Genre Romance Directed by Sultana Siddiqui | Written by Umera Ahmed Opening theme "Zindagi" by Ali Zafar | |
Based on Zindagi Gulzar Hai by Umera Ahmed Starring Sanam Saeed
Fawad Khan
(For entire cast see below) | ||
Zindagi Gulzar Hai (Urdu: زندگی گلزار ہے; English: Life is fruitful) Pakistani drama, directed by Sultana Siddiqui and produced by Momina Duraid of Moomal Productions, which was broadcast on Hum TV. Based on the novel of the same name by Umera Ahmad, it was first telecast from 30 November 2012 to May 2013 in Pakistan. The story revolves around two persons, opposite in thought and financial status. This serial has a strong female lead protagonist and was very popular among the female audience.
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Zindagi Gulzar Hai also aired in various other countries including eleven Arab countries, several European countries and India. It premiered on the MBC Group on January 2014 in eleven Arab countries, Hum TV on March 2014 in Europe, and Zindagi on 23 June 2014. It has aired 6 times in India.
Plot summary
The story revolves around the lives of Kashaf Murtaza (Sanam Saeed) and Zaroon Junaid (Fawad Khan), who are poles apart. Kashaf comes from a middle-class family background and lives with her mother Rafia (Samina Peerzada) and her two sisters, Sidra (Mansha Pasha) and Shehnila (Sana Sarfaraz). Rafia had separated from her husband, Murtaza, (Waseem Abbas) because she did not give birth to a son. As a result, he married another woman, who did eventually give birth to his son Hamad.
Rafia works as the principal of a government school, and tutors children during the evenings. Kashaf, her eldest daughter, gets a scholarship to a prestigious university, where she meets Zaroon, who comes from a rich family. However, they initially don't get along with each other. However, later Zaroon tries to patch up with her but his attempts are repeatedly rebuffed
Zaroon's family consists of his laid-back and patient father, Junaid (Javed Sheikh) and independent working mother, Ghazala Junaid (Hina Khawaja Bayat) and his sister Sara (Ayesha Omar), who has the same qualities as her mother. Zaroon's circle of friends consists of Asmara (Mehreen Raheel) and Osama (Shehryar Munawar Siddiqui). He remains unaware of the fact that Asmara is in love with him. They get engaged but due to irreconcilable differences they break off the engagement. Zaroon states many times that his ideal wife would have qualities found in Kashaf.
Both Zaroon and Kashaf apply for, and get admitted to the Pakistan's Central Superior Services, where they renew their contact. Once again, Zaroon's attempts at friendship are repeatedly turned down, as Kashaf believes him to be the same flirtatious and irresponsible person as before. Osama proposes to Kashaf, who rejects his proposal. Later Zaroon talks to Abrar (Behroze Sabzwari), who is a mentor to Kashaf and Zaroon's close family friend. Zaroon confesses to him that he wants to marry Kashaf and asks him to talk to Kashaf on his behalf. After initially rejecting his proposal, the two agree to meet at Abrar's house, where Zaroon prevents Kashaf from getting scalded by hot tea. She accepts his proposal and they get engaged and married. After the wedding Zaroon also establishes good rapport with Kashaf's family.
Zaroon and Kashaf eventually start getting to know one another. Later Zaroon and Kashaf have a fight as he comes to know about Osama's proposal. They reconcile when they find that Kashaf is pregnant. Later, Kashaf discovers that Zaroon is secretly in touch with Asmara . Thinking that Zaroon is having a romantic affair with Asmara, she leaves his house and returns to her mother's home. She starts missing Zaroon and later dreams that Zaroon has divorced her. Zaroon also misses Kashaf but does not contact her. Kashaf realises that she is really in love with Zaroon and yearns to go back to him and calls up Zaroon the same night. And when Zaroon gets to know that they are having twin daughters, he flies the same night to meet with her and they reconcile. Thus, their feud finally ends and they realise their love for each other. Few months later Kashaf gives birth to twin girls, who complete their family.
Soundtrack
The Zindagi Gulzar Hai title song is sung by Ali Zafar and Hadiqa Kiani, composed by Shani Arshad with lyrics by Naseer Turabi.
Broadcast
Zindagi Gulzar Hai was originally broadcast on Hum TV in December 2012. In 2015 the series was dubbed into Arabic and was broadcast by the MBC in the Middle East, under the name Asrar Al Hob (أسرار الحب). The series was broadcast to 11 Arab Countries . The show immediately gained popularity and after airing its first few episodes, became the most popular drama on the channel. Before this Pakistani dramas were not broadcast in the Middle East. In 2014 the series was also broadcast in India by Zee Entertainment Enterprises on their newly launched channel Zindagi.
Television Rating Points (TRPs)
Zindagi Gulzar Hai started off very well than averaging 6.4 TRPs but after the climax episode i.e. EP. 7, ratings increased dramatically averaging and topping the charts every week. Then after the marriage of the protagonists, ratings started to further increase and now Zindagi Gulzar Hai averages 6+ TRPs with 6.6 TRPs as maximum until now. But from 3 May 2013 Zindagi Gulzar Hai achieved 8.7 trp as declared by Hum TV. Many say that it will make a new record when its last episode will air. And it did by reaching a point till 9.5. It is the second highest-rated Pakistani television series. This drama got 9 awards at the 2nd Hum Awards, 3 awards at the 4th Pakistan Media Awards and 2 awards at the 13th Lux Style Awards. The role of Sanam Saeed was appreciated by critics. As for Fawad Khan it was the third blockbuster drama for him after Dastaan and Humsafar.