When it comes to entertainment, the Pakistani drama industry has certainly made a name for itself. From new releases like Raqs-e-Bismil to trendsetters like Humsafar, the Pakistani drama industry is flourishing in the Romance genre. Featuring spiritual dramas and good old-fashioned family fun, here is a list of the top romantic Pakistani dramas worth your watch.
10. Yakeen Ka Safar
Released: 2017
Starring: Ahad Raza Mir, Sajal Aly, Hira Mani
A mesh of different lives of different people, Yaqeen Ka Safar is a story about the many ills of Pakistani society. The two protagonists Zubia and Dr. Asfandyar have a lot of past baggage that causes restraint at first, but later they fall in love. Asfandyar is a fun-loving boy turned arrogant man, and Zubia is an independent woman who escaped an abusive father and untrustworthy brother. Indeed, it is a perfect fit for viewers wishing to view quality content with an incredible storyline.
9. Humsafar
Released: 2011
Starring: Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Navin Waqar
Humsafar is one of Pakistan’s top blockbuster dramas that gained international fame based on its awestruck storyline. The 2011 serial put forward a star cast that played out a romantic love story still praised to date. The story is about two characters, Khirad and Ashar, who are forced into marriage by their parents only to later develop genuine feelings for each other. The intense love and chemistry between the two are soon under attack when Sara, Ashar’s best friend tries to destroy their marriage.
8. Khaani
Released: 2017
Starring: Feroze Khan, Sana Javed
Audiences looking to enjoy action and thrill in a romantic serial should watch the 2017 hit Pakistani drama, Khaani. A young woman, Khaani suffering from her twin brother’s death later falls in love with the man who murdered her brother. Hadi comes from a rich family who kills Khaani’s brother and goes free from murder charges, falls in love with Khaani. He obsesses over her and conceals his identity so Khaani would too, fall in love with him. However, she rejects him upon finding out the truth and marries a good man, Arham. Later on, Hadi turns over his life to spirituality when Khaani reopens his case to seek revenge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSxg_vhrKpw
7. Dil Lagi
Released: 2016
Starring: Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat
As the name suggests, Dil Lagi is a drama that sheds light on the lives of Mohid and Anmol. Anmol lives with her widowed mother and younger sister in a house that was once given as collateral for a debt. Kifayat Ali, the debtor pressures the family into a fraudulent exchange by seeking help from Mohid, i.e. a real estate expert. The 2016 romantic serial focuses on the clash between the two characters and their surfacing love for each other.
6. Shehr-e-Zaat
Released: 2012
Starring: Mahira Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Mohib Mirza
Unlike the cliché and mainstream idea of romance, Shehr-e-Zaat is a critically acclaimed romance drama serial from 2012. Shehr-e-Zaat presents the story of a rich, beautiful girl named Falak who falls for a man named Salman. She leaves her best friend, Hamza, who’s head over heels for her, only to marry Salman. However, soon after, she finds herself in a state of constant unhappiness when Salman cheats on her for another woman. Subsequently, Falak turns to religion to discover true love and inner peace. This screenplay presents a journey from substance to self and is a work of visual art.
5. Raqs-e-Bismil
Released: 2020
Starring: Imran Ashraf, Sarah Khan, Furqan Qureshi
Another must-watch, romantic-spiritual-based drama is Raqs-e-Bismil. Sakina runs away to marry a boy she loves, but her cousin, Moosa informs her family which leads to a forced Nikkah. Sakina curses Moosa to fall in love with someone that he can never have. Soon afterward, Moosa falls for a girl named Zohra based on her religious attire. However, he discovers the truth of Zohra being an escort which throws him off. Where Zohra challenges the hypocritical standards of men, Moosa faces the challenge of concealing his uncalled feelings. This product has gained much popularity over time and continues to trend on the charts.
4. Alif
Released: 2019
Starring: Hamza Ali Abbasi, Sajal Aly, Kubra Khan
Based on a Pakistani novel by Umaira Ahmed, Alif aired in 2020 and went viral for its spiritual-based screenplay and ranked as one of the most-watched dramas trending in Pakistan. This short serial is a must-watch for viewers searching for harmonious relationships. It gained much popularity for depicting a non-mainstream angle of a love story. The story sheds light on the life of a lost human turning back to faith. The director takes the viewers on a beautiful journey by sharing the life of Momin and Momina as they undergo difficult circumstances in life only to cross paths.
3. Zindagi Gulzar Hai
Released: 2012
Starring: Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, Sheheryar Munawar
The drama, Zindagi Gulzaar Hai, is a simple yet powerful love story about Kashaf and Zaroon, belonging to two different families separated by class differences. Kashaf is a self-made, independent girl from a lower-middle-class background who has been raised by a single mother. Early on in life she begins to resent men and has the same feelings of discontent for Zaroon, a boy who studies in her university. They quarrel at various instances, and when Kashaf outperforms the boy, he finds himself wanting to marry her. Attracted to Kashaf’s wife-like qualities, Zaroon convinces her to marry him. Later on, the two face challenges of class differentials and changed lifestyles. The story playing out two coexisting realities of the country in an aesthetic manner is what made it a chart-buster serial.
2. Khuda Aur Muhabbat (S-1 & S-2)
Released: 2011 & 2016
Starring: Imran Abbas, Sadia Khan
Another edition in the category of love meets spirituality is Khuda Aur Muhabbat which presents all the elements of a classic love story. Hammad and Imaan are star-crossed lovers that wish to be together, however, their family backgrounds and living style become an issue. Hammad leaves his home and luxurious lifestyle to pursue Imaan, the daughter of a Moulvi. He takes up physical labor to prove himself to her family. Along the lines, he finds peace in spirituality and continues to fight for Imaan’s companionship.
1. Meray Paas Tum Ho
Released: 2019
Starring: Humayun Saeed, Ayeza Khan, Adnan Siddiqui
First aired in 2019, Meray Paas Tum Ho is a short serial filled with elements of greed, loyalty, and love, altogether. The plot focuses on the love angle of a middle-class girl Mehwish who gets married to Danish, a boy who’s immensely in love with her. The story plays out into Mehwish not getting her expectations fulfilled by her husband, a governmental organization worker. When Mehwish starts working in a company, she comes across Shehwar, a rich, charming, and manipulative man who lures her into a life she always had expected. The serial was a blockbuster and broke all records of popularity.
Final Thoughts
Whether it may be a soapy steaminess or a silly rom-com experience, viewers can enjoy the different sub-genres in Pakistani romance dramas by taking a look at the above list. After all, love is much more than what meets the eye. These dramas will take you on a heartfelt journey i.e. simply entertaining to watch.
