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Ankahi
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Ankahi
Title screen
GenreRomance
Comedy
Written byHaseena Moin
Directed byShoaib Mansoor
Mohsin Ali
Starring
Theme music composerArshad Mehmood
Original languageUrdu
Production
Running time50 minutes
Original release
NetworkPakistan Television Corporation, Karachi
ReleaseMarch 1982 (1982-03) –
May 1982 (1982-05)

Ankahi (Urdu: ان کہی, lit. 'The Unsaid') is a 1982 Pakistani Urdu television drama serial broadcast by PTV and is now considered a cult classic.[1] It was written by Haseena Moin and directed by Shoaib Mansoor and Mohsin Ali.[2][3]

The drama serial featured an ensemble star cast including Shehnaz Sheikh, Shakeel, Javed Sheikh, Saleem Nasir, Jamshed Ansari, Behroze Sabzwari, Badar Khalil, Qazi Wajid, Azra Mansoor, Khalid Nizami, Arshad Mehmood, Tabassum Farooqui, and Faisal Bilal. Ankahi was one of the most popular drama serials in the early 1980s in Pakistan.[4][5]

This cast then went to work in a similar Pakistani drama serial, Tanhaiyaan, in 1986, which was also written by Haseena Moin. Ankahi is remembered for its witty dialogue and the candid role of Sana (Shehnaz Sheikh).[6][5] The show was not only popular in Pakistan but across the border in India as well.[7] In 2020, PTV Home retelecast it daily from 18 April to 2 May, in PTV GOLD Hour.[8]

Synopsis

[edit]

The story revolves around a young, ambitious girl, Sana Murad (Shehnaz Sheikh). Due to her father's early death, her family is not so well-off, and she dreams of being rich and prosperous like her friend Sara (Misbah Khalid). Her younger brother Jibran has a hole in his heart, and they need money for his surgery as well. Hence she applies for a job at an office. She fails the job interview as she is a fresh graduate and lacks the experience and qualifications required, but on her way back, she meets the chairman, Mr. Siddiqui (Qazi Wajid), who offers her the job anyway. She begins working for the managing director of the company, Taimur Ahmad (Shakeel). Sana is extremely clumsy, irresponsible, and does not even know how to type or take dictations, which causes Taimur great problems and some hilarious situations for the viewers. At her friend Sara's wedding, her groom Sajjad's (Arshad Mehmood)'s best friend Faraz (Javed Sheikh) falls for Sana and starts following her everywhere. He even goes to her office and ends up getting a job there, only to be closer to Sana.

Meanwhile, her aunt Zakia (Badar Khalil) arrives from America with her son Moby (Behroze Sabzwari) for a visit. Since her mamu (Saleem Nasir) had written to her that they had become rich, they pretended to be rich even to the extent of convincing their neighbor Timmy (Jamshed Ansari) to act as their butler. After many hilarious antics, the truth is finally revealed, and Zakia decides to buy a big house for all to move in. Meanwhile, Moby falls in love with Marium (the daughter of their tenant). After Moby's insistence, Zakia accepts his marriage with Marium. Jibran becomes friends with Faraz, as he frequently comes to their house to see Sana. Sana's family starts liking Faraz, and Sajjad talks with them about the arrangement of Faraz's marriage with Sana. Jibran goes to the U.S. with his mother for a successful heart operation and returns.

Meanwhile, Sana gets close to Taimur, whose wife Abeer is in a coma, and he is looking for happiness with Sana. Taimur, however, accepts his own mistakes, and Sana, feeling guilty, resigns from the job. Taimur goes to her home to tell her that she should move on and comes to realize Faraz's love for Sana and tells her that there are 'unsaid' (Ankahi) things that he couldn't say to her and departs. Abeer dies during surgery, Sana & Faraz go to Taimur's home for condolences. Faraz leaves Taimur's home expecting Sana to go for Taimur but she unexpectedly wants to leave with him reassuring him of her consent for him.

Themes and Personalities

[edit]

Taimur is shown to be an introvert, a strong and silent guy who keeps his problems to himself. He finds happiness and joy in the form of Sana but thinks that she would be happier with Faraz. Faraz is the exact opposite of Taimur. He is an outgoing extrovert guy with a lot of confidence. He abruptly proposes to Sana on his birthday party but seeing her disgust pretends that the proposal was a joke just to save himself from embarrassment. Both Taimur and Faraz are well aware of their mutual love interest and of the whole situation but they remain civil towards each other. At one point, Faraz even tries to quit the firm because he is uneasy as Taimur is his boss but Taimur declines his resignation as he believes that they should keep their professional and personal lives separate.

The series explores themes of silent love, grief, sacrifice and loneliness. It also explores social and financial issues of urban Pakistan.

Cast

[edit]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Result Recipients and Nominees Ref.
1982 Nigar Award Best TV Actress Won Shehnaz Sheikh [9]
Best Writer Won Haseena Moin

Adaptations

[edit]

The teledrama was adapted into a Theater play titled Ankahi 2020 and premiered on 25 March 2020 at the Karachi Arts Council in which lead role of Sana Murad was played by Amna Ilyas.[10][11]

2000's Bollywood movie Chal Mere Bhai, an unofficial remake of the serial, was loosely based on the series and had the same storyline as the serial. The movie even copies Frame to frame the famous tea scene between the two principal characters.[12][5]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Ankahi

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Ankahi is a Pakistani Urdu-language television drama serial produced and broadcast by the (PTV). Written by acclaimed playwright and directed by , it centers on the ambitious young protagonist Sana Murad, who navigates career aspirations, family responsibilities, and romantic entanglements after her father's early death leaves her family in financial hardship. Starring in the titular role alongside , Javed Sheikh, Saleem Nasir, and Badar Khalil, the 31-episode series is celebrated as an iconic for its witty dialogue, complex character development, and portrayal of middle-class struggles in urban . The narrative unfolds in a bustling office environment where Sana secures a position as a to the affluent businessman Taimoor, sparking a romance complicated by her obliviousness to the affections of a colleague named Faraz. Meanwhile, familial pressures mount, including from her visiting aunt, highlighting themes of independence, love triangles, and societal expectations for women. The delivers nuanced performances, with Shehnaz Sheikh's portrayal of Sana embodying resilience and , while supporting roles like Saleem Nasir's as the caring uncle add emotional depth to the family dynamics. Ankahi aired during a golden era of PTV programming, captivating audiences with its relatable storytelling and sharp , and it continues to influence Pakistani drama through reruns and adaptations, including a 2020 theatrical version. Its enduring legacy lies in challenging traditional gender roles and showcasing authentic depictions of ambition amid economic constraints, making it a benchmark for subsequent serials.

Background and Production

Development

Haseena Moin drew inspiration for Ankahi from the everyday struggles of urban Pakistani families, particularly the challenges faced by modern women navigating societal expectations and personal ambitions in a middle-class setting. Her portrayal of spirited, independent female protagonists, such as the ambitious college graduate Sana Murad, stemmed from a deliberate reaction against the regressive depictions of women in traditional , emphasizing agency and subtle, unspoken romantic tensions instead. This approach built on her earlier works, including the groundbreaking serial Parchhaiyan (1976), which explored complex family dynamics and social issues, allowing Moin to refine her style of blending realism with emotional depth in Ankahi. The serial was directed by the duo of and Mohsin Ali, selected for their expertise in PTV productions and ability to merge comedic elements with dramatic storytelling, creating a balanced narrative that highlighted both humor in family interactions and the poignant undercurrents of unexpressed emotions. Ankahi was conceptualized and developed in the early 1980s as a PTV project, with the script completed in time for its broadcast starting in 1982, marking a key period in Moin's prolific output of television dramas. Classified as a romance-comedy serial, Ankahi featured episodes approximately 50 minutes in length, designed to engage audiences with its mix of lighthearted banter and deeper explorations of relationships within an urban household. The was composed by Arshad Mehmood, providing a subtle, evocative backdrop that complemented the serial's focus on the "unsaid" aspects of life and love, aligning with the title's meaning of unspoken words or feelings.

Filming and Broadcast

Ankahi was filmed at the Pakistan Television Corporation's (PTV) studios in Karachi, incorporating some outdoor urban shots to depict everyday life in 1980s Pakistan. The production encountered notable challenges, including a 10-month delay in shooting caused by a government-imposed ban on principal actors Javed Sheikh and Behroze Sabzwari; the ban was lifted in 1981, enabling the resumption of filming under director Shoaib Mansoor. These constraints, typical of PTV's modest resources for serials, necessitated an efficient format of approximately 50-minute episodes. The serial premiered on PTV in March 1982, comprising 19 episodes aired weekly over several months. In response to the , re-telecast the series daily during its PTV Gold Hour slot in April-May 2020.

Plot and Themes

Synopsis

Ankahi centers on Sana Murad, a young and clumsy woman from a middle-class family grappling with financial hardship following her father's untimely death. Determined to support her family, Sana takes a job at an under her strict boss, Taimur Ahmad, primarily to raise funds for her younger brother Jibran's urgently needed heart surgery. Her inexperience leads to frequent mishaps at work, but these challenges highlight her resilience and ambition to secure a stable future for her loved ones. Throughout the series, Sana's professional life intertwines with romantic entanglements, particularly her open pursuit by colleague Faraz, whom she meets at friend and who sparks comedic mishaps, alongside the subtle, unspoken affections from Taimur, complicated by familial pressures including her aunt's push for an to her cousin . Meanwhile, dynamics strain under the weight of monetary pressures, as Sana navigates conflicts with her siblings and relatives who grapple with the sacrifices required to prioritize Jibran's health and the household's survival. These tensions underscore the everyday struggles of a banding together amid adversity. The narrative arc traces Sana's evolution from chaotic, ambition-fueled decisions to greater emotional maturity, as she balances personal growth with familial duties. Culminating in subtle romantic closure, the story resolves with Sana finding harmony in her relationships and a sense of fulfillment beyond mere financial success, including Jibran's successful abroad.

Themes and Character Dynamics

Ankahi centers on the theme of "ankahi," or unspoken emotions, delving into silent , , and within the context of urban Pakistani life in the . The narrative highlights how characters navigate unexpressed affections and personal losses, such as familial health crises, without overt declarations, reflecting the emotional restraint prevalent in middle-class . This motif underscores the isolation individuals experience amid bustling city environments, where personal ambitions clash with collective family obligations. The serial offers on financial struggles, evolving roles, and family sacrifices characteristic of . It portrays middle-class economic pressures through domestic scenarios focused on and societal expectations, with 78.86% of scenes addressing these issues. dynamics are presented progressively, showing women in traditional Pakistani attire (91.47% of depictions) while emphasizing their agency in professional and familial spheres, challenging norms of dependency. Family sacrifices emerge as a recurring motif, exemplified by maternal support for daughters' independence over conventional marriages, highlighting intergenerational solidarity amid hardship. Character contrasts drive the interpersonal dynamics, particularly between the introverted Taimur, whose reserved nature fosters platonic bonds marked by subtle grief, and the extroverted Faraz, whose confident pursuit of romance injects energy into interactions. Sana embodies female agency as an ambitious young woman prioritizing career and , her witty and outspoken personality symbolizing resistance to patriarchal expectations, as writer crafted such roles to counter portrayals of women as mere victims. Brother-sister relationships, like Sana's loyal support for her , reinforce themes of , while workplace romances develop organically without dramatic escalation. Generational clashes appear subtly, resolved through humor and mutual understanding rather than conflict, supported by strong that aligns 96.35% of scenes with character motivations.

Cast

Lead Actors and Roles

Shehnaz Sheikh portrayed Sana Murad, an ambitious young woman characterized by her clumsiness and endearing charm, which she conveyed through natural acting and sharp , including that highlighted the character's relatable imperfections. This performance transformed her into an on Pakistani television and provided a significant career boost, establishing her as one of the era's prominent actresses. Shakeel portrayed Taimoor Ahmad, Sana's stoic and initially hot-tempered boss, delivering a nuanced depiction of emotional restraint that gradually revealed underlying vulnerability and depth, making the character both formidable and sympathetic. Leveraging his established reputation from earlier PTV successes like Uncle Urfi, 's superlative acting in Ankahi further solidified his status as a masterful performer in Pakistani drama. Javed Sheikh played Faraz Aafreedi, the persistent and outgoing suitor whose flirtatious energy and bumbling romantic pursuits added comedic levity to the narrative, marking an early career highlight in television before his rise to film stardom in and Bollywood. His portrayal of the iconic character contributed to the serial's enduring appeal through witty timing in lighthearted scenes.

Supporting Actors and Roles

Faisal Bilal portrayed Jibran, Sana's younger brother suffering from a congenital heart condition, effectively capturing the character's and the resulting family dependence through his expressive performance in the domestic scenes. Saleem Nasir played Shehryar, affectionately known as Mamoo, Sana's caring maternal uncle whose humorous schemes and supportive presence added emotional depth and to the family dynamics. Jamshed Ansari played Tameez-ud-Din, affectionately known as , the Murad family's eccentric neighbor whose antics provided and highlighted loyal, everyday support in the subplots. Behroze Sabzwari depicted , Sana's boisterous American cousin, infusing workplace and family interactions with humor through his portrayal of cultural misunderstandings and lighthearted mischief. Badar Khalil embodied Zakia , Sana's aunt and a key relative, whose return from abroad amplified domestic tensions and interpersonal conflicts within the household. Qazi Wajid took on the minor yet pivotal role of Mr. Siddiqui, Sana's employer, lending an authoritative presence that grounded the professional subplot in realistic power dynamics. Together, this ensemble of supporting actors enriched the atmosphere, weaving subplots of humor, tension, and realism that mirrored urban Pakistani family life without overshadowing the central narrative.

Reception

Critical Response

Upon its premiere in 1982 on , Ankahi garnered significant praise for its relatable depiction of urban middle-class life, blending humor with everyday struggles, which drew substantial viewership across and even in through pirated tapes. The serial's light-hearted tone and character-driven narratives resonated with audiences, making it one of PTV's standout productions of the era and contributing to its status as a family viewing staple. Haseena Moin's script received particular acclaim for its authentic capture of colloquial nuances and witty dialogues, which brought vibrancy to ordinary interactions and elevated the serial's emotional depth. Reviewers highlighted how Moin's writing portrayed progressive female characters, such as the ambitious Sana Murad, challenging traditional gender roles in Pakistani television at the time. In retrospective analyses from the 2000s onward, Ankahi has been celebrated as a for its enduring appeal and forward-thinking portrayal of women's , influencing subsequent PTV dramas like Tanhaiyaan (1985), which featured overlapping cast members and similar . The serial's online availability and reruns during the 2020 lockdown reignited nostalgia, sparking discussions on its timeless relevance amid modern Pakistani society. In 2024–2025, high-definition reruns on and further renewed interest, with audiences praising the restored visuals and sound for enhancing the classic's accessibility and appeal. However, some critiques pointed to occasional pacing lulls in the comedic segments, where monologue-style dialogues occasionally disrupted the flow.

Accolades

Ankahi did not receive any major awards from Television (PTV) or national bodies, though it garnered informal recognition as a landmark serial in the golden era of Pakistani television for its innovative storytelling and . The serial's success served as a pivotal launchpad for actress , propelling her to stardom through her iconic portrayal of the spirited Sana; as noted in a retrospective, "Shehnaz Sheikh came in 'Ankahi' and a star was born." It also enhanced the prominence of Javed Sheikh in television, adding to his established career with a memorable supporting role. Director Shoaib Mansoor's work on Ankahi marked an early highlight in his career, indirectly contributing to his later honors, including the award in 2002 and the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2007 for outstanding services in the field of arts.

Legacy and Adaptations

Cultural Impact

Ankahi has achieved status in Pakistani television history, renowned for its portrayal of middle-class aspirations and the subtle exploration of unspoken emotions within family dynamics. The series depicted the struggles of ordinary characters navigating societal expectations, which resonated deeply with audiences and influenced television tropes during the and by emphasizing relatable, nuanced storytelling over melodramatic excess. This iconic representation set a benchmark for PTV's golden era, inspiring subsequent dramas to incorporate witty dialogue and character-driven narratives that highlighted everyday ambitions and interpersonal tensions. The drama's cross-border appeal extended significantly to , where its -language accessibility fostered a shared viewership and shaped early perceptions of Pakistani serials as sophisticated and emotionally engaging. Broadcast in the , Ankahi captivated Indian audiences through the endearing character of Sana, an ambitious young woman, contributing to the regional popularity of PTV productions and even influencing Bollywood adaptations like . This transnational reach underscored the drama's role in bridging cultural narratives across the border, promoting media as a unifying medium. On a social level, Ankahi left a profound legacy by spotlighting women's ambitions amid family pressures, thereby advancing discourse in Pakistani media during an era of evolving societal norms. Through characters like Sana, who balanced professional goals with familial responsibilities, the series portrayed women as independent agents of change, serving as for working women and challenging traditional expectations of domesticity. This focus contributed to broader conversations on roles, influencing how media represented female agency and economic in the post- . In the 2020s, Ankahi continues to hold modern relevance through nostalgia-driven revivals and fan engagements, with PTV uploading episodes to digital platforms that spark discussions on its progressive themes. The writer , who passed away on March 26, 2021, after battling cancer, left an enduring legacy with works like Ankahi that continue to inspire. Recent tributes, including Saba Hameed's reflections on lead Shehnaz Sheikh's performances, highlight the series' enduring emotional impact and its reinforcement of PTV's golden era alongside Sheikh's later works like Tanhaiyaan. These connections have sustained fan conversations on platforms like , where clips and full episodes evoke appreciation for the drama's timeless commentary on unspoken societal tensions.

Adaptations

The theatrical adaptation of Ankahi, titled Ankahi 2020, was planned to premiere on November 1, 2020, at the Karachi Arts Council and run through November 30, 2020, but there is no record of it occurring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed by Dawar Mehmood and loosely adapted by Sajid Hasan and Saqib Sameer with the approval of original writer Haseena Moin, the production was to condense the 19-episode series into a 90-minute stage play. Model-actress Amna Ilyas was set to portray the lead role of Sana Murad, marking her stage debut in a modernized version that incorporated updated characters, sequences, and costumes to convey a contemporary message of love aimed at younger audiences. An unofficial Bollywood reinterpretation appeared in the 2000 film , directed by and produced by Nitin Manmohan. Starring as Prem, as Sapna's brother, and as Sapna (a character analogous to Sana), the movie drew inspiration from Ankahi's core romance-comedy plot involving family dynamics and romantic entanglements. While retaining elements like the humorous brother-sister interactions and the protagonist's pursuit of love against familial opposition, the film shifted the cultural context to an Indian setting with Bollywood-style song-and-dance sequences. As of November 2025, no official television remakes or international adaptations of Ankahi have been produced. The planned stage adaptation was to emphasize theatrical humor through live performances and direct engagement with the audience via its intimate venue setup, differing from the original's episodic television format. In contrast, incorporates exaggerated comedic action sequences and masala elements typical of Bollywood, which were absent in the source material's more subdued narrative.

References

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