THE WEEK THAT WAS

Piyari Bitto | Express, Saturday 8.00pm

The serial finally came to a close. Most episodes had us clutching our hearts at the ruthless twists and turns of this unforgettable, gripping and tragic tale of the mistreated girl Bitto (Saniya Shamshad), her evil, scheming mum (Atiqa Odho) and an adoring aunt (Saniya Saeed).

The mother uses the daughter to gain wealth and freedom for herself while the aunt tries to protect her, and in doing so loses her money and sanity, eventually ending up in a home for mentally unstable women. She is taken back home, where she dies soon after. The daughter strangles her mother to death and ends up in prison in an attempt to absolve her guilt for being inhumanly bad to the aunt who genuinely loved and cared for her. Words cannot describe the no-holds-barred storytelling by Saji Gul, brilliant direction by Mazhar Moin and fine acting by the entire cast.

What to watch out for (Or Not)

Tabeer | Hum TV, Tuesdays 8.00 pm

From Gul-e-Rana to Tau Dil Ka Kya, we have known Imran Ashraf as an excellent young actor. But his first ever screenplay Tabeer, which just began airing, shows that he is also a talented writer. We also know that Imran Ashraf (as the transgender in Alif Allah Aur Insaan) and director Ahson Taalish can cook up a storm together.

The story is about two newly married young couples, one in a typical mother-in-law situation and the other burdened with a complicated illness. Eshal Fayyaz, Shehzad Sheikh, Iqra Aziz and Imran Ashraf play the main characters. There is some intriguing chemistry, searing dialogue and endearing romance if one goes by the evidence of the first episode. A twist of fate and a villain (Ali Safina as Ajju) will change things for both couples.

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 8th, 2018