THE WEEK THAT WAS

Surkh Chandni, ARY Tuesdays 8.00pm

The last episode brought good things for the fighter that is the acid-attack victim, Ayeda (Sohai Ali Abro), and her hubby Amaan (Osman Khalid Butt). The antagonist Jawad (Asad Siddiqui) shoots his accomplice and Ayeda’s bhabi [sister-in-law] Shumaila (Mansha Pasha) in the head and, before dying, Shumaila records her statement, confessing everything. Shumaila’s husband Mukhtar (Hassan Ahmed) gives all his property to Amaan and so that Amaan and Ayeda can set up a shelter home for acid-attack victims. Amaan gets Ayeda to resume her education and return to college. She urges acid attack victims to fight for their rights under section 332 of the Pakistan Penal Code and goes on radio to create awareness about a bill related to acid crimes that is pending in the National Assembly. Hassan Ahmed tackled the meaty role that finally came his way, very well. This is a commendable endeavour on the grave topic of acid attacks on women.

Bol Nights, Bol TV Thursdays & Fridays 8.00pm

Ahsan Khan hosts a biweekly talk show with some of the hottest celebrities in Pakistan. As their peer, Ahsan instantly puts his guests at ease and brings out spontaneity in them. Also interesting is how most of the guests on his show are either real-life couples such as Danish Taimoor and Ayeza Khan, Nida Yasir and Yasir Nawaz, or screen couples such as Affan Waheed and Hira Mani (Do Bol), Saboor Aly and Ali Abbas (Naqab Zun) and Mahira Khan and Bilal Ashraf who have been loved for their performances together on screen.

What To Watch Out For

Jaal, Hum TV Fridays 8.00pm

New entrant Sukaina Khan (Zonia) has been on a roll since the start of the serial and comes across as a talented actor. Greedy for money and success, headstrong and inherently stupid, Zonia escapes from an unpleasant situation through sheer luck. Lying about where she is going, she agrees to go out to an ‘official’ dinner with her slimy boss. She bolts and runs when he wants to take her to his house after dinner. The best scene was when she runs barefoot down the dark streets, dressed to the hilt, clutching her stilettos. Shocked and crying she calls her husband Arsal (Ali Kazmi) who comes to her rescue. She apologises to an angry Arsal and his family, promising to be like her angelic sister Esha (Sumbul Iqbal) from now on, which shocks everyone else. Fun!

Published in Dawn, ICON, September 29th, 2019