Is the Woman Fragile?: A Comparative Study of Pakistani Primetime Dramas Khalil ur-Rehman's Meray Pas Tum Ho and Sinf e Ahan

Bushra Nadeem, Usama Javed Iqbal

Abstract

This research comparatively examines the projection of women in two Pakistani primetime dramas Mere Pass Tum Ho and Sinf-e-Aahan to explore the diverse representation of Pakistani women in digital media. It also discusses the role of gender within the two dramas and their respective evaluation of sociopolitical structures and intersectional identities of women in contemporary Pakistan. Expanding on intersectional feminism's focus on various dimensions of identity, this research elaborates on the layers of the characters' experiences in both dramas. Mehwish in Meray Pass Tum Ho intends to acquire wealth and prestige by getting married to a rich man whereas; Sinf-e-Aahan unveils the lives of five female cadets from diverse backgrounds as they join the Pakistan Army. It is a drama that portrays the strength of women and diversity and speaks of women's ability to come out of the bondage of stereotypical roles and succeed in presumably male-dominated professional fields. Employing intersectional gender theory, this paper analyses how the TV drama "Sinf-e-Aahan" subverts cliched imagery, portraying empowered women. This study highlights the significance of employing gender theory as well as intersectional feminism in media texts' analysis. The analysis reveals that male writers tend to portray women as materialistic, weak, and overly emotional characters whereas female writers portray women as strong, independent, and decisive who can take a stand for themselves by challenging traditional roles. It makes a note of the importance of different stories, which deconstruct the cultural norms of gender expectations and present different facets of every woman. Thus, this juxtaposition of Mere Pass Tum Ho and Sinf-e-Aahan offers a perspective on the shift in Pakistani dramas and examines how they can contribute to changing or shifting public perception of gender and identity construction.