Kabuli Pulao (Green Entertainment 2023)
Kabuli Pulao is a 2023 Pakistani television series directed by Kashif Nisar and written by Zafar Mairaj. It features Mohammed Ehteshamuddin, Sabeena Farooq, Nadia Afgan, and Abdullah Farhatullah. The series premiered on 11 July 2023 on Green Entertainment and tells the romantic tale of two individuals, a Lahori Punjabi man, and an Afghan refugee girl, who come from different cultures and have a significant age difference.
The show received critical acclaim for the performances of the leads and Mairaj’s script.
Kabuli Pulao (Green Entertainment 2023)
Kabuli Pulao | |
Written | Zafar Mairaj |
Directed | Kashif Nisar |
Creative Director | Muhammad Awais |
Music Composer | Sahir Ali Bagga |
Opening theme | “Aankhein” by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan |
Ending theme | “Aankhein” by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan |
Composer | Sahir Ali Bagga |
Country | Pakistan |
languages |
|
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 19 |
Network | Green Entertainment |
Release | 11 July – 21 November 2023 |
Summary
Kabuli Pulao follows the story of Haji Mushtaq, an upright man from Lahore, and Barbeena, an Afghan girl in need. Haji Mushtaq, a 51-year-old Punjabi bachelor, leads a simple life until he meets Barbeena. Their lives become intertwined as Barbeena seeks his help, leading to unexpected twists and turns in their relationship. Despite cultural differences and societal expectations, their bond grows stronger, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of human connection.
Actors / Cast
Main
- Mohammed Ehteshamuddin as Haji Mushtaq, Barbeena’s husband
- Sabeena Farooq as Barbeena, Haji Mushtaq’s wife
- Nadia Afgan as Shamim, in love with Haji Mushtaq
- Abdullah Farhatullah as Baran Afghani, Barbeena’s ex-husband
Supporting
-
- Adnan Shah Tipu as Chaudhry Qayyum
- Munazzah Arif as Zubaida
- Raima Khan as Chammo, Haji Mushtaq’s sister and Ghaffar Butt’s wife
- Farzana Taheem as Kulsoom
- Momina Aiela Chaudhry as Rimsha
- Saqib Sumeer as Ghaffar Butt, Chammo’s husband
- Fajjar Khan as Ayesha Qayyum
- Haseeb Khan as Zakir
- Umer Dar as Inspector Ilyas
- Faiz Chauhan as Hayat
- Naina as Hajra
- Sikandar Nawaz as Asad
Production
Kashif Nisar revealed in February 2021 that the series would focus on the relationship of two individuals with a language barrier. Nadia Afgan was initially offered the role of Kulsoom but ended up playing Shamim.
Episodes
The series premiered on 11 July 2023, airing weekly on Tuesday at 20:00 PST on Green Entertainment. It consists of 19 episodes with a running time of 35-40 minutes per episode. It also broadcast in India on Zindagi, marking the first simultaneous foreign broadcast of a Pakistani TV series.
Soundtrack
The original soundtrack ‘Aankhein’ was released in May 2023. Sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, composed by Sahir Ali Bagga, and penned by Imran Raza, the OST garnered 100 million views on digital platforms within 2 weeks.
Reception
The series received positive reviews for its engaging plot, portrayal of refugees’ lives, lead characters, and performances. Critics praised it for its realistic characters, themes, and depiction of evolving relationships. The script was lauded for its portrayal of an unconventional love story and its focus on refugees.