Is television going to slow down? It sure didn’t in 2019. In an era where there’s simply too much content to consume, a staggering wealth of choices were available to audiences this year, from the delightful and the captivating, to the beguiling and the flawless, all of them are significant additions to the TV canon. Here’s a rundown of what fared from MAG, read on…

Alif

Geo TV's biggest drama of the season adapted from the novel penned down by Umera Ahmed, illustrates the impact drama can have in facilitating spiritual development. It revolves around the journey of a rebellious film-maker Qalb-e-Momin and a struggling actress Momina Sultan, both coming from traumatic pasts. How their paths entwined and they develop a bond with God by understanding the terminology of the alphabet Alif is a story for us all. Sajal Aly as Momina just pulls at our heartstrings!

Bharosa Pyar Tera

A romantic soap opera Bharosa Pyar Tera on Geo TV made record ratings, and garnered millions of views on YouTube. The Adeel Chaudhry and Komal Aziz Khan starrer earned a rerun on the network soon after the last episode. Revolving around the families of two business partners whose professional partnership takes an unexpected turn and tie their children in matrimony. Bharosa Pyar Tera takes the audience on the journey of a young woman to make her marriage work, and cope with a husband who has ambivalent feelings towards her.

Dar Khuda Se

The Imran Abbas and Sana Javed starrer Dar Khuda Se, currently airing on Geo TV, is a bold take on our society's prejudice against working women and their daily struggles and facing workplace harassment. The story revolves around Shahwais who is a womaniser and married to a wealthy woman who he doesn't like and untiringly tries to leave her. Shahwais has his eyes on his employee, Afreen and attempts to philander with her but Afreen’s rejection infuriates him and he makes Afreen’s life a living hell.

A story like this needs to be told in correlation by highlighting the wrongs women face in pursuing a career and other choices.

Ishq Zahe Naseeb

Ishq Zahe Naseeb, a mystery drama that focuses on a man named Sameer who developed dissociative identity disorder in the aftermath of several traumatic events in his childhood. Its plot revolves around a middle class girl named Gauhar who is in love with a guy named Kashif but in an unexpected turn of events, Gauhar is married to Sameer and helps him regain control over his life and deal with his second personality which seemed to be under an influence of a woman, his caretaker as a child. The drama earned a lot of love for its unique storyline and Zahid Ahmed’s incredible performance, especially as a woman.

Yaariyan

Yaariyan has to be one of the most famous dramas of the year with every episode was trending on YouTube. Starring Ayeza Khan, Muneeb Butt, Momal Sheikh and Junaid Khan, the story revolves around two sisters [Sadia and Zubi] who are raised in a conservative family. In a surprising turn of events, the two sisters find themselves in a complicated situation which leads to Sadia’s divorce with Ahmar and his marriage to Zubi. Misunderstanding, revenge and hatred tie the story together and it unfolds in very interestingly. The performance from all the actors was intense and special mentions to the title track which was a winner with the audience.

Balaa

The Ushna Shah, Bilal Abbas Khan and Samina Peerzada starrer Balaa is about a physically disabled girl, Nigar who has a limping disability since birth. Nigar’s jealous and envious nature destroys the lives of many around her. Balaa managed to keep the audience engrossed with the strong performances delivered by Shah and Khan. Shah did an excellent job with the antagonist and the last few episodes made a record of the highest TRPs.

Cheekh

It is not surprise that Cheekh made this list. Starring Saba Qamar, Aijaz Aslam, Bilal Abbas Khan, Azekah Daniel, Emmad Irfani in leading roles, the plot revolves around Mannat struggling to get justice for her friend who was murdered by her brother-in-law. The story is about the courage of a woman who dared to stand alone against her well-reputed and influential in-laws. With Cheekh, some of these actors had the opportunity to prove what they were made of and booked a place in the industry in the years to come.

Meray Pass Tum Ho

Meray Pass Tum Ho has the audience and social media in a frenzy with its star studded cast and distinct storyline. It tells the story of a middle class couple whose marriage goes dangerously awry when the wife indulges in an adulterous affair with a rich businessman Shahwar Ahmed. Even though, Danish makes all out efforts to fulfill his wife’s wishes, Mehwish still falls for Shahwar’s flattery who leaves no stone unturned and tells her she deserves better. The drama created an uproar with dialogues that went viral with every episode.