Meri Shehzadi (transl. My Princess) is a 2022 Pakistani drama television series written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah, directed by Qasim Ali Mureed and produced by Momina Duraid.[1] It is loosely based on the life story of Princess Diana, ex-wife of then Prince and now King Charles III. It stars Urwa Hocane, Ali Rehman Khan, Atiqa Odho and Sonia Mishal with Farhan Saeed in a special appearance.
| Meri Shehzadi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Urdu | میری شہزادی |
| Inspired by | The real life story of Princess Diana |
| Written by | Zanjabeel Asim Shah |
| Directed by | Qasim Ali Mureed |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | Pakistan |
| Original language | Urdu |
| No. of episodes | 28 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Momina Duraid |
| Producer | Momina Duraid |
| Production company | MD Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hum TV |
| Release | 22 September 2022 – 1 April 2023 |
It was the final on-screen appearance of veteran actor Qavi Khan before his death in March 2023.
Plot
editDania is a quiet, scholastic girl raised by her grandparents with much affection and love as her mother passed away in her childhood. Her grandmother blames her father, Salahuddin as he remarried and ignored his daughter due to his loyalty towards his second wife and their son. Her stepmother forbids her father to meet her.
Chief Minister of the province, Riaz Uddin, the older brother of Salahuddin, due to deteriorated health decides to marry off his son Shehroze with Dania, so that he can stay here permanently, not leaving for U.S.A. and could focus on his political career like him.
Soon after, Riaz Uddin dies and Dania marries Shehroze.
On her first wedding night, it is revealed to her that Shehroze already has an American wife, Cam, with whom he has a son also.
Meri Shehzadi (old name Meri Shehzadi Diana) is based on the true story of Lady Diana Princess of Wales.
Cast
edit| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Urwa Hocane | Dania Khan née Shehroze | based on Lady Diana[2] |
| Ali Rehman Khan | Shehroze | Dania's Cousin and husband; based on Prince Charles |
| Sonia Mishal | Cam | 1st wife of Shehroze and a citizen of USA; based on Camilla Parker Bowles |
| Farhan Saeed | Dr. Hasan | based on Hasnat Khan[3] |
| Qavi Khan/ Manzoor Qureshi | Mr. Sanaullah | Dania's Grandfather |
| Atiqa Odho | Shahana | Chief Minister of Sindh, Shehroze's mother, aunt, and mother-in-law to Dania. Based on Queen Elizabeth II |
| Shamim Hilaly | Safia | Dania's grandmother |
| Shabbir Jan | Riaz Uddin | Ex Chief-minister |
| Nauman Masood | Salahuddin | Dania's father |
| Najiba Faiz | Almas | Salahuddin's 2nd wife and Dania's stepmother |
| Anjum Habibi | Sharfu | Sanaullah's servant |
| Moazzam Ali Khan | Chairman of the party | |
| Azra Mohyeddin | Hasan's mother |
Production
editBackground and development
editIn October 2021, screenwriter Zanjabeel Asim Shah in an interview said that she is very hopeful that her upcoming project Meri Shehzadi Diana will be a revolutionary project.[4] In September 2022, it stated in a press release that the main character of the series, Dania is inspired by the Princess Diana and the character will be a political leader and philanthropist like her.[2][5]
Casting
editIn June 2022, Farhan Saeed confirmed that he and Urwa are part of it.[6] In same month, there were reports that Imran Abbas is also part of the project. However, in August 2022, Galaxy Lollywood reported that both the male leads, Saeed and Abbas have been opted out of the project. Ali Rehman Khan has replaced the Saeed while Bilal Abbas Khan may replace Abbas.[7][8] About Saeed's casting in the series, the director hoped to cast him in a surprise character on his availability.[9] The other cast members include Atiqa Odho, Qavi Khan, Sonia Mishal and Najiba Faiz.[10][9] From the 18th episode onwards, Manzoor Qureshi replaced Khan who had to leave for Canada for his treatment, where he eventually passed away. Thus, it marked his last on-screen appearance.[11]
Reception
editWhile reviewing the first episode, a reviewer from Galaxy Lollywood praised the direction with stating the execution as crisp, and storyline as fresh.[12] Mag - The Weekly praised the performances of Hilaly and Qavi Khan but criticised Hocane's performance, stating that she has same expressions in each scene.[13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Shehreyaar, Armaan (20 June 2022). "Upcoming Dramas We're Extremely Excited For". Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- ^ a b Images Staff (12 September 2022). "Urwa Hocane's upcoming drama Meri Shehzadi to 'capture the reminiscence of Lady Diana'". Dawn Images.
- ^ "Farhan Saeed to make cameo appearance in 'Meri Shehzadi' as Dr Hassan". Daily Times. 21 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "'Pyar Ke Sadqay' was a rejected script: Zanjabeel Asim Shah". 4 October 2021.
- ^ "Urwa Hocane's upcoming drama 'Meri Shehzadi' is influenced by Princess Diana's Life". 14 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Farhan Saeed and Urwa will be seen in 'Meri Shehzadi Diana'". 18 June 2022.
- ^ "Exclusive: Farhan Saeed & Urwa Hocane No Longer Together In Meri Shehzadi Diana". 11 August 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "Ali Rehman takes Farhan Saeed's place in upcoming drama 'Meri Shehzadi Diana'". Bol News. 13 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Is the upcoming 'Meri Shehzadi' inspired by Diana, Queen of Hearts?". 12 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Qavi Khan received tribute from celebs as he won Nishan-e-Imtiaz award". Bol News. 17 August 2022.
- ^ Maliha Rehman (19 February 2023). "PRIME TIME: BEHIND THE SCENES ON TV DRAMA SETS". Dawn (newspaper).
- ^ Subaiqa Sarfaraz (23 September 2022). "'Meri Shehzadi' Review: Unique Storyline Presents A Princess Diana Rendition". Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "Meri Shehzadi Diana". magtheweekly.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022.