u/DreamLife2009

Relatively new and been binge watching pak dramas back to back.
I have a curated list based on recommendations that I’m checking off one by one.
Already a huge Wahaj fan but cannot decide on whether to watch Mein or not. I did start the first episode but contemplating whether to go ahead with it or not.

I noticed a striking similarity between the character arcs of Saad from *Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha* and Bassim from *Ishq Jalebi*. Happened to watch the 2 dramas back to back.

As individuals, they are quite different. Saad is quiet, self-sacrificing, and emotionally reserved, while Bassim is expressive, persistent, and never shy about going after what he wants. But story-wise, both end up facing the same core challenge: trying to navigate love while balancing family expectations, responsibilities, and the pressure of doing right by everyone in order to be with the woman they love.

The difference really comes down to the tone of the two dramas.

Saad exists in a much heavier, emotionally charged narrative. He is extremely selfless, often prioritising the happiness of Maheer, even if it means he might lose her. Bassim, on the other hand, is driven by the need to be seen and validated by his family. He does everything within his capacity to win over Bela (though never really meant to cause any harm)—which in turn leads to all those funny, chaotic moments.

Saad is a complete green flag, no doubt, but there are moments where you just wish he’d speak up and actually say what he feels instead of holding it all in. With Bassim, it’s hard not to enjoy his energy—his persistence, and how he refuses to give up on Bela, and how even what looks “selfish” on the surface still feels sweet because he’s always waiting for her approval before moving things forward with his family.

A crossover between these two would honestly have been so interesting—Bassim probably trying to knock some sense into Saad. 😂

Either way, both roles really show Wahaj Ali’s range. Even with similar underlying character arcs, he makes them feel completely different—one through subtle expressions and emotional restraint, the other through body language, comic timing, and charm.

Just an interesting comparison overall—what do you guys think?

Posting this here as I’m genuinely curious after watching quite a few Pakistani dramas, where cousin marriages seem to appear fairly often. I know this has historically been present in different parts of the subcontinent as well, though where I’m from in India, this system mostly died with the boomer generation. Marriage between the children of two brothers are generally considered a complete no-go, and most cousins (both maternal and paternal) tend to grow up seeing each other as siblings.

I was wondering how common cousin marriages are in Pakistan today, both in real life and compared to how frequently they’re portrayed in dramas.

I’d love to understand the cultural or family reasons behind cousin marriages in Pakistan. Asking purely out of curiosity and to learn more about the social context, not to judge anyone’s traditions or choices.

Recently started going back on Wahaj Ali’s dramas. Honestly cannot understand the hype around tere bin. The chemistry is sizzling but apart from that there was nothing I could relate from the drama. Too overrated and highly toxic to the extent it was normalizing toxicity under the cover of romance and extremely good looking leads.
On the other hand, Ishq Jalebi was such a pleasant surprise. The family interactions felt real, the characters were relatable, and the romance developed so naturally. Nothing felt forced or over-the-top, yet it managed to be incredibly charming and engaging. It reminded me of the kind of everyday relationships and family chaos that many of us can actually relate to.
I did find it a little hard to follow without the subtitles despite that i loved the drama.
I’m just so disappointed it did not get the recognition it should have considering the amount of hype that tere bin gathered. For me, it was a much stronger and more grounded drama overall.

Anyone else feel like Ishq Jalebi deserved way more love?

South Indian viewer here, and I’ve always had a soft spot for Pakistani dramas. Back in the day, I watched Fawad Khan’s classics—Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Humsafar, and Dastaan—and absolutely loved them. For some reason, though, I never explored beyond those dramas and eventually lost touch.

Recently, I rediscovered Pakistani dramas, and now I’m completely hooked again! I started watching Wahaj Ali’s dramas and have been binge-watching ever since. I love the culture, simplicity, family dynamics, and especially the language portrayed in these shows.

That brings me to my question. I recently started watching Ishq Jalebi and couldn’t help but notice that the Urdu sounds a little different from what I’m used to hearing in other dramas. It seems to have a slight Punjabi influence or accent to it—at least to my ears. Am I imagining it, or is there actually a regional influence in the way the characters speak?

I haven’t been able to find the drama with English subtitles on YouTube, which makes it even harder for me to follow some of the conversations.

Would love to hear your thoughts—and I’d also be happy to get recommendations for other must-watch Pakistani dramas!