Duniyapur (stylised as DuniyaPur), is a 2024 Urdu-language Pakistani television drama series directed by Shahid Shafaat and written by Radain Shah. The series is produced under Multiverse Entertainment and it premiered on 25 September 2024 on Green Entertainment. It stars an ensemble cast of Nauman Ijaz, Khushhal Khan, Ramsha Khan Sami Khan and Manzar Sehbai.[1][2] Duniyapur is the costliest drama made in the history of Pakistani television.[3][4]

Duniyapur
دنیا پور
Genre
Written byRadain Shah
Directed byShahid Shafaat
Starring
Theme music composerShuja Haider
Opening themeJhooti Ana Kay Dawaydar by Asrar and Shuja Haider
ComposerShuja Haider
Country of originPakistan
Original languageUrdu
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes9
Production
ProducersMultiverse Entertainment
Green Entertainment
Production locationsGujranwala, Islamabad, Siran Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir
EditorRao Ali
Camera setupMulti-camera setup
Running time36 minutes
Production companyMultiverse Entertainment
Original release
NetworkGreen Entertainment
Release25 September 2024 (2024-09-25) –
present (present)

The series follows the fierce rivalry between the Adam and Nawab families in Duniyapur. After losing their eldest sons, Shahmeer and Ana, united by grief and love, work to end the feud and restore peace to the town.[5]

Plot

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In the troubled town of Duniyapur, a rivalry between the Adam and Nawab families reaches its peak when the oldest sons from each side are killed in a fight. This loss pushes Shahmeer Adam, who had always wanted to escape his family’s legacy, and Ana Nawab, who steps into a leadership role after her brother’s death, to face their families' hatred.

As they deal with their sadness and new responsibilities, Shahmeer and Ana fall in love. Together, they work to end the long-standing feud and, with help from the local police, succeed in bringing peace and harmony back to Duniyapur.[2][6]

Cast

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Main

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  • Nauman Ijaz as Nauroz Adam: Nawabzadi's elder son; Aurangzeb's brother; Bakhtawar's husband; Nayab, Shahmir and Nimra's father
  • Khushhal Khan as Shahmir Adam: Nauroz and Bakhtawar's younger son; Nayab and Nimra's brother
  • Ramsha Khan as Ana Dilawaiz: Dilawaiz's daughter; Fahad's sister
  • Sami Khan as Mir Hassan: SHO of DuniyaPur
  • Manzar Sehbai as Nawab Dilawaiz: Noshaba and Nimra's husband; Fahad and Ana's father

Recurring

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  • Zaib Rehman as Nawabzadi: Nauroz and Aurangzeb's mother
  • Saima Qureshi as Bakhtawar Nauroz Adam: Nauroz's wife; Nayab, Shahmir and Nimra's mother
  • Yousuf Bashir Qureshi as Aurangzeb Adam: Nawabzadi's younger son; Nauroz's brother; Madiha's father
  • Huma Syed as Nimra Adam Dilawaiz: Nauroz and Bakhtawar's daughter; Nayab and Shahmir's sister; Dilawaiz's third wife
  • Shamil Khan as Zamir: Dilawaiz's brother
  • Erum Akhter as Noshaba Dilawaiz: Dilawaiz's second wife
  • Amra Zahid Kazi as Madiha Adam: Aurangzeb's daughter; Nayab, Shahmir and Nimra's cousin
  • Ali Raza as Nayab Adam: Nauroz and Bakhtawar's elder son; Shahmir and Nimra's brother
  • Hassan Niazi as Fahad Dilawaiz: Dilawaiz's eldest son; Ana's brother
  • Nayyar Ejaz as Zabardast Qasai: Nauroz's confidant; Shabash's father
  • Hussain Ali Shah as Shabash Qasai: Zabardast's son; Shahmir's confidant
  • Mashal Khan as Mir Hassan's wife
  • Hammad Siddiqui
  • Mashal Karim
  • Najam us Saqib
  • Sarfaraz
  • Saad Ali
  • Jhalak

Production

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Development and casting

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The series was announced in 2023. However the development begin in January 2024.[7] In Mid 2023, it was reported that Ramsha Khan and Khushhal Khan will star in upcoming project which will be directed by Shahid Shafaat and written by Radain Shah. Later Nauman Ijaz and Sami Khan joined the cast.[2] The director Shahid Shaffat said that the show had a six-month long pre-production period before the nine-months of shooting.[1]

In interviews, the cast emphasized that DuniyaPur is purely fictional, dismissing comparisons to international series such as Game of Thrones as unfounded.[8][9]

The series is the most expensive project in the History of Pakistani television, reported by the Lead cast and Director. The estimated budget of the series is 25 to 30 Crore.[10][2]

The first teaser for the series released on 2 September 2024 by the original network Green Entertainment and the first episode broadcast on 25 September 2024 on the same network.[11][12][7]

Filming

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Azad Kashmir, one of the major filming location

Principal photography for the series commenced in Mid 2023, as the series was announced. Multiple-camera setup used for the shooting of the drama series. Filming for the series took place in Gujranwala, Sargodha, Islamabad, Wazirabad, Siran Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and some other places in Pakistan. Minor filming also took place at Rohtas Fort, Jhelum.[6][13][14]

Soundtrack

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The original soundtrack for the series is performed by Asrar, Shuja Haider and Rapthor on the lyrics and music composition of Shuja Haider.[15]

Release

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The trailer for the series released on 16 September 2024. The series broadcast on 25 September 2024 in Pakistan. It air's every Wednesday on Green Entertainment in Prime time (8pm).[13][16]

The cast also promote the show by visiting the Lucky One Mall in Karachi, Pakistan.[17]

Reception

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Youline Magazine stated that DuniyaPur is the most ambitious undertaking by Green Entertainment yet, as it has instantly grabbed the attention of viewers with its lavish production and gripping narrative. With its impressive first few episodes, DuniyaPur has set a high bar for future installments. The drama combines action, romance and rich character dynamics, creating an engaging viewing experience.[9]

Fuchsia Magazine reviewed the first episode and stated that "For a Pakistani drama that hits it out of the park with its promos, Duniyapur first episode cannot be ignored, and that’s precisely what the makers wanted. “What you see is what you get” might be a cliche but in today’s promo-oriented ambiguous world, DuniyarPur makers must have employed quite the muscle and brain behind making sure that the first episode doesn’t fall ahem, flat on its face, because after all, the promos and pre-hype had to be countered. Well, you ask, did the episode hit the mark? Read on to get the full drama".[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kamran Jawaid, Mohammad (22 September 2024). "SPOTLIGHT: THE BADLANDS OF DUNIYAPUR". dawn.com.
  2. ^ a b c d "Khushhal Khan, Ramsha Khan's chemistry in 'DuniyaPur' wows fans". Daily Jang. 26 September 2024.
  3. ^ Butt, Ayesha (10 September 2024). "New Teaser for Ramsha Khan's 'DuniyaPur' Unveiled". DESIblitz.
  4. ^ "PTV's most expensive production "Dunyapur" to premiere on Sep 25th – Brides & You".
  5. ^ Kamran Jawaid, Mohammad (22 September 2024). "SPOTLIGHT: THE BADLANDS OF DUNIYAPUR". dawn.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Drama Duniyapur A Story or Chess Board - Aaj News". Aaj English TV. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Breaking News, Top Stories You Need to Know Now". thecurrent.pk. 18 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Ramsha Khan clarifies 'Duniyapur' is not inspired by 'Game of Thrones'". 24newshd.tv.
  9. ^ a b "Drama Review: DuniyaPur - Hurmat Majid - Youlin Magazine". Youlin Magazine.
  10. ^ "A sneak peak into Dunyapur - arguably Pakistan's most expensive drama". Dunya News. 20 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Duniyapur Lead Actors On Working with Seniors Like Nauman Ijaz & Shamyl Khan | Reviewit.pk". 25 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Don't like it? Don't watch it". The Express Tribune. 23 September 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Viewers label upcoming mega serial 'Duniya Pur' as 'Cinematic and Blockbuster' before its release". 24newshd.tv.
  14. ^ "Khushhal Khan And Ramsha Khan AKA Shahmir & Ana".
  15. ^ "Khushhal Khan And Ramsha Khan AKA Shahmir & Ana".
  16. ^ Amena, Rasti (25 September 2024). "Most expensive Pakistani drama so far: Cast, premiere date, more". The Siasat Daily.
  17. ^ "Green Entertainment Brings DuniyaPur Stars To LuckyOne, Karachi".
  18. ^ "DuniyaPur: It Came, It Saw, But Did It Conquer? 1st episode review".
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