Saira Imran At the Indus Conclave 2025 held in Alhamra Hall, experts and artists openly discussed the challenges of Pakistani dramas. The session, titled “The World of Pakistani Dramas”, highlighted the growth, limits, and future direction of the television industry.
Author and cultural critic Jaser Shahbaz hosted the session. Renowned actress and writer Meera Sethi and Dr. Tamkanat Mansoor, who shifted from medicine to scriptwriting, also joined the discussion.
Jaser Shahbaz opened with a question about how Pakistani dramas have maintained their impact over the years, unlike other local art forms that have lost audience interest. He praised dramas for introducing great actors and powerful stories, admired both in Pakistan and abroad.
Meera Sethi reflected on her journey from working as a books editor at the Wall Street Journal in the US to acting in Pakistan. She recalled her early struggles, saying they made her realize she did not belong abroad and inspired her to return home. She added that her biggest challenge was improving her Urdu fluency.
Dr. Tamkanat Mansoor spoke about balancing household work with editing, writing scripts, and working on television sets. She explained how teamwork and adaptability shaped her professional growth despite difficulties.
Both actresses highlighted the tough nature of television production. They pointed out long shooting hours, lack of unions, and how humor and friendships help artists survive the pressure. Meera Sethi fondly remembered working with senior actress Bushra Ansari, describing her as a “force of positivity and confidence.”
The discussion later turned to recurring themes in Pakistani dramas, such as society’s obsession with women’s marriage eligibility. Jaser Shahbaz noted that even progressive dramas often return to the same issue. Meera Sethi explained that producers usually give audiences what they demand. However, Dr. Tamkanat Mansoor argued this showed a lack of confidence in storytelling, stressing that “audiences are not foolish—when you create quality content, people watch it.”
The speakers agreed that production houses should take greater responsibility in exploring new ideas. Sethi further emphasized that artists must confront the industry’s harsh truths and reflect on whether they are truly enjoying their creative journey. She said an artist’s role is to speak the truth and mirror society, not provoke or mislead.
The session ended with both guests stressing the need for fresh narratives and creative courage in Pakistani television. Meera Sethi concluded that while successful formulas are often repeated, real art challenges these patterns to move forward.
