Veteran Pakistani actor, singer and writer Bushra Ansari has criticised the repetitive themes dominating television and called for more realistic, issue-based storytelling.

After decades in the entertainment industry, Ansari said she no longer felt interested in returning to the familiar cycle of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts. Instead, she wants television writers and producers to explore the social and economic problems facing ordinary people.

Focus Keyword: Bushra Ansari

“I haven’t been writing for four years,” Ansari said during an interview, explaining that much of the current television content does not interest her.

She said she prefers stories that examine real issues. However, simply showing poverty, domestic abuse, poor education or unsafe roads does not go far enough.

“There should be root causes,” she said.

Bushra Ansari Wants Television to Ask Questions

Ansari believes television should encourage audiences to think about why social problems exist.

She recalled a period when Pakistani television drew heavily from literature, theatre, music and everyday life. According to Ansari, writers once focused on creating strong characters rather than simply building stories around conventional romantic leads.

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“We wanted good characters,” she said.

She also remembered watching international films such as Gone with the Wind, reading Wuthering Heights and following Indian cinema. Those experiences, she explained, helped shape the creative environment of her generation.

“We used to do realistic, reality-based work,” Ansari said.

‘Alif Noon’ Remains a Memorable Example

Ansari highlighted Alif Noon as an example of television that remained memorable long after its original run.

For her, the programme represented the kind of storytelling that could entertain audiences while also encouraging them to observe society, question problems and learn from what they watched.

“It’s a sad thing to say we don’t have that now,” she said.

Ansari believes television should revisit meaningful subjects regularly. She argued that stories built around important lessons can remind audiences of issues that society often forgets.

From Singer to PTV Icon

Ansari also recalled the beginning of her career at Pakistan Television.

She joined PTV in 1968 and initially worked as a singer. She said she had already received offers for drama roles when she was around 15 or 16.

Her father remained hesitant about her acting career. Later, her marriage to a director helped her continue working in the entertainment industry.

Over the years, Ansari expanded her career from singing into acting and writing. Her work eventually made her one of Pakistan’s most recognisable television personalities.

Remembering Television’s Experimental Era

Ansari also looked back at the creative freedom she experienced during the 1980s.

She recalled productions that used unusual costumes and visual ideas for comic effect. At the same time, writers and directors also explored serious subjects involving age, relationships and social behaviour.

For Ansari, that willingness to experiment represented an important strength of Pakistani television.

She believes the industry should not simply reproduce successful formulas. Instead, it should create stories that connect with real life and challenge viewers to think.

After entering the industry as a young singer in 1968, Ansari continues to support one central idea: entertainment should reflect society rather than turn away from it.