5 reasons why Pakistani soaps are popular in India
Why did Indian viewers, from youngsters to the middle-aged, suddenly abandon their favourite saas-bahu serials for Pakistani soaps?
A lot of Indian men are found complaining about how they have lost their wives to Pakistani soap operas these days.
An Indian TV channel that shows only serials made across the border is changing the perception of TV viewers in the country about Pakistani society.
Though Aun Zara, the first Pakistani soap telecast on the channel, did not leave a mark, subsequent serials, such as Dhoop Chaon, Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Humsafar (with Fawad Khan of Khubsoorat in the lead), Thakan and Aaina Doolhan Ka became immensely popular in India.
But why did Indian viewers, from youngsters to the middle-aged, suddenly abandon their favourite saas-bahu serials for Pakistani soaps?
From the discussions centred around these serials among viewers, we can point out 5 reasons why Pakistani soaps are popular here:
1.No more saas-bahu stories, please: The long era of saas-bahu serials has finally come to an end. Viewers say they are bored with the same old staple being served in new bowls every day.
2. Closer to reality: The actors in the serials wear minimal makeup, unlike those in Indian TV serials. The women also wear every day clothes, not heavy or flashy ones.
3. Humble abodes: The characters in Pakistani soaps are shown not as filthy rich people who live in massive mansions. They have simple kothis or flats like most middle-class people.
4.Short and sweet: The serials don't celebrate 500 or 1,000 episodes on TV. They run for just 20 to 30 episodes.
5. Music: Pakistani serials don't play film songs or mark every festival with a special song-and-dance episode. These serials have original background music.