THE WEEK THAT WAS

Parwarish | ARY, Mon-Tues 8.00pm

After Green Entert­ainment’s Stand Up Girl, Parwarish is a rare drama to have real conversations, rooted in contemporary life for the younger generation.

A story of adjustment between two families — one Pakistani-American and the other their upper-middle class Pakistani relatives — has missed the mark a few times, but deserves praise for a worthy effort. Usually, one side is portrayed as selfish or greedy but, to her credit, writer Kiran Siddiqui has kept a more realistic take, allowing both sides compassion. What is missing is the acute level of awareness of both privilege and class structures that are an essential part of the Gen-Z Pakistani-Americans’ psyche.

This past week was a triumph of great direction and solid acting skills as Maya’s (Aina Asif) household reaches boiling point in a confrontation between a trembling mother and the daughter, and their angry bull of a father. This show has lulled the audience along with light humour, romance and everyday situations presented in moderation, giving the moment of truth the deeply painful impact it deserves. Suddenly, the viewer gains a visceral understanding of Maya and, more importantly, her mother’s behaviour. Big Bang Productions reminds us that quality viewing can also bring in the ratings.

Barray Bhaiyya | Geo TV, Daily 9.00pm

A formulaic show that offers nothing new but may resonate with many because, although times may change, human nature does not.

Kabir (Aijazz Aslam) is a wealthy, elder brother who has raised his siblings as his own children. Here, the plot is driven by familiar clichés, such as the discontented bhabhi (sister-in-law), an abusive brother-in-law and a personal assistant in love with Kabir. The most well-written character is Kabir, a disciplined, traditional man who is kind and loving, but at times also blind to the resentfulness he unwittingly kindles. Rabia Kulsoom plays his highly efficient PA, but looks more like Aslam’s granddaughter than a love interest.

Apart from this awkwardness, this script is focused on the strengths and weaknesses of a joint-family system that, while offering support and love, can also weaken the individual. The need to maintain an aura of respectability and the drug of unearned privilege are accurately highlighted. The lack of nuance means the burden of moving the story forward falls on the negative characters, leaving the positive ones looking quite foolish and shallow.

Shirin Farhad | Hum TV, Saturdays 8.00pm

This is a quiet gem of a serial that is not getting the attention it deserves because, like much of writer Ali Moeen’s work, it is well-written but requires a lot of editing for today’s audiences. For drama lovers, the detailed character sketches and plot lines are a pleasure to watch but, after 25 episodes, the story has not moved much beyond the initial premise.

The ambitions of small men can sometimes overshadow those of kings: Master Saifuddin may be a tailor but he dreams of his pretty young daughter Shirin (Kinza Hashmi) becoming a superstar, no matter who suffers in the process. Unable to stand up against an arrogant but washed-up superstar, Danny (Saleem Mairaj), who threatens his daughter, the tailor is willing to attack the man she actually loves, the young spot-boy and budding writer Farhad (Farhan Saeed).

Some great cameos and the window this show opens into the long-gone world of intrigue, jealousy and manipulation that surrounded the Pakistani film industry, makes this show worth watching. However, the lack of chemistry and intensity is weighing the story down.

What To Watch Out For (Or Not)

Ghulam | Green Entertainment, Coming soon

Imran Ashraf and Zaviyar Naumaan Ijaz have released some intriguing character stills as Ghulam and Badshah, respectively, for a new feudal-style melodrama. The female lead is Hina Afridi, who plays Sundri.

Published in Dawn, ICON, June 22nd, 2025