THE WEEK THAT WAS

Adhi Gawahi | Hum TV, Wed & Thurs 9.10pm

Written by Saima Akram Chaudhry and directed by Fahim Burney, this is Sohai Ali Abro’s comeback serial after warming up in Kaisi Ye Paheli with Azfar Rehman. Perhaps it is the role that has yet to unfold its layers and tap Sohai’s potential but so far her acting is no match for her superb performance in Pyare Afzal and leaves a lot to be desired. On the other hand, Azfar Rehman appears quite comfy as the baddie Hamdan and Ali Josh flawless as Saad, the male lead. The storyline is solid but we still have to wait and see how it develops and grips us. By the way, Uzma Khan [Ye Jawani Phir Nahin Ani] as Soha neither makes an intriguing vamp nor exciting eye-candy.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

Ek Haseena Ek Deewana | Urdu1, Thurs & Fri 9pm

We are clutching our popcorn bowls and biting our nails as each episode continues to be a cliff-hanger with next-level whodunnit factor. Daddy Korludag who has lost his empire to Taimur wants him out of daughter Suha’s life. Suha, now divorced, meanwhile is still in denial about her father’s evilness and trying to keep her pregnancy a secret from both the father and ex-hubby. Raza, the psychotic jailbird, is planning his next mean move while the Korludag farmhouse is fast turning into a nursery with expectant mothers and babies. There are murders and treachery in the offing. Urdu 1’s commendable job at dubbing and translation makes EHED engrossing and addictive.

Maharani | HTV, Weekdays 9pm

Mera Sultan and Mor Mahal fans looking for some exotic palace intrigue can watch Maharani on HTV. A bit of fact mixed with fiction, this a visually-stunning, dubbed version of the award-winning Korean drama serial Ki Hwanghoo (2013) or Empress Ki translated into many languages for international broadcast. With beautiful songs, dances, colourful costumes, opulent sets, an intriguing variety of characters including undying villains and a love-triangle; the story is about a young woman who defies the class system of that era and her arduous journey to become an empress of the Yuan dynasty, leaving behind her first love with a broken heart.

Published in Dawn, ICON, July 30th, 2017