Hassan (character)
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

''Dastaan'' (, ) is a Pakistani television series based on the 1971 novel '' Bano'' by
Razia Butt Razia Butt () was an Urdu novelist and playwright from Pakistan. One of the famous popular fiction writer of the 1960s and 1970s, she is often compared with English writer Barbara Cartland due to her popularity among the household readers. Some ...
. Dramatized by author and screenwriter
Samira Fazal Samira Fazal () is a Pakistani author and screenwriter. She is best known for writing the scripts for the dramas '' Dastaan'', '' Vasl'', ''Khamoshiyan'', '' Bari Aapa,'' and '' Mera Naseeb'' for which she earned a Lux Style Award for best TV Wr ...
, it originally aired on
Hum TV Hum TV HD is a 24-hour Urdu general entertainment TV channel based in Karachi, Pakistan. It was founded by Sultana Siddiqui and Duraid Qureshi. It is owned by Hum Network Limited and traded on the Pakistan Stock Exchange as (HUMNL). Hum Net ...
in 2010. It is set amidst the
partition of India The partition of India in 1947 was the division of British India into two independent dominion states, the Dominion of India, Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan. The Union of India is today the Republic of India, and the Dominion of Paki ...
and the establishment of Pakistan, taking place between 1947 and 1956. It depicts the story of Bano, a Muslim girl from a close-knit family living in
Ludhiana Ludhiana () is the most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Punjab, India, Punjab.164.100.161.224 http://164.100.161.224 › filesPDF Ludhiana State: Punjab Business & Industrial Centre, Tier 2 1 ... The city has an estima ...
, Punjab Province; the plot revolves around the trials and tribulations that she faces after she decides to dedicate her life to the
All-India Muslim League The All-India Muslim League (AIML) was a political party founded in 1906 in Dhaka, British India with the goal of securing Muslims, Muslim interests in South Asia. Although initially espousing a united India with interfaith unity, the Muslim L ...
. Director
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 ...
stated in an interview that production for the drama began months in advance and that the filming only took a little over two months.


Plot

Based on the true events of partition of 1947, the series depicts the events of rioting and chaos in 1947. Based on the novel Bano, ''Dastaan'' begins with the wedding of Suraiya and Salim. Suraiya's nephew Hassan was the son of Rasheeda. When Hassan's father died, he and his mother were kicked out of his father's house by his paternal family which was in
Jalandhar Jalandhar () is a city in the state of Punjab, India, Punjab in India. With a considerable population, it ranks as the List of cities in Punjab and Chandigarh by population, third most-populous city in the state and is the largest city in the ...
, and they moved back to Rasheeda's maternal house in
Ludhiana Ludhiana () is the most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Punjab, India, Punjab.164.100.161.224 http://164.100.161.224 › filesPDF Ludhiana State: Punjab Business & Industrial Centre, Tier 2 1 ... The city has an estima ...
. Bano, Suraiya, Faheem, Salim and Hassan were childhood friends, and all grew up together. When Hassan went to the University, he left home and went to Islamia college in
Peshawar Peshawar is the capital and List of cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by population, largest city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is the sixth most populous city of Pakistan, with a district p ...
. Hassan returns for Saleem and Suraiya's wedding, where Hassan and Bano meet for the first time as adults after three years. The whole family gathered for the wedding, including Hassan's aunt Jameela from
Amritsar Amritsar, also known as Ambarsar, is the second-List of cities in Punjab, India by population, largest city in the India, Indian state of Punjab, India, Punjab, after Ludhiana. Located in the Majha region, it is a major cultural, transportatio ...
, his aunt Sultana and her daughter Rabia from
Lahore Lahore ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, second-largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and ...
or Pindi. Hassan spent most of his time at the wedding preaching the Quaid's message and the rest of it teasing his cousin Rabia and flirting with Bano. Although Rabia was only 14 years old and Hassan thought of her as a younger sister, she started developing feelings for him. As Hassan starts teasing and flirting with Bano, they slowly begin to develop feelings for each other, with Hassan visiting
Ludhiana Ludhiana () is the most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Punjab, India, Punjab.164.100.161.224 http://164.100.161.224 › filesPDF Ludhiana State: Punjab Business & Industrial Centre, Tier 2 1 ... The city has an estima ...
every now and then. He is a final year engineering student at the Islamia College, an active supporter of the
All-India Muslim League The All-India Muslim League (AIML) was a political party founded in 1906 in Dhaka, British India with the goal of securing Muslims, Muslim interests in South Asia. Although initially espousing a united India with interfaith unity, the Muslim L ...
, and the leader of the Ludhiana Branch. He strongly believes in the establishment of Pakistan and is an avid follower of Qaid-E-Azam, the head of the Muslim League and
Pakistan Movement The Pakistan Movement was a religiopolitical and social movement that emerged in the early 20th century as part of a campaign that advocated the creation of an Islamic state in parts of what was then British Raj. It was rooted in the two-nation the ...
. Saleem is an activist of the
Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party, or simply the Congress, is a political parties in India, political party in India with deep roots in most regions of India. Founded on 28 December 1885, it was the first mo ...
, with all his friends being
Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
. He strictly believes that the creation of Pakistan will not help but lessen the position of Muslims in India. The political debate between Saleem and Hassan begins as friendly competition, but intensifies as conditions worsen throughout India for Muslims. Saleem, hot-tempered and rash, begins bringing political debates into family life and eventually forbids Suraiya to visit Hassan, her nephew. But Hassan is not dissuaded. He continues to spread the message of Pakistan throughout Saleem's family, causing Saleem's anger to explode on many occasions. Other than Saleem, his entire family becomes strong supporters of the Muslim League, especially Bano, who makes posters and signs for the Pakistan Movement. Bibi tells Suraiya that a marriage proposal has come for Bano from
Patiala Patiala () is a city in southeastern Punjab, India, Punjab, northwestern India. It is the fourth largest city in the state and is the administrative capital of Patiala district. Patiala is located around the ''Qila Mubarak, Patiala, Qila Mubar ...
. Suraiya panics and tells her sister Rashida that Bano and Hassan like each other and have become close. She tells her if they won't get married, then Bano will commit suicide, and Hassan wouldn't marry anyone else either. Upon hearing this, Rashida takes her brother and sister-in-law and asks for Bano's hand in marriage for Hassan. Saleem overhears this and politely tells them they can leave because a proposal has come for Bano. Bano's parents become angry and ask Saleem who he has in mind, and Saleem tells them about his Hindu friend Ram. His parents immediately agree to Bano's proposal with Hassan. Hassan and Bano eventually become engaged, and Saleem decides to leave behind his rivalry with Hassan for Bano's sake. Soon, Hassan gets a job in
Rawalpindi Rawalpindi is the List of cities in Punjab, Pakistan by population, third-largest city in the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is a commercial and industrial hub, being the list of cities in P ...
and has to leave immediately. He leaves Ludhiana with the promise that they will return four months later for the wedding. Meanwhile, Suraiya is four months pregnant. During this time, tensions between
Hindus Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
and
Muslims Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...
escalate dramatically, and violence breaks out all across India. Hate crimes against Muslims become common, and fighting spreads to all states, getting threateningly closer to Ludhiana. As the riots become more pronounced, Muslims retaliate, leaving nobody safe. Saleem seems to be under the impression that his Hindu friends and their families will be able to protect his family from rioters. However, he soon feels they are distant and aloof and realises he is wrong. On a fateful night, a group of
Sikhs Sikhs (singular Sikh: or ; , ) are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ''Sikh'' ...
and Hindus attack the family's home. All the men (which includes many other Muslims who sought refuge in their house) stay on the bottom floor with their swords and knives intending to fight. All the women (including Bano, Suraiya, and Bano's mother, Bibi, Sakina Khala and her daughters) are hiding on the roof of their house. All the men get killed brutally, while the women were raped and killed. Some women committed suicide to save themselves from that fate. Bano and Bibi, however, survive and are 'rescued' by Salim's hindu friends. Saleem's friend, Ram, tries to rape Bano, but his other friend saves her by killing Ram out of guilt. Bano and Bibi manage to escape Ludhiana, where they seek shelter in a refugee camp for Muslims. The
Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...
refugees are led by a young brave Muslim man who lost his entire family. Thirsty and hungry, they try to walk to Pakistan, encountering poisoned wells along the way. Eventually, Hindu rioters attack this caravan. Bano and Bibi are separated, and both are gang raped. Bano crawls toward her mother's lifeless body, seeing her
Ta'wiz An amulet, also known as a good luck charm or phylactery, is an object believed to confer protection upon its possessor. The word "amulet" comes from the Latin word , which Pliny's ''Natural History'' describes as "an object that protects a pers ...
necklace. Bano, grief-stricken and in shock, wears it and lays next to her body. A Sikh man stumbles upon Bano and her dead mother, and he helps nurse her back to health. He then boards her on a train, heading from
Jalandhar Jalandhar () is a city in the state of Punjab, India, Punjab in India. With a considerable population, it ranks as the List of cities in Punjab and Chandigarh by population, third most-populous city in the state and is the largest city in the ...
towards
Lahore Lahore ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, second-largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and ...
and leaves. It was common for trains to arrive in Lahore full of dead Muslims with only a few survivors and vice versa. Soon this train is attacked by rioters. Basant Singh, a rioter, chases after Bano on the train. She falls unconscious, and Basant Singh kidnaps her, bringing her to his home in
Kapurthala Kapurthala () is a city in Punjab state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Kapurthala District. It was the capital of the Kapurthala State, a princely state in British India. The aesthetic mix of the city with its prominent b ...
. Bano awakens in the house where he and his mother live. At first, she refuses to tell them her name, so Basant Singh calls her Sundar
Kaur Kaur ( urmukhi/ hahmukhi ), sometimes spelled as Kour, is a surname or a part of a personal name primarily used by the Sikhism, Sikh and some Hindu women of the Punjab region. It is also sometimes translated as 'lioness', not because ...
, meaning "beautiful lioness" in
Punjabi Punjabi, or Panjabi, most often refers to: * Something of, from, or related to Punjab, a region in India and Pakistan * Punjabi language * Punjabis, Punjabi people * Punjabi dialects and languages Punjabi may also refer to: * Punjabi (horse), a ...
. He gives her the impression that he will take her to Pakistan once there is no danger. He also tells her she can write to Hassan, and he'll deliver the letters. Bano believes his lies and cannot wait to go to Pakistan. Nearly a year later, Basant has not lived up to his promise, claiming that the roadways are blocked and travelling to Pakistan is too dangerous. Eventually, Bano learns of his plan to forcibly marry and convert her, and she attempts to run away again. This time though, when Basant catches her, he doesn't treat her gently as the first time. He spends the next five years beating, raping, and emotionally torturing Bano after forcibly marrying and converting her. However, she doesn't give up and makes his blood boil by shouting abuses at him and never forgetting that she is a Muslim. One day, Basant dies as he tries to save their infant son Bhagat Singh as he's about to fall from the roof. Bano takes her son and migrates to Pakistan. In Pakistan, Hassan undergoes severe depression after realising that Suraiyyah, Bano and their other relatives must have been brutally raped and killed. He goes from a friendly extrovert to a miserable reserved person. For the next five years, his mother did not see him laugh. Seeing this, she asks him to get married, but he disagrees as he believes himself to be married to Bano. One day, Sultana, his aunt, with her children, visit them. Hassan is excited after a long time to meet his only surviving family, especially Rabia. Expecting the same fourteen-year-old child with ponytails whom he could tease again, he's astonished when he encounters a young woman instead. Hassan becomes distant from her as he senses her feelings. However, it's been five years since Bano's 'death', and he needs to move on. Later Rabia and her mother moved from
Karachi Karachi is the capital city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, largest city in Pakistan and 12th List of largest cities, largest in the world, with a popul ...
to
Lahore Lahore ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, second-largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and ...
to meet Hassan and her mother. He tries to find Bano in Rabia and soon gets engaged to her. Bano ends up in a shelter for refugees. The caretaker woman writes a letter to Hassan asking him to come and take Bano. Hassan receives the letter and takes Bano and the child home. Hassan decides to marry Bano and wants to break off his engagement to Rabia. Rabia and her mother learn this and visit Hassan's house. Rabia's mother tells Rabia to take care of Bano to please Hassan. However, one day, he overhears a conversation between his parents about Rabia taking care of Bano so Hassan can see the goodness in her. He argues with Rabia, but Rabia insists that her love is truer than Bano's. Bano overhears this and interrupts them telling them that if they truly want to do something for her, they should get married. The next day, Hassan finds out that Bano has left the house. Hassan spends many days and weeks searching for Bano. He blames Rabia for this. Bano is living with a family where she does their household chores. She gets a job in a modern family where she realises Pakistan is not how she thought it would be. They fire her from the job. One day Hassan sees her in the mosque, and he runs after her to get her back home, but Bano asks her friend to go to Hassan and ask him to forget Bano. Hassan then goes home and agrees to marry Rabia as Bano had wished for their marriage. One day she goes to a birthday party where she meets a gentleman with similar thoughts to those of Bano. He offers Bano to come and work in his office, where they work for the welfare of people. Bano is happy and accepts his proposal. One day, Rabia learns of Bano's whereabouts, and she begs her to marry Hassan. Eventually, Bano agrees and promises that she will come. She goes to her office, where the same gentleman leads her to the storage room and attempts to abuse her, but she stabs him to death. The police arrest her. Bano goes to a mental asylum for recovery. Later, Hassan and Rabia, now husband and wife, visit Bano.


Cast

*
Fawad Khan Fawad Afzal Khan (born 29 November 1981) is a Pakistani actor, producer, screenwriter, songwriter and singer known for his work in films and television. Khan is a recipient of several accolades, including a Filmfare Award, two Lux Style Awards ...
as Hassan *
Sanam Baloch Sanam Baloch Hisbani or Jatoi (, ) (born 14 July 1986) credited as Sanam Baloch is a Pakistani actress and television presenter. She has hosted various television shows, such as ''Sanam Small Room'' on KTN and the morning show on Samaa TV. A ...
as Bano (Sundar Kaur in Kapurthala) *
Mehreen Raheel Mehreen Raheel (Urdu/) is a Pakistani model, actor, managing director of her family company R Vision and host who appears in Pakistani films and serials. She is best known for portraying the main leads in Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan, Dastaan, ...
as Rabia *
Ahsan Khan Ahsan Khan (; born 9 October 1981) is a British Pakistani actor, producer and TV host. He began acting in 1998. He appeared in the films ''Nikah'', '' Billi'', '' Ghar Kab Aao Gay'', '' Sultanat'', '' Ishq Khuda'', '' Dil Mera Dhadkan Teri'' ...
as Saleem; Bano's elder brother *
Saba Qamar Saba Qamar Zaman (born 5 April 1984) is a Pakistani actress who works predominantly in Urdu films and television series. Qamar is one of Pakistan's most popular and highest-paid actresses. She has been a recipient of several accolades througho ...
as Suraiyyah; Saleem's wife *
Saba Hameed Saba Hameed () is a Pakistani actress and director. She is one of the most popular actresses of Pakistan. She was one of the most successful actress of 1980s and 1990s. She got early recognition with her role of Sumbul in sitcom '' Family Fro ...
as Rasheeda; Hassan's mother *
Qavi Khan Muhammad Qavi Khan (; 13 November 1942 – 5 March 2023) was a Pakistani film, radio, theatre and television actor, director and playwright. Khan acted in over 200 films and some 1,000 television plays. Khan is best known for his police drama ...
as Khwaja Naseer-ud-din; Bano's father *
Samina Peerzada Samina Peerzada (, Punjabi language, Punjabi, ) is a Pakistani film and television actress, producer and director. She was a popular model in 1970s. She is one of the most popular actress of her time and was one of the most successful actress o ...
as Saliha a.k.a. Bibi; Bano's mother *
Affan Waheed Affan Waheed () is a Pakistani television actor, model and RJ. He is best known for his roles as Musaf in ''Aik Pal'' (2014), Atif in '' Khamoshi'' (2017)'','' Shafay in '' Bay Dardi'' (2018), and as Badar in ''Do Bol'' (2019). Waheed made his ...
as Nadir; Hassan's friend * Babrik Shah as Basant Singh/Basanta *
Seemi Raheel Seemi Raheel (born 26 February 1957) is a Pakistani actress working in Urdu television and films since decades. She was one of the most popular actresses of 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. She is the mother of actors Mehreen Raheel and Daniyal Raheel ...
as Sakeena; Hassan's Maami *
Asma Abbas Asma Abbas () is a Pakistani actress, producer, singer and host known for her supporting roles in Urdu films and television. She played the role of Fehmida in 2018 acclaim serial '' Ranjha Ranjha Kardi''. She hosted celebrity talkshow ''Awaz Da ...
as Sultana; Rabia's mother * Naeem Tahir as Rabia's Father * Daniyal Raheel as Faheem; Bano's younger brother * Anita Fatima Camphor as Jameela; Hassan's aunt *
Khayyam Sarhadi Khayyam Sarhadi (12 June 1948 – 3 February 2011; born as Khayyam Sethi) was a Pakistani film and television actor and a radio personality. Early life and education Khayyam Sarhadi was born to a Muslim family on 12 June 1948 in Bombay, ...
as Jameela's husband *
Humaira Ali Humaira Ali (née Chaudhry; 5 April 1960 – 3 May 2025) was a Pakistani actress. She was known for her roles in dramas ''Nail Polish'', '' Kankar'', '' Jab We Wed'' and '' Sammi''. Early life Humaira was born on 5 April 1960 in Lahore, Pakist ...
as Kaamini *
Fawad Jalal Fawad Jalal is a Pakistani actor who was born on July 1st, 1980. He made his first debut in the Pakistani film called “ Blind Love” in 2016. Jalal is best known for his role as Laxman in the historical drama '' Dastaan'' and as Aazan in '' Aik ...
as Laxman


Guest appearances

*
Samina Ahmad Samina Ahmad (born 20 March 1950) is a Pakistani film and television actress, stage performer, producer, and director. She is one of the most popular actresses of her time and was one of the most successful actresses of the 1970s, 1980s, and 19 ...
as orphanage caretaker *
Shazia Afgan Nadia Afgan is a Pakistani actress who appears in Urdu films, television and films. She is known for her work in theatre and television. Her numerous works on television include a series of plays in both Urdu and Punjabi. She rose to prominenc ...
as Musarraut, Bano's friend * Bilal Khan as social worker *
Sangeeta Sangeeta may refer to: Song and music * Sangita or Sangeeta, music-related performance arts in the ancient and medieval era Indian texts * '' Sangita Makarandha'', an ancient work on Indian classical music Sangeet Sangeeta *Sangeeta Bijlani ( ...
as Basanta's mother * Nasreen Qureshi as Basanta's aunt *
Azra Mansoor Azra Mansoor is a Pakistani actress and radio artist. She is active in the industry since the last five decades and appeared in television series such as '' Ankahi'' (1982), '' Sunehray Din'' (1991), '' Alif Allah Aur Insaan'' (2017), '' Khamos ...
as Musarrut's mother *
Farooq Zameer Farooq Zameer was a Pakistani actor. Early life and education After earning his Masters in English literature from the Government College University, Lahore he began his acting career in the 1960s while also being a businessman by profession ...
as Musarrut's father *
Kanwar Arsalan Kanwar Arsalan (; born 27 October 1985) is a Pakistani television actor and a model. Career Kanwar started his career as a Model A model is an informative representation of an object, person, or system. The term originally denoted the ...
as a Carvan's leader *
Farah Tufail Farah Tufail is a Pakistani television actress and RJ. She started her career during 2000s. Tufail received Hum Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Tehreem in telefilm ''Tehreem''. Her television appearance includes a series of notable ...
as Sikh villager


Soundtrack

The ''Dastaan'' theme, "Aasmanon Se", was composed and sung by Sohail Haider and was written by Sahir Altaf. A frequent background music on the show played during scenes asserting Pakistani
independence Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state, in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the status of ...
and Pakistani pride is based on the tune of Aye Watan Pyare Watan by Ustad Amanat Ali Khan.


Production


Development and background

When asked to choose
Razia Butt Razia Butt () was an Urdu novelist and playwright from Pakistan. One of the famous popular fiction writer of the 1960s and 1970s, she is often compared with English writer Barbara Cartland due to her popularity among the household readers. Some ...
's novel '' Bano'' as the inspiration for ''Dastaan'', Haissam Hussain revealed that, about three years ago, he had directed a telefilm by
Umera Ahmad Umera Ahmed ( Punjabi, ) is a Pakistani writer, author and screenwriter. She is best known for her novels and plays '' Shehr-e-Zaat'', '' Pir-e-Kamil'', ''Zindagi Gulzar Hai'', ''Alif'', '' Durr-e-Shehwar'', ''Daam'', '' Man-o-Salwa'', '' Qaid- ...
, ''
Mutthi Bhar Mitti ''Mutthi Bhar Mitti'' is a Pakistani telefilm that premiered on Hum TV on 14 August 2008. It was directed by Haissam Hussain and written by novelist and screenplay writer Umera Ahmad. As a framing device, the main character, Jamaal played by Qa ...
'', which received a great response. Consequently, he and producer Momina Duraid decided to work on a project based on the theme of Partition. Razia Butt's novel ''Bano'' provided the perfect opportunity to pursue this theme. Duraid revealed that she had read the novel ''Bano'' in her childhood and initially wanted to create a play about the Partition era. However, she was discouraged, as many believed it would be unsuccessful due to a perceived lack of interest in Partition-themed dramas. Undeterred, Duraid decided to adapt the novel ''Bano'' into a play. She met with Razia Butt, the novel's author, who entrusted Duraid with her work, saying, "I'm giving you my precious thing, make it good."


Production locations

The
principal photography Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production. Personnel Besides the main film personnel, such as the ...
takes place at a number of locations, primarily in
Lahore Lahore ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, second-largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and ...
. It starts out at a neighborhood of Lahore, which was portrayed as
Ludhiana Ludhiana () is the most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Punjab, India, Punjab.164.100.161.224 http://164.100.161.224 › filesPDF Ludhiana State: Punjab Business & Industrial Centre, Tier 2 1 ... The city has an estima ...
, India. The location changed with every couple of episodes as the story corresponds. Other locations include
Karachi Karachi is the capital city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, largest city in Pakistan and 12th List of largest cities, largest in the world, with a popul ...
,
Rawalpindi Rawalpindi is the List of cities in Punjab, Pakistan by population, third-largest city in the Administrative units of Pakistan, Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. It is a commercial and industrial hub, being the list of cities in P ...
, and
Kapurthala Kapurthala () is a city in Punjab state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Kapurthala District. It was the capital of the Kapurthala State, a princely state in British India. The aesthetic mix of the city with its prominent b ...
. Other notable locations include the Islamia College,
Badshahi Mosque The Badshahi Mosque (; ) is a Mughal Empire, Mughal-era congregational mosque, imperial mosque located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It was constructed between 1671 and 1673 during the rule of Aurangzeb, opposite of the Lahore Fort on the north ...
and
Lahore Junction railway station Lahore Junction Railway Station (Urdu, ), is the main railway station in Lahore, Pakistan. It is among the oldest railway stations of the Indian subcontinent. Construction commenced shortly after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, 1857 War of Indepen ...
.


Release


International broadcast

''Dastaan'' was aired in
Middle East The Middle East (term originally coined in English language) is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term came into widespread usage by the United Kingdom and western Eur ...
on
MBC Bollywood MBC Bollywood is a free-to-air television channel that broadcasts Indian dramas. It was launched, on 26 October 2013, by Kareena Kapoor. MBC Bollywood is MBC Group's 14th channel, and it is aimed to air 24 hours of Hindi films, subtitled in ...
under the title ''حب عبر الحدود'' (transl. ''Love Across Borders''). It aired in India on Zindagi as ''Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam'' from March 23, 2015. Previously, the show was to be titled ''Lakeerein.'' In
the UK The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
, the show was broadcast on
Hum Europe Hum Network Limited () is a Pakistani media company based in Islamabad, Pakistan. It was established in February 2004 by Sultana Siddiqui. It’s also powered by Zee Network. It is a current member of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (APBU), A ...
, premiering on September 19, 2015.


Home media and digital release

The show was available for online streaming on
Iflix WeTV iflix, or simply iflix, is a Malaysian free and subscription based over-the-top VOD streaming service focused on emerging markets. Its global headquarters are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The site serves as a digital hosting and distributio ...
from 2017 to 2019 and on the Indian streaming platform
Eros Now Eros Now is an Indian subscription-based over-the-top, video on-demand entertainment and media platform, launched in 2012. It is owned and controlled by Eros Digital, the Indian digital media management arm of the Indian-American multinationa ...
. Hum TV uploaded the series on its official
YouTube YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...
channel in May 2019.


Reception


Critical reception

''Dastaan'' was widely appreciated by the viewers and received positive reviews from critics due to its subject, genre, performances and direction. In a poll by ''
Dawn Dawn is the time that marks the beginning of twilight before sunrise. It is recognized by the diffuse sky radiation, appearance of indirect sunlight being Rayleigh scattering, scattered in Earth's atmosphere, when the centre of the Sun's disc ha ...
'', ''Dastaan'' was rated as the second best drama of 2010, after ''Dolly ki Ayegi Baraat'', which aired on Geo Entertainment, and
Sanam Baloch Sanam Baloch Hisbani or Jatoi (, ) (born 14 July 1986) credited as Sanam Baloch is a Pakistani actress and television presenter. She has hosted various television shows, such as ''Sanam Small Room'' on KTN and the morning show on Samaa TV. A ...
was voted best actress for ''Dastaan'', with
Mehreen Raheel Mehreen Raheel (Urdu/) is a Pakistani model, actor, managing director of her family company R Vision and host who appears in Pakistani films and serials. She is best known for portraying the main leads in Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan, Dastaan, ...
in third place, while
Samira Fazal Samira Fazal () is a Pakistani author and screenwriter. She is best known for writing the scripts for the dramas '' Dastaan'', '' Vasl'', ''Khamoshiyan'', '' Bari Aapa,'' and '' Mera Naseeb'' for which she earned a Lux Style Award for best TV Wr ...
was voted third best writer, also for ''Dastaan.'' It is among the few dramas to have received 4.5 stars from TV Kahani. The review said: "Please, do yourself a favor and watch this one. You will learn and be entertained at the same time." ''
The News International ''The News International'', published in broadsheet size, is one of the largest English language newspapers in Pakistan. It is published daily from Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi/ Islamabad. An overseas edition is published from London th ...
'' praised it for illustrating minority representation with sensitivity. ''
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 ...
'' ranked it as most iconic TV drama of Pakistan, praising the direction and for balancing the historical details and political sensitivities. ''
People Magazine ''People'' is an American weekly magazine that specializes in celebrity news and human-interest stories. It is published by Dotdash Meredith, a subsidiary of IAC (company), IAC. With a readership of 46.6 million adults in 2009, ''Peopl ...
Pakistan'' included it amaong the best work on partition of the Indian subcontinent.


Reaction from India

A notice was issued by Justice Mukul Mudgal against Zindagi on account of complaints received by the Indian Ministry of Broadcasting and Information. It stated that the show had depicted Indians in a bad light.


Awards and nominations


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dastaan 2010 Pakistani television series debuts 2010 Pakistani television series endings Pakistani drama television series Urdu-language television shows Hum TV original programming Partition of India in fiction Zee Zindagi original programming Television shows set in the British Raj Television shows set in Punjab, India Fiction about Sikhism Pakistani period television series