THE WEEK THAT WAS

Dil Moam Ka Diya | ARY, Tuesdays 8.00-10.00pm

In Saira Raza’s engaging story, women don’t suffer but, for a change, they make the men suffer. Neelam Muneer glides through her role as the arrogant, headstrong, jealous and conceited Ulfat. The domestic upheavals are a fun watch although one cannot help feel sorry for the husband Afzal (Yasir Nawaz) and his victimised family. Ulfat humiliates people and creates unpleasant situations for everyone with her obnoxious tongue-lashing, testing her husband’s patience again and again. Afzal might have overlooked many insults but when it is a question of his baby daughter’s well-being, he loses patience and raises his hand at her. Hell hath no fury like Ulfat scorned and she marches off home, but not for the first time.

While Ulfat raises hell about being hit by Afzal, her parents discourage her antics and send her back to her husband. After failing in her scheme to wind up dewarji Azhar (Imran Ashraf) against his wife Tamkinat (Hira Mani), Ulfat is now set on not having a third baby, and after a couple of doctors refuse to perform an abortion on her, she has sought help from a quack, which will no doubt get her into some serious trouble.

Ab Dekh Khuda Kya Karta Hai | Geo TV, Tuesdays 8.00pm

Jaan-i-Alam (Danish Taimoor) plays the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood when he comes to Malik’s (Rashid Farooqui) house to apologise to Mariam (Sanam Chaudhry) and her mum (Parveen Akbar) for all the evil he has done. But just as Mariam’s nikah is about to be solemnised, an undesirable photo of Mariam with Minister saheb (Salahuddin Tunio) is received on the boy’s mum’s mobile phone, which destroys everything.

But while we are thinking that Jaan-i-Alam must have organised this evil plan, the most unprecedented and surprising twist happens. When the groom’s family leaves, Jaan-i-Alam marries Mariam himself and continues to be kind and gentle to everyone, taking Mariam home, buying her stuff and organising the valima for his stunning wife. We are dying to know how much of a farce is this sudden personality change, and if Jaan-i-Alam is as good as gold, then who the hell messed up Mariam’s wedding?

What To Watch Out For

Deedan | A-Plus, Saturdays 8.00pm

Written by Attiya Dawoodand directed by Amin Iqbal , this is a love story set in the stunning landscape of Hunza replete with scenic shots and rich costumes. Zardab (Mohib Mirza) and Resham (Sanam Saeed) love each but her father Shafiullah (Rasheed Naz) not only shoots Mohib in the leg when he spots him near his daughter but the incident also sets Shafiullah’s mind about marrying Resham off as soon as possible. Meanwhile, another villager Gulbaz Khan’s (Ajab Gul) son Shabaz Khan (Hassan Noman) has returned from Dubai and Shafiullah and Gulbaz Khan agree to marry Resham to Shabaz Khan. This comes as a blow to Resham and Zardab.

The actors, especially Ajab Gul, Rasheed Naz, Hassan Noman, Sanam Saeed, Minsa Malik (as Pulvasha) and Huma Nawab (as Gul Makai) have an excellent get-up and are doing a fantastic job at their accents. The dialogue is apt and intense where needed, considering the rich culture being portrayed. Each scene is refreshing to the eye but the story will probably become more heart-wrenching than we think. With a beautiful OST by Adnan Dhool, the drama may seem like Sang-i-Mar Mar (which was shot in Swat) but it’s a notch above.

Published in Dawn, ICON, October 21st, 2018