Toronto
Veteran Pakistani television actress Samina Ahmed has spoken in favor of saas-bahu dramas, rejecting criticism that labels them as repetitive or meaningless, and describing them as a source of empowerment for women in the entertainment industry.
Samina Ahmed, who has been associated with Pakistan Television (PTV) for nearly five decades, is known for her memorable performances in classic and contemporary dramas including Family Front, Waris, Aahat, Kis Say Kahoon, Aangan, Ghisi Pitti Mohabbat, Suno Chanda, the Barat series, and Baby Baji. Her recent blockbuster serial Baby Baji, a traditional saas-bahu drama, broke popularity records, with its death sequence receiving widespread acclaim.
The senior actress recently appeared on Begum Begums, a YouTube show hosted by Nariman Ansari, daughter of renowned actress Bushra Ansari. The show was recorded in Canada, where Samina Ahmed openly addressed the ongoing criticism of saas-bahu themed dramas in Pakistan.
Responding to detractors, Samina Ahmed said that criticism mostly comes from within the industry rather than viewers, as audiences continue to watch and support such dramas. She emphasized that these stories reflect real-life issues faced by women and should not be dismissed as trivial.
Highlighting the changing dynamics of drama production, she noted that saas-bahu dramas have played a significant role in empowering women behind the scenes as well. She recalled a time when drama sets were dominated by men, whereas today women are actively working as makeup artists, wardrobe staff, producers, directors, and actors.
Samina Ahmed stressed that the stories portrayed in saas-bahu dramas are rooted in reality, addressing issues such as cruelty, resistance, and women standing up for themselves. According to her, not everything shown on television is fiction, and these narratives resonate with real experiences of women in society.
Her remarks have reignited debate on the value and impact of saas-bahu dramas in Pakistani television.
