Ramadan dramas have become a staple of Pakistani television, with family-oriented rom-coms taking center stage during the holy month. One of the latest additions to the lineup is My Dear Cinderella, airing on Hum TV. Despite high expectations, the first episode of the show left much to be desired, with unimpressive performances and humor that fell flat.

Cast & Crew

My Dear Cinderella features a mix of new and experienced actors. Khaqan Shahnawaz and Zara Peerzada lead the cast, with notable supporting performances from Juggan Kazim, Tara Mehmood, and Seemi Pasha. The drama is penned by Hassan Imam and directed by Mohsin Talat.

Plot & First Impressions

The story follows a typical light-hearted Ramadan drama theme, centering around family dynamics and romance. Zara Peerzada plays the titular “Cinderella,” but her performance lacked depth. Viewers felt that her expressions were frozen throughout, making her portrayal feel robotic rather than engaging.

This marks Zara Peerzada’s television debut—before this, she was primarily known as a supermodel. The transition from modeling to acting is often challenging, and her stiffness in front of the camera was evident. Meanwhile, Khaqan Shahnawaz, despite limited screen time, maintained a presence similar to his social media content. He plays a Pashtoon character, and while his role is yet to fully develop, it will be interesting to see if his portrayal evolves in the coming episodes.

Stereotypical Jokes & Weak Writing

A major disappointment was the forced humor that relied on outdated and stereotypical portrayals of different ethnic groups. My Dear Cinderella fell into the same trap as many other Pakistani comedy dramas, using clichés rather than well-crafted jokes.

Some of the problematic elements included:

• Pashtoons stereotyped as mild eaters who prefer lightly spiced food.
• Punjabi characters depicted as over-the-top, with one scene showing a Punjabi man sleeping in red lipstick—a misplaced attempt at humor.
• The loud yet unfunny jokes failed to make an impact, leaving audiences unimpressed.

This over-reliance on stereotypes has been a recurring issue in Pakistani dramas, particularly in comedies aired during Ramadan. Writers need to focus on creative, relatable humor rather than outdated cultural clichés.

Audience Reaction & Criticism

The drama’s casting choices have also sparked debate. Many viewers felt that Zara Peerzada’s role could have been given to a more seasoned actress who could bring depth and charm to the character. Others expressed disappointment in the script and execution, calling it another miss in the Ramadan drama lineup.

Final Thoughts

While My Dear Cinderella has just begun, its weak start raises concerns about whether it will improve over time. The lead actress’ performance, predictable jokes, and lack of engaging storytelling make it difficult for viewers to connect. However, as the drama progresses, we hope the writing improves and the actors settle into their roles.

Did you watch the first episode? Share your thoughts in the comments!