From the visionary creators and producers behind ground-breaking dramas like “Udaari,”
“Rehai,” “Akhri Station,” “Dil Na Umeed Tou Nahin,” and “Kuch Ankahi,” comes the latest offering: “Zard Patton Ka Bunn.
Lahore May 27, 2024: The launch event of “Zard Patton Ka Bunn,” and a panel discussion
on “A fine Balance Entertainment for Social Change,” hosted by the Kashf Foundation, saw
the presence of the drama’s lead cast and crew. Attended by members of the media
fraternity and dignitaries, including Luke Myers, Counsellor and Head of Cooperation at
Global Affairs Canada, Alicia Sosa, First Secretary (Development) Global Affairs Canada,
Moneeza Hashmi, Adeel Hashmi, Seemi Raheel, Rehan Sheikh, Samiya Mumtaz, Navid
Shahzad, Amina Mufti, Kashif Nisar and many others, adding prestige to the occasion.
Roshaneh Zafar, Managing Director of Kashf Foundation, and Moneeza Hashmi shared the
role of co-hosts and kept the audience engaged throughout the event.
Addressing the gathering, Roshaneh Zafar, the founder and Managing Director of Kashf
Foundation, shed light on the organization’s pioneering role in developing and producing
drama serials under the banner of “edu-tainment”, thus emphasizing the significance of
merging social messaging with entertaining content.
“The need to produce socially driven drama serials arose as mindset change continues to be
one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to women’s empowerment. I thought Rehai would
be my first and last project but the universe had other plans for me” – Roshaneh Zafar.
She also discussed the significant efforts of the Kashf Foundation to empower women and
communities in Pakistan. The Foundation has provided over PKR 272 billion in loans to 7
million female micro-entrepreneurs and has provided over 15 million individuals with health
ensure while treating over 82,000 patients, 79% of whom are women, in free health camps.
Through Kashf’s education finance programme over 650,000 children are being provided
education.
Luke Myers, Counsellor and Head of Cooperation, Global Affairs Canada, while addressing
the attendees said, “Investing in family planning and reproductive health is not just a moral
imperative but a cornerstone for sustainable development. Through such investments, we
can reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. Empower women to foster economic
growth” – Luke Myers
Through their innovative drama productions, Kashf challenges societal norms, offering
solutions to address entrenched gender biases and disparities. By crafting authentic
narratives grounded in real-life experiences and featuring strong female protagonists, Kashf
sparks dialogue, shifts attitudes, and inspires audiences to reimagine a more inclusive and
equitable future.
Adeel Omer Hashmi, artist, educator, and grandson of celebrated Pakistani poet and activist
Faiz Ahmed Faiz recited Faiz Sahab’s poetry on the occasion. Adeel shared that the title of
the drama “Zard Patton Ka Bunn” was an inspiration from Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poem Intisab –
a tribute to the poet who lives on in the hearts of millions across the globe.
“Zard Patton Ka Bunn” breaks away from the conventional narrative tropes of romance and
marriage, opting instead for a refreshing departure that sidesteps toxic relationships and
tired clichés. Despite this deviation, the show remains thoroughly engaging and entertaining,
proving that impactful storytelling doesn’t rely on sensationalism. From its very inception,
the series delves into significant and sensitive societal issues such as maternal health, child
labour, family planning, gender-based violence, and drug abuse. Hamza Sohail portrays Dr.
Nofil, a compassionate and heroic physician, while Sajal Aly breathes life into the character
of Meenu, a spirited and determined student navigating life’s challenges with humour and
resilience.
During the event, a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “A Fine Entertainment for
Social Change” took center stage, focusing on the crucial role of television in addressing
core social issues and promoting meaningful change. Among the esteemed panelists were
director Saife Hasan, writer Mustafa Afridi, and members of the cast including Samiya
Mumtaz, Hamza Sohail, Sajal Aly, and CEO PPIF Saman Rai, who engaged in insightful
dialogue, emphasizing the responsibility of the entertainment industry in shedding light on
pressing societal concerns.
Here is what the team behind Zard Patton Ka Bunn has to say:
Sajal Aly highlighted the importance of girls’ education, emphasizing that it forms the
foundation of everything in society.
“I feel like education is the foundation. Whenever we build a building or a school, we lay the
bricks first, so education is the same for any girl. It’s also very close to my heart. Huge
shoutout to Kashf foundation for working towards this.”
Hamza Sohail shared how portraying the character of Dr. Nofil taught him a great deal,
particularly about positive masculinity
“I learned a lot from my character Dr. Nofil. I got to understand what positive masculinity
truly means. As far as my character is concerned, I feel like he is a prime example of how a
feminist and positively masculine man should be in society.”
“Until you venture beyond the confines of cities and witness the plight of women in
regressive communities, you cannot truly comprehend the importance of girls’ education,”
remarked Saifee Hasan, the director. “It’s in these moments that the absence of education
becomes palpable. Women are the pillars of society, and their education is paramount for
societal progress.”
“Zard Patton Ka Bunn,” written and directed by the talented duo Mustafa Afridi and Saife
Hasan, is produced by Kashf Foundation in collaboration with Momina Duraid Productions.
Airing every Sunday at 8 pm on HUM TV, the drama boasts a stellar cast, including Sajal Ali,
Hamza Sohail, Rehan Sheikh, Samiya Mumtaz, Ali Tahir, Adnan Shah Tipu, Saad Azhar, Syed
Tanveer Hussain, Chaudhary Muhammad Usman, Mubashir Mehmood, Adeel Afzal, Najma
Bibi, and Zaryab Haider, among others.
