Showed less wars, more romance, scheming: Yasir Nawaz on 'Dirilis Ertuğrul'

Director spoke about recurring themes in dramas

During an interview with Fuchsia Magazine, Yasir Nawaz and Nida Yasir, well-known figures in the Pakistani entertainment industry, engaged in a conversation about the repetitive storylines commonly seen in television dramas. They discussed how these familiar themes continue to captivate audiences, both locally and globally. As an example, Yasir pointed out the immense popularity of the Turkish drama, Dirilis Ertuğrul, among Pakistani viewers.

When the interviewer asked if, as a director, Yasir would be willing to experiment with new subjects instead of sticking to the usual conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, extramarital affairs, and toxic family dynamics, Yasir responded by stating that television audiences worldwide tend to gravitate towards similar storylines. He even mentioned how Dirilis Ertuğrul, despite being a historical epic, included elements of romance, familial relationships, and intrigue. 

"Globally, the television audience watches the same thing," said Yasir. "Even if you see [Dirilis Ertuğrul], it would show wars less - I would sit with Nida and watch - there is romance, the mother-in-law, the daughter-in-law, the scheming. If you watch [Dirilis Ertuğrul], the drama is [made according to] what women want."

Nida added to the conversation, noting that if Dirilis Ertuğrul solely focused on war and battles, it would not have achieved the massive success it did. She pointed out that the show incorporated content that appealed to the general public, indicating that catering to the viewers' interests is crucial for a drama's popularity. "If it was just wars, it would not have been a hit," said Nida, as Yasir agreed. "They put in content that the general public wants to see."

Yasir further expressed that each medium, whether it be drama, film, theatre, or radio, has its own language and audience. He emphasised that dramas are crafted based on specific themes, and the talent lies in executing them effectively. "Drama has its own language, film has its own language, theatre has its own, radio has a different one. Each audience has its own language. Drama is made per a theme - having it be well made is a talent," explained Yasir.

The director cited his previous work, such as the drama series Chup Raho which featured Sajal Aly, and dealt with a sensitive topic like rape. Yasir highlighted that he and writer Samira Fazal added their unique touch to the show through their artistic vision and execution. He also mentioned another drama, Shukk, which followed a similar pattern. "I made Chup Raho with Sajal. What was the topic? Brother-in-law, rape - common topic. But Samira and I made it our own. The way we shot it. Okay, leave Chup Raho - Take Shukk. Shukk was the same," stated Yasir. 

The discussion shed light on the enduring popularity of certain drama themes while acknowledging the importance of presenting the stories in a compelling and distinctive manner. As audiences continue to engage with television dramas, whether creators will take risks and explore new subjects or maintain the familiarity that has resonated with viewers for years remains to be seen.

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