Succession and Tere Bin; Two Sides of the same Coin?

Reading Time : 3 minutes

*No spoilers*

As summer officially begins, many of us are trying to catch up on our favorite shows and movies while navigating through internships. On this note, two series, that have emerged as the talk of the town are Succession and Tere Bin. One is a critically acclaimed, Emmy Award winning show known for its phenomenal portrayal of Western business empires and their families, with themes of wealth, corruption and power. While the other is a local Pakistani drama that gained immense popularity amongst the wider South Asian audience, generating 1 billion+ views overall, despite its poorly written script and cringe-worthy moments. Both are massive success stories created for a different audience with a different formula. So, what does their respective (or perhaps similar) audience say about contemporary cinema?

The Appeal of Excellence

Much of Succession’s success lies with its inherent excellence as a show. It constitutes thought-provoking dialogues, dynamic characters arcs, compelling performances and a commendable discourse on morals, ambitions and family dynamics. Meanwhile, Tere Bin, in every length and form is the exact opposite. It even fails to get the basics right with boring storytelling, problems of discontinuation and linear character arcs. In fact, staunch Succession fans (including myself) may have a hard time processing the two being compared with each other.

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However, Tere Bin’s success, even if it is attributed to a different audience, is still a reflection of cinema and what people like to consume. Because projects are after all commercial endeavors, similar to any other venture, the producers just need to hit the right chord. Instead of practicing accountability and integrity with their craft. The platform is open to any and everyone. It is ultimately the stories that people choose to tell.

The Theme of Relatability

Furthermore, Succession captures the intricacies of high-stakes corporate power struggles. It offers viewers a peek into the world of the top 1%, adhering to their aspirations and fascination.  Meanwhile, the characters, with their fatal flaws, moral dilemmas and complex circumstances further resonate with the younger, working population.

On the other hand, Tere Bin does not necessarily reverberate with the demographic it serves (contrary to their understanding). In reality, if anything, it is a form of escapism and a gateway to their romantic and emotional desires. However, the sheer attempts to relate to the setting and the characters, desiring a similar destiny for oneself is what is concerning. In fact, they directly oppose the laudable awareness exhibited by the audience of Succession regarding themselves and pressing global matters.

Consumption Values

Ultimately, it comes down to the consumption values of individuals.

Tere Bin is a classic example of ‘trash cinema’, which we all consume once in a while to balance off hard-hitting shows like Succession. However, there are much better and harmless choices available to choose from rather than settling for something that is socially and morally degenerating. In fact, even if we do not make the conscious decision of watching the show, it nevertheless appears on our feed due to its popularity. Tere Bin as the face of popular culture of Pakistan, now that’s a literal brain drain.

“Meerab insulted Murtasim, with whom no one ever talked rudely, Meerab not only disrepected him, she’s continuously bad-mouthing him, I think at that time, the situation needed that slap. He slapped her while he was out of his mind, why are people getting so angry on one slap”

“People should celebrate the success of the show which is making their country’s name big”

“I could admit all of the mistakes, if the drama would be a flop”

– Writer Nooran Makhdoom in an interview

Meanwhile, Succession tackles complex dynamics of relentless ambition, unchecked privilege and corporate strongholds. They are all pertinent themes in the wider global atmosphere which require collective discourse. But their full impact, as foretold by Succession, is not for everyone to grasp.

Final Thoughts

The truth of the matter is that both lie under the domain of cinema. They generated massive revenue for their makers and successfully spread the narrative of the writers. But, does the case of Tere Bin push the need for creating barriers to entry? And aren’t the stories that trend what we ultimately want to see? Who to put the onus on has been a long going discussion in the realm of visual storytelling.