# Pardes (2021 TV series)

Pardes (transl. Foreign Land) is a Pakistani television series directed by Marina Khan and written by Sarwat Nazir. It stars Bushra Ansari, Sarmad Khoosat, Shaista Lodhi, Affan Waheed and Dur-e-Fishan Saleem in prominent roles. Produced by Humayun Saeed and Shehzad Naseeb under Six Sigma Plus, the series airs double episodes weekly on ARY Digital. The series explores how a man's working abroad affects his relationships and his children's lives.

## Plot

Ahsan, the sole breadwinner of his family, works tirelessly to provide for his loved ones. His younger brother, Asim, is unemployed and lazy, but has a soft spot for their cousin, Nausheen. Despite his lack of employment, Asim's desire to marry Nausheen seems impossible. However, fate intervenes when Nausheen's father catches them together, leading to an impromptu marriage. As the family grows, Ahsan's mother, Mumtaz, pressures him to seek better opportunities abroad. Reluctantly, Ahsan leaves behind his wife, Zubeida, and daughter, Aimen, to work overseas, settling in Muscat. Zubeida, determined to raise her children and make ends meet, works hard to keep the family afloat. Meanwhile, Ahsan toils abroad, driven by the desire to provide for his family.
As time passes, Ahsan's children, Aimen and Zaid, enter adulthood. Aimen shoulders the responsibilities that Zaid neglects. Aimen's classmate, Ibad, harbors unrequited feelings for her. After years of living abroad, Ahsan returns home, his health significantly deteriorated. On his deathbed, he attempts to arrange Aimen's marriage to their cousin, Salman, but she refuses, fearing a life similar to her mother's because Salman has a future plan to go abroad for his career. Instead, she proposes Ibad as an alternative, and they get married.
After Ahsan's passing, Aimen begins her new life with Ibad. However, she faces challenges in her marital home, particularly from Ibad's stepsisters and brother-in-law. When Ibad embarks on a business trip to England, Aimen's past traumas resurface, and their marital life is put to the test.

## Cast
### Main cast

* Dur-e-Fishan Saleem as Aimen, Zubeida and Ahsan's daughter
** Emaan Nayyab as Aimen (young)
* Affan Waheed as Ibad, Aimen's class fellow
* Shaista Lodhi as Zubeida "Zubi", Ahsan's wife and Aimen's mother
* Sarmad Khoosat as Ahsan, Zubeida's husband and Aimen's father

### Supporting cast

* Bushra Ansari as Mumtaz, Ahsan and Asim's mother
* Gohar Rasheed as Asim, Ahsan's younger brother
* Shermeen Ali as Nausheen "Noshi", Asim's wife
* Atiqa Odho as Raheela, Ibad's mother
* Faiza Gillani as Nabeela, Ahsan's sister
* Hammad Shoaib as Salman, Nabeela's son
* Atabik Mohsin as Zaid, Aimen's brother
* Aliha Chaudry as Aliya, Ahsan's sister
* Jinaan Hussain as Sheema, Ibad's step-sister
* Yasir Ali Khan as Rohail, Ibad's step-brother
* Hina Javed as Rija, Rohail's wife
* Usman Mazhar as Manzoor, Nabeela's husband

### Recurring cast

* Syed Mohammad Ahmed as Sadeeq, Nausheen's father
* Shazia Qaiser as Nausheen's mother and Mumtaz's sister

## Production

In March 2021, Shaista Lodhi revealed that she would return to acting after a three-year break with Marina Khan's directed Pardes, playing Zubaida, a strong and sacrificing woman coping with her husband's absence who works abroad. Lodhi was approached by Humayun Saeed and agreed to it due to director Marina Khan. Sarmad Khoosat was cast to portray Ahsan, the eldest sibling and sole breadwinner of the family.

## Reception
### Critical reception

Gaitee Ara Siddiqi of The News International praised the series for its realistic portrayal, well-developed characters, and engaging storyline, with standout performances of Lodhi, Khoosat and Ansari.

### Television rating points (TRPs)

| Date | Ep# | TRPs |
| 14 June 2021 | 9 & 10 | 6.6 |
| 21 June 2021 | 11 & 12 | 7.4 |
| 28 June 2021 | 13 & 14 | 6.3 |
| 26 July 2021 | 21 & 22 | 7.1 |
| 2 August 2021 | 23 & 24 | 7.0 |

## Accolades

| Ceremony | Categories | Recipients | Result |
| 21st Lux Style Awards | Best TV Actor-Critics' Choice | Sarmad Khoosat | Nominated |
| 21st Lux Style Awards | Best TV Actress-Viewers' Choice | Dur-e-Fishan Saleem | Nominated |
| 21st Lux Style Awards | Best TV Writer | Sarwat Nazir | Nominated |