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Zindagi Gulzar Hai

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Zindagi Gulzar Hai
Promotional DVD Poster
Urduزندگی گلزار ہے
Genre
Based onZindagi Gulzar Hai
by Umera Ahmad
Written byUmera Ahmad
Directed bySultana Siddiqui
Starring
Opening theme"Zindagi Gulzar Hai" by Ali Zafar
Ending theme"Zindagi Khaak Na Thi" by Hadiqa Kiani
Country of originPakistan
Original languageUrdu
No. of episodes26
Production
ProducerMomina Duraid
CinematographyShahzad Kashmiri
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running timeApprox. 40–45 minutes
Production companyMoomal Productions
Original release
NetworkHum TV
Release30 November 2012 (2012-11-30) –
24 May 2013 (2013-05-24)

Zindagi Gulzar Hai (Urdu: زندگی گلزار ہے, English: "Life is Wonderful") is a Pakistani television series directed by Sultana Siddiqui, produced by Momina Duraid under the banner Moomal Productions, which was first broadcast on Hum TV.[1][2] Based on the novel of the same name by Umera Ahmad, who also wrote the screenplay,[3][4] it originally aired from November 30,2012, to May 24, 2013, in Pakistan. The story revolves around two people, opposite in thoughts and financial status, and has a strong female protagonist, contributing to its popularity amongst women.[5][6]

It was viewed widely across the Indian subcontinent, especially in Pakistan,[7] India,[8][9] and Bangladesh.[10] It was described by DAWN Images as an iconic Pakistani dramas.[11]

Plot

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The story revolves around the lives of Kashaf Murtaza and Zaroon Junaid. Kashaf comes from a lower-middle-class family background and lives with her mother, Rafia, and her two sisters, Sidra and Shehnila. Rafia's husband, Murtaza, had abandoned Rafia because she didn't give birth to a son. Murtaza married another woman, who eventually gave birth to his son, Hammad. The family faces many hardships, leaving Kashaf embittered, insecure, and distrustful of men. Rafia works as the principal of a government school and gives tuition to children in the evening to make ends meet. Her daughters, too, make various sacrifices to live a basic life.

Zaroon Junaid's family consists of his father, Junaid, who is calm and mature. His mother, Ghazala Junaid, is an independent working woman. Zaroon's sister, Sara, has the same views about life as her mother. Zaroon's circle of close friends consists of Asmara and Osama. He remains unaware that Asmara is in love with him. Their families get them engaged, but they break off the engagement due to irreconcilable lifestyle differences. Meanwhile, his sister's marriage also fails. Zaroon develops some notions about his ideal wife.

Zaroon and Kashaf eventually become acquainted, and dislike each other. Through a series of events, they fall in love, Kashaf learns not to be so bitter, secretive, and insecure. Zaroon understands not to be impulsive and judgmental. A few months later, Kashaf gives birth to twin girls.

Cast

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  • Sanam Saeed as Kashaf Murtaza/ Kashaf Zaroon Junaid : Zaroon's wife, daughter of Murtaza and Rafiya, sister of Sidra and Shehnila, half sister of Tooba, Tanzeela and Hammad.
  • Fawad Khan as Zaroon Junaid, Kashaf's husband, son of Junaid and Ghazala.
  • Ayesha Omer as Sara Junaid: Zaroon's sister.
  • Mehreen Raheel as Asmara Tariq : Zaroon and Osama's friend.
  • Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui as Osama : Zaroon and Asmara's friend.
  • Mansha Pasha as Sidra Murtaza: Kashaf's younger sister.
  • Sana Sarfaraz as Shehnila Murtaza: Kashaf's youngest sister.
  • Samina Peerzada as Rafiya Murtaza: Kashaf,Sidra and Shehnila's mother.
  • Waseem Abbas as Murtaza: Kashaf, Sidra, Shehnila, Tooba, Tanzeela and Hammad's father.
  • Javed Shaikh as Junaid: Ghazala's husband, Zaroon and Sara's father.
  • Hina Khawaja Bayat as Ghazala Junaid: Junaid's wife, Zaroon and Sara's mother.
  • Behroze Sabzwari as Abrar: Teacher and Zaroon's uncle.
  • Maheen Rizvi as Maria Khan: Kashaf's university friend.
  • Shazia Afgan as Nigar Murtaza: Second wife of Murtaza, Tooba, Tanzeela and Hammad's mother.
  • Muhammad Asad as Hammad Murtaza: Nigar and Murtaza's son; Kashaf, Sidra and Shehnila's half brother.
  • Kanwar Nafees as Farhan Zaid.
  • Khalid Ahmed as Wahab: Murtaza's elder brother.

Soundtrack

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The Zindagi Gulzar Hai title song is sung by Ali Zafar and Hadiqa Kiani, composed by Shani Arshad with lyrics by Naseer Turabi.[1]

Release

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Broadcast

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Zindagi Gulzar Hai was originally broadcast on Hum TV in December 2012.[12] It was later broadcast on Netflix for a few years.[13]

Production

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Zindagi Gulzar Hai was author Umera Ahmad's first story written for the digest magazine.[14] In an interview, she stated that the character of the lead female, Kashaf, in the novel is based on her own character.[15] The story captured the interest of readers, and Ahmad was approached to write a full-length novel by Moomal Productions.[16] In 2012, the production of the series began with Sultana Siddiqui as the director. It was Siddiqui's return to direction after a hiatus of eleven years.[17]

Reception

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Television rating points (TRPs)

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Zindagi Gulzar Hai started very well, averaging 6.4 TRPs, but after the climax episode, i.e., EP. 7, ratings increased dramatically, averaging and topping the charts each week. Then, after the marriage of the protagonists, ratings started increasing further, and later, Zindagi Gulzar Hai averaged 6+ TRPs, with 6.6 TRPs as the maximum until then. But, on May 3,2013, Zindagi Gulzar Hai achieved 8.7 TRP, as declared by Hum TV. Many said it would set a new record when its last episode aired. And it did by reaching a point of 9.5. It became one of the highest-rated Pakistani television series of 2013.

Critical reception

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While writing for Dawn, Nadeem F. Paracha compared it with the blockbuster Humsafar and praised the series for the strong female character and the non-judgmental discourse of competing ideas of class, morality, and faith.[18]

Samina Peerzada's character of an abandoned wife yet supporting mother was widely praised.[19] In the year-ender list by The Express Tribune, the reviewer described that her performance "stole many hearts with its emotional depth and true-to-life portrayal."[20] In a 2015 article published by DAWN Images, the author credits the success of Pakistani television serials of that time to compelling storytelling and relatable characters like Kashaf, who inspire and resonate with audiences.[21]

In May 2020, DAWN Images listed it among the inconic Pakistani TV series.[11]

Awards and accolades

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Year Award Category Result Ref
2013 Lux Style Awards Best Original Soundtrack Zindagi Gulzar Hai Won [22]
2014 Pakistan Media Awards Best Drama of the year 2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai [23]
Best Director to Sultana Siddiqui
Best Writer to Umera Ahmad
2014 Hum Awards Best Director Drama Serial to Momina Duraid [24]
Best Drama Serial to Sultana Siddiqui
Best Supporting Actress to Samina Peerzada
Best Writer Drama Serial to Umera Ahmad
Best Onscreen Couple to Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed
Best Drama Serial Viewers Choice to Momina Duraid
Best Onscreen Couple Viewers Choice to Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed
Best Actor Viewers Choice to Fawad Khan
Best Actress Viewers Choice to Sanam Saeed
Best Actor to Fawad Khan
Best Actress to Sanam Saeed
Best Supporting Actor to Waseem Abbas
2014
Lux Style Awards
 Best Television Actor – Satellite to Fawad Khan [25]
Best Television Actress – Satellite to Sanam Saeed
Best Television Writer to Umera Ahmad Nominated
Best Television Director to Sultana Siddiqui

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sultana Siddiqui returns to direction with Zindagi Gulzaar Hai". dawn.com. 25 November 2012. Archived from the original on 9 January 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Umera Ahmed to launch platform for commercial writers". The Express Tribune. 2 April 2016. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  3. ^ Aslam, Tilyan (22 April 2019). "Zindagi Gulzar Hai has the power to transform you". Daily Times Pakistan. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  4. ^ Sharma, Nandini (12 July 2014). "Gear Up For Two New Shows On Zindagi". businessinsider.in. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Zindagi Gulzar hai: Liberating women in different ways". Archived from the original on 24 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  6. ^ "20 Pakistani TV dramas that you should watch if you haven't". Daily Times. 20 July 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Haute Gold: Zindagi Gulzar Hai forever!". Something Huate. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Zindagi Gulzar Hai: Pakistani drama serials win hearts in India". Dawn. Archived from the original on 25 September 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  9. ^ "Alia Bhatt says Sanam Saeed's Zindagi Gulzar Hai character helped her prep for latest film Kalank". DAWN. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  10. ^ "On Pakistani dramas and the Bangladeshi mind". opinion.bdnews24. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  11. ^ a b "10 iconic Pakistani TV dramas you should binge-watch this weekend". DAWN. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Zindagi Gulzar Hai is back on TV". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  13. ^ "Zindgi Gulzar Hai". Netflix. December 2015. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  14. ^ "Zindagi Gulzar Hai has the power to transform you". Daily Times. 22 April 2019. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  15. ^ "I give words to people's journeys: Writer Umera Ahmed". The Indian Express. 23 September 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  16. ^ "'Zindagi Gulzar Hai' reflective of problems and prejudices young people face: Writer Umera Ahmed". The Indian Express. 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  17. ^ "Sultana Apa: The return of the director". The Express Tribune. 24 September 2022. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  18. ^ Nadeem F. Paracha (13 January 2013). "Smokers' Corner: Of meat and matter". Dawn.com.
  19. ^ Zoya Anwer (15 May 2018). "Mother's Day: 6 memorable moms in Pakistani dramas". images.dawn.com.
  20. ^ Sadaf Haider (30 December 2013). "The award for best Pakistani drama of 2013 goes to..." The Express Tribune.
  21. ^ "What do Pakistani TV audiences want to see? Favourite characters Kashaf and Wali give us a hint". Dawn Images. 6 November 2015. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  22. ^ "12th LUX Style Awards 2013 Winner's List (updated)". ebuzztoday. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  23. ^ "Pakistan's 4th Media Award Winner List". Events in Karachi. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  24. ^ "First Hum TV Awards Red Carpet : Winners List". ww.web.pk. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  25. ^ "13th Lux Style awards: And the winners are..." Dawn News. Archived from the original on 28 July 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
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