THE WEEK THAT WAS

Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri | Hum TV, Fridays 8.00pm

Neighbours and childhood best friends, Zubia (Dananeer Mubeen) and Saim (Khushhal Khan) fall madly in love with each other but both their families refuse to take the feelings of the two young adults, barely out of their teens, seriously. Misunderstandings and family honour create obstacle after obstacle for the young lovers, leading them to an ill-planned elopement.

With nowhere to stay and no money, Saim and Zubia agree to a quick nikaah read by their landlord but, with Zubia’s obsessed, angry brother-in-law Danyal (Ali Raza) in hot pursuit, they have to run again. Cold, hungry and insecure, Zubia goes into shock after strangers attack her. In a fear-filled rage, she tears up the nikaahnama and runs home, while Danyal catches Saim and beats him to within an inch of his life. Zubia is barely safe at home but Saim is fighting for his life. It seems that this may be the final blow to their fragile love story.

Rahat Jabeen has given us a more authentic take on the self-doubt and foolish joy of young love. Strong performances from Khushhal Khan and Dananeer Mobeen, and a solid supporting cast have brought this story vividly to life. This popular show consistently makes ratings but, as usual, repetition and stretching are threatening to make it drag.

Kabli Pulao | Green TV, Tuesdays 8.00pm

This show is storytelling at its finest. Director Kashif Nisar and author Zafar Mairaj give us a story steeped in very real human emotions, far away from the paper cutouts that pass for characters and plots in most of primetime.

An unlikely hero, Haji Mushtaq (Mohammad Ehteshamuddin) had long given up any thoughts of a personal life, raising his siblings as his children, and turning to more spiritual pursuits. Trying to help an Afghan family in need, Haji ends up married to a young widow, Barbeena (Sabeena Farooq). Afraid for his reputation, Haji tries to hide the nikaah, and even tries to send Barbeena away, but his ex-fiancée Shamim (Nadia Afghan) exposes the relationship in a fit of jealous rage.

Zafar Mairaj paints a picture of true life, using every shade of human emotion, never allowing any of his characters to sink into villainy or sainthood. Excellent, restrained, skillfully nuanced performances from the entire cast, but especially the leads, carry this quality work to another level of entertainment.

Mayi Ri | ARY, Wednesdays 8.00pm

Forced into marriage when they hardly understand the depth of this relationship, Fakhir (Samar Abbas) and Anni (Aina Asif) try to make the best of a difficult situation. After the nikaah, Anni suddenly becomes the focus of everyone’s attention: she must be dressed up as a bride, wear gold jewellery, and her education is always the first casualty. To her selfish, dysfunctional parents nothing matters except their own difficulties.

Fakhar escapes much of the scrutiny till his father dies. Then he finds his Chacha (Anni’s father) pushing him out and controlling his father’s business. Now Fakhir is under huge pressure to learn how to manage the business rather than his education. While the idea behind the show is laudable, the writer Sana Fahad’s subtle style and circular dialogues have diluted some of the message. Otherwise this is a well-plotted show with good character sketches. Strong performances from the younger cast are especially impressive.

What To Watch Out For (or not)

Hadsa | Geo TV, Daily 7:00pm

A story that seems to be taken straight from news headlines. A woman and her son are travelling on the motorway when they are attacked and the woman is raped. Hadiqa Kiani and Alyy Khan star in this story of tragedy and survival.

Published in Dawn, ICON, September 2rd, 2023