‘Strong script essential for success’, says actor Ahmed Ali as Karachi Literature Festival ends on memorable note
KARACHI:
The final day of the three-day Karachi Literature Festival concluded with more than 40 sessions covering a wide range of topics including education, women’s issues, health, Urdu language, music, poetry and artificial intelligence. Hundreds of books were sold at the festival’s book fair, while children also took part in various activities throughout the event.
One of the sessions focused on media, where senior journalists Ghazi Salahuddin, Owais Tohid, Nadia Naqi and Amber Rahim Shamsi shared their views on contemporary media challenges and trends.
A separate session titled “Pakistani TV Drama: Acting, Direction or Story?” brought together actor Ahmed Ali Akbar, director Saife Hassan, Zhalay Sarhadi and actor Aly Khan to discuss the evolving landscape of Pakistani television dramas.
Ahmed Ali Akbar said that the increasing number of dramas being produced was a positive development, adding that audience consumption habits had also changed. “It is a good thing that more dramas are being made because the population is increasing and the medium through which dramas are watched has also changed,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of storytelling, stating, “I have limited energy and cannot act in every drama. If the script is not good, even Shah Rukh Khan cannot make a film a hit.”
Actor Zhalay Sarhadi said that competing with the Indian film industry remained a long-term challenge. “We cannot compete with the Indian film industry even in 200 years,” she said.
She added that storytelling had taken a back seat in the age of social media. “Before social media, more attention was paid to the story of a drama. In the era of social media, actors have to be mindful of everything. Sometimes a drama becomes a hit because of a strong cast, but the real success of a drama is that it is remembered for a long time. If the story is good, the drama will also be good,” she said.
Actor Aly Khan highlighted television’s unique connection with audiences. “The beauty of television is that an actor becomes like a family member,” he said. “When TV superstars move to films, audiences do not necessarily go to cinemas, but if the work has substance, it will definitely be appreciated.”
Director Saife Hassan also stressed the central role of storytelling. “The story is the most important element in a drama,” he said. “Some dramas became hits despite weak stories, but drama is the culmination of all performing arts. If the story is strong, a capable director can present it effectively.”
Speaking to The Express Tribune, writer Bee Gul said that noticeable changes were taking place in Pakistani television dramas. “A clear transformation can be seen in Pakistani dramas, and this change has also influenced the audience’s thinking,” she said. “Dramas are now addressing subjects that were once considered taboo, and the new generation wants to speak openly about such issues and challenge social restrictions.”
She added, “The younger generation has the courage to raise its voice, and since they are an important part of society, it is necessary to discuss these issues.”
Bee Gul also rejected the perception that the absence of older writers had lowered standards. “In every era, good and average work exists side by side, and new writers are also producing impactful work,” she said.
She further noted that drama-making was a collaborative process. “Drama is a collective creative effort in which writers, directors, actors, technical teams, editors and channels all play an important role. Market dynamics and channel requirements also influence content,” she said, adding that she chose to work selectively on projects that matched her vision and standards.
The festival concluded with a closing ceremony addressed by Pakistani-British author Mohammed Hanif, followed by a qawwali performance by Hamza Akram, whose rendition brought the audience to an ecstatic close.
