THE WEEK THAT WAS

Tumharey Husn Ke Naam | Green TV, Mondays 8.00pm

It is 1993, a simpler time before the internet made us all cynical, and our heroine Salma (Saba Qamar) is in art school. Beautiful, soft-spoken, and from a wealthy family, Salma is the trophy daughter-in-law every mother with an eligible son is competing for.

Salma’s father (Salman Shahid) insists his daughter must complete her degree in Fine Arts first, but that does not stop his wealthy friends asking for her hand for their arrogant son Atif (Asad Siddiqui). Salma’s heart belongs to a poet she listens to on the radio, who is also her classmate Sikandar (Imran Abbas).

The show has a soothing pace, steeped in nostalgia, but none of the cast has made the effort to dress or behave according to the period. Imran Abbas is the main reason to watch as a struggling artist blessed with natural artistic talent but no money. He provides all the energy. Saba Qamar is, at least so far, in classic passive, soon-to-be victim mode. Asad Siddiqui lays on the villainy in a sudden melodramatic confrontation with Imran Abbas around episode number four, that leaves the audience wondering if some scenes were missing or if we lost an episode.

Fairytale Season 2 | Hum TV, Sundays 8.00pm

The new season begins by surpassing all expectations, leaving excited fans celebrating across social media. Serious, work-oriented Farjaad (Hamza Sohail) and goofy, fun-loving Umeed (Sehar Khan) have declared their love and are set to be married. The lead pair’s shifting dynamic and romantic chemistry is still the pillar of the show, but the family comedy in between is just as entertaining.

While Farjaad has been accepted into Umeed’s family, his mother, the usually ditzy Niggo (Saman Ansari) is a little miffed, so she starts “researching” how to be a zaalim saas (cruel mother-in-law) by watching some terrible Indian soaps, and googling villainy. Meanwhile Farjaad has asked Umeed to work at his office with hilarious results.

The other lead pair have new issues. Sameer (Adnan Raza Mir) is going to art school while Haya (Aena Khan) is going to medical school. What will happen to their wedding plans? The first episode ends with an Indian soap opera-style skit: Farjad and Umeed slyly setting up a conflict that is sure to make us laugh more than cry.

Mayi Ri | ARY, Daily 7.00pm

Big Bang productions show us they can produce quality content when they actually want to. This drama has a nicely structured plot with clearly defined characters and motivations that are not black-and-white, but ultimately lean towards selfishness and convenience at the expense of the helpless. Picking up on the trend of making an all-round entertainer, the show has humour, nuance and restrained negativity rather than the misery of many message-oriented serials.

Wealthy Zaheer Bhai (Naumaan Ijaz) suffers a heart attack. Fearing for his health, he insists his teenage son Fakhir (Samar Abbas) must marry before he dies. Zaheer’s brother is a weak, selfish man with two wives and no income. He persuades his broken first wife to allow the marriage to their underage daughter Ainy (Aina Asif). The show explores the difficulties Ainy faces as a child bride and how her rights and dreams are reduced. Can Ainy find a way out?

Solid performances from the entire cast and strong direction make this an addictive daily watch.

What To Watch Out For (or not)

Main | ARY, Coming soon

Starring Wahaj Ali, Ayeza Khan and Azekah Daniel, dramatic teasers for Main have already garnered a million-plus views on YouTube. Zanjabeel Asim has written a story about the lethal combination of overweening egos, pride and wealth.

Published in Dawn, ICON, August 13th, 2023