Renowned actress, director, and host Sadia Imam recently appeared as a guest on Aaj News’ special Ramazan transmission, where she openly discussed the evolution of Pakistani dramas, their content, and their impact.

During the conversation with host Shehryar Asim, Sadia Imam reflected on the stark contrast between past and present dramas.

She pointed out that while fewer dramas were produced in the past, they maintained a strong narrative and quality.

In contrast, despite the abundance of TV channels and production houses today, many stories lack depth and refinement.

Expressing deep concern over the current state of television content, she remarked, “I am often shocked by the themes our writers choose. What kinds of emotions drive them to create such dialogues? In the past, we had a certain level of censorship, but now, there are dramas I simply cannot watch with my daughter. I believe it’s better to keep children away from such content.”

She further emphasised that older dramas were family-friendly, allowing viewers of all ages to watch together.

“We had the privilege of working with experienced mentors, seasoned writers, and professional teams who had a natural sense of self-censorship,” she added.

Commenting on the growing insensitivity in society and the increasing bitterness in relationships, Sadia Imam said, “Allah is Sattar al-Uyub (the Concealer of faults), yet we have become Naqqar al-Uyub (exposers of faults), finding joy in highlighting people’s flaws. Instead of glorifying indecency, we should focus on positive change. Allah has made mercy obligatory upon Himself, so we should also act with kindness and avoid publicly discussing our own or others’ mistakes.”

Reflecting on her experience of working with legendary figures like Yawar Hayat, Ayub Khawar, and Sahira Kazmi, she acknowledged that every era has its own demands. However, she noted that while dramas are still being produced today, they are often disconnected from reality.

Sadia Imam concluded by stressing that television dramas serve as a reflection of society.

“What we see on screen is a mirror of our own world. However, it is crucial to maintain a balance between realism and moral values,” she asserted.