THE WEEK THAT WAS

Barzakh | Zee Zindagi, Tues-Fri 8.00pm

Freed from local censorship, director Asim Abbasi takes advantage of an OTT platform release to bring us a world where reality and fantasy merge to bring us a story far from the usual.

Aqqa (Salman Shahid) wants to marry his first love, the long-dead Mehtab, who he thinks will rise for the ceremony. He invites his two sons from the two women he actually married to this “final ceremony.” The ghosts of his dead wives are seen carrying burdens or comforting their sons. The younger son, Shehryar (Fawad Afzal Khan), from the city, is also a widower, still mourning his own wife and raising his son. The elder son, Saifullah (Fawad Khan), is a simple farmer grappling with his sexuality, and neglect from Aqqa.

Khushhal Khan as the younger Aqqa is impressive, as he plays out his tragic love story and rise to wealth. Sanam Saeed plays Scheherazade, the daughter who takes care of Aqqa. Abbasi plays with many intriguing allegories to explore the pain and loss the characters are feeling. Although, Fawad Afzal Khan’s star power is the main attraction, he is not the focus of the first two episodes. What remains to be seen is whether there is depth to the stylised metaphors, and how Abbasi knits them together.

Radd | ARY, Wed-Thurs 8.00pm

As this popular serial begins to wind up, we see writer Sanam Mehdi reel in the loose ends of this entertaining story about a man who finds meaning through his connection with the right woman.

Eman (Hiba Bukhari) married Salaar (Shehryar Munawar) through a twist of fate rather than love. The man she once loved, Zain (Arsalan Naseer), returns, blaming her for breaking off their relationship and threatening retribution if she does not rekindle their affair. Salaar was a repressed soul but his character arc has matured into a strong man, which has been perfectly captured by Shehryar Munawar, without losing his character’s essential gentility.

Hiba Bukhari won hearts playing the resentful and impulsive Eman with restraint, and her character has also grown more stable and able to communicate as a partner to Salaar. The weak point in the show has been Arsalan Naseer, who was in his element as a pleasant young man but was missingthe skills required for scenes of anger and frustration. This show has been consistently good viewing, combining quality with mass appeal.

Zard Patton Ka Bun | Hum TV, Sundays 8.00pm

Sponsored by Kashf, an NGO dedicated to women’s empowerment, this serial highlights many issues, such as the lack of healthcare facilities in rural areas, corruption and family planning. While writer Mustafa Afridi brings both humour and positivity in this story about rural inequity, the lack of focus makes the many issues raised seem overwhelming at times.

Dr Naufal (Hamza Sohail) heads back to the city after being threatened by the local landlord and harassed by ignorant villagers. He tries to save Rani, a young girl beaten to death by her employers. Rani dies because her gambler father has taken a bribe. Naufal returns to take care of business but is accused by the outspoken Meenu (Sajal Aly) of being the cause of Rani’s death.

The show takes a hard turn into a fight for justice; both Hamza Sohail and Sajal Aly hold the audience’s interest well. A lot of this show’s attraction is also bound in the fantastic cameos from a strong supporting cast, including Rehan Sheikh, Ali Tahir and Adnan Shah Tipu.

What To Watch Out For (or not)

Hum Dono | Hum TV, Coming soon

Azaan Sami Khan, Kinza Hashmi and Zaviyaar Ijaz star in this dark love story about a clash between power, wealth and true feelings.

Published in Dawn, ICON, July 28th, 2024