A DAILY SOAP

 JANNAT SE AAGE

When Pakistan’s finest drama writers are brought to notice, Umera Ahmed always tops the list. An asset for the country, Ahmed has gained widespread popularity among readers in a very less frame of time. Her writings often explore social issues, human psychology, and spiritual themes, earning her acclaim for her storytelling and narrative style in Pakistani literature as well as media. 

When the news of her next drama “Jannat se Aagay” made it to social media, her fans were absolutely overjoyed, expecting something poignant.

But did Umera Ahmed manage to lure the audience with Jannat Se Aagay or not?

JSA is a great story that emphasizes questioning about media ethics. It was carried by a stellar cast with Kubra Khan and Ramsha Khan in leading roles, however Gohar Rasheed, Saboor Aly, and Talha Chahour were seen in supporting roles.

The story revolves around Kubra’s character (Jannat) who is a morning show host and how her personal life is impacted by the unnecessary limelight. Then we had Ramsha’s character (Tabassum) a lower-middle class student who admires Jannat profoundly, is a fierce supporter of Jannat’s morning show and direly wishes to have a fanciful life- just like her celebrity crush, Jannat Ali Khan. 

On the brighter side, we have a pretty stark portrayal of media, morning shows, and the fact that all that glitters is not gold. The lady smiling on the TV screen every day might be going through a lot personally. 

Pakistani dramas often fail to hold viewers’ interest until the end. There are only a few dramas that manage to captivate audiences throughout their run, leaving a lasting impression. Jannat Se Aagay was definitely one such drama. Jannat Se Aagay not only succeeded in keeping my interest alive but also left a lasting impact with its compelling storyline, well-developed characters, and exceptional performances, especially by Ramsha Khan and Kubra Khan. Although this last episode of Jannat Se Aagay was not as wholesome as I was expecting it to be, the drama delivered as a whole.

The drama skillfully navigated through multiple themes, touching upon issues that are extremely relevant in a world overpowered by ‘influencers’. This narrative encouraged viewers to critically examine the impact of influencers on societal values, individual aspirations, and the blurred lines between reality and the carefully ‘edited’ images presented online and on media.

Although the main protagonist was a Morning Show host, the story definitely transcended the conventional boundaries of its setting. Umera Ahmed utilized the backdrop of electronic media as a platform to delve into deeper societal issues, moral dilemmas, or the intricate interplay between influencers and those they are influencing. As the story progressed, it unfolded as a canvas with a larger, more meaningful agenda. Not to mention the fact that different Morning Shows on Pakistani channels failed us time and again by promoting regressive themes as well as materialism.