Afghan Soap Opera Challenges Taboos

Afghanistan’s TV industry is booming, but most TV channels are flooded with imported soap operas from India, Turkey and even South Korea.

“University FM” is an exception. It’s an Afghan-made soap opera that’s breaking barriers, touching on taboo subjects such as arranged marriages. It was set in a journalism college, portrayed the life of young people in Afghanisatan and the problems they face.

It was first broadcast last year, but had to stop when it ran out of money.

The soap opera recently started its second season with a new title “Silent Voice” on Afghan’s largest private TV station. 

As well as a new title, the series director Norullah Azizi, says they’ve made some changes to the content.

“In the new series, the students from the previous episodes have graduated from university, found good jobs with good incomes... but some of the female graduates are not allowed to work because they don’t have permission from their families,” explains Norullah Azizi, “We have female characters that are able to convince their families to let them work outside. The main aim of this series is to educate the audience about the value of knowledge and encourage families to let young people, especially girls, study.”

23-year-old Nasima Hashimi is a big fan.

She says the series is a good reflection of Afghan society.

“The soap opera has a positive message for our society, it’s really good for our people. It’s a good choice compared to the imported soap operas on our TV channels.”

Although the series is not as popular as other imported soap operas, it still has good ratings.

Around 100 thousand Afghans watch the series once a week, says Siad Ramid Sadat, who works for the production company.

“We had a civil war for more than 3 decades. Our situation is not as good as other country's but I think what we're doing for our cinema is valuable. Foreign cinemas…they have the budget and professional actors, which we don’t."

But in a country where many consider actresses to be prostitutes, the series has provoked anger.

36-year-old Nazifa Muhammadi plays the role of a poor mother who struggles to find money for her children. On the set, she admits that she’s concerned for her safety.

“I’m very happy with this job but I’m always worried about my security. I’ve received threats a couple of times. At first my husband’s family wouldn’t let me be an actress in the soap opera. My female colleagues also face abuse from other people as well and restrictions from their families.”

Another actress from the soap, Nasrin Hasani, received a death threat four months ago.

Someone called her and threatened to kill her if she didn’t quit her job.

But she intends to continue acting.

“I've been working in this industry for 13 years, including 10 years working in Afghanistan. I am happy with my job and want to continue it.”

The series will continue for its second season with the most talked about storyline involving a teacher who sexually abuses his student as a threat to pass an exam...