THE WEEK THAT WAS

Jhok Sarkar | Hum TV, Tuesdays 8.00pm

Farhan Saeed takes on a new avatar as police officer ASP Arsalan Manzoor who, despite being a top graduate, is assigned to a lawless area in South Punjab. The real power in Jhok Siyal is the local landlord Peeral (Asif Raza Mir) and his vicious son Meeral (Usman Javed). Hiba Bukhari plays Sassi, a local school teacher whose friend Noori (Maham Shahid) is captured escaping the village with her lover Shaukat. Meeral wants Shaukat dead but the desperate Noori catches Peeral’s eye and she is forced to work at the haveli with her lover as a hostage.

It is obvious the makers chose charm and confidence over gritty reality when casting Saeed and considering the filmi swagger in the teasers, it may just work. Asif Raza Mir is mesmerising as the lecherous jagirdar, but the surprise is Usman Javed as Meeral, whose restrained brand of menace adds intensity to the mix. There is nothing new in the story so far, but the systemic, unashamed corruption and influence-pedalling that author Hashim Nadeem describes rings depressingly true.

Gunah | Express TV, Thursdays 8.00pm

Gul Noor (Juggan Kazim), wife of powerful landlord Malik Hayat Khan (Sarmad Khoosat) and mother of two, has thrown respectability to the winds and run away with her children’s handsome young tutor Ahmed (Ali Raza). Or has she?

The first episode plays with the audience, shifting perspective with each character and giving us a reason to doubt them all, especially those claiming the mantle of victimhood. Ahmed’s desperate mother is turned away by the police till newly appointed SHO Sabha (Rabia Butt) joins the district and insists on investigating the disappearances.

Where has Gul Noor gone, and why does it seem her sister Gul Meher (Saba Qamar) is not as upset at the scandal as she should be? An excellent first episode from director Adnan Sarwar, combined with strong performances from Sarmad Khoosat, Rabia Butt and Saba Qamar make this show fascinating viewing. Melodrama, mystery and a touch of sly, deadpan humour sets this show head and shoulders above anything else on the viewing schedule.

Kuch Ankahi | ARY, Saturdays 8.00pm

Despite being quiet, patient and cheerfully faithful to a man who made it obvious he was interested in someone else well before their marriage, Samiya (Mira Sethi) is still not quite winning her man. Saifur Rehman (Ali Safina) is too embarrassed to leave the saint-like Samiya but Shagufta (Uroosa Siddiqui) is always at the back of his mind.

Ali Safina is the best part of this tiresome track, wringing out some empathy and understanding for a man we should hate, whose controlling mother has taught him to confuse dominance and abuse with love. The Azfer (Sheheryar Munawar), Aliya (Sajal Aly) and Salman (Bilal Abbas) love triangle continues to heat up.

Sajal and Sheheryar share some strong chemistry, leaving their characters in a tantalising dilemma. Azfer is rich, powerful and incredibly attractive. How long can Aliya ignore their growing familiarity? Is the comfortable equation Aliya shares with Salman strong enough to be love? Munawar and Aly add spice and energy to this well-written but slow-moving show.

What To Watch Out For (or not)

Gunjal | Aur Life, Coming soon

Despite two shows on air, producers cannot get enough of Zaviyar Ijaz. So here comes a third, Gunjal. This is an intense story about succession and power politics, giving fans another chance to see Naumaan Ijaz in a serial with his son.

Dil Pe Zakham Khaye Hain | Hum TV, Coming soon

Starring Syeda Tuba and Shehzad Noor, this is a story about a girl forced to be a second wife in order to provide a wealthy family with an heir.

Published in Dawn, ICON, June 25th, 2023