Abdullahpur Ka Devdas

Abdullahpur Ka Devdas is a 2024 Pakistani Urdu-language romantic drama television series produced by Shailja Kejriwal for Zee Zindagi. Directed by Anjum Shahzad and written by Shahid Dogar, the series is a modern adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic novel Devdas. It premiered on February 26, 2024, on Zee Zindagi and is available for streaming on Zindagi’s YouTube channel and Zee5. The 13-episode series stars Bilal Abbas Khan, Sarah Khan, and Raza Talish, and has been noted for its poetic narrative, cinematography, and performances, though it has received mixed reviews for its pacing and storytelling.

Abdullahpur Ka Devdas
Created by	Zee Zindagi
Based on	Devdas
Directed by	Anjum Shahzad
No. of episodes	13
Original release
Release	26 February 2024 (2024-02-26)

Plot

Set in the fictional small town of Abdullahpur and parts of Lahore, the series follows Fakhar (Bilal Abbas Khan) and Kashif (Raza Talish), two best friends unknowingly in love with the same woman, Gulbano (Sarah Khan). Gulbano is captivated by the poetry of an anonymous poet named Devdas. As the story unfolds, Kashif claims to be Devdas to win Gulbano’s affection, unaware that Fakhar is the true Devdas. The series explores themes of unrequited love, friendship, betrayal, and societal pressures, blending vintage romance with modern sensibilities. Supporting characters, including Jameela (Anoushay Abbasi) and Shehenshah (Naumaan Ijaz), add depth to the narrative.^[1][2]

Cast

• Bilal Abbas Khan as Fakhar
• Sarah Khan as Gulbano
• Raza Talish as Kashif
• Naumaan Ijaz as Shehenshah
• Anoushay Abbasi as Jameela
• Savera Nadeem
• Anumta Qureshi
• Nida Mumtaz
• Noor Ul Hassan
• Adnan Shah Tipu
• Ali Ansari
• Saad Qureshi
• Kashif Hussain
• Fazal Hussain
• Arjumand Rahim
• Irfan Motiwala
• Srha Asghar
• Zuhab Khan

Production

Directed by Anjum Shahzad, known for Khaani and Khuda Aur Muhabbat, Abdullahpur Ka Devdas was filmed in 2022 but released in 2024. The series was produced as a Zindagi Original for Indian television, marking a significant cross-border collaboration. The soundtrack, featuring tracks like “Biba Sada Dil Morr De” by Zain Ali, Zohaib Ali, Sami Khan, and Iqra Manzoor, and “Oh Sahib” by Adnan Dhool, Zain & Zohaib, has been praised for its soulful contribution to the series’ emotional tone.

Release

The series premiered on February 26, 2024, on Zee Zindagi, with new episodes airing every Friday and Saturday. It is also available on Zindagi's YouTube channel and Zee5, with a feature film adaptation released in 2025. The series has been accessible to audiences in India and Pakistan, contributing to its cross-cultural appeal.^[3]

Reception

Abdullahpur Ka Devdas received mixed reviews. Critics praised the performances of Bilal Abbas Khan, Sarah Khan, and Raza Talish, as well as the cinematography capturing the essence of Abdullahpur and Lahore. The soundtrack and nostalgic tone were also highlighted as strengths. However, some reviews criticized the slow pacing, underdeveloped characters, and overly poetic dialogue, with Pakistanicinema.net describing it as a “noxious cocktail” of Pakistani drama and Indian soap aesthetics. Others, like Fuchsia Magazine, lauded the emotional depth and character-driven narrative, calling it a “vintage love tale” that resonates with audiences.^[4][5]

The series has been described as a compelling blend of classic and modern romance, with its 13-episode run concluding with a widely discussed finale.