KARACHI (The Thursday Times) — The ARY Digital serial Dar-e-Nijaat has become one of the most talked-about Pakistani dramas of the year, and its quiet hero, Abu Bakar, has turned into a heartthrob across the border, with Indian viewers sharing clips, holding watch parties, and calling him the “greenest flag” on television.
The latest episodes have only added to the pull. In episode 30, aired on Friday, Abu Bakar, played by Sheheryar Munawar, finally tells Zaryab, played by Dur-e-Fishan Saleem, that he loves her, without asking for anything in return. Episode 31 aired on Saturday night.
Written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Saqib Khan, the drama follows Zaryab, an ambitious young woman left heartbroken by her childhood friend Zamil (Nameer Nawaz Khan), who turns to religion and then uses it to judge her. Abu Bakar marries her, apparently to fulfil his mother’s wish, and slowly earns her trust. The cast also includes Romaisa Khan, Sania Saeed, and Saba Hameed.
A different kind of hero
Much of the appeal lies in small gestures. Abu Bakar holds Zaryab’s hand through a panic attack without asking questions, does not snap back when she lashes out, and tells her that her relationship with God is her own business. Viewers in India have set him against the possessive, volatile heroes of recent Bollywood hits such as Animal and Kabir Singh. One line doing the rounds on social media reads: “Sabr ka phal nahi, Abu Bakr chahiye” (Forget the fruit of patience, I want Abu Bakar).
Munawar has pushed back on the idea of a perfect man, describing the character as a people-pleaser with a saviour complex. Ahmed, the writer, has asked why kindness, empathy, and forgiveness are treated as extraordinary when they should be the basis of any relationship.
Not everyone is swooning. Actress and host Nadia Hussain said this week that Zaryab needed therapy rather than a husband, and the drama’s portrayal of its heroine, including a scene in which she wears a sleeveless dress, has divided viewers.
Ratings and reach
Producer Jerjees Seja has announced a television rating of 16.5 for the drama, which is made by Three’s Entertainment. ARY Digital said in October that its clips had passed 1.7 billion views on social media after 23 episodes.
Saqib Khan revealed this week that Abu Bakar’s upstairs sunroom and bedroom, among the most admired spaces in his Hyderabad home on screen, were built from scratch on a rooftop, inspired by Terrence Malick’s film The Tree of Life.
The serial, which premiered on August 1, airs on ARY Digital every Friday and Saturday at 8pm Pakistan time. Its success caps a strong week for Pakistani screen talent abroad, after Dananeer Mobeen won best actress at Moscow’s Diamond Butterfly awards.
