Finally something came along in the Hum Telefilm Festival 2010 that was well-scripted, depicted strong female characters and had a heartfelt storyline. Although it's too early to forecast, Tehreem helmed by talented actor-director Sarmad Khoosat, should be up for one of the top prizes in the competition.

Tehreem, broadcasted on July 10, centres around Nini (Farah Tufail), a sex worker who is jailed for murder but is temporarily released to give birth at a hospital. Since Nini is an Aids patient the doctors decide to keep both the mother and child under observation for a couple of days. Mariam (Erum Akhtar) is the doctor assigned to the baby and grows very fond of her. As Nini cradles her child, she tells Mariam that the baby girl will bring her financial gains later on. This appalls Mariam who convinces Nini to give her the baby so that she can take care of her during her prison term. Mariam names the baby Tehreem and brings her home despite her husband Babar's (Saami Muzaffar) disapproval. Two years later Nini is released and comes to fetch Tehreem (Sila Sardar) but Mariam refuses to let go of the infant. To resolve the matter, Mariam suggests that Nini stay with her while she gets to know Tehreem. Nini agrees sensing that this way she and her daughter are better off living with Mariam, who lives in a huge house with several servants to take care of their needs.

But Nini's foul mouth and her chain-smoking habit antagonises Mariam's family. Matters come to head when Nini and Mariam have a huge row. Nini decides to sleep all alone one night with Tehreem but during the night she fails to extinguish her cigarette while she falls asleep resulting in a fire in the room. Sensibly, the writer Seemal Nauman does not take the 'tragic' route, for Tehreem remains unharmed. The telefilm ends with Nini walking away leaving Tehreem with Mariam.

As far as the performances are concerned, Farah was superb as Nini. She should be a strong contender for the best actress category. Erum also came across as sincere and convincing as Dr Mariam whereas Sarmad's role as Dr Atif, a confidant of Mariam, could have been played by any actor.

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