THE WEEK THAT WAS

Meri Shehzadi | Hum TV, Thursdays 8.00pm

Written by Zanjabeel Asim and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, this show has been hyped as a take on the life of Diana, the late Princess of Wales. Dania (Urwa Hocane) is a quiet, bookish girl raised by her grandparents, who cannot celebrate her birthday without revisiting her beautiful mother’s death in childbirth.

Her firebrand Nani (Shamim Hilaly) is very protective and blames Dania’s father (Nauman Maqsood) for remarrying after a year, and neglecting his daughter. The true reason for his neglect is his jealous second wife (Najeeba Faiz), who is gearing up as a typical stepmother. Dania’s simple world is about to be upended from the next episode teaser. It seems she will be persuaded to marry the son (Ali Rehman) of her uncle (Shabbir Jan), a prominent politician.

Hocane’s performance looks promising: hesitant, anxious but not a trembling fool, and there is a sweetness to Dania that immediately connects with the audience. Ali Rehman has taken on the mantle of entitled arrogance really well. Despite his superficial attractiveness, there is something cold and unreachable about Shehroz. With such a strong cast, this should be an intriguing serial, but there is a caveat: both Zanjabeel Asim and Qasim Ali Mureed have become known for losing focus of the main narrative with irritating sidetracks, and stretching things to eke out ratings.

Daraar | Geo TV, Wed-Thurs 8.00pm

On paper, wealthy businessman Shaheer Ahmed (Syed Jibran) is the perfect man: kind and generous, he dotes on his grandmother, even choosing a simple, middle class working woman as a life partner instead of a wealthy beauty. All of this is a charming façade that this dangerous man has built around himself. The real Shaheer is the kind of man who gives his wife Irha (Amar Khan) a loving wake-up call from his mistress’s bedroom, and is quietly kindling an affair with her flirtatious cousin Sajal (Momal Shaikh). Misbah Nausheen has written a masala-filled script, but what really makes this show great viewing is Syed Jibran’s fantastic performance as a two-faced manipulator.

Woh Pagal Si | ARY, Mon-Thurs 9.00pm

While all the main channels seem to be taking turns to promote violent, abusive men as romantic ideals in prime time, it is left to a soap opera to present a decent person as a hero. Sara (Hira Khan) is the spoiled daughter of wealthy Ehsan Hayat (Babar Ali), who loses her father’s love and respect after he hastily marries his young secretary Shazma (Zubab Rana). Shazma and her boyfriend Wahaj (Omer Shahzad) plot to steal Hayat’s money and estrange his daughters. When Wahaj tries to force Sara to marry him, she persuades her driver Zaheen (Saad Qureshi) to marry her as a protection against him.

Writer Sadia Akhtar incorporates surprisingly more character development and realism into this throwaway genre than many of our leading writers. Sara’s evolution from entitled princess to a better person, combined with Zaheen’s patient support, makes for a refreshing change. Hira Khan breaks out of her usual sullen side-villain mode to become a lead, and Saad Qureshi gives a knockout performance as a very believable hero. Omer Shahzad is also impressive as the conniving villain.

What To Watch Out For (Or Not)

Tinkay Ka Sahara | Hum TV, Coming Soon

Teasers for this upcoming drama open a window into two very different marriages. Sonya Hussyn plays an orphan married to a lazy man (Haroon Shahid) who isn’t interested in working. Meanwhile, the materialistic girl played by Rubab Hashim suffers at the hands of her wealthy, abusive husband (Sami Khan). Zanjabeel Asim spins another tale about dysfunctional relationships in this upcoming serial.

Published in Dawn, ICON, October 2nd, 2022