Pakistani dramas continue to enjoy popularity both domestically and abroad, including in India, largely due to their realistic storytelling and relatable tales of love and simplicity. A key factor in a drama’s success is often the chemistry between the lead actors, as the hero and heroine carry the narrative. Even in stories that are otherwise weak, strong on-screen chemistry can make a show a hit.
However, in 2025, several on-screen pairings failed to resonate with audiences, drawing criticism on social media for lack of chemistry or mismatched casting. One example is the recent Khalil-ur-Rehman drama Main Manto Nahin Hoon, where the pairing of Humayun Saeed and Sajal Aly was widely criticized by viewers.
Other notable pairs that struggled to impress audiences include Wahaj Ali and Maya Ali in Sun Mere Dil, whose real-life friendship did not translate into on-screen chemistry. Faisal Qureshi and Hina Afreedi in Raja Rani faced criticism due to the noticeable age difference between the leads, which audiences found hard to accept.
Azan Sami Khan and Kubra Khan in Meri Tanhai also failed to connect with viewers, with critics noting that shooting abroad did not compensate for the lack of chemistry. Similarly, Shehryar Munawar and Ushna Shah in Ae Ishq-e-Janoon received mixed responses, with Ushna Shah’s performance seen as a weak link.
Feroze Khan and Darfashan Saleem in Sanwal Yar Piya saw their on-screen chemistry overshadowed by Ahmad Ali Akbar’s strong performance. Mikaal Zulfiqar and Amar Khan in Dil-e-Nadaan were also criticized, as the drama’s story, direction, and acting collectively failed to engage audiences.
Humayun Saeed and Sajal Aly in Main Manto Nahin Hoon, despite their strong acting individually, were seen as an awkward pairing due to the 20-year age gap between their characters. Likewise, Mawra Hocane and Zubair Nauman Ejaz in Agar Tum Saath Ho could not save the show from being considered a flop.
Other notable mismatched pairings included Farhan Saeed and Kinza Hashmi in Shireen Farhad, where weak scripting affected the chemistry, and Imran Ashraf and Sonya Hussyn in Masoom, whose pairing was widely disliked, placing the drama among the least popular on-screen shows of the year.
