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MAA ~ with Saniya Saeed

'Every Wednesday evening my sisters and i leave all work for half an hour and are glued to the TV as our favourite programme is on.. 'Maa'...Shagufta Saghir, Lahore.

'Maa is the only programme that i never miss each week.. un dukhi aurtoon ko rota dekh ker mera dil bhur aata hai'...Mrs Aasma Zubair, Karachi.

Millions of viewers just like these watch the reality show 'Maa' every week religiously as the real life stories gathered by Sania Saeed appeal to masses and touch their hearts. Sponsored by Ariel, 'Maa' [urdu for Mother] has gained much popularity not only all over the country but also in India and Middle East with total viewership of this show exceeding a million according to Gallopp. Although women viewers comprise a major chunk, the show has generated much appeal to men and women alike from all walks of life making it the Best Reality Show onair Today!

Sania Saeed

Sania is famous for her social work especially for Women's Rights. Her street theater group is appreciated and respected nationwide. She is renowned for her social plays portraying various problems concerning women's and children rights in Pakistan.

Apart from her work on TV and Theater, Sania also runs a teaching school of handicrafts for women to help them earn a living for their famalies. She is one of a few ladies in Pakistan who are really working for the betterment of our society in general and poor women in particuar.

Maa [Mother]

'Maa' is a show concieved by Sania herself based on 'Mothers of Pakistan' featuring the plight of their families facing day to day economic and social hardships and fighting to keep on going. This projection of a strong lone mother supporting her family maybe heart-breaking for some but is a reality for thousands of Pakistani women for whom every sticth they make, every dish they wash, each clip they sell means a lot to their children, for their upbringing and their future.

In this world of Global Media, reality shows are generating much hype all over the world, shows like Survivor and Temptation Island maybe appealing to masses, but PTV's first ever reality show 'Maa' is nothing less if not more. Infact we would grade it above all others since this show is not entertainment but it portrays our society and the values it honours to the fullest, along with satisfying the global trend for real life drama.

Each show features a special Mother from any city whose family have written to Sania nominating thier mother to be on the show as they feel their mother has dedicated her life for thier wellbeing. Sania then travel to their home, reading out from the letter various excerpts giving her viewers an outlay of the problems they face in live. Filmed on location, Sania interviews the family and Mother herself, sharing their anticipations and worries about their hardships in life. Before leaving she hands them a check from Ariel, the sponsor, a kind of donation to help them a little atleast.

The show also features a Celebrity who shares his or her memories of thier mother in a rather emotional manner.. one could always tell its natural and not just acting! Thinking and talking about one's parted mother is enough to make some cry.. and in turn the viewers too.. perhaps this is why women watch the show far more than men.