THE WEEK THAT WAS

Tere Bina Main Nahin | ARY, Tuesdays 8.00pm

Ambitious Noor al Ain (Sonya Hussyn) has a successful career and wants to wait a few years before marriage till her love, Murtaza (Shehzad Shaikh), improves his financial situation. His ego stung by Noor’s thinking and pushed by his insecure, controlling mother and sister, Murtaza marries the “simple” homemaker Tehniyat (Aiza Awan). Broken by the loss, Noor becomes obsessive, even following Murtaza on his honeymoon.

The lovers continue to meet, aided by Tehniyat’s accommodating lack of interest in her new husband. Murtaza cannot forget Noor, so when she suggests a secret second marriage, he begins to consider it till Tehniyat discovers his intentions. Shehzad Shaikh has played the role of the wavering, weak husband so many times that he is an expert at it now. Sonya Hussyn as the desperate, manipulative Noor lends some energy to this otherwise predictable story. Disappointingly, this show demonises the working woman instead of exploring the familial dysfunction and mistakes made by each protagonist.

Heer Da Hero | Geo TV, Daily 7.00pm

This script was written by the lead actress Amar Khan and was initially called JanjalPur. After the teasers, many complained this show might be too loud and filmi for Ramazan, but a strong cast and direction pulls the story together, keeping it entertaining without going over the edge.

Imran Ashraf is perfect in the familiar avatar of the action hero, beating up goondas (goons) and maintaining peace in the neighbourhood where his father (Waseem Abbas) lost an election. This year ‘Hero Butt’ will ensure his father wins the seat of the local councillor. The opposition is TikTok star Heer Jatt’s family, her father played by Kashif Abbasi and uncle, a corrupt policeman played by Afzal Khan (Jan Rambo), whose deadpan humour is unmissable.

Like most Ramazan shows, the supporting cast of quirky but lovable personalities are essential to the spirit of the show. Amar is fantastic as Heer, funny, tough, determined and somehow vulnerable too. The show also debuts Scottish Pakistani YouTube star Rahim Pardesi (Mohammad Amer) whose hilarious face-off with Hero Butt is the stuff of legend. Despite the simple setting, efforts have been made to keep up the production values, and the wardrobe and lighting giving us a very watchable show.

Chand Tara | Hum TV, Daily 9.00pm

Writer Saima Akram Chaudhry’s winning formula captivates audiences again with yet another ode of appreciation for the traditional family system. Stern and controlling Dr Razia (Saba Faisal) lives separated from her husband because of the demands of his joint family. She immediately blocks her daughter Dr Nain Tara’s (Ayeza Khan) wish to marry Chand (Danish Taimoor), who lives with a similarly big family.

Chand is a software engineer with what seems like lots of spare time, who is dealing with his own family’s many issues and funny personalities. Despite being a doctor specialising in gynaecology, Tara is a simple, immature girl with long, fashionable nails and non-stop glamour, but this is a romcom so it does not rankle too much.

Putting aside her styling, the story succeeds most with Tara’s story, her longing for company, and the warmth of family in her lonely, strictly work-oriented life with her mother, seems more authentic than the shouting matches at Chand’s home. Both Ayeza Khan and Danish Taimoor slide easily into these light, humorous roles, making for a pleasant change after their numerous serious, melodramatic portrayals.

What To Watch Out For (or not)

Abdullah | Geo TV, Daily 4.30am

This is a sweet, very simple show oriented towards children. Abdullah is a young boy who both teaches and learns lessons about charity and becoming a better person in the holy season of Ramazan.

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 2nd, 2023