''Meri Shehzadi'' (transl. My Princess) is a 2022 Pakistani drama television series written by

Zanjabeel Asim Shah Zanjabeel Asim Shah is a Pakistani screenwriter. She is known for writing scripts for television serials and working as head of content for several private network channels. She won the Pakistan International Screen Award for Best TV writer and wa ...

, directed by Qasim Ali Mureed and produced by

Momina Duraid Momina Duraid ( ur, ) is a Pakistani director and producer. She is a senior producer and creative head of television network Hum TV and CEO of her own production company MD Productions. She has produced and created several series including '' ...

. It is loosely based on the life story of

Princess Diana Diana, Princess of Wales (born Diana Frances Spencer; 1 July 1961 – 31 August 1997) was a member of the British royal family. She was the first wife of King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) and mother of Princes William and Harry. Her ac ...

, ex-wife of then Prince and now King

Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. He was the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales and, at age 73, became the oldest person to ...

Plot

''Meri Shehzadi'' is the story of Dania raised by her grandfather - a dedicated admirer of monarchies, treats his granddaughter like a princess. Will Dania also face the same trials, tribulations and difficulties that come with a life of royalty? Meri Shehzadi is inspired/based on true story of Lady Diana of England and Wales played by

Urwa Hocane UrwaTul Wusqua Hussain, better known by her stage name Urwa Hocane (born 2 July 1991) is a Pakistani actress, model and VJ (media personality), media personality. She made her acting debut with ''Khushboo Ka Ghar'' as Rukhsana in 2012. Hocane is ...

Cast

as Dania/Princess Dania (Diana) *

Ali Rehman Khan Ali Rehman Khan ( ur, ) is a Pakistani actor who appears in Urdu films, television series and theater plays. Khan has won two Hum Awards and has been nominated twice at the Lux Style Awards for his acting prowess. Born and raised in Islamabad ...

as Prince Shehroze (Charles) (Dania Cousin and Husband) *

Sonia Mishal Sonia Mishal is a Pakistani actress. She is known for her roles in drama serials ''Ishqaaway'' (2015), ''Dumpukht Aatish-e-Ishq'' (2016), and ''Khasara Khasara ( ur, خسارا;) is a Pakistani romantic drama aired on ARY Digital. It focus ...

as Cam (Camilla) (1st wife of Prince Shehroze living in USA). *

Qavi Khan Muhammad Qavi Khan ( ur, ) is a Pakistani film and television actor. He has also worked in Radio Pakistan and on stage. Though now largely working in television, he has acted in over 200 films. The Government of Pakistan honoured Khan with the ...

as Mr.Sanaullah (Dania Grandfather) *

Atiqa Odho Atiqa Odho ( ur, ; born 12 February 1968 ) is a Pakistani television and film actress, television host, and the namesake of her own founded cosmetics brand Odho cosmetics. She debuted in Anwar Maqsood's TV series. She is famous for, ''Sitara aur ...

as Lady Shahana (Queen Elizabeth II) (Prince Shehroze mother, Aunt and Mother in Law to Princess Dania) *

Shamim Hilaly Shameem Hilaly (, born 1947) is a Pakistani actress who has acted in both films and television. She is most famous for acting in PTV Dramas. She is noted for her performance in '' Maigh Malhar'' during the 1990s. She has also acted in Pakista ...

as Safia (Dania Grandmother) *

Shabbir Jan Shabbir Jan ( ur, ) is a Pakistani television actor who has appeared in many TV drama serials, such as ''Wafa'', '' Makan'', ''Andata'', ''Survival of a Woman'', ''Zindagi Dhoop Tum Ghana Saya'', ''Umrao Jaan'', '' Jangloos,'' ''Shab e Gham,'' ...

as Chief Minister Riaz Uddin *

Nauman Masood Noman Masood ( Punjabi, ur, ; born 28 May 1968) is a Pakistani television actor, director and producer. He worked in many PTV dramas, and currently working. Filmography Drama serials * ''Shehbaz'' * ''Tujh Pe Qurban'' * ''Neend'' * ''Lag ...

as Salahuddin (Dania father) *

Najiba Faiz Najiba Faiz (Pashto: نجیبه فېض) born 1 August 1988, is an Afghan-born Pakistani television host, television and film actress, known for playing variety of notable characters in films and in television mostly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. ...

as Almas (Salahuddin 2nd wife/Dania Stepmother)

Production

Background and development

In October 2021, screenwriter

in an interview said that she is very hopeful that her upcoming project ''Meri Shehzadi Diana'' will be a revolutionary project. In September 2022, it stated in a

press release A press release is an official statement delivered to members of the news media for the purpose of providing information, creating an official statement, or making an announcement directed for public release. Press releases are also considere ...

that the main character of the series, Dania is inspired by the

and the character will be a

political leader A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking, a ...

and

philanthropist Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the Public good (economics), public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private goo ...

like her.

Casting

In June 2022,

Farhan Saeed Farhan Saeed Butt is a Pakistani singer-songwriter, actor, music video director, and entrepreneur. Saeed is the former lead vocalist of the Pakistani band Jal and owns the restaurant ''Cafe Rock'' in Lahore. He sings in Urdu and Punjabi. Perso ...

confirmed that he and Urwa are part of it. In same month, there were reports that

Imran Abbas Syed Imran Abbas Naqvi (born 15 October 1982), professionally known by his stage name Imran Abbas, is a Pakistani actor and model who works predominantly in Urdu television. Abbas made his acting debut with ''Umrao Jaan Ada'' in 2003 and lat ...

is also part of the project. However, in August 2022, Galaxy Lollywood reported that both the male leads, Saeed and Abbas has been opt out of the project.

has replaced the Saeed while

Bilal Abbas Khan Bilal Abbas Khan ( ur, ; born 4 June 1993) is a Pakistani actor who primarily works in Urdu television. He made his acting debut with a supporting role in the religious drama ''Saya-e-Dewar Bhi Nahi'' (2016). His debut in a leading role was i ...

may replace Abbas. About Saeed's casting in the series, the director hoped to cast him in a surprise character on his availability. The other cast members include

and

Reception

While reviewing the first episode, a reviewer from ''Galaxy Lollywood'' praised the direction with stating the execution as crisp, and storyline as fresh. The reviewer also praised the Hocane's performance. '' Mag - The Weekly'' praised the performances of the Hilaly and

Khan Khan may refer to: *Khan (inn), from Persian, a caravanserai or resting-place for a travelling caravan *Khan (surname), including a list of people with the name *Khan (title), a royal title for a ruler in Mongol and Turkic languages and used by ...

but criticised the Hocane's performance, stating that she has same expressions in each scene.

References

{{Reflist Pakistani television series 2022 Pakistani television series debuts Cultural depictions of Diana, Princess of Wales