are too few and far between. I tell her that another possible reason for decline could be the TV industry jumping on the bandwagon of films. It seems that I touched
a nerve, as she asserts: “Drama is being wrecked at the
cost of films. Films here cannot have the longevity like
in India. Films are a momentary diversion and ultimately
the TV fraternity will have to return to TV. It will always
be around. You cannot wish it away. At 8pm people will
tune in no matter what.” The discussion veered towards
the current crop of films mostly made by TV industry
folks with only one film Jawani Phir Naheen Aani living
up to her expectations. For Ashraf, who clearly indicated
that she is not anti-cinema, at the end of the day whatever the medium is, ultimately, it is the storyline that will
pull her or the viewers towards the screen, small or big.
TV criticism has disappeared
Ashraf also singled out journalists for failing to seriously critique TV dramas; as a result channels churn out
whatever content they like. “Journalists have stopped
playing their role. Back in the days of PTV we would
be petrified of critics and their reviews. There would be
critical analysis of content and performances. Merely
writing about the storyline and cast of the play does not
constitute TV criticism, as is now the trend. Journalists
have to point out if we are doing terrible work.” Having
scripted memorable plays and dramas such as Khaleej,
Dastak, Bisaat and Rozi broadcasted on PTV, Imran
Aslam of Geo TV compares past and current viewing
habits along with endorsing Ashraf’s views on lack of serious drama appraisal. “There was only one TV channel
back then which everyone would watch and everyone is
nostalgic about. But the truth of the matter is that there
are a number of dramas and plays that one remembers
from those times and these can be counted on one’s fingertips. “The other thing that has disappeared is proper
criticism. Nobody is sitting around meticulously looking
at the dramas. We were scared of critics like Maxim and
Zeno. Newspapers have stopped reviewing plays.” I do
not completely agree with Ashraf and Aslam because as
a TV re