Humayun Saeed explains why Pakistani dramas struggle to reach Netflix, citing storytelling differences and urging local OTT development and government engagement with global streaming platforms.
Webdesk-Amina Houth
Pakistani actor and producer Humayun Saeed has explained why Pakistani dramas have struggled to establish a significant presence on global streaming platforms, arguing that the industry’s distinctive storytelling style differs from the content commonly produced for over-the-top (OTT) services.
Speaking in an interview with Ali Salman, published on Monday, Saeed said the challenge was not necessarily the quality of Pakistani dramas but their compatibility with the format and expectations of international streaming platforms.
“Our dramas have a unique style of their own. [Our] writing has a style of its own. When we deliver lines, there’s a particular way to do it because we’re speaking in Urdu. Over-the-top is edgy, different content; we’re not really good at that,” Saeed said.
He acknowledged that some professionals in Pakistan’s entertainment industry have the ability to develop content suited to international streaming audiences. However, he argued that the lack of suitable platforms remained a major obstacle for creators interested in exploring different storytelling formats.
Saeed also addressed the limited presence of Pakistani content on Netflix, suggesting that political considerations could be among the reasons behind the situation. He did not provide further details about the possible political factors affecting the availability of Pakistani productions on the platform.
Instead, the actor emphasised the importance of developing a domestic OTT platform to provide local filmmakers and producers with opportunities to experiment with new formats, reach wider audiences and strengthen the country’s digital entertainment industry.
Referring to India’s experience, Saeed noted that domestic streaming platforms had been developing for approximately 12 to 13 years, helping build an ecosystem for digital content before further expansion into the global market.
He also urged the Pakistani government to engage with Netflix to explore ways of addressing the barriers preventing Pakistani productions from gaining greater international exposure.
Saeed’s comments come amid an ongoing debate among Pakistani celebrities about the industry’s relationship with global streaming services. Last week, actor Urwa Hocane argued that Pakistan should not become overly focused on Netflix, saying the local industry was already performing well.
Actors Faysal Quraishi, Shamoon Abbasi and Usama Khan have also shared their views on the issue, with many highlighting the potential of Pakistani dramas to attract larger audiences.
In July, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal announced that the government was in discussions with Netflix and other international streaming companies regarding adjustments to the regional framework.
The debate has renewed attention on how Pakistan can expand its digital entertainment industry, develop content for international audiences and create opportunities for local productions to reach viewers worldwide.
