Before the influx of the Indian drama with likes of Kiyon Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kasoti Zindagi Ki and what have you; it was actually the Pakistani small screen that had viewers glued to their seats. From the awe-inspiring Khuda ki Basti in the late 60’s to the 80s smash hits Ankahi and Dhoop Kinaray. Pakistan has showcased some of the most memorable moments in telly-drama history.
Interestingly enough, many of the best loved dramas were those depicting women with strong, bordering to even willful, personas. So basically, Pakistan produced some of the best female talents during the first three decades of local TV.
1. Roohi Bano
Source: Dawn
Winning numerous accolades, including the Nigar Award and Pride of Performance, the precociously emotive Roohi Bano became a beloved household name through her brilliant performances in Kiran Kahani, Darwaza and Zarb Gulab. With beauty and brains, she ruled over the hearts of many but her career was tragically cut short because of her turbulent personal life.
2. Mahira Khan
Source: Express Tribune
The new darling of Pakistani small screen, Mahira Khan made her name with Humsafar and Sadqay Tumharay. Mahira can be currently seen in the multi-starrer movie Bin Roye.
3. Shahnaz Sheikh
Source: Youtube
She portrayed the epitome of a modern Pakistani woman – beautiful, strong and intelligent. Her quirky performance in Ankahi and poignant one in Tanhaiyaan made the serials cult classics.
4. Aiza Khan
Source: Blush
Viewers fell in love with Aiza the moment they saw her in Hum TV’s Tum Jo Miley. But it was her bewitching performance in Pyare Afzal that left all yearning for more.
5. Marina Khan
Source: Pak101
The effervescent Marina holds a special place in viewers’ hearts with her eccentric performances in Dhoop Kinaray and Tanhaiyaan. Portraying sometimes headstrong or idiosyncratically tough female characters, Marina has masterfully portrayed an empowered Pakistani woman.
6. Ayesha Omar
Source: Dunyaurdu
Aptly named Khoobsurat in the popular comedy drama Bulbulay, Ayesha Omar more than often depicts the young and rich youth of Pakistan. The young actor delved into the realm of music, even winning an award for Lux Style Award for Best Album
7. Bushra Ansari
Source: Fashionroom
The veteran actor is indeed a force to be reckoned with – and is still going strong as far as gritty or even comic performances are concerned. She is best known in TV classics such as Aangan Terha and Fifty Fifty.
8. Sanam Saeed
Source: odishasuntimes
Who can forget her moving performance in Zindagi Gulzar Hai. More recently, viewers got to see her quirky side in a Ufone ad, making us think we are in for a surprise from the multitalented actor.
9. Tahira Wasti
Source: rewaj.pk
Tawny-eyed, translucent skin and sheer elegance oozed from this beauty in the 70s and 80s. She is best known for her portrayal of Isabelle of Castille in the drama Shaheen as well as Tipu Sultan and Akhri Chatan.
10. Sajal Ali
Source: fashioncentral.pk
Bold, beautiful and very talented, Sajal is one starlet with numerous heavy duty performances under her belt. She has played meaningful characters in Mehmoodabad ki Malkain and Chup Raho, masterfully portraying the ills of society.
11. Khalida Riyasat
Source: Geo
A veteran Pakistani drama actor, Khalida Riyasat dominated the small screen along-with Roohi Bano and Uzma Gillani. She is known for her performances in cult classics including Dewaar, Tabeer, Panah, Dhoop, Ab Tum Ja Saktay Ho.
12. Nadia Jamil
Source: Stylenfashion
She may not be as active in television as she used to be in the 90’s and early 2000’s but whenever she does appear on TV she never fails to mesmerize audience with her performance. Her recent performances in the likes of like Mere Paas Paas and Behadd are as loved as her earlier performances in shows like Putli Ghar and Aur Zindagi Badalti Hay.
13. Uzma Gillani
Source: Thenews
Another veteran name synonymous with sheer brilliance – Uzma Gillani is a remarkably strong and empowered woman, celebrated and loved across Pakistan. She won the prestigious Pride of Performance award for her outstanding performance as an Afghani Refugee woman in Panah.
14. Maria Wasti
Source: Fashioncentral
Another talented artist who is known for her quintessential performances – sometimes the shrew and sometimes the damsel in distress.
15. Badar Khalil
Source: Showbizpak
Her raspy voice and dominant TV persona has embedded her in the minds and hearts of Pakistani viewers. She has particularly played the loving but strict grandmother character with such aplomb in a number of her recent performances but her role in and as Bi Jamalo will always be known as her career defining performance.
Many other artistes come to mind – Saba Pervaiz, Atiqa Odho, Mahnoor Baloch, Sania Saeed – to name just a few. The list goes on and we pay homage to these women who create gold-dust in our everyday lives.