Why Aik Hai Nigar Is A Turning Point For The Pakistani Film Industry

Aik Hai Nigar is an inspirational telefilm for many reasons. Be it the growth of Nigar herself, from a young girl to a lieutenant general, or seeing the men in her life being so supportive and encouraging. The latter is rare to find in Pakistani dramas nowadays which is why this telefilm can be considered a turning point for the Pakistani film industry. We are usually shown abusive, belittling or manipulative husbands, brothers and fathers. So let’s highlight a few reasons which make Aik Hai Nigar unique for the industry and society. 

New Perspective

Nigar being a strong woman surrounded by supportive male figures is what makes the telefilm distinctive. There have been multiple times where women have been portrayed as damsels in distress and easy to manipulate. They are shown as the ones being oppressed, along with being shown as being weak. 

The telefilm also does not shy away from the fact that women in Pakistan have to work harder as they are always preferred second to men. A woman’s ability to be authoritative and to command is under question no matter how many times she has proved herself, which can be seen whenever a promotion is brought under question even in Aik Hai Nigar. 

Positive Relationships With Male Figures

The strong relationship that Nigar has with her father where he supports and encourages her is inspiring and special. There are two powerful dialogues of Nigar’s father among many others: 

“Beta hamesha apne shohar ki izzat karna, hamesha ussey apna bara mannan, isliye nahi kyun keh woh shohar hai, mard hai per iss liye kyun keh uske saath saari zindagi guzarni hai.”

“Tumhari shaadi kar raho houn, kisi ki ghulami mein nahi dey raha.” 

The bold phrases in the two dialogues are two things that are rarely heard in Pakistani dramas. Time and time again we are shown how the wife is told to respect the husband not as an equal but because he is the man or the ‘superior being’. As for Nigar’s husband, Johar, who supported her every promotion and celebrated it with her. 

Johar never failed to be there for his wife. From supporting her every promotion to being there for her when her parents and sisters passed away are just two examples of how he was an understanding and caring husband. He even expressed his confidence in Nigar, for example this dialogue from the telefilm from when Nigar gets promoted to Major General: “Because I have all the confidence in you.” 

Why Is It Important To Show More Supportive Men In Dramas Today?

Dramas are supposed to be thrilling and emotion-packed but that can be done by showing supportive male figures as well. The reason why Aik Hai Nigar should be used as a turning point for male portrayal in today’s dramas is because a positive change is important. 

Because of Nigar’s determination and the constant support that is being offered by the leading male figures in her life, she was able to achieve the highest rank a woman has ever received in the army. This is not to discount any of Nigar’s own efforts as they are paramount to her success, but the support she received along the way is still worth praising. The dramas shown today are an influential part of our daily lives that women, and sometimes even men, watch in their spare time. This is why it is important that more men are shown who are supportive and loving towards their wives and daughters. 

When people consume negative and violent media, it can often show in their daily activities. A positive change is much needed. 

Dramas In The Late 1900s and Aik Hai Nigar

Family dramas which are enjoyed by the whole family are always remembered from the late 1990s. Dramas where male figures of the household are not belittling or harsh towards the female figures are commonly remembered by our elders till today. There is a similarity between the supportive and encouraging nature of male figures in those dramas, and Aik Hai Nigar. Those dramas could be enjoyed by the whole family as they were classified as ‘family dramas’ where no one was the lesser individual.

PEMRA

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s recent ‘reminder’ to TV channels to not show husband-wife intimate scenes have been criticised by many. According to Dawn, they have asked channels to show modest scenes and have asked them to refrain from showing closeness which is nothing but infuriating. Where the same TV channels show domestic abuse of both mental and physical nature. The idea behind the criticism shows how the opposite should happen. Violent scenes and derogatory dialogues should be closely monitored to have a positive impact on the society rather than a negative one.