From 'Churails' to 'Dukhtar': Pakistani content to stream online

Dukhtar (2014): Directed by Afia Nathaniel, the film follows a desperate mother who kidnaps her 10-year-old daughter on the eve of her marriage to a tribal leader. The film stars Samiya Mumtaz in the lead, which also won her the Lux Style Award for Best Film Actress – Viewer’s Choice. The movie was also selected as Pakistan’s official entry for the 87th Academy Awards, but was not nominated. The film is streaming now on Netflix.

Baaghi (2017): Based on the brutal murder of Pakistani model Qandeel Baloch, the series follows Fauzia, an outspoken girl who aspires to be a model. After her husband’s betrayal, Fauzia moves to Karachi to pursue her dream. She falls in love with Sheheryar while struggling to achieve success. Soon she becomes a social media celebrity but fate has different plans for her. Watch it on Zee5.

Pinky Memsaab (2018): A film that will resonate with many living in the UAE, the sensitive drama looks into the life of a domestic worker in a household in Dubai. Over time, the worker and her employer build a bond that will change their lives. Hajira Yamin, Kiran Malik and Adnan Jaffar star. You can watch the film on Netflix.

Churails (2020): Starring Sarwat Gilani, Nimra Bucha, Meharbano and Yasra Rizvi, the series aims to take a scathing look at the patriarchal system in Pakistani society, which is prejudiced against women. The four female protagonists step up to fight the injustices meted out to them by the men in their lives. A lot has been written about the show, but seeing is believing. Catch it on Zee5.

Suno Chanda (2018): Suno Chanda is an Urdu romantic comedy series that depicts a couple’s attempts to break off their forced alliance as both have different ambitions in life. However, fate has other plans for them as their effort to call off their impending wedding ends up bringing them together and eventually falling in love with each other. Watch on Zee5.

Behadd (2013): Starring Fawad Khan, Nadia Jamil, Sajjal Ali, and Adnan Siddiqui in the lead, the Pakistani telefilm centres around the lives of Masooma, Maha and Jamal Ahmed. After her husband’s death, Masooma lives with her daughter Maha, who is extremely possessive about her. Their lives change when Masooma and Jamal fall in love. Will Maha accept another man in their lives? Watch it on Zee5.

Teefa in Trouble (2018): Starring Ali Zafar in the lead, along with Maya Ali and Javed Sheikh, this film is the actor-singer’s first attempt in Pakistani cinema. The story unspools as a gangster hires Teefa to abduct his friend’s daughter for an arranged marriage, but things get tricky when Teefa develops feelings for the girl. This mad caper brings forth plenty of laughs. Catch it on Netflix.

Dekho Chand Aaya (2016): Chand and Hassan’s romance is not accepted by the latter’s mother who disapproves of Chand’s background. Will their union survive family meddling and their class differences? Sara Khan, Fawad Jalal, Nida Mumtaz, Sajid Hasan and Aijaz Aslam star. Catch it on Amazon Prime Video.

Bin Roye (2016): Also a film by Momina Duraid, the series is an extended version of the Humayun Saaed and Mahira Khan starrer, which is partially a film inspired by Bollywood’s ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’. Saba is secretly in love with Irtiza but he considers her as his best friend. Irtiza and Saba’s sister, Saman, fall in love and get married. Heartbroken yet poised, Saba tries to accept their marriage. However, destiny has other plans for her. Watch it on Zee5.