Daily Times

We often watch quality dramas on our screens but seldom praise the creators behind them. Content makers play an equally important role in making projects a success. Meet FaysalManzoor Khan, the Head of Creative Content and producer at GEO Television. He held this esteemed position for four years (2014 to 2018) and created a string of successful dramas including ‘Ashk,’ ‘Koonj,’ ‘Kahe Ko Biyahee Bides,’ ‘Dil Apna Preet Parayee,’ ‘Saaya,’ ‘JoruKaGhulam, ‘Naik Parveen’, ‘Bholi Bano’, ‘Sadia Sukhi Raho’, ‘Mol, Roshni’, ‘Mera Haq’, ‘Hina Ki Khushboo’, ‘Sawera’, ‘Rani, Babul KaAngna’, ‘Malka Aaliya 2’ and ‘Aurat Ka GharKaunsa’, the latter received four PTV National Awards. Although every project of his managed good ratings, his most successful drama to date this year was ‘Silsilay’. Having accomplished so much in a limited timeframe, Faysal Manzoor Khan is certainly ‘The King of Ratings’ in Pakistan.

He was born in Karachi on January 1st, 1977. Faysal lived in the big city with his family before moving to Peshawar, where he was raised. He completed his BS Honors degree in Mass Communication from Karachi University in 2005. That year, he joined Eveready Pictures and began shooting his first drama serial titled ‘Koonj’. Written by Zafar Mairaj and produced by Faysal himself, the play starred the incomparable Jamal Shah, Sadia Imam and Ahsan Khan.

Khan also was involved in two prestigious films, ‘Welcome to London’ and ‘Godfather: The Legend Continues’ starring Vinod Khanna, Meera and Mikaal Zulfiqar. He has worked with many Lollywood royalties namely Fawad Khan, NaumanIjaz, Sanam Baloch and Mahnur Baloch.

He has created, produced and generated content for more than 100 television plays, and continues to prosper in his respected field. Currently, Khan is working with Babar Javed Films as Head of Drama. He hopes to work on quality content and prove to the market what he and his team are capable of doing.

I would love to do something like The Handmaid’s Tale one day, where instead of oppression and suppression, a woman challenges the status quo and fights for her freedom and liberty

Tell me about yourself and your professional life.

I was born in Karachi and my schooling is from ILM, Peshawar. I tell stories through visual medium; television and film. I joined Eveready Pictures on September 8, 2003 and completed my B.S. Hons in Mass Communication from Karachi University in 2005.

How was your working experience at GEO Television as Head of Content and Producer?

It was great. I worked so much while I was there and ended up doing different stories. From the horror drama Saaya to Nagin and the family drama Silsilay that was shot in the style of old PTV days.

Do content makers today compromise on the quality of dramas for TRPs?

Yes, we mostly compromise on quality. If we are lucky enough, we get to tell a few stories that are not traditionally driven by ratings.

What new dramas are you working on?

I am associated with Babar Javed Films as Head of Drama. I am currently working on 35 different serials and soaps.

What stories do you wish to tell?

I want to tell stories of the underdogs in our society, their struggles and triumphs in the end. I want to make a drama on my faith. I would love to do something like The Handmaid’s Tale one day, where instead of oppression and suppression, a woman challenges the status quo and fights for her freedom and liberty.

Why are Pakistanis drawn to stereotypical drama serials?

Simply because the advertisers cater to females who watch soap serials. It is precisely why most stories are women centric. We don’t show progressive women but rather regressive stories. The system dictates the terms. In my drama, ‘Mol’ the main protagonist tried to take control of her life and see beyond the usual societal expectations of a woman. However, she too ended up being a part of the wider social structure.

Do you think it is time to revive PTV, its quality storytelling and dramas overall?

Yes, it has the widest reach. I have done so much for that channel. It can’t be ignored, and we all must thank PTV because we learned the concept of a drama and storytelling from it. We should give back to PTV and make our contributions.

Published in Daily Times, September 20^th 2018.