“They banned our shows but are now remaking them for their audience.”
The newly released trailer of the Indian web series Gram Chikitsalay has stirred controversy, with allegations of copying a Pakistani drama.
Viewers quickly pointed out its strong resemblance to the Pakistani drama Zard Patton Ka Bunn.
As the trailer gained traction, fans across South Asia noted that the storylines, themes, and even casting appeared heavily inspired by the original.
Zard Patton Ka Bunn, directed by Saife Hassan and penned by Mustafa Afridi, earned widespread acclaim when it aired on Hum TV.
The drama delved into the issue of limited healthcare access in rural areas, offering a poignant portrayal of a marginalised population.
Featuring standout performances by Hamza Sohail and Sajal Aly, it attracted both critical praise and a growing fan base, including high viewership from India.
After the trailer for Gram Chikitsalay dropped, social media platforms were flooded with posts and comments comparing the two shows.
Many users expressed their frustration over what they saw as a clear imitation.
Fans were quick to also note the striking similarity between the male lead Amol Parashar, and Pakistani actor Hamza Sohail.
This resemblance has become a focal point of the conversation, intensifying claims that the Indian series has borrowed heavily without acknowledgement.
Online reactions to these similarities have been very blunt.
A user said: “They banned our shows but are now remaking them for their audience.”
Another noted: “Even the lead actor resembles Hamza Sohail.”
One quipped: “India is the biggest replica factory.”
Others mockingly referred to the Indian entertainment industry as “Copywood”.
These comments highlight a broader sentiment about originality and cross-border content appropriation.
This controversy comes at a tense time. Recent political events, including the Pahalgam incident, have led to an intensified crackdown on Pakistani content in India.
Despite the official restrictions, themes and ideas from Pakistani television continue to influence Indian media, according to critics and audiences alike.
So far, the creators of Gram Chikitsalay have not issued any public response to the comparisons.
The silence has only fuelled further debate, with many calling for proper credit to be given to original creators.
While imitation in art is not new, the lack of recognition, especially amid censorship, has struck a nerve with audiences.
For now, fans are waiting to see if Indian producers will address the growing criticism or continue to stay quiet.
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