''Khuda Mera Bhi Hai'' ( ur, ) is a

Pakistani drama Pakistani dramas, or Pakistani serials, are televised serials produced in Pakistan. Although most of the serials are produced in Urdu, an increasing number of them are produced in other Pakistani languages such as Sindhi, Pashto, Punjabi an ...

serial that aired on

ARY Digital ''ARY Digital'' ( ur, ) is a Pakistani pay television network available in Pakistan, the Middle East, North America and Europe. The ARY Group of companies is a Dubai-based holding company founded by a Pakistani businessman, Abdul Razzak Yaqoob ...

from 22 October 2016 to 10 April 2017. The serial is written by

Asma Nabeel Asma Nabeel (1970s – 1 July 2021) was a Pakistani screenwriter, poet, producer and creative consultant. She wrote scripts for Pakistani dramas such as ''Khuda Mera Bhi Hai'' and ''Khaani''. Education She had a Master's in Mass Communication ...

, directed by Shahid Shafaat and produced by Sana Shahnawaz. The title soundtrack has been composed and sung by

Waqar Ali Waqar Ali (Urdu: وقار علی) is a Pakistani musician and singer working mostly in Pakistan. Ali has produced many albums and singles for the Pakistan film industry. His father is the classical singer Shafqat Hussein, and Waqar Ali often ...

. It stars Ayesha Khan, Syed Jibran,

Furqan Qureshi Furqan Qureshi is a Pakistani television actor known for his roles in Urdu television serials such as '' Khuda Mera Bhi Hai'', ''Ishq Tamasha'', ''Meray Paas Tum Ho'' and ''Raqs-e-Bismil''. Career Qureshi made his television debut with a minor ro ...

, Saba Hamid,

Alyy Khan Alyy Khan (or Aly Khan, ur, ; born 6 December 1968) is a British-Asian actor and host who has worked in Hollywood, Bollywood and Lollywood films and television series. He is known for his roles in the films ''A Mighty Heart'' (2007), ''Tr ...

Mehmood Aslam Mehmood Aslam is a Pakistani television and stage actor. He has appeared in classic drama series such as ''Andhera Ujala'', ''Payas'', '' Din'', ''Janjaalpura'' and is commonly known for his role in ongoing comedy series ''Bulbulay''. Some of ...

Hira Tareen Hira Tareen (born 1982) is a Pakistani model and actress. Her appearances include '' Mohabat Subh Ka Sitara Hai'', ''Goya'', ''Tum Kon Piya'', '' Khuda Mera Bhi Hai'', ''Khaas, Zard Zamano Ka Sawera'' and ''Choti Choti Batain.'' She has also appea ...

and others.

Overview

The drama revolves around Mahagul (played by Ayesha Khan), a mother who gives birth to an

intersex Intersex people are individuals born with any of several sex characteristics including chromosome patterns, gonads, or genitals that, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical bina ...

child named Noor (played by

), and the resulting challenges she faces in her family and society – where acceptance of the

third gender Third gender is a concept in which individuals are categorized, either by themselves or by society, as neither man nor woman. It is also a social category present in societies that recognize three or more genders. The term ''third'' is usually ...

remains a taboo. Noor's father, Zain (played by Syed Jibran) refuses to accept the baby and separates from his mother. Mahagul is a conscientious, strong woman who envisions equal opportunities and fair treatment for her child like any other normal being. She provides him a privileged upbringing and education while challenging societal norms. She is joined in her mission by Noor's tutor Mikaeel (played by

), who becomes his caretaker and treats him like his own son. Mikaeel also develops feelings for Mahagul. The serial sheds light on the stereotypes, gender discrimination and marginalisation that intersex people face within Pakistani society, and their

identity crisis In psychology, identity crisis is a stage theory of identity development where it involves resolution of a conflict over the 8 stages of the lifespan.(Schultz, 216) The term was coined by German psychologist Erik Erikson. The stage of psychosoci ...

Cast

* Ayesha Khan as Mahagul, the mother of an intersex child named Noor * Syed Jibran as Zain, Mahagul's divorced husband and father of Noor *

as Noor, the intersex character and protagonist * Saba Hamid as Savera, Mahagul's mother and the leader of an NGO *

as Mikaeel, Noor's tutor and caretaker *

as Kashmala, Zain's second wife *

as Hassan, Zain's father *

Irsa Ghazal Irsa Ghazal is a Pakistani television actor known for her roles in television serials such as ''Miraat-ul-Uroos'', '' Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi'', '' Aangan'', ''O Rangreza'' and ''Ishq Jalebi''. Biography and career Ghazal is the daughter of for ...

as Arshi, Zain's mother *

Imran Ashraf Imran Ashraf Awan (born 11 September 1989) is a Pakistani actor and writer. Ashraf appeared in ''Dil Lagi'', ''Alif Allah Aur Insaan'' and ''Raqs-e-Bismil''. He is best known for portraying mentally challenged Bhola in ''Ranjha Ranjha Kardi'' ...

as Zaahir, Zain's younger brother and Noor's paternal uncle *

Mariam Saleem Mariam Saleem is a Pakistani actress. She made her on-screen debut in 2015 and has acted in television series, film, theater plays and web-series. Slaeem made her cinematic debut in 2017 opposite Shehroz Sabzwari with ''Chain Aye Na''. Filmograp ...

as Sanam, Mahagul's best friend and Zaahir's love interest *

Tabbasum Arif Tabbasum Arif is a Pakistani actress. She is known for her roles in dramas '' Chalawa'', ''Ishq Hai'', ''Khalish'', ''Bikhray Moti'', ''Faryaad'', '' Khuda Mera Bhi Hai'' and ''Mah-e-Tamaam''. Early life She was born in 1968 on December 12 in La ...

as Hina, Sanam's mother

Reception

Critical reception

The serial has received critical acclaim for its bold story line, and the "important questions" it raises regarding communal attitudes towards transgender people in Pakistan. Mahwash Badar of ''

The Express Tribune ''The Express Tribune'' is a daily English-language newspaper based in Pakistan. It is the flagship publication of the '' Daily Express'' media group. It is Pakistan's only internationally affiliated newspaper in a partnership with the ''Interna ...

'' called it a "game changer", while praising the themes touched by the drama such as "domestic abuse, how divorce is considered taboo, social pressures, and most importantly, the rights of transgender people and intersex individuals in the Pakistani society." While reviewing negatively, '' The News'' commented that the series lacked the depth and sensitivity required to deal with the subject.

References

{{ARY Digital Programs, state=collapsed 2016 Pakistani television series debuts ARY Digital original programming Pakistani drama television series Pakistani LGBT-related television shows Television shows set in Karachi Urdu-language television shows 2017 Pakistani television series endings