Sher teaser sparks Bollywood-Pakistan drama

While India and Pakistan might not see eye to eye these days, their entertainment industries can't seem to stay away from each other. Over the years, both countries have borrowed elements from one another’s films and TV dramas, with Pakistan’s TV serials and India's films often taking the lead.

With the release of Sher’s teaser, Bollywood seems to have scored a point against its biggest competition.

Social media went berserk after watching the teaser for the Danish Taimoor–Sarah Khan starrer, set to air soon. Scenes from ARY Digital’s upcoming drama seem lifted straight from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela.

The serial faces backlash for scenes strikingly similar to Bhansali’s Bollywood epic. Danish Taimoor channels his inner Ranveer Singh, Sarah Khan mirrors Deepika Padukone’s character, and the surroundings transport viewers right back into the grandeur of Ram-Leela.

Trolls on social media have been relentless with comparisons ever since the teaser dropped. But this isn’t the first time Pakistani dramas have lifted heavily from Bollywood. Here’s a look at some serials that borrowed more than just a little, including one that's currently on air:

Raaja Rani – Khilona

HUM TV’s Raaja Rani (2024) is currently on air. It features Faysal Quraishi as a mentally disturbed man who falls for a younger woman, closely following the plot of Sanjeev Kumar and Mumtaz’s classic Khilona (1970).

Ishq Hua – Koyla

Geo TV’s Ishq Hua starred Haroon Kadwani and Komal Meer as lovers who elope to escape an antagonist’s clutches. Despite their star power, audiences couldn’t help but notice the drama’s strong resemblance to Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit’s Koyla (1997).

Cheekh – Damini

In Cheekh (2019), Saba Qamar plays a courageous woman who stands up against her family after witnessing a heinous crime, mirroring Meenakshi Seshadri’s decisive role in Damini (1993).

Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida – Judaai

A rich woman buys the husband of a poor woman—sounds familiar? The 2020 drama Mohabbat Tujhe Alvida reimagined the plot of Judaai (1997), with Mansha Pasha as the wealthy buyer, Sonya Hussyn as the wronged wife, and Zahid Ahmed caught between them.

Noorul Ain – Saathiya

Even celebrated storyteller Sarmad Sultan Khoosat slipped when helming Noorul Ain (2018). The Sajal Aly–Imran Abbas starrer closely followed the plot of Saathiya (2002), with two lovers whose impulsive marriage drastically alters their lives.

Izteraab – We Are Family

While We Are Family (2010) wasn’t a massive Bollywood hit, its Pakistani adaptation Izteraab (2014) found success. Starring Saba Qamar and Mikaal Zulfiqar, the drama revolved around a man torn between two wives — a theme still relatively novel then.

Nazo – Barfi!

Nazo (2015) featured Sonya Hussyn as a mentally challenged young woman, strikingly resembling Priyanka Chopra’s portrayal of Jhilmil in Barfi! (2012). Thick curls, innocent expressions, and emotional storytelling unmistakably linked the two characters.

Dil Banjaara – Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Recreating the magic of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) is no easy feat, but Dil Banjaara (2016) gave it a shot. Written by Faiza Iftikhar and directed by Siraj-ul-Haque, the story featured a conservative girl who falls for a boy while traveling abroad — this time, Nepal instead of Europe.

Koi Nahi Apna – Akele Hum Akele Tum

While Bollywood’s Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) was inspired by Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Koi Nahi Apna (2014) — starring Fahad Mustafa and Sarwat Gillani — borrowed from the Bollywood version; themes of love, separation, and a bitter custody battle were at the drama’s heart.

The cross-border flow of inspiration is alive and well — even if it's not always acknowledged. While some may call it homage and others call it imitation, the undeniable truth is that Bollywood’s storytelling continues to cast a long shadow over Pakistani drama. As audiences grow sharper and social media is quicker to call out similarities, the pressure is on for original storytelling to take center stage.

Until then, the cinematic tug-of-war between India and Pakistan remains less about politics and more about who tells the better borrowed tale.