Pardes (transl. Foreign Land) is a Pakistani television series directed by Marina Khan and written by Sarwat Nazir. It stars Bushra Ansari, Sarmad Khoosat, Shaista Lodhi, Affan Waheed and Dur-e-Fishan Saleem in prominent roles. Produced by Humayun Saeed and Shehzad Naseeb under Six Sigma Plus, the series aired double episodes weekly on ARY Digital. The series explores how a man's working abroad affects his relationships and his children's lives.
Contents
Plot
Ahsan, the sole breadwinner of his family, works tirelessly to provide for his loved ones. His younger brother, Asim, is unemployed and lazy, but has a soft spot for their cousin, Nausheen. Despite his lack of employment, Asim's desire to marry Nausheen seems impossible. However, fate intervenes when Nausheen's father catches them together, leading to an impromptu marriage. As the family grows, Ahsan's mother, Mumtaz, pressures him to seek better opportunities abroad. Reluctantly, Ahsan leaves behind his wife, Zubeida, and daughter, Aimen, to work overseas in Muscat, toiling endlessly to provide for them while Zubeida works hard to keep the family afloat.
As time passes, Ahsan's children, Aimen and Zaid, enter adulthood. Aimen shoulders the responsibilities that Zaid neglects. Aimen's classmate, Ibad, harbors unrequited feelings for her. After years of living abroad, Ahsan returns home, his health significantly deteriorated. On his deathbed, he attempts to arrange Aimen's marriage to their cousin, Salman, but she refuses, fearing a life similar to her mother's because Salman has a future plan to go abroad for his career. Instead, she proposes Ibad as an alternative, and they get married.
After Ahsan's passing, Aimen begins her new life with Ibad. However, she faces challenges in her marital home, particularly from Ibad's stepsisters and brother-in-law. When Ibad embarks on a business trip to England, Aimen's past traumas resurface, and their marital life is put to the test.
Cast
Main cast
Dur-e-Fishan Saleem as Aimen, Zubeida and Ahsan's daughter
Emaan Nayyab as Aimen (young)
Affan Waheed as Ibad, Aimen's class fellow
Shaista Lodhi as Zubeida "Zubi", Ahsan's wife and Aimen's mother
Sarmad Khoosat as Ahsan, Zubeida's husband and Aimen's father
Supporting cast
Bushra Ansari as Mumtaz, Ahsan and Asim's mother
Gohar Rasheed as Asim, Ahsan's younger brother
Shermeen Ali as Nausheen "Noshi", Asim's wife
Atiqa Odho as Raheela, Ibad's mother
Faiza Gillani as Nabeela, Ahsan's sister
Hammad Shoaib as Salman, Nabeela's son
Atabik Mohsin as Zaid, Aimen's brother
Aliha Chaudry as Aliya, Ahsan's sister
Jinaan Hussain as Sheema, Ibad's step-sister
Yasir Ali Khan as Rohail, Ibad's step-brother
Hina Javed as Rija, Rohail's wife
Usman Mazhar as Manzoor, Nabeela's husband
Recurring cast
Syed Mohammad Ahmed as Sadeeq, Nausheen's father
Shazia Qaiser as Nausheen's mother and Mumtaz's sister
Production
In March 2021, Shaista Lodhi revealed that she would return to acting after a three-year break with Marina Khan's directed Pardes, playing Zubaida, a strong and sacrificing woman coping with her husband's absence who works abroad. Lodhi was approached by Humayun Saeed and agreed to join the cast because Marina Khan was the director. Sarmad Khoosat was cast to portray Ahsan, the eldest sibling and sole breadwinner of the family.
Reception
Critical reception
Gaitee Ara Siddiqi of The News International praised the series for its realistic portrayal, well-developed characters, and engaging storyline, with standout performances of Lodhi, Khoosat and Ansari.