Content Analysis of Problematic Pakistani Drama Serials
Introduction
Drama serials are a favorite pass time for many Pakistanis. In the subcontinent, Pakistan is famous for its realistic content and variety of ingredients. In the neighboring India, the focus is mainly on glamour, which has not gone too well with the viewers who look out for authentic content. The drama serials are a potent way to convey subliminal messages. Due to its massive reach and following, the dramatic content needs to be gender responsible. In this study we have identified certain scenes which can be categorized as gender sensitive or inappropriate. The purpose is to add more discussion on the responsible depiction of females in Pakistani drama serials.
Drama List
Below mentioned drama serials have been selected for various problematic scenes. We will discuss it later. These drama serials are:
- Bashar momin
- Thora sa haq Sabaat
- Bedardi
- Jalan
- Meray Pass Tum Ho
- Raz-e-ulfat
- Bikrey Moti
- Bulbulay
- Udari
- Chupke Chupke
- Deewangi
- Jhooti
- Ghalati
Critical Analysis
We have made problematic categories and included brief commentary as to why the projection of such content should be responsible. These are:
Normalizing Violence: The scenes portraying violence against women is being shown with gruesome details. We have witnessed women being slapped in various scenes in drama serial “Sabaat” and “Thora Sa Haq”. Such scenes are deplorable because it normalizes violence against woman. No matter what the circumstances, it is not befitting to hit the women.
Similarly, in drama serial “Deewangi”, a husband is shown to have beaten his pregnant wife. This problematic scene could have been moderated or avoided.
In drama serial “Mere Pass Tum Ho”, wife of a leading character Shahwar Ahmad slaps her husband’s mistress but continues to live with her husband despite him cheating on her and even forgives her later on. This portrayal is extremely regressive and enables the notion that woman is the only culprit in this situation. In other words the plot is “hypocritical” and solidifies “dual standards” prevalent in society. The man gets away with slight inconvenience but at the end everything is endured by the woman. In a cinematic or dramatic art, such scripts give a misleading impression about men not being held accountable.
Stereotyping: The notion of painting everything with the same brush is somewhat closer to the depiction of formula dramas being made in Pakistan. By formula dramas, I mean to say the typical characterization of the roles. A Clichéd depiction of daughter in law and mother in law infighting (Saas and bahu kay jhagray) as well as the toxic relationships with sister of the groom (Nand) is stereotyped. In addition, I always felt it personally that the role of father’s sister (Phuppo) is stereotyped as being too intrusive in the affairs of the brother’s family. Such stereotyping can be seen in comedy as well as serious drama serials. The drama serial “Chupke Chupke“is one such example of stereotyping such relations in a humorous way. Drama serial “Balaa” is a drama with a serious undertone but same formula.
In addition, certain roles portray the characters in a very clichéd manner. Proper research is missing when characterizing roles of social classes. We see that certain roles are shown to be egregious such as the portrayal of a woman from village in dirty clothes or speaking a very crude language. Certainly an image of illiteracy and other traits are being magnified unnecessarily when it comes to the portrayal of a village girl in the drama serial “Udaari”.
In a rather stark contrast, the women from cities are shown as socially mobile ultra modern, headstrong and empowered character that does not conform to cultural norms of the society. In drama serial “Cheekh” we can see one such character being portrayed by saba qamar. It is pertinent to say that the message of the drama was very bold and relevant which needs to be appreciated but intricacy and attention to details is missing while portraying certain scenes which could have been mitigated.
Toxic Masculinity: There is no denying the fact that our Pakistani society has a patriarchal outlook. The toxic masculinity is condoned in some cases. In others, it is attributed to “virility” and “true manhood”. In this case, woman is always used as a means to achieve such an outcome. In Pakistani dramas, validation of the toxic masculine culture is also reflected. For example in drama “Bashar Momin”, a toxic person has been shown to simply force a girl into marriage. The plot is weak. It has been portrayed that the girl starts to love her tormentor after some time. This concept is problematic on so many levels and has eerily similar traits of “Stockholm syndrome” where a hostage falls in love with its abuser or kidnapper.
Showing Suicide Scenes: In my opinion, dramas can serve many purposes. It includes entertainment, awareness, elicit religious and patriotic fervor. However, one subtly dangerous aspect of dramas is the portrayal of suicide scenes. The victim is shown as being so depressed that it resorts to suicide. The scene is vividly portrayed in some dramas. A depressed person or someone with anxieties may be motivated to replicate it. For example, the dramas “Bedardi” and “Jalan” have such scenes where the victims resort to suicide. This action is tacitly normalized to create a sympathetic feeling for the victim. In reality, there is no turning back from death. Hence the dramas should be socially responsible.
Problematic Dialogues: Recently, Pakistan’s biggest blockbuster drama serial “Mere Pass Tum Ho” was filled with misogynistic portrayal of females. However, one such dialogue created a big uproar where a husband utters the dialogue “Do Takay Ki Aurat” to his wife, which simply means “a woman not worth a dime”. The question is that who gave the licensing authority to the man to weigh the worth of a woman, no matter what her downside was. This scene went viral and many people expressed sheer happiness because the storyline suggested husband to be blameless and the woman as a schemer and a cheater. However, portrayal of such scenes diminishes the integrity of woman. In the age of social media, such indecent words became the buzz of the country and many males used it to disgrace females either through social media or in person. This dialogue clearly did not age well.
Portrayal of an infertile woman: Infertility is nothing to be ashamed. It is a medical condition. The use of the word “Baanjh” repeatedly in the drama “Ghalati” is in a bad taste and revitalizes the concept of infertility as taboo. In the drama, it is only associated with the female deficiency however, in reality, males can also be deficient with the reproduction capability. To be fair neither should be shamed for something they don’t have control over.
Alcohol: The portrayal of drugs and alcohol in drama serials has picked up steam over the last few years. Drama serials are shown on national television which allows every age bracket individual to have an access to it. This includes kids too. Therefore, unnecessary portrayal or consumption of the alcohol can be minimized or altogether eliminated due to its obvious adverse effects on the society. In drama serial “Raz-e-Ulfat”, we can find such scenes in abundance.
Compromised Marriage: In drama serial “Bikrey Moti”, two gender sensitive problematic notions are portrayed with less subtlety. This includes showing violence on a wife in gruesome details. To top it all, the wife dies due to his gender based violence. However, the story does not end here. The husband then marries his former wife’s sister because he had kids from former wife and needed someone to look after them. In a shocking development, the girl begins to like him. Hence, he starts to change his ways. However, the fact that portrayal of violence on his first wife and her death succeeded by marrying to his sister is an abhorrent portrayal of compromised marriage and its normalization in this case.
Trans-phobia: Transsexual community has faced various societal, legal and cultural complexities in Pakistan. They are the most vulnerable community. In some cases, the parents forfeit them after knowing about their sexual and genital orientation. Hence they are being punished for a fault which is really not theirs to own. In this context, some comedy dramas are involved in the crude denigration and portrayal of the transsexual community. The insult is generally directed by means of gestures and expressions as well as mimicking their style of speaking. They are portrayed as dancers. Their movements are accorded with nonsensical laughter. One should view them with an eye of humanity and show empathy towards the embattled community. Many of them are possibly undergoing intense trauma and mental depression. In drama serial “Bulbulay”, such scenes were shown in a humorous way but in reality, these are regressive scenes which have the capability to hurt the sentiments of transsexual community.
Problematic plot: In drama serial “Jhooti”, a character named nirma is shown as a compulsive liar. It is also depicted that she is waiting for her father’s death so that she can claim her inherited property. The scene where she is shown commenting on the possible death of her father is in a bad taste and not funny at all. However it is not closely related to a gender issue but the attribution of female character to this scene makes it relevant. Such kind of scenes can be easily avoided.
Way Forward / Suggestions
- Certain amount of gender sensitivity needs to be displayed by the drama producers and directors while the writer should also be cognizant of these facts in advance.
- Showing violence leads to encouragement of the gender based violence. Such scenes need not to be shown in greater details cinematically. Due care needs to be accorded to the social ills of the content being shown.
- The actors must also take a stand (especially female) so that violent scenes are not normalized in the drama scripts. Slapping a girl or woman is highly regressive and must never be condoned even though she is on the wrong end.
- Dialogues denigrating the status of women need to be completely abolished from all the future scripts.
- Showing alcohol and drug consumption is strictly prohibited on channels which are being watched nationally. Pakistan electric media regulatory authority must take note of it without compromising the freedom of expression through artistic media.
- Suicide scenes and the grim details can easily be avoided. The youth and naïve minds are easily influenced with such portrayals.
- Stereotyping of the female roles can be rather eliminated going into the future. Developing dynamic and bold portrayals of characters such as Kashaf (Zindagi Gulzar Hai), Dr Sameera (Ruswai) and Mannat (Cheekh) is the need of the hour.
Conclusion
In the light of the above discussion, we come to know that Pakistani drama industry is an important pillar of the performing art. We have put some light on the problematic drama serials due to its regressive portrayal of women. We come to a conclusion that due care needs to be undertaken in order to show gender sensitive content. It has many aspects attached to it and any misleading portrayal will lead to a negative consequence in the society. The regulatory bodies shall play a proactive role in the interest of the public without compromising the freedom of speech and portrayal of performing arts. The producers and directors should also fulfill the social responsibility and lead the messages which are morally and legally desirable.
Group Leader
Mr.Muhammad Furqan Khattak
Assistant Members
Maryam Khan
Laraib Rahim
Shafiq Ahmad
This is a "Final Group Report of Gender and Conflict" at Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Peshawar. I am thankful to my group members for making it possible.
