THE TUBE

Published October 9, 2022

THE WEEK THAT WAS

Tinkay Ka Sahara | Hum TV, Mondays 8.00pm

This is a basic but well-made drama written by Zanjabeel Asim that contrasts the lives of two couples. Qadr (Sonya Hussyn) is an orphan reliant on her greedy elder sister, who ends up getting Qadr married to Hammad (Haroon Shahid), who cheerfully enjoys a lazy life. Meanwhile, Durriya (Rabab Hashim) ignores an array of red flags to marry a disturbed but very wealthy man Wasay (Sami Khan).

Despite the simple dichotomy of good and bad, this is at least one story that bucks the trend of absolving violent men of culpability because they are wealthy, because Wasay is treated as a villain. Qadr’s relationship has the weakest start, a quiet engagement missing a ring, but the few words of support from Hammad show priceless qualities of commitment and care. In contrast, Durriya has a grand celebration but is slapped and abused on her wedding night by her arrogant, always angry husband. Good performances from a cast used to playing such characters are not surprising, but it’s something new for Haroon Shahid who finally gets a role with nuance and depth.

Chauraha | Geo TV, Mon & Tues 8.00pm

Zoya’s (Madiha Imam) life is shattered when Junaid (Mikaal Zulfikar) and his gang kidnap her for money. Junaid is a lost soul but not completely evil, so he ends up saving his victim from gang rape, but Zoya’s absence from home casts a shadow over her reputation. Zoya is a resilient girl and struggles against the cruel gossip, accusations and trauma of her captivity, only to be confronted with Junaid as her new stepfather’s son. The gang wants revenge, so they abduct Zoya again. Junaid steps in to save her again, but now the terrible secret of their connection is exposed and he ends up in jail. Zoya’s one hope of a return to normalcy had been Arsal (Asad Siddiqui) but, after so many extraordinary events, Arsal cannot persuade his parents to accept Zoya.

Edison Idrees Masih gives us another nuanced, well-written serial with a sensible, resilient heroine and some nuanced male protagonists. However, like most scripts, the plot links the resolution of Zoyas’s problem to the perpetrator, by creating a love interest between Zoya and Junaid. Thankfully this scenario was just a tease for the audience, and the finale showed a rare, sensible ending with Zoya moving on with her life and career.

Mere Humsafar | ARY, Thursdays Concluded

After keeping Hamza (Farhan Saeed) and the audience at the edge of potential heartbreak for three or four episodes, Hala (Hania Aamir) forgives everyone. Unreasonably easy redemptive arcs for terrible men and mothers-in-law are part of the pragmatic mythology of the average serial, but this time it hit a discordant, hollow note because of the next level of psychopathic villainy the makers had pushed Saba Hamid’s mother-in-law character to.

Apart from the always popular Cinderella theme, this show’s main attraction was the fantastic screen chemistry between leads Farhan Saeed and Hania Aamir, whose gentle love story gave it a mass following. These were the only two truly positive characters, but a strong showing from the supporting cast, including Saba Hamid, Waseem Abbas, Sameena Ahmed, Omer Shahzad and Zoya Nasir, gave their protagonists nuance and depth.

What To Watch Out For (Or Not)

Qalandar | Geo TV, Coming soon

Another entry in the category of spiritually oriented serials is this new drama from Geo. Komal Mir plays a young woman whose family and village believe she has a special connection to God because her prayers are always answered. Her elevation to pirni brings her trouble, when the greedy ambitious charater played by Muneeb Butt enters her life.

Published in Dawn, ICON, October 9th, 2022

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