THE WEEK THAT WAS

Khushboo Mein Basay Khat | Hum TV, Tuesdays 8.00pm

This show is a fascinating window into the circles of poetry and literature in modern Karachi. Acclaimed author Amna Mufti takes us into the lives of an array of diverse characters, connected by the microculture of Urdu poetry and literature in Karachi.

The show is rife with unchecked egos, petty feuds and the triumph of style over substance. Mufti is a master at this game, giving us whimsical sketches of protagonists we can view from an amused distance, then reeling us in to see and empathise with the vulnerabilities behind their well-built facades. Unlikeable, spoiled heroines are the flavour of the season, and this script does it’s best to shatter a lot of the halos that usually crown female leads.

The sacrificing wife (Nadia Jamil) seems more like a foolish enabler, the empowered young woman (Kinza Hashmi) is a manipulative opportunist, the encouraging mother (Zainab Qayoom) pushes her daughter into dangerous company. The power of words to fool, to incite and inspire is the binding thread of this show. This is a perfect binge-watch but the self-reflection and lack of melodrama has not endeared it to a mass audience that often looks away from nuance and moral ambiguity.

Burnes Road Kay Romeo Juliet | ARY, Mon-Tues 8.00pm

After a lot of shows focusing on the richness of Lahori culture, ARY gives us a wonderful love letter to the vibrancy and diversity of Karachi. Hamza Sohail switches seamlessly to street smart lover boy Farhad, whose hard working, practical father thinks his education is a waste of time. Farhad’s family are popular caterers, whose simple storefront cooking is famous but any attempt by Farhad to modernise or streamline production is vehemently resisted by his traditional father Karim Baksh (Shabbir Jan).

Iqra Aziz plays yet another feisty girl from Karachi as Freeha, the apple of her father’s (Khalid Anum) eye. This is no great stretch for Aziz, as she seems to be cast in the same role again and again. Freeha’s family are Memons and wealthy jewellers with a string of stores. The socio-economic divide is just the beginning as the fathers begin arguing over a parking spot, which looks as if it will develop into a family feud.

The writing credits include Zanjabeel Asim, but the main author is Parisa Siddiqui, whose previous work has been mostly soaps and commercially oriented serials. Director Fajr Raza has infuses energy and excitement into a nicely paced first episode that looks like a great, family entertainer for Ramazan.

Ishq Murshid | Hum TV, Mondays 9.00pm

Shahmir Sikandar (Bilal Abbas) is not just part of the twisted political system. He is the system, quietly fixing any issue his politician father Daud Sikandar (Omair Rana) faces, from behind the scenes. He is everything Shibra (Durre Fishan) and her father Suleiman (Noorul Hassan) hate, but they love Fazal Baksh, a friendly, naïve young man who has become part of their household.

Bilal Abbas and Durre Fishan have made this sweet romance a favourite with everyone, under director Farooq Rind’s expert guidance. Abbas easily switches between Fazal Baksh and Shahmir, maintaining the subterfuge and the integrity of each personality with total believability. After a fairly static but enjoyable build up to Fazal and Shibra’s falling in love, the story takes a serious turn as a jealous rival plans out her revenge. Will Shibra ever forgive Shahmir the subterfuge, or will she find love has softened her once black-and-white thinking?

What To Watch Out For (or not)

Fanaa | Green Entertainment, Coming soon

Nazish Jehangir, Shehzad Shaikh, Aijazz Aslam and Shaista Waheed star in a story about a clash between traditional, patriarchal culture and urban modernity.

Published in Dawn, ICON, February 18th, 2024