Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Meri Shehzadi
View on Wikipedia
| Meri Shehzadi | |
|---|---|
| Urdu | میری شہزادی |
| Inspired by | The real life story of Princess Diana |
| Written by | Zanjabeel Asim Shah |
| Directed by | Qasim Ali Mureed |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | Pakistan |
| Original language | Urdu |
| No. of episodes | 28 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Momina Duraid |
| Producer | Momina Duraid |
| Production company | MD Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hum TV |
| Release | 22 September 2022 – 1 April 2023 |
Meri Shehzadi (transl. My Princess) is a 2022 Pakistani drama television series written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah, directed by Qasim Ali Mureed and produced by Momina Duraid.[1] It is loosely based on the life story of Princess Diana, ex-wife of then Prince and now King Charles III. It stars Urwa Hocane, Ali Rehman Khan, Atiqa Odho and Sonia Mishal with Farhan Saeed in a special appearance.
It was the final on-screen appearance of veteran actor Qavi Khan before his death in March 2023.[2]
Plot
[edit]Dania is a quiet, scholastic girl raised by her grandparents with much affection and love as her mother died in her childhood. Her grandmother blames her father, Salahuddin as he remarried and ignored his daughter due to his loyalty towards his second wife and their son. Her stepmother forbids her father to meet her.
Chief Minister of the province, Riaz Uddin, the older brother of Salahuddin, due to deteriorated health decides to marry off his son Shehroze with Dania, so that he can stay here permanently, not leaving for U.S.A. and could focus on his political career like him.
Soon after, Riaz Uddin dies and Dania marries Shehroze.
On her first wedding night, it is revealed to her that Shehroze already has an American wife, Cam, with whom he has a son also.
Meri Shehzadi (old name Meri Shehzadi Diana) is based on the true story of Lady Diana Princess of Wales.
Cast
[edit]| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Urwa Hocane | Dania Khan née Shehroze | based on Lady Diana[3] |
| Ali Rehman Khan | Shehroze | Dania's Cousin and husband; based on Prince Charles |
| Sonia Mishal | Cam | 1st wife of Shehroze and a citizen of USA; based on Camilla Parker Bowles |
| Farhan Saeed | Dr. Hasan | based on Hasnat Khan[4] |
| Qavi Khan/ Manzoor Qureshi | Mr. Sanaullah | Dania's Grandfather |
| Atiqa Odho | Shahana | Chief Minister of Sindh, Shehroze's mother, aunt, and mother-in-law to Dania. Based on Queen Elizabeth II |
| Shamim Hilaly | Safia | Dania's grandmother |
| Shabbir Jan | Riaz Uddin | Ex Chief-minister |
| Nauman Masood | Salahuddin | Dania's father |
| Najiba Faiz | Almas | Salahuddin's 2nd wife and Dania's stepmother |
| Anjum Habibi | Sharfu | Sanaullah's servant |
| Moazzam Ali Khan | Chairman of the party | |
| Azra Mohyeddin | Hasan's mother | |
| Sameera Hasan | Bibi | Shahana's friend |
Production
[edit]Background and development
[edit]In October 2021, screenwriter Zanjabeel Asim Shah in an interview said that she is very hopeful that her upcoming project Meri Shehzadi Diana will be a revolutionary project.[5] In September 2022, it stated in a press release that the main character of the series, Dania is inspired by the Princess Diana and the character will be a political leader and philanthropist like her.[3][6]
Casting
[edit]In June 2022, Farhan Saeed confirmed that he and Urwa are part of it.[7] In same month, there were reports that Imran Abbas is also part of the project. However, in August 2022, Galaxy Lollywood reported that both the male leads, Saeed and Abbas have been opted out of the project. Ali Rehman Khan has replaced the Saeed while Bilal Abbas Khan may replace Abbas.[8][9] About Saeed's casting in the series, the director hoped to cast him in a surprise character on his availability.[10] The other cast members include Atiqa Odho, Qavi Khan, Sonia Mishal and Najiba Faiz.[11][10] From the 18th episode onwards, Manzoor Qureshi replaced Khan who had to leave for Canada for his treatment, where he eventually died. Thus, it marked his last on-screen appearance.[12]
Reception
[edit]While reviewing the first episode, a reviewer from Galaxy Lollywood praised the direction with stating the execution as crisp, and storyline as fresh.[13] Mag - The Weekly praised the performances of Hilaly and Qavi Khan but criticised Hocane's performance, stating that she has same expressions in each scene.[14]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Shehreyaar, Armaan (20 June 2022). "Upcoming Dramas We're Extremely Excited For". Galaxy Lollywood. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- ^ "Pakistani actors, politicians mourn as veteran actor Qavi Khan passes away in Canada". Arab News. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ a b Images Staff (12 September 2022). "Urwa Hocane's upcoming drama Meri Shehzadi to 'capture the reminiscence of Lady Diana'". Dawn Images.
- ^ "Farhan Saeed to make cameo appearance in 'Meri Shehzadi' as Dr Hassan". Daily Times. 21 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "'Pyar Ke Sadqay' was a rejected script: Zanjabeel Asim Shah". 4 October 2021.
- ^ "Urwa Hocane's upcoming drama 'Meri Shehzadi' is influenced by Princess Diana's Life". 14 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Farhan Saeed and Urwa will be seen in 'Meri Shehzadi Diana'". 18 June 2022.
- ^ "Exclusive: Farhan Saeed & Urwa Hocane No Longer Together In Meri Shehzadi Diana". 11 August 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "Ali Rehman takes Farhan Saeed's place in upcoming drama 'Meri Shehzadi Diana'". Bol News. 13 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Is the upcoming 'Meri Shehzadi' inspired by Diana, Queen of Hearts?". 12 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Qavi Khan received tribute from celebs as he won Nishan-e-Imtiaz award". Bol News. 17 August 2022.
- ^ Maliha Rehman (19 February 2023). "Prime Time: Behind the Scenes on TV Drama Sets". Dawn (newspaper).
- ^ Subaiqa Sarfaraz (23 September 2022). "'Meri Shehzadi' Review: Unique Storyline Presents A Princess Diana Rendition". Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "Meri Shehzadi Diana". magtheweekly.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022.
Meri Shehzadi
View on GrokipediaMeri Shehzadi (transl. My Princess) is a Pakistani drama television series that aired on Hum TV from 22 September 2022 to 1 April 2023.[1][2] Written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, the series was produced by Momina Duraid under the banner of MD Productions.[3][4] Starring Urwa Hocane as the protagonist Daniya alongside Ali Rehman Khan and Qavi Khan, it depicts the life of a young woman raised by her grandfather, an admirer of monarchies who treats her as royalty, as she navigates arranged marriage, family politics, and personal loss within a feudal dynastic setting.[3][5] The narrative draws loose inspiration from the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, adapting elements of royal intrigue and marital discord to a Pakistani context.[6][7]
Synopsis
Plot summary
Meri Shehzadi revolves around Dania, a compassionate young woman raised by her grandfather, whose admiration for Princess Diana shapes her worldview and aspirations. Dania agrees to an arranged marriage with Shehroze, the son of prominent politician and Chief Minister Riaz Uddin, entering as his second wife to fulfill Riaz Uddin's final wishes amid his failing health and to bolster the family's political influence.[8][9] The plot examines Dania's challenges within a ruthless political dynasty, where she confronts Shehroze's prior secret marriage to an American woman named Cam, familial manipulations led by figures like the shrewd mother-in-law Shahana, and broader power intrigues that prioritize legacy over personal bonds. Dania strives for acceptance and emotional fulfillment amid betrayals and societal pressures, highlighting conflicts between individual agency and dynastic obligations.[10][9] Loosely drawing from the real-life trajectory of Princess Diana, the series portrays themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the human cost of political ambition through Dania's evolving experiences in a world of feudal politics and family rivalries.[9][8]
Production
Development and writing
Meri Shehzadi was scripted by Zanjabeel Asim Shah, an established Pakistani television writer previously recognized for her work on the drama Pyaar ke Sadqay.[11] The narrative centers on a young woman from a modest background entering a politically motivated marriage into a powerful family, blending elements of personal tragedy, dynastic power struggles, and emotional redemption in a style reminiscent of 1990s dramatic tragedies.[3] Development occurred under MD Productions, with the series tailored for Hum TV's programming slate, leading to its premiere on 22 September 2022.[3] Shah's script incorporates suspenseful plotting and themes of love amid familial and political constraints, portraying the protagonist's journey toward self-assertion within rigid societal expectations.[12] Reports indicate the story draws loose inspiration from the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, particularly in depicting entrapment in high-stakes family politics and the tension between personal desires and public roles, though adapted to reflect Pakistani cultural and feudal dynamics.[6] Specific details on the iterative writing process or consultations remain undocumented in available production records, with emphasis placed on Shah's ability to weave heartfelt, character-driven arcs.[13]Casting and crew
The series was written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah, directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, and produced by Momina Duraid under the banner of MD Productions.[3][14] Urwa Hocane portrayed the lead character Dania, a woman navigating personal tragedy and political intrigue, while Ali Rehman Khan played Shehroz, her husband from a prominent family.[15] Farhan Saeed appeared as Dr. Hasan, a physician central to the narrative's romantic elements, and Sonia Mishal depicted Cam, Shehroz's first wife.[15] Supporting roles featured veteran actors including Atiqa Odho as Dania's mother, Qavi Khan in a paternal authority figure, Shamim Hilaly, Shabbir Jan, and Najiba Faiz.[1][16] The ensemble drew from established Pakistani television talent, with no publicly reported casting disputes or changes during production.[17]Filming and post-production
Principal photography for Meri Shehzadi commenced in June 2022, approximately three months prior to its premiere on Hum TV on September 22, 2022.[18] The production, overseen by director Qasim Ali Mureed, encountered a significant interruption when veteran actor Qavi Khan required emergency medical treatment abroad, necessitating his replacement by Manzoor Qureshi mid-filming to maintain the shooting schedule.[19] As with many Pakistani television dramas, filming likely involved extended hours and adaptations for cast availability, including separate scene shoots and potential use of body doubles or chroma key technology for visual effects, though specific techniques for this series remain undocumented in available production accounts.[19] Post-production followed the standard workflow for Hum TV series produced by MD Productions, encompassing editing, sound mixing, and visual enhancements to align with the political and dramatic narrative. Qasim Ali Mureed, who has experience as a cinematographer and editor, contributed to these phases, ensuring the 40-episode run concluded airing on April 1, 2023.[17] The original soundtrack (OST) was composed and released shortly before the debut, integrating post-shoot musical elements to enhance thematic elements of royalty and resilience.[20] No major delays in post-production were reported, allowing for weekly episodic releases typical of the format.[19]Cast and characters
Principal cast
Urwa Hocane stars as Dania, the titular "shehzadi" (princess), a resilient young woman navigating family politics and personal turmoil in a powerful political dynasty.[15][1] Ali Rehman Khan plays Shehroz, Dania's love interest and a ambitious young politician entangled in familial and romantic conflicts.[15][1] Farhan Saeed portrays Dr. Hassan, a doctor who enters the narrative as a key figure opposite Dania, adding layers to the central romantic dynamics.[15][1]| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Urwa Hocane | Dania | Lead; central protagonist raised by grandparents in a politically influential family.[15][1] |
| Ali Rehman Khan | Shehroz | Lead; young politician and Dania's primary romantic partner.[15][1] |
| Farhan Saeed | Dr. Hassan | Supporting lead; physician involved in Dania's personal arc.[15][1] |
