THE WEEK THAT WAS

Khasara | ARY, Tuesdays 8.00-10.00pm

Mikaal Zulfiqar plays the complex character of Mohtasim who searches for happiness and self-actualisation elsewhere as he is forever henpecked by snooty-boots Linta (Sarwat Gilani), his rich, insecure wife who feels that it is her weatlth that he is riding on.

Mohtasim’s fatal attraction towards Sila (Sonia Mishal), Monis (Junaid Khan)’s ambitious wife leads to a break up between both couples. After a scuffle over Sila between Mohtasim and Monis, Monis packs his bags for Ranipur, leaving Sila behind who refuses to move back to the small town from Karachi.

On a rebellious roll, not only does Mohtasim contact and reassure Sila about how he will always be there for her, he also invites old flame Aarzoo (Hajra Khan) to dinner at home, right under Linta’s pretty nose. This proves to be the last straw and Linta throws Mohtasim out, which only makes his feelings for Sila grow stronger. Few flaws in direction but solid script and power-packed performances make the double episodes a treat to watch.

Mein Khayal Hoon Kissi Aur Ka | Hum TV, Saturdays 8.00pm

Zaryab (Ali Rehman Khan) is the adopted son while Arman (debutant Alamdar Husain) is the biological son and Dania (Hareem Farooq) is a family friend. Predictably enough, Dania and Zaryab secretly love each other. On his return from abroad, Arman falls for Dania and his clueless mum takes Arman’s proposal to Dania’s ailing dad. Family pressure forces Dania to accept the proposal and Arman and Dania get married much to Zaryab’s dismay.

Arman finds out on the wedding night about her and Zaryab being in love and divorces her as he does not want to stand between two lovers. Dania is shattered, and Zaryab mopes around in the same house like a jilted lover. Arman is uncomfortable as hell because it’s all about maintaining a facade and double-entendre dialogue while Arman’s parents gift them honeymoon tickets. The much-hyped UK-based vlogger Rucksar Naaz makes an appearance as the probable fiancée for Zaryab.

What To Watch Out For

Babban Khala Ki Betiyan | ARY, Thursdays 8.00pm

Lively ambience, rich characters and a promising story make this serial worth watching out for. Babban Khala (Zaheen Tahira) and Basharat (Qavi Khan) have six daughters. The eldest Ishrat (Saima Noor) commits suicide after being rejected by yet another suitor. Mussarat (Javeria Abbasi), the second daughter works as a school teacher. The third and fourth daughters of the family are Habiba aka Billo (Maria Wasti) and Durdana (Sana Fakhar), the latter only interested in her looks and appearance. Then there is Baby (Faryal Mehmood) and Bubbly (Srha Asghar). Apart from the tragic death, they are a happy family.

Najma (Samina Nazeer) is a very cunning Hyderabadi woman with three sons Munna (Ali Josh), Pappu (Arsalan Faisal) and Guddu (Faizan Sheikh) who live upstairs as tenants. The six sisters have six unique stories cleverly interwoven by writer Mansoor Ahmed Khan and directed by Syed Atif Hussain in a realistic manner.

Published in Dawn, ICON, July 22nd, 2018