahoor Ahmad, Mohammed Yusuf, Zooni Butt, Raju Jameel, Arsh e Muneer, M Yahya, Tayyabb Ali, Liaquat Durrani, Hassan Shaheed Mirza, Imtiaz Ahmed, Shahid Jaffery, Subhani Bayounus, Shakeel Chughtai, Behroz Sabzwari, Munawwar Sultana, S M Saleem, Saqib Sheikh
A rather unique offering from PTV, considering that the play is based on a crack squad of four commandoes. Neat outdoor shooting, liberal use of ammunition to convey realism ( rather than the usual smokeless, flashless bangs with unrealistic recoils that we’re used to), all add to the high production values of the play. All characters (more film like than what we are used to in dramas) pack a lot of style and charisma. A must for people who enjoy good production values and direction and especially for those who are looking for something more from PTV than your run of the mill family centered plays.
Cast: Ashar Azeem, Nazli Nasr, Nabeel, Rohi, Asal Din Khan, Wajid Ali Shah, Zubair Khan Achakzai, Mohamad Nawaz, Salman and Humayun Saeed
Taleem-e-Balghan’ has no equal when it comes to quality comedy dramas. Qazi Wajid, Subhani Ba Younus among a host of other notable actors delight viewers as students studying under the watchful eyes of Mehmood Ali. The slightest act of indiscipline invites a beating from Mehmood Ali who carries a flexible whipping stick that could be mistaken for his third arm – he is that comfortable using his stick and uses it to good effect. But you can’t maintain discipline for long with students of such diverse vocations (barber, butcher, milkman, landlord etc) all studying together under one roof – with the result that the stick features more than any of the actors in this play.
This is the story of two sisters, Zara (Shehnaz Sheikh) & Sunya (Marina Khan). When fate deals them a tragic blow, taking their parents away, they migrate to Karachi from Lahore to go & live with their aunt, acted out by Badar Khalil. This trio, supported by a colorful cast, boasting names like Qazi Wajid, Behroze Sabzwari, Asif Raza Mir, Jamshed Ansari, ensure memorable viewing for everyone.
Although there is perfect balance between comedy and serious viewing, one feels that what really has made this drama immortal is the chemistry (or lack of it- portrayed in the drama) between Marina Khan & Behroze Sabzwari. One comical scene follows another as Behroze Sabzwari, an immaculately dressed (full suit with oiled hair- the complete works) personal manager of Qazi Wajid, tries to win the heart of Marina Khan. Marina plays pranks on him, gives him the nickname of “Qabacha” and the fun never stops.
There is also a serious side to this drama. With her parents now no longer with her, Zara (Shehnaz Shaikh) feels responsible for supporting herself & her sister. The problem is she takes this responsibility too seriously, causing problems both for her & others who care about her. Whatever problems she faces in the drama, there are no problems as far as her acting skills are concerned. Shehnaz Shiekh’s acting skills are tested to the limit and she comes through with flying colors.
