TV Drama as a Cultural Medium: Critical Discourse Analysis of Pakistani Drama Mere Pass Tum Ho regarding Extra Marital Affairs

Abstract

This research paper critically examines the portrayal of extramarital affairs in the Pakistani drama serial Mere Pass Tum Ho through the lens of Fairclough’s model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). As a cultural medium, television dramas shape and reflect societal norms and values. This study focuses on the drama’s textual, audio, and visual aspects to explore how issues such as extramarital affairs, power dynamics, love, care in relationships, and the impact on children and couples’ lives are depicted. By analyzing dialogues, character interactions, and cinematic techniques, the research highlights how the drama constructs and reinforces specific ideologies related to gender roles, morality, and family structures. The findings indicate that *Mere Pass Tum Ho not only presents extramarital affairs as a moral dilemma but also emphasizes power and dominance within intimate relationships, often portraying women in a submissive or morally ambiguous light. Additionally, the study reveals how the drama frames the emotional and psychological consequences of infidelity on children and spouses, thus shaping viewers’ perceptions of family and social values. Through the combination of verbal, visual, and auditory elements, the drama serial provides a complex representation of social realities that resonate with contemporary societal issues in Pakistan. This analysis contributes to a broader understanding of how television dramas function as discursive platforms that influence cultural norms and audience attitudes toward relationships and family dynamics.
Keywords: CDA, Cinematic Techniques, Cognitive Dissonance, Cultural Biases, Perceptions