Jackson Heights Drama Review

The basics

Set in New York, the drama revolves around obstacles faced by six South Asian immigrants, living in Jackson Heights, a part of New York where there is a large concentration of South Asian immigrants.

There is a jubilant cabbie, Imran Bhatti (Nauman Ijaz), a tough Pakistani Christian restaurant keeper, Michele (Marina Khan), an Indian Muslim banker, Rizwan (Adnan Jaffar), an adamant beautician, Salma (Aamina Sheikh), an optimist Jamshed (Adeel Hussain) and a con man played by Ali Kazmi.

Why Jackson Heights is worth watching

Jackson Heights is a fresh take on the lives of South Asians migrating to the US – an aspect that greatly concerns many middle class and upper-middle-class Pakistanis.

Bhatti’s difficult life is a reminder to all those who fantasize about living abroad. Living in the US because of his marriage to an American woman, he represents the plight of many who get married just for the sake of staying on in the US.

Salma and Michele, the lead female characters in the drama, project an image of strong, independent women, who are ready to take up challenges. They show a different side of Pakistani women, who are not meek and submissive.

Though a developing story, Jackson Heights looks promising and realistically captures the lives of South Asian immigrants.