THE WEEK THAT WAS

Mitti De Baway | Green Entertainment, Wed-Thurs 8.00pm

This story from writer Faiza Iftikhar moves at the speed of light, weaving through timelines and the changing emotions of its sharp-edged protagonists without taking a breath.

Iqbal (Wahaj Ali) swore to Bilqees (Mahira Khan) that he would not reveal their shared past, but turns up at her in-laws’ house (the Shahs) with his brother Aslam’s (Ahmed Randhawa) proposal for Bilqees’ sister-in-law Nausheen (Sabeena Farooq). Iqbal expected to quietly leave with a rejection, satisfying both sides, but an insecure and vengeful Bilqees immediately destroys his ‘reputation’ by revealing his mirasi [musicians and dancers] family background. Bilqees also pays a heavy price as an incensed Iqbal brings Mai Pathan (Samiya Mumtaz) all the way from their village to testify that Bilqees had serial affairs before her marriage into the deeply conservative Shahs’ household.

The heavy ball of revenge and reaction moves relentlessly forward, leading not just to destruction and misery but to death. Mahira Khan silences her detractors with a strong performance as a vicious woman without limits. Wahaj Ali jumps skilfully through every facet of his character, nurturing pain and hatred. Director Wajahat Hussain has elicited the best out of every artist attached to this project, and may bag himself an award for such seamless work.

Khafa | Geo TV, Wed-Thurs 8.00pm

Mohtashim (Mikaal Zulfikar) and Tazeen (Hira Mani) are two people who crave family ties, but have been systematically betrayed by the people they have loved. When Tazeen was falsely accused and thrown into jail, no one believed her except her colleague Mohtashim. Areesha (Ayesha Rajput) had always lived under her brilliant sister Tazeen’s shadow, so she jumped at the chance to marry Tazeen’s fiancé, Faraz (Saif Ali Khan), who abandoned her older sister. Mohtashim has his own difficulties with a conniving stepmother and half-brother, Rayan (Alee Shah), who even ends up trying to shoot him.

While this show seems like a misery-fest for people who enjoy self-victimisation, there are some plus points, such as the comparison between a couple such as Mohtashim and Tazeen, who are in a relationship enforced by the bonds of love and respect, as compared to a marriage based on convenience and materialism, illustrated by Faraz and Areesha.

While Hira Mani has finally been given some sensible dialogues, she is still seen crying in between scenes. But the biggest question here is: why is Mikaal Zulfikar in this run-of-the-mill serial, while ignoring his proven talent for comedy and portraying more complex characters?

Rutba | ARY Digital, Mon-Tues 8.00pm

Unlike the other two serials currently on air by writer Umera Ahmed, this serial’s script begins with more of a whimper than a bang! But the hope that it will end in a roar lies in the teasers.

Hadi (Talha Chahour) comes from a very simple background, but his more sophisticated girlfriend, Mahnoor (Hiba Bukhari), has waited eight years since they met in college to marry him. Now that he is an ASP in the police force, he finally introduces her to his traditional parents and Mahnoor’s parents begin to worry if their daughter will fit in with his more overtly religious family.

Mahnoor is a woman with love, humility and patience on her side but, better still, despite their conservative context, Hadi’s family understands and respects his feelings and choices. The show begins by highlighting the difficulties the leads have in coming together, but the actual focus of the story is a thrilling crime story that will test Hadi’s principles. When Hadi faces the test of the cunning antagonists, Meer (Zahid Ahmed) and Shehnaz (Mehwish Hayat), he relies on the strength of his family to stand firm.

What To Watch Out For (Or Not)

Lagan Lagi | ARY Digital, Coming soon

An angst-filled love triangle starring Haris Waheed and Hina Chaudhry, with Saad Qureshi in a negative role.

Published in Dawn, ICON, October 18th, 2026