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22 Qadam Review: An Intriguing Watch That Aims to Break Gender Stereotypes in Cricket

By
Zainab Mossadiq
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22 qadam first episode

Making its grand debut on Sunday on Green Entertainment, the highly anticipated 22 Qadam series takes centre stage with an electrifying two-hour episode. The drama emerges as a captivating tale that intertwines the realms of cricket and female empowerment.  

22 Qadam was bound to catch the attention of the audience for when you combine nation’s beloved sport i.e., cricket and nation’s current heartthrob i.e., Wahaj Ali, it is hard to miss.  

Written by Zeeshan Ilyas and directed by Anjum Shahzad the drama aims to shatter deep-rooted stereotypes whilst proving that cricket and dreams transcend gender boundaries. 22 Qadam is set in a backdrop of fierce competition and captivating cricket matches that resounds a chord with the audience, compelling them to reflect on the limitless potential and the power of breaking barriers. 

Here are our thoughts about the first set of two episodes that released on Sunday night: 

Spoilers Ahead 

Unveiling the plot:  

Centred around women empowerment and cricket, the title of the drama is very poetic and metaphorically accurate. 22 Qadam, as explained in the drama as well, is the size of the cricket pitch, and also presents the struggle that the main protagonist must incur by taking one step at a time, to achieve her dreams.  

The drama centres around Farien Akhtar aka Fari who is the protagonist of the drama. Characterized by Hareem Farooq, Fari is a buyout and a lively girl who dreams of becoming a cricketer and play in the national team.  

The drama opens with a dream sequence of an international match where Fari is going to the pitch for her batting, aiming to win for Pakistan against Sri Lanka. Woken up by her sister, her dream remains incomplete.  

A dejected Fari leaves for her college where she is late – as is customary. While standing outside her class she meets Naz Karyana (Alina Abbas), a new student who shares her quirks and of course her habit of being late.  

The story progresses as Fari finds out that Sana Mir will be visiting her campus. An excited Fari puts in all her effort to meet her cricket idol. When she fails to meet Sana Mir, Fari stages an accident where she comes in front of her car, acting as if she is hurt. A guilty Sana offers to drop Fari to her house.  

We adored the interaction between Fari and Sana in the car. Sana Mir’s cameo in the drama was a delight to watch and her motivational words to Fari resonated with the audience as well.  

The awaited entry of the zealous Junaid:  

The fans eagerly awaited to see Wahaj Ali as Junaid, after his staggering performance in Tere Bin. However, Wahaj Ali was nowhere to be seen in the first episode and made his debut in 22 Qadam after the first 10 minutes of the second episode.  

Essaying the role of Junaid, Wahaj seamlessly established his character in his limited screen time. He is a passionate cricketer who despite his injuries is determined to play the sport he loves, sidelining his personal life and health.  

The adorable car interaction in 22 Qadam

Fortunately, unlike Wahaj Ali’s entry, the audience did not have to wait to see the first interaction of the lead pair.  

Fari, who is desperate to reach her college to meet Sana Mir, takes a lift from Junaid, who voluntarily offers to drop her after seeing a bat in her hand. Both get off on the wrong foot and Fari steps out of his car. 

The spontaneous interaction that lasted shorter than we would have liked, established a great on-screen chemistry of the lead pair and reassured the audience that they are bound to like this on-screen pairing, especially after the audience is sceptical of Wahaj’s paring with an actress apart from Yumna in Tere Bin.  

Leading the charge Fari and Junaid aim to break gender stereotypes and break boundaries:  

The protagonists Fari and Junaid are presented as an epitome of ambition and passion that embody resilience and grit as they challenge societal norms, demonstrating that where there is will there is a way. 

The dedication they have to their passion is an excellent way to inspire youth to achieve their dreams with determination and hard work, no matter what comes in between. 

In addition, the drama is aptly presenting the significance of female empowerment by portraying a strong female lead who is making her presence felt with her actions, instead of preachy messages and long monologues.  

The drama stars a strong supporting cast which includes Shahnawaz Zaidi, Nida Mumtaz, Kinza Razzak, Alina Abbas Shah, and Zainab Waseem. 

The addition of stretched subplots in 22 Qadam: 

22 Qadam promises a strong narrative that deserves its sweet time to unveil and develop. While we appreciate the addition of engaging subplots that add to the main storyline, 22 Qadam is failing to do so. 

A substantial amount of time was given to develop Fari’s sister plot in the drama and her parents’ efforts to find her a suitable match. This resulted in the audience losing interest in the drama and fighting the urge to fast forward. We wished that the screen-time was instead allocated to uncover Junaid’s plot, which the viewers highly anticipate watching in the upcoming episodes. 

Nevertheless, we cannot take away from the makers who have put together an unconventional drama together for the audience that not only promises a heartwarming love story but also a plot that incites the audience.  

Idiot Review: Ahmed Ali Akbar Steals Show With Immaculate Performance

By
Kasim Bilal
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Idiot first episode

Green Entertainment launched less than a week ago and it is already making waves. Audiences are loving these fresh new stories. Every show gives a totally different flavour with its storytelling. Idiot is their latest show, starring Ahmed Ali Akbar after his star turn and award-winning performance in Parizaad. Mansha Pasha also re-teams with Akbar here after their critically acclaimed film Laal Kabootar in 2019.

While Mansha’s character does not appear in the first episode, audiences have already fallen in love with Ahmed’s character Gulzar. Let’s discuss.

Gulzar, A Kind and Considerate Protagonist in Idiot

Ahmed Ali Akbar won over audiences and critics alike as his portrayal of Parizaad and he’s back at it again with another interesting role. The opening scene is of a dog getting in a car accident and Akbar’s Gulzar rushing it to a hospital and trying to reason with the doctors to help the poor animal.

The dog, Buddy, is used quite well throughout the episode as a simple yet effective writer’s device to set up all the characters by showing us how they treat it. Animal rights, particularly dogs, are not something usually showcased in our stories so seeing this be such a focal point in the story was quite touching and immediately makes you love Gulzar.

This behaviour is seen as odd by his family, and he gets scolded for it a lot in flashbacks. The child actor for Gulzar does a fine job during these scenes but the real standout is Atiqa Odho as his grandmother. She is the only one who understands him and sides with him, much to the dismay of the rest of his family. Odho played that with a lot of heart.

In the present day, Gulzar lives alone with just Buddy as his companion. He is still misunderstood by everyone around him, but that doesn’t mean he’s wrong. The show perfectly portrays how Gulzar’s sensitivity to social issues is always seen as a negative and why he has isolated himself.

There’s a lot of progressive themes and messages in Idiot that should be appreciated.

Progressive Themes

The show is filled with some great lessons throughout. From Gulzar telling the man who complains about his wife all the time to not be so self-absorbed all the time, to him calling out the man flaunting his sacrificial goat for all to see.

The main social conflict other than the dog, however, comes at the end of the episode. Gulzar’s sister is getting married, and it turns out the groom’s family only agreed to the marriage because of the dowry. This causes quite the drama when Gulzar and his sister are rightfully angry about this messed up marriage.

The disgusting practice of dowry that still plagues our society is called out very well by the show through Gulzar. But this results in a horrible end to the night and tensions rising even further between him and his family.

The episode ends with two random men putting a gun to Gulzar’s head and inquiring about a girl. So, we will see how that unfolds in the episode next week.

Conclusion

Overall, an amazing episode which sets up a great new character in Gulzar who is played to perfection by Ahmed Ali Akbar. We also cannot wait to see Mansha Pasha enter the story in the coming weeks and see how these characters’ paths collide. Green Entertainment is on a roll.

Here is Why Jhoom Was More Than Just a Visual Treat for Viewers

By
Zainab Mossadiq
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Jhoom Cover

The last episode for GEO TV’s drama Jhoom concluded on a high note for its fans as they bid farewell to two of their favourite characters, Aryaan and Maryam, who had their happily ever after. The drama topped rating charts and garnered massive popularity.

Jhoom was penned by renowned writer Hashim Nadeem, and directed by Ali Faizan. There is no doubt that Jhoom will go down as a classic representation of signature 7th Sky Entertainment style, due to its grand production and dreamy backdrop, which has been a visual delight for the audience.

Here is Why Jhoom Was More Than Just a Visual Treat for Viewers

Highlighting the issue of age difference between a couple:

Jhoom became the talk of the town following the release of its teasers which promised a larger-than-life narrative that engrossed you entirely in its fictitious realm. The teaser highlighted a sizzling love story between a poised doctor Maryam and a stubborn mechanical engineer Aryaan, played by Zara Noor Abbas and Haroon Kadwani respectively. The drama underlined the societal issue of demurring a relationship between an older woman and a younger guy, which caught the audience’s attention.

The makers didn’t just make this topic a selling point and leave it as it is, but instead did justice by intertwining it aptly in the plot.

Honest conversations about mental health in Jhoom:

Jhoom also won our hearts by diving deep into addressing mental health issues including anger management and depression through Haroon Kadwani’s character Aryaan. Highlighting anger issues in the character, without glorifying them, the makers have placed emphasis on how imperative it is to address them and seek treatment for it to avoid the gloomy consequences that can follow.

Furthermore, showing a character on-screen that has had depression due to his traumatic past is worth applauding, especially when it is handled with such grace. The drama depicts society’s ill-treatment towards a patient with depression and how it makes it hard for those who are on the journey towards recovery. Like Aryaan says in the drama “kabhi aap jeet ker bhi haar jatay hain”-highlighting the turmoil of such individuals.

Wrapping the drama in a smaller number of episodes:

The producers can’t be thanked enough for not dragging the plot and wrapping the story in sixteen episodes. This saved the viewers from the endless pain of flashbacks, repeated running of the OST in the background, and endless filler scenes that by no means add to the narrative.

This sets a precedent for other producers to limit their number of episodes, especially in era where the time span of the viewers is decreasing due to a large variety of availability of content.

The Performances in Jhoom:

The first time pairing of Haroon Kadwani and Zara Noor Abbas had the audience excited. The lead pair successfully lived up to the expectations of the viewers and created a magical chemistry on-screen.

Although Haroon looked every bit of his character, considering this was his debut drama after his breakthrough performance in the telefilm Ruposh, his acting skills aligned with his experience but there is no doubt that there is room for improvement, and he needs to work on his expressions and body language in his future projects.

Zara Noor Abbas looked stunning, and exuded charm and elegance, which was also a demand of her character. However, we did feel at some places that the dialogue delivery was bland and can be worked on in the future.

The supporting cast which included Haris Waheed, Usman Peerzada, Zainab Qayyum, Javed Sheikh, Noreen M Gulwani, Sidra Niazi, Erum Akhtar, and Haroon Shahid among others aptly delivered their performances.

Does Jhoom stand out in the crowd?

While Jhoom did leave an impression on us, it did have an Indian soap vibe to it due to the dramatic shots and ‘too’ immaculate scenes which are far from realism and practicality, hence loosing the essence on which Pakistani dramas are based on. Overall Jhoom is worth watching if you are looking for a entertainment that you can binge watch, and swoon over the chemistry of the lead pair who magically sizzle on-screen.

Nauroz Review: A Rapunzel-esque Story with a Shocking Twist

By
Kasim Bilal
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Nauroz

Green Entertainment debuted the first episode of Nauroz on Thursday. Based in the future, the show gives you a blend of dystopian horror with an exciting storyline.

The first episode does feature a shocking reveal, so spoilers ahead!

Shocking Reveal in Nauroz

The show opens with Shamyl Khan’s character, Ramish Khan, telling his daughter a story of a post-apocalyptic world. He then mentions the year is 2046 which is bound to get your gears turning.

The show does deserve credit for bringing the audience in by these reveals and making you question everything that him and his wife are telling their daughter. The story also seems heavily inspired by Rapunzel, of a girl trapped in a closed room with no access to the outside world and only stories from her parent.

We then get a Disney-esque montage of the little girl growing up in the confines of her room into a twenty-year-old Mawra Hocane. We also find out that the year is not decades in the future and present day 2023. The Disney parallels also don’t end there, because the mother passes away.

The episode ends with a plot on Ramish Khan’s childhood friend, Armaghan, being in an unhappy marriage, having an extra-marital affair with a singer and then marrying her. It’s him who has a daughter with his second wife who herself dies in childbirth.

When his father threatens to kill this daughter of a singer in the name of honor, Armaghan runs and gives his daughter to Ramish, choosing him to be her guardian. He does this before dying of a heart attack due to the physical abuse inflicted on him by his family.

The first half of the episode is exciting and revealing, while the second half with the flashbacks gives you context.

Cast Performances in Nauroz

The performances by Shamyl Khan and Mawra Hocane are truly incredible. Khan plays her adoptive father with so much heart and puts his all into every scene he is in.

He is matched toe-to-toe by Mawra who does a masterful job playing a girl who has the naivety of someone who has never left the room she was brought up in. It really is the two of them doing the heavy lifting in this episode. The way Mawra play’s her character’s innocence and child-like wonder quickly makes you love her and root for her.

Conclusion

With a good enough opening and some terrific acting from its actors, Nauroz is off to a decent start. Especially now with the huge reveal out of the way, the show is surely going to find its footing in the coming weeks. Since Nauroz will have a total of 15 or 16 episodes, we cannot wait to see what befalls this father-daughter duo and how the story goes along.

Daurr First Episode Sets The Stage For A Compelling Story On Ambition

By
Kasim Bilal
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Daurr first episode

Green Entertainment launched this Monday, and the channel has been debuting new weekly shows every day. One of these shows is Daurr which debuted its first episode on Wednesday. After the initial posting delays, Daurr was up on Friday morning and vowed viewers with its captivating storyline.

Already out of the gate, the channel’s shows seem to be showcasing new and compelling stories which audiences have been craving for. These stories come as a breath of fresh air with the tired set-ups of only love stories and domestic politics being the focal point of most of our shows.

While the reviews for the first episodes of Kabli Pulao, Shanaas and Jindo are already up, let’s discuss how Daurr’s debut fares amongst this line up.

The Story

Daurr, which is based on the Safina Danish Elahi novel Eye on the Prize, sets up quite the story in its first episode. While the novel focuses more on our lead women Shezray, Hina and Manahil trying to balance their professional and personal lives, the show also has a sharp focus on ambition and ambitious women.

Just from the opening we are presented with a very literal metaphor of kids getting set to run on a racing track, “race” being the title of the show. A montage is played of all our characters, some in a state of distress while others in the state of total calm as a narrator speaks about the challenges that come with ambition in the race of life.

This opening montage was probably the most gripping part of the episode because it immediately hooks the viewer and shows them what’s to come in the coming episodes.

Three Different Storylines

The episode sets up three storylines with our trio of characters. Ushna Shah plays Shezray, a businesswoman who is the head of her company and seems to be at the top of her game at work. She, however, struggles with her husband who is played by Omer Shahzad who seems to have an inferiority complex being a subordinate to his wife at work.

Hina is played by Amna Ilyas, who is an ambitious middle-class woman. She is a homemaker and owns a salon. A class-conscious woman, she strives for the absolute best for her family and her daughter much to her husband’s dismay, who’s played by Shahvaar Ali Khan.

Zhalay Sarhadi plays Manahil, a mentally troubled housewife. The cause for this mental anguish has only been teased in the form of a dream so far where she is seen having a heated argument with Ahmad Hassan, who plays her husband.

The threads tying all these stories together are Laila, Amaan and Zara. Laila, played by Noreen M Gulwani, is Hina’s sister who works at Shezray’s office and is seen having an affair with her husband. This is bound to be the cause for drama in the coming episodes.

Amaan is Manahil’s son and Zara is Hina’s daughter and they both are now class fellows at school. The two families are surely to meet each other through their kids.

Daurr is Directed by Wajahat Rauf

Directed by renowned director Wajahat Rauf of Karachi Se Lahore and Chhalawa fame, the show is shot quite well. Mohsin Ali adapts the novel for the screenplay here and he last worked with Rauf on his film Parde Mein Rehne Do.

You will see the shades of the importance given to social issues and character-driven storytelling of Parde Mein Rehne Do here as well. This might be a new calling card for Rauf and company after producing several hit popcorn films.

Overall, this first episode was quite well. Seeing women be so unapologetically ambitious, and that not just being over a man like we usually see, was a welcoming change of pace. Manahil discussing her mental health with a professional and being prescribed medication was also an important scene for a country where mental health is still seen as a taboo.

There also seems to be a story arc being set up of parents putting too much pressure on their kids and how it affects them. Amaan gets body shamed twice in this episode while his mathematical skills and interest in learning music are also showcased.

We also get a scene of him being mocked for wanting to take musical lessons and his father telling him to follow the norm and opt for sports instead. This subplot may lead to some very important conversations about parenting. These themes might also be reflected with the other two women’s daughters.

Late Online Upload of Daurr

The only major complaint to be made about the show is not even about the show itself. The show aired on Wednesday, but the episode wasn’t made available on YouTube until late last night.

The show is extremely strong with some great performances across the board, and it does not deserve to be mired by this issue. We can’t wait to see how these characters’ stories unfold in the coming weeks.

101 Talaqain Review: Whimsical Satire Meets the Concept of Marriage

By
Zainab Mossadiq
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101 Talaqain

What comes to your mind when I ask you to name a Pakistani drama in the dark comedy genre? We can assure you there aren’t any, apart from a few projects here and there that put in the effort to bring the genre to life- but didn’t exactly succeed. 101 Talaqain could be the first major entrant into this genre.

Green Entertainment has been living up to its hype since its release less than a week ago. Its latest addition, 101 Talaqain is for all those Netflix lovers who craved to see an original Pakistani drama that has the element of thrill, suspense and dived into an unconventional territory we aren’t used to seeing on television.

Written and directed by Omer Ikram, 101 Talaqain dives into the world of dark comedy and satire in an attempt to decode the cracks of marriage.

Zahid Ahmed in a new avatar: A marriage averse man who has a mind of his own

Zahid Ahmed has given us some memorable performances over the years, but we bet that his role as Rustom Kavasji, in 101 Talaqain, will be remembered for years to come.

Embracing a completely new avatar, Zahid looks every bit of his character, convincing us that no one could have done a better job than him. With long hair, a pair of glasses, and a crisp suit, Rustom stands out in the crowd.

Rustom Kavasji is a man averse to the concept of marriage, believing that relationships, especially marriage, results in disaster and conflicts for both parties. He extends his idea of misogamy to others and specializes in divorce law.

Though we still haven’t gotten a glance into his personal life yet, the first episode established that he probably lives alone. His office is an extension of his, chaotic and haywire, with too many elements to absorb and infer from in a thirty-six-minute episode.

Unveiling the plot of 101 Talaqain:

Spoilers Ahead.

Opening with a monologue of Rustom, which extends to another scene, following the changing frames that give us an insight into Rustom’s office, the episode captures our attention from the beginning.

Shifting from the constant reiteration of Rustom’s hate for marriage and relationship in the entire episode, the viewers are then taken to his first case which follows the life of a young couple, who married for love. Sajad and his wife were the ideal couple till problems started to seep into their lives, gradually leading to problems between them. Sajad and Rustom meet on the road, when Rustom’s car breaks down and he has to take a lift from Sajad. While in the car, Rustom nags Sajid about how marriages create nuisance, giving him his card to contact him in the future.

A confident Sajad is certain that he won’t need the services of Rustom which eventually proves to be wrong and he ends up reaching Rustom for a divorce.

The episode was fast paced, and the comic timings were well placed between the episode, making it a fun watch.

It awaits to be seen how the drama will unfold. Our guesses are that each episode will bring on a new case in Rustom’s life which will eventually result in him rethinking and reevaluating his life decisions.

The small nuances that left us impressed in 101 Talaqain:

Omer Ikram’s direction in 101 Talaqain is nothing short of amazing. The cinematography added miles to the drama and the edits, the colour grading, and emphasis on small details were done to perfection.

Our favourite part of the first episode had to be the transition from Rustom’s office to him stepping out with the rap music running in the background. The emphasis on small details such as certificates hanging in Rustom’s office, the hourglass, the wall clock, and many other elements gave us a clear picture into the life of Rustom. Then we adored Rustom’s quirky dance as he stepped out of his office and his expressions shifted from serious to eccentric to mysterious in seconds.

Needless to say, Zahid Ahmed did a brilliant job. The drama is crafted for a niche audience, and we anticipate seeing how it is received by the audience. We are curious to see the past of Rustom and how he evolved to be the man he is and eventually his transition to an improved version of himself.

The drama will also star many renowned actors in the coming episodes including Yasir Nawaz, Naveen Waqar, Usman Mazhar, Faris Khalid, Hina Rizvi, Khalid Anum and others. We can’t wait to see more of this drama and where it goes from here.

Jindo Is The Story of a Valiant Woman Defying All Odds to Ensure Justice

By
Zainab Mossadiq
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Jindo first episode

Green Entertainment continues to bring untold stories to life that leave the audience awestruck. Its latest addition to the influx of dramas is Jindo, a story of a woman who fights patriarchy and stands against all evil forces, creating waves in a sea dominated by terror and injustice. 

The magnus opus world of Jindo is penned by Qurban Ali Rao and brought to life by the director Anjum Shahzad. The drama has a brilliant cast on board including Humaima Malik, Gohar Rasheed, Nazar, Samiya Mumtaz, Saleem Mairaj, and Hajra Yameen. 

Jindo is a representation of the inner voice of oppressed women:

There are no sermons or self-righteous lessons in Jindo, but it is the actions that command the plot and send chills down the spine of viewers, making them reflect over the distinction between righteous and evil doing. 

The drama opens with a rapid shift in frames as it introduces us to people disguised in red veils, one of which is Jindo, played by Humaima Malik. Exuding majestic glory that commands the screen, these people kill off men ruthlessly. The locals call them Jindo, oblivious to the fact that there is more than one entity other than Jindo.

Jindo is the voice that the people of the desert, especially women never had. She is fighting against the powerful forces that are involved in all kinds of exploitation of humans, treating them like disregarded animals.

A riveting plot that kept us hooked:

The first episode went back and forth from the present to the past to introduce us to Jindo and the local culture and desert area, around which the entire drama is centered. (Spoilers Ahead)

The nucleus of the plot is Jindo, a woman who has had her share of misfortune and sufferings. At the age of two she loses her mother and at the age of five her stepmother leaves her with two siblings, Jugno and Faqeera. Despite being a child herself she raises her step-siblings with utmost love, only to get married off to a powerful man in the village, Dard Sai, at the age of twenty. Jindo is forever scared of the brutality and exploitation she was exposed to as a young girl who marries a monster, adamant to protect her sister from any pain in the future.

Cut to the present day, we are introduced to Sarkar Bibi. A highly respected figure in the village to whom women come for prayers and blessings. But her identity is shielded as she wears a white headscarf covering her face. Our guess is that she is Jindo herself.

With the terror of red veiled people surrounding the village we see the head of the area, Dard Sai (to whom Jindo was married) reach Sarkar Bibi in desperation to find Jindo while the patriarchal evil forces in the village continue their quest of figuring out the whereabouts of Jindo. An elated set of hunters eventually locate her and while trying to capture her are left in shock to find out there are multiple red veiled people, other than Jindo, who protect her.

Near the end of the episode enters Gohar Rasheed who is Dard Sai’s son, equally evil and morally corrupt as his father.

The plot kept the intrigue value intact through the entire episode, unwrapping many plots and raising many questions that curious viewers would tune in to find answers.

Jindo Narrates stories of left out cultures

The drama has an arresting backdrop of a desert area. It is very well shot and intelligently directed which adds to the whole drama.

It is a rare sight for the audience to witness a Rajhistani/Sindhi culture on-screen and be exposed to the local traditions and people through television. We appreciate the storytellers who transcended the stereotypical boundaries and created something out of the box.

The few slips here and there:

Although the first episode was nothing short of amazing, we could not help but notice some oversight by the makers.

Firstly, makers could have taken a step further to add more diversity and inclusivity in the drama by including actors who had command over the dialect and the accent of the locals where the drama is located. Having Punjabi/Urdu speaking actors, takes away the essence that the makers are trying to put forward and dilutes the viewers’ experience as they weren’t able to deliver their dialogues well.

In addition, we also wished there were subtitles added in the drama, in both Urdu and English, for the audience to understand what the characters were saying and leave no room of doubt due to the distinguished accents.

Lastly, if they would have had adopted a clearer way to differentiate between the past and the present, it would have significantly improved the experience of the audience while watching the episode. The flashbacks were added without any mention of time and also without any change in colour grading that would signal the viewers that the timeline has changed.

We acknowledge the effort put in by makers to present this work of art that truly is engaging. Humaima Malik ruled the screen and made her presence felt. We have high expectations from this drama, barring the few flaws.

Blended With Emotions: “Shanaas” Captivates Audience in First Episode

By
Kehkashan Bukhari
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Shanaas Episode

The first episode of Green Entertainment’s drama series ‘Shanaas’ aired yesterday. As shown by the posters and teasers, viewers already had insights on Hajra Yamin playing the lead ‘Aneesa’. However, the audience was eager to know that the legendary Sania Saeed along with a great cast would appear in which role this time? Glad, that the wait is over!

Unfair to not praise the production quality!

After watching the first episode, the first thing spectators had to admire was the production quality, which included set design, wardrobe, lighting, make-up, and editing.

However, there’s a minor error in terms of execution, as Shamim Hilaly’s pendant was not visible around her neck again after the opening shots, which she was settling at the beginning. But disregarding these little errors let’s move to the plot!

So, although the storyline is clear from the plot, the first episode does come with its own twist.

Plot and Storyline

SPOILERS, stop if you have already read it so far because we are going to mention some specifics about the event.

The story opens with an engagement ceremony between Aneesa and Ramis – played by Ariz Ahmed. Everything appears to be in order, but owing to an uncertain scenario, Ramis’ parents, Rahila and Amjad calling off the engagement. The plot revolves around a foster daughter, Aneesa – played by Hajra Yamin, who lives an affluent life with her foster parents, Mahrukh – played by Sania Saeed, and Jalal – played by Shahzad Nawaz, whereas Shamim Hilaly is playing a character of a grandmother.

Aneesa belongs to a well-settled and modern family – judging by Jalal and Mahrukh’s initial conversation in the beginning – this could have been explained to the viewers in a better way. Friendly scenes of Aneesa with her parents also depicted a warm relationship between them.

However, bond between Dadi and Aneesa did reflect some animosity, which in fact seemed to keep the audience intrigued for a while, but the suspense and intrigue caused by this fade away shortly.

‘Shanaas’ sheds light on societal behavior too!

The plot has already captivated the audience. Here we have to applaud Sania Saeed, Shahzad Nawaz, and Shamim Hilale for their outstanding performances. Also, Hajra Yamin has beautifully pulled off her character and her few moments with Ariz were on a much lighter tone.

At the end of this episode, Aneesa was shocked to discover the reality of being an adopted child. Of course, there must have been a reason to keep this hidden, but given the haste with which the twist has been brought into the plot ‘too early’, the reason must be compelling.

What’s next for Aneesa in Shanaas?

Anisa’s life will take a turn from now; this fact has come as a shock to her, but we are eager to watch what’s next for Aneesa? and how she reacts to this.

Moreover, to make the story more intense the director blended the last scene with a beautiful OST. Yasra Rizvi deserves applause for such great execution. We cannot wait to see more of the drama and see where the story goes from here.

Kabli Pulao Review: A Tale of Orchestrated Love Beyond Borders

By
Zainab Mossadiq
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Kabli Pulao first episode

This humble viewer shares a similar experience as her fellow audience; Kabli Pulao takes you back in the PTV era reminiscing the golden age of Pakistani dramas

One of Green Entertainment’s new ventures, Kabli Pulao, is an unconventional love story between two characters that have managed to get the viewers rooting for them after the first episode. The drama captured a variety of emotions and left the audience awe-struck after the nearly forty-minute episode, leaving us wanting for more.

Helmed by the maestro Kashif Nisar and penned by Zafar Mairaj, Kabli Pulao garnered popularity even before its release due to its soulful OST sung by none other than Rahat Fateh Ali Khan-which received a total of 100+ million views across all digital platforms.

Following the pattern, the drama’s first episode received an overwhelming response. Here is why:

Unwrapping the secret behind the name Kabli Pulao:

Kashif Nisar has once again delivered his magic, and the audience can’t deny his apt skills to teleport the audience to the world he has created. While taking us to Mardan, the episode begins with answering the question most viewers would have asked…what is the drama named Kabli Pulao?

Well, as established in the drama, it is an Afghani delicacy that was initially exclusive to the upper-class and aristocracy. Hence, establishing the link between the title, plot, and the drama.

Narrating the untold stories of refugees:

How often do we see the topic of refugees as a nucleus of a conversation? Most of us will be oblivious to the number of refugees that abide in Pakistan, unaware of their stories, considering them as a nuisance.

This drama tells the tale of these misrepresented group, without adopting a preachy tone-which most of our dramas fail to do so.

A well knitted plot with characters that had us hooked:

The plot is onerous to encapsulate in a few sentences…readers bear with us. (Spoilers ahead)

Haji Muhstaq (Mohammed Ehteshamuddin) played by is a selfless man who has devoted his life to the service of Allah and Islam. A cloth merchant, hailing from a well to do background, Haji got orphaned at the age of 10 after which he spent his life serving his family-helping his mother with her tailoring chores and distributing all his assets to his siblings and ended up marrying them.

Enters an Afghan refugee Abdullah who pleads his case to Haji, explaining how his widowed sister will only marry a man who pays for the medical treatment of his brother’s leg injury. Haji, without a second thought, gives the money to Abdullah without any intention of marrying his sister.

Things take an expected turn when Abdullah and her sister Barbeena (played by Sabeena Farooq) come to the doorstep of Haji, pleading him to marry her. Haji gives in, after much resistance, following the haunting flashbacks of his mother in a similar situation.

An unorthodox choice of lead pair that is nowhere seen in Pakistani dramas:

Following a love story between an Afghan, widowed girl who came to Pakistan for refuge and a middle-aged man is something that we have never, I repeat, never seen in any of our dramas before. This is indeed a risky combination, especially when being made for an audience who is tuned in to watching standard plot and characters.

But how well will the makers and the lead actors able to pull it off remains to be seen.

A strong cast with substantial roles:

The review wouldn’t be completed without mentioning the acting of Mohammed Ehteshamuddin who did a convincing job as Haji Mushtaq, making the audience connect with his character in an instance.

While the first dialogue of Sabeena Farooq was after twenty-eight-minutes of the first episode and we saw her expressions in the very last second of the drama, she has risen our hopes from her character, and it is very likely that she will live up to the expectations.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that the writer did not portray Haji Mushtaq’s family as selfish, greedy, and vulturous villains who only want money from him, but instead value their brother’s sacrifices. All actors did a job well done in establishing the plot including Umer Dar, Nadia Afghan, Saqib Sameer, Adnan Shah Tipu, Mahin Kafeel among others.

A series of questions

At the risk of repeating myself, the plot has us hooked due to the lead pair and substantial questions, that has arisen our curiosity after watching the first episode. First off, why was Barbeena adamant to marry Haji when she could marry someone younger than her? Why did Haji’s mother work as a tailor when they had enough land to support the family, especially considering that they belonged from a conservative family? Why didn’t Haji marry in all these years?

We hope the makers will be able to justify all this.

Our Verdict

Credit goes where it is due; the makers brought together an anomalous story that doesn’t align with the traditional check list followed for producing a drama with lead actors in roles never seen before. They made a risky investment, but it is safe to say that with the first episode in, the risk seems worth it as of now.

Tumharey Husn Kay Naam Is a Poetic Rendition of a Love Story That Transcends Time

By
Zainab Mossadiq
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Tumharey Husn Kay Naam cover

The first episode of Tumharey Husn Kay Naam arrests you in its magical realm, taking you back in time to witness a love story that knows no bounds.  

Airing on Green Entertainment and an adaptation of Hakeem Nayyar Wasty’s novel Akhtar aur Salma, the drama marks many firsts, making it the first project in which Pakistan’s entertainment industry leading names, Saba Qamar and Imran Abbas, are joining hands for a project, giving the audience a stupendous on-screen duo to look forward to. 

The drama is also part of three dramas that were released on Green Entertainment’s first day of transmission-the pressure is there folks. 

But it is safe to say that when you take on experienced professionals and dedicated actors on board, you are bound to steer a project that commands adulation.  

From an unfortunate accident to a vehement meeting:  

A directorial project of Saqib Khan and penned by Sara Qayyum and Umera Ahmed Tumharey Husn Kay Naam follows the life of Salma and Sikander.  

Hailing from different backgrounds and belonging from different social classes, Salma and Sikander, played by Saba Qamar and Imran Abbas respectively, have nothing in common except for passion for art that binds them together-and an unfortunate incident that puts Sikander’s career in danger.  

Teleporting us back to 1993, the drama opened with Salma donning a blue shalwar qameez and singing in the most delightful manner, assuredly making her presence felt. Salma belongs from a wealthy family and has all the support of her father to pursue a degree in arts. Sikander, who belongs from a middle-class family, gives up his medical studies to pursue art in the same college as Salma.  

Fate takes an unexpected turn when Salma gets injured by a ball that is hit by Sikander while playing cricket. Infuriated, Salma’s father demands expulsion of Sikander who has no other option but to pursue the principal to not go ahead with his decision. 

And so begins the classical love story that stands against the societal divisions and the test of time. 

Characters of substance: A strong-willed hero and an unapologetic heroine

Salma: The epitome of grace 

Saba Qamar has reassured her fans with her previous performances that her characters are going to leave an impact on the audience and time and again she lives up to the expectations. Salma in Tumharey Husn Kay Naam is no different…a utopian character brought to life from the 90s, unburdened by the practicality of life and pursuing her dreams of being an artist. 

Salma is the epitome of grace who embraces life to the fullest, a perfect example of a father’s daughter who is backed by her father to pursue her dreams, and in turn she is making her parents proud by being an obedient, dedicated, and a grateful daughter. 

Fighting the brutalities with his head held high: Introducing Sikandar  

Living a contrasting life to hers, enters Sikandar, played by Imran Abbas. Devoid of father’s love at a young age and a life of comfort and luxury, Sikandar only has his mother and art to live for.  

Imran is essaying a completely different character from what we are used to seeing him in his currently airing drama, Ehraam-e-Junoon, a testament to his acting skills. He was charming and suave yet was able to convey the pain of Sikandar through his words and expressions, rendering a worthwhile experience for viewers.  

Our Verdict on Tumharey Husn Kay Naam

Tumharey Husn Kay Naam promises a strong narrative that will leave us wanting for more. The first episode had us hooked and the lead actors were able to put forward a great presence on-screen that had us mesmerized.  

Aside from a small confusion in the time lapse when Salma got injured, the narrative and direction are well-knitted and reflect a skilful depiction of art, especially the ending shot where we see Salma and Sikander meeting each other for the first time. 

We have high hopes from this one, and plan on reminiscing about this story for a long time to come.

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