Portrayal of Transgenders in Pakistani TV Serials: An Analytical Study of ‘‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan’’ and ‘‘Khuda Mera Bhi Hai’’

Abstract

This research attempts to analyze the portrayal of transgenders in two Pakistani TV serials: Alif Allah Aur Insaan aired on HUM TV 2017 and Khuda Mera Bhi Hai aired on ARY Digital 2016. This research aims to show how Pakistani TV serials portrayed the real-life situation of transgenders in our society. For this purpose, two theories: Queer and Framing are used as a theoretical framework. The Queer theory put a flash on social construction while the Framing theory deals with the perception of people in society towards transgenders. As the study focuses on whether T.V dramas are the real depiction of transgender life or not; both theories have their own merits of the application. This research is based on the qualitative method. Data has been taken from randomly selected dialogues of transgenders from both selected dramas on YouTube channels. From the data analysis, it can be analyzed that both selected dramas have represented the issues transgenders face in their real life. The protagonist character Shammo from “Alif Allah Aur Insaan” and the character Noor from “Khuda Mera Bhi Hai” depict the real-life situation of transgenders in our society. From the findings, it can be concluded that the identity of transgenders is portrayed stereotypically and Pakistani T.V dramas are depictions of the real-life situations of transgenders.