''Aunn Zara'' () is a 2013 Pakistan

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

television series telecast on

A-Plus Entertainment ''A-Plus TV'' is a Pakistani entertainment TV channel. Its chairman is Abdul Jabbar. It is a major entertainment channel in Pakistan. A-Plus presents a mix of programs ranging from drama serials, sitcoms, soaps, music shows, reality shows, mo ...

. It revolves around a married couple spoilt by their respective families and desperate to escape this attention. It is based on Faiza Iftikhar's novel ''Hisaar-e-Mohabbat'', and is directed by

Haissam Hussain Haissam Hussain is a Pakistani television and film director known for television serials such as '' Noorpur Ki Rani'' (2009), ''Akbari Asghari'' (2011), '' Durr-e-Shehwar'' (2012) and '' Aunn Zara'' (2013). He made his cinematic debut by direct ...

. It stars Maya Ali and

Osman Khalid Butt Osman Khalid Butt () is a Pakistani film, television and theatre actor, writer and choreographer. He is best known for his role as Wali Sohaib Khan in '' Diyar-e-Dil'' (2015), Faaz Ibrahim in '' Chupke Chupke'' (2021) and Malik Shahzain in '' Eh ...

Plot

The story revolves around the lives of Aunn and Zara. Aunn, being the only male in his family, is overtly pampered by everyone. Aunn is dying to break out of the shackles of his overprotective and overbearing family members. Zara is a headstrong and vivacious girl. In contrast to Aunn, she lives in a house where she is the only female member of her immediate family. Zara lives with her father and grandfather. Her father, Jamshed, a retired army officer, wants Zara to join the air force. However, Zara wants to have a family life. Aunn and Zara's first encounter upsets them. A misunderstanding lands Aunn's proposal in front of Zara's family. Unaware of the proposal, Zara lies to her father that she loves Aunn. When Aunn and Zara discover who they are marrying, they resist but eventually get married. The duo spend time together and eventually fall in love. Aunn realizes that his family is overbearing, and he cannot spend time with Zara. He creates misunderstandings between Zara and his family. Soon a rift gets created between Zara and Aunn's family, resulting in Aunn and Zara shifting to another house. Zara learns that she is pregnant. Zara's friend, Shehna, clears the misunderstanding between Nighat and Zara. Meanwhile, Aunn informs his family about Zara's pregnancy. Aunn's family gets excited, but they fear that Zara might want to keep them away from the baby. Nighat informs the family about Aunn's past actions leading to the strained relationship with Zara. Aunn also confesses his mistakes. Zara eventually reconciles with Aunn's family.

Cast

Maya Ali Maryam Tanveer Ali (born 27 July 1989) known professionally Maya Ali, is a Pakistani actress who works in Urdu films and television series. She has received several accolades, including a Lux Style Award and three Hum Awards. Ali began her c ...

as Zara *

as Aunn *

Sabreen Hisbani Sabreen Hisbani Baloch ( , ) (Born 10 September 1978) is a Pakistani actress. She worked in an airline company in Pakistan as a flight attendant. She also has worked in several acclaimed drama serials including ''Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain'', ''N ...

as Nighat *

Irfan Khoosat Irfan Khoosat (Punjabi language, Punjabi, ) (born 9 June 1952) is a Pakistani actor, director, producer and comedian. He is famous for his comic role as ''Hawaldar Karamdad'' in the TV series ''Andhera Ujala'' (1984–1985) in which he portraye ...

as Zara's paternal grandfather * Nasreen Qureshi as Aunn's paternal grandmother *

Hina Khawaja Bayat Hina Khawaja Bayat (; born 8 September 1964) is a Pakistani actress whose appearances include Manto'','' Ishq Gumshuda'','' Aunn Zara'','' Humsafar'','' Zindagi Gulzar Hai'','' Mera Naam Yousuf Hai, '' Shehr-e-Zaat'' and ''Parwaz Hai Junoon ...

as Husna * Mukarram Kaleem as Manzar * Adnan Jaffar as Zara's father Jamshed * Yasir Masher as Aunn's paternal Uncle * Mahira Bhatti as Shehna * Saima Saleem as Aunn's paternal aunt

Soundtrack

The theme song "Aunn Zara" was composed by MAD Music with the lyrics by Awais Sohail. It was sung by Athar and Ragini. Other background music are also composed by MAD music.

Broadcast and release

First premiering in May 2013 on

, the series was re-launched with enhanced marketing efforts following the appointment of

Noor ul Huda Shah Noorul Huda Shah (born in Hyderabad, Sindh on 22 July 1951) is a Pakistani dramatist, short story writer, poet and columnist. She was also the Information Minister during the caretaker government in Sindh. Shah writes in both Sindhi and Urdu ...

as the network's CEO, who recognized the show's potential. It later aired in India on Zindagi, first in 2014, and then in 2022. The series became available on

ZEE5 ZEE5 or Z5 is an Indian subscription video on demand and over-the-top streaming service, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises. It was launched in India on 14 February 2018 with content in 12 languages. The ZEE5 mobile app is available on We ...

as a video-on-demand in 2020.

Reception

Critical reception

Sadaf Haider of ''

The Express Tribune ''The Express Tribune'' is a daily English-language newspaper based in Pakistan. It is the flagship publication of the '' Lakson Group'' media group. It is Pakistan's only internationally affiliated newspaper in a partnership with the '' Intern ...

'' praised the series for its simplicity, and unique storytelling, and commended the performances of Osman Khalid Butt and Maya Ali, as well as Faiza Iftikhar's nuanced characters. In the year-ender list by the same newspaper, the series was voted as the Best Drama Serial (reveiwer's choice), Best Writer (reviewer and people's choice) and Best Supporting actor for Mukarram Kaleem (reviewer's choice). Karanjeet Kaur of ''

The Caravan ''The Caravan'' is an Indian English-language, long-form narrative journalism magazine covering politics and culture. It was initially launched in 1940 by Vishwa Nath, becoming a prominent monthly magazine before ceasing publication in 1988. T ...

'' praised the portrayal of the quirky families and dialogues of the series but critiques its failure to challenge traditional gender perceptions, ultimately succumbing to orthodox drama with protagonists assuming pre-ordained gender roles. In an article published by the ''

DAWN Images ''Dawn'' is a Pakistani English-language newspaper that was launched in British India by Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1941. It is the largest English newspaper in Pakistan, and is widely considered the country's newspaper of record. ''Dawn'' is the f ...

'' in July 2017, the series was listed among the "iconic Pakistani TV drama" and was noted for its sparkling script, skillful direction, and fabulous performances.

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Aunn Zara
Facebook page
Official Website
at

{{Programmes broadcast by Zindagi A-Plus TV original programming 2013 Pakistani television series debuts Pakistani drama television series Urdu-language telenovelas Pakistani telenovelas Zee Zindagi original programming Television shows set in Lahore Pakistani television dramas based on novels