Let me be honest, I’m not a big fan of Danish Taimoor dramas. The larger-than-life storytelling, the hyper-masculinity and the predictable love-at-first-sight plots rarely hold my interest.
So when Sher began airing on ARY, I was hesitant.
Despite that, I decided to give the drama a chance. Why? Mainly because the ensemble cast caught my attention. With seasoned performers like Salman Shahid, Ali Tahir, Nadia Afghan, and Nabeel involved, I thought perhaps this one might have more to offer. Add to that the storytelling sensibilities of Zanjabeel Asim Shah (Bashar Momin, Noor Jahan) and the deft direction of Aehsun Talish and I was intrigued.
First Impressions
After watching the initial episodes, I have to admit—I wasn’t impressed. The plotlines felt too familiar: feuding families, forbidden love, generational vendettas, sautan rivalries. These are tropes Pakistani television has worn thin. Unfortunately, Sher doesn’t offer anything new in terms of approach or presentation. The violent rivalry between the Raees and Malik family is rife with kidnappings, bullets and casual misogyny.
Danish Taimoor – A Welcome Shift
That said, the biggest surprise has been Danish Taimoor himself. In Sher, he dials back the theatrics and delivers a performance that is realistic. His character, Sher Zaman, isn’t immediately smitten by the female lead, and his aggressive behavior—for once—has context and emotional weight. He defends Dr. Fajar (Sarah Khan), a woman from the rival family, not because he’s in love, but because her dignity is at stake. He objects to his sister’s marriage based on the groom’s character, but ultimately respects her autonomy.
Taimoor appears committed to breaking out of the mold he’s so often slotted into—and it shows. He shines in every frame and has genuinely delivered a memorable performance.
Sarah Khan Deserved Better
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Sarah Khan. Cast as an educated psychiatrist, her character’s choices feel unlikely. She’s portrayed as an educated psychiatrist, but her actions don’t reflect her supposed wisdom. Eloping on her wedding day—especially when she knew the family history felt immature. As for her performance, it lacked depth. Her expressions remain one-note and she couldn’t bring emotional layers to her character.
Under-utilised Supporting Cast
Even the presence of veteran actors like Nabeel, Nadia Afghan, and Salman Shahid didn’t add much value. Their performances didn’t resonate or leave a lasting impact. The only supporting actors who stood out were Ali Tahir and Arjumand Rahim. A particularly powerful scene was where Arjumand Rahim delivers an emotional breakdown after Sher Zaman’s presumed death. Her character’s long-standing cruelty finally made sense. Sher Zaman had abandoned her in love, and she never forgave him.
The Game-Changing Twist
Just when I was ready to abandon the series, Sher threw in its most dramatic twist: Sher Zaman and his father are involved in a devastating car crash on his sister’s wedding night. His father dies instantly; Sher is left critically injured. The emotional aftermath, especially among the female characters, is one of the stronger stretches of the show so far.
Judging by the teasers, Sher will return with signs of mental illness—a development that could potentially shift the tone of the series and offer both Danish Taimoor and Sarah Khan a chance to explore more layered performances. If handled with sensitivity, this pivot could elevate the show beyond its current limitations.
Final Thoughts
With over 100 million YouTube views across the first ten episodes, Sher is clearly a ratings success for ARY and is shaping up to be another milestone in Danish Taimoor’s career. Should you watch it? While it excels in production value and star power, it struggles with originality and depth. If you enjoy dramatic family sagas brimming with confrontation, betrayal, and legacy feuds, Sher offers plenty of melodrama.
But if you’re hoping for fresh storytelling or nuanced characters, you might find it lacking.
