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Meri Shehzadi

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Meri Shehzadi
Urduمیری شہزادی
Inspired byThe real life story of Princess Diana
Written byZanjabeel Asim Shah
Directed byQasim Ali Mureed
Starring
Country of originPakistan
Original languageUrdu
No. of episodes28
Production
Executive producerMomina Duraid
ProducerMomina Duraid
Production companyMD Productions
Original release
NetworkHum TV
Release22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) –
1 April 2023 (2023-04-01)

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.

It was the final on-screen appearance of veteran actor Qavi Khan before his death in March 2023.

Plot

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Dania 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

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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

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Background and development

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In 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

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In 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

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While 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

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References

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  1. ^ Shehreyaar, Armaan (20 June 2022). "Upcoming Dramas We're Extremely Excited For". Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b Images Staff (12 September 2022). "Urwa Hocane's upcoming drama Meri Shehzadi to 'capture the reminiscence of Lady Diana'". Dawn Images.
  3. ^ "Farhan Saeed to make cameo appearance in 'Meri Shehzadi' as Dr Hassan". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  4. ^ "'Pyar Ke Sadqay' was a rejected script: Zanjabeel Asim Shah". 4 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Urwa Hocane's upcoming drama 'Meri Shehzadi' is influenced by Princess Diana's Life". 14 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Farhan Saeed and Urwa will be seen in 'Meri Shehzadi Diana'". 18 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Exclusive: Farhan Saeed & Urwa Hocane No Longer Together In Meri Shehzadi Diana". 11 August 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Ali Rehman takes Farhan Saeed's place in upcoming drama 'Meri Shehzadi Diana'". Bol News. 13 August 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Is the upcoming 'Meri Shehzadi' inspired by Diana, Queen of Hearts?". 12 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Qavi Khan received tribute from celebs as he won Nishan-e-Imtiaz award". Bol News. 17 August 2022.
  11. ^ Maliha Rehman (19 February 2023). "PRIME TIME: BEHIND THE SCENES ON TV DRAMA SETS". Dawn (newspaper).
  12. ^ Subaiqa Sarfaraz (23 September 2022). "'Meri Shehzadi' Review: Unique Storyline Presents A Princess Diana Rendition". Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Meri Shehzadi Diana". magtheweekly.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022.