THE WEEK THAT WAS

Dushman | PTV, Monday 8.00pm

The feud between the Maliks and Chaudhrys reaches a new level of animosity when Waris’s sister Sohni (Rose Mohammad) seeks the ultimate revenge. Having accepted the premise of filmi exaggeration from the first episode, it’s not difficult to accept that Sohni’s plan to entrap her enemy’s son, Zain (Hadi Bin Arshad), works so easily. The banter between the two is witty and at times unbelievable but both actors carry it well.

Meanwhile, Waris’s widow, Sassi (Sabika Imam) waits to deliver her baby in the Chaudhry’s house, where she overhears the plans for her brother, Zain’s murder and sends Munshi Ranjha (Nayyar Ejaz) to warn him. This is a well-made drama, rich with regional flavour and depictions of colourful local customs that have been drowned out by the middle-class blandness of urban-based serials produced en masse by the main satellite channels. After the critically acclaimed Jo Bicharr Gaye, this is writer Ali Moeen’s second script to capture attention for a solid story that has become an exciting serial in director Abdullah Badini’s hands.

Mere Humnasheen | Geo TV, Fri-Sat 8.00pm

This is an excellent serial, with well-sketched out character arcs for each protagonist and strong performances from Ahsan Khan, Hiba Bukhari and Syed Jibran. Khajista (Hiba Bukhari) struggles to become a doctor and provide healthcare to the women of her deprived, mountain dwelling. Unlike other shows that deal only with the hurdles placed by conservative elements, this script gives context and depth, with an unsparing critique of the difficulties so-called educated, liberal society also puts in the way of women or anyone from a less-advantaged background.

Dr Hadi’s (Shehzad Shaikh) interest in Khajista sparks a spiral of hatred and animosity against her from deep within his elite class family. Hadi’s brother Hassan (Haris Waheed) and fiancée Aima (Moomal Khalid) plot against Khajista, eventually tying her to a drugs scandal. They are post facto, abetted and covered for by Hadi’s parents, in the interests of “protecting” their younger son and niece’s criminal behaviour, without a qualm about ruining Khajista’s life.

Writer Misbah Ali Sayed lays out the way the established elite class’s gatekeeping, class and economic privilege are as much hurdles for students from rural areas as regressive traditions. In a fascinating contrast, it is the uneducated Darakhzai who completely believes and trusts in Khajista’s innocence.

Wehshi | Hum TV, Mon-Tues 9.00pm

Based on a novel by Razia Butt, this script by Shumaila Zaidi highlights the value of fathers and how this primal relationship moulds a child’s psyche. Sobia hates her father, who is a violent, angry man. He hits and belittles his youngest daughter for allegedly bringing bad luck, instead of taking responsibility for his own bad business decisions. Weighed down by debt, he dies of a stress-induced heart attack, leaving a legacy of resentment and fear in his little girl.

In contrast, Asif (Arham Khan) is the spoiled apple of his wealthy father (Munir) and mother’s eyes. Loving and gentle, Munir’s sudden death at the hands of phone snatchers leave his wife and son devastated. Leads Khushhal Khan and Komal Meer have yet to make an appearance, but Nadia Khan, Shamyl Khan and the talented child actors make a strong impression. How Sobia and Asif’s personalities are shaped by these losses, is the next part of this story.

What To Watch Out For (Or Not)

Wabaal | Hum TV, Coming soon

The teasers show Shagufta Ejaz as a predatory loan shark, who has taken up this un-Islamic practice in her desperation to escape poverty. The scenes lack subtlety and have an overwhelmingly preachy, melodramatic tone, but the fresh casting of Talha Chahour and Sarah Khan might make this drama worth catching.

Published in Dawn, ICON, September 11th, 2022