The ISPR-Momina Duraid joint venture Ehd-e-Wafa has been the talk of the town ever since the show’s teasers first dropped. Such has been the anticipation that within minutes of the telecast of the first episode, the show began to trend on social media at the top spot. But has all this hype been worth it? Well, judging from the show’s powerful pilot it looks like Ehd-e-Wafa is going to be the perfect high to end the weekends at.

Between the grounds of Lawrence College, an exam hall at a girls’ college, the house of a Pak Army Brigadier, and a regular well-to-do household, the first episode was all about establishing the central characters of the story. Set against the scenic locations of Murree, the episode was not only visually pleasing but also natural and fast-paced in terms of storytelling and exposition.

Introductory Remarks

The show’s central story revolves around the friendship shared between four best friends who have dubbed themselves as The SSG – The Special “S” Gang. Why SSG? Because all four friends have their first names starting with the letter ‘s’ i.e. Sheharyar (Ahmed Ali Akbar), Shariq (Wahaj Ali), Saad (Ahad Raza Mir), and Shahzain (Osman Khalid Butt). The four friends come across as carefree youngsters preferring to spend time engaged in mischievous activities than focusing on their academic life as punctuated by the fact that the episode both starts and ends with them.

From the girls, we are introduced to Rani (Zara Noor Abbas) and Dua (Alizey Shah), the two characters who will, later on, be paired opposite Shahzain and Saad respectively. Zara Noor Abbas instantly shines as the loud, rather over-confident, but equally charming Rani; a completely different avatar from Noor Abbas’s previous television outing. Alizey Shah, on the other hand, fails to make much of an impression.

There is a carefully directed introductory shot of Brigadier Faraz (Faraz Inaam) meant to invoke feelings of nostalgia within the viewers, a feat that the show manages to achieve spectacularly. After all, who doesn’t remember Captain Faraz Ahmed from iconic classic drama Alpha Bravo Charlie? Faraz’s presence in the show seems like a promise from the makers that Ehd-e-Wafa is going to have the same old classic, unforgettable vibes of its spiritual predecessor, albeit with a modern touch.

Saife Hassan’s direction paired with Mustafa Afridi’s crisp writing made Ehd-e-Wafa’s first episode a breezy watch. There is a very visible youthful energy to the show, a quality that is rarely found in mainstream Pakistani dramas nowadays that are laden with social issues and kitchen politics. The bantering between the boys as they teased and cursed each other specially came across as a respite from all the heavy-handed kitschy situations our dramas have fallen prey to.

The USP

The USP of the show would be the chemistry shared by the boys. The strongest parts of the episode all belonged to them. The very natural ease and camaraderie showcased by the actors were enough proof that the show’s central theme of friendship and loyalty is in safe hands. All four actors bring a different energy to the table which comes together to form a very captivating chemistry that is gratifying to watch.

Osman Khalid Butt physically towers over his co-stars and tackles the role of the gang’s de facto leader with a playful charm that comes most naturally to Butt. It is refreshing to see him play a light character after what seems like ages of watching him be a part of tragedy laced social dramas. Ahad Raza Mir has managed to create a diverse body of work despite Ehd-e-Wafa being just his fourth outing on television. Mir’s Saad gives a heartfelt goodbye speech to his dog with the same earnestness as he fake cries his way out of punishment. Wahaj Ali switches between Shariq’s exasperation at his friends’ secret planning and his willingness to be a part of the shenanigans with expert control. Ahmed Ali Akbar grounds the group’s energy with his always reliable understated wit which he uses both his expressions and dialogue delivery.

Final Word

Ehd-e-Wafa‘s promising first episode is not only a refreshing change from the rather monotonous array of Pakistani dramas dominating the screens but also an explicit reminder that there’s more to the reality of Pakistani society than dreary subjects. If the first impression is indeed the last impression, then Ehd-e-Wafa has impressed us enough to not only become the show’s loyal viewers but also root for it to become a massive success. If for nothing else, than to give the drama producers of our country the message that there’s more to the world of storytelling than social injustice and hayye bechari aurat.