Whether it’s Shehraam’s doleful expressions as he grapples with the truth of his father’s death, or Mahnoor’s strong girl demeanour, swinging between spirited defiance one moment, and helplessness the next, Jaan e Jahan carries tragic notes laced with conspiracy, rebellion and deceit.
Storytelling
The story from Rida Bilal, promising to be one of love and romance between Mahnoor and Shehraam, has audiences invested even before the first episode dropped.
Yet, it is not the Romance so far (because that hasn’t even begun yet), but rather, the pull of the characters that is laying the groundwork for what’s to come.
Characters Pull Audiences Into The Narrative
Sawera Nadeem as Kishwar is a darker than dark soul, and perhaps, Tabrez, played convincingly by Haris Waheed, who is totally in his mother’s grasp, and we hope, will slip out eventually, but not before dragging himself and those around him to utter despair, pain and suffering.
Yet audiences are prepared for all that and more.
They are prepared for Shehraam and Mahnoor’s heartbreak, (maybe), for Kishwar’s bitter triumphs, nevertheless, hoping that the tragic air that hangs heavy upon the shoulders of all the characters is eventually lifted to give us a poetic love story.
Traces Of Tragedy, Love, Loss?
With Qasim Ali Mureed in the director’s chair, we, the initiated Jaan e Jahan fanbase, are aware that we are being led, just like the pied piper of Hamlyn into a circle of love and loss perhaps? But the tune is so hypnotic that we can’t look away.
It is often said that the journey out-sparks the destination. And Jaan e Jahan is probably one of those ventures. Riding on the sad feel of Ayeza Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi’s Pyarey Afzal, Jaan e Jahan offers poetry to thirsty Urdu literature buffs. It also offers the coming together onscreen of two of their most beloved stars; Hamza’s return to TV after Alif could be best likened to a seasoned player, eg Babar Azam who only plays the big league, once in a while, if the game fits his batting style. That is not to say Hamza should be playing more, but rather, his absence from the screen has an expectant fandom hanging on every breath he takes as Shehraam, every ball he faces as Babar Azam, awaiting that boundary and of course, the random six!
Add to that, the combination of a winning pair and Ayeza Khan aka Mahnoor is sealing the deal no doubt. Because although we see Ayeza onscreen in other projects, the sad, poetic, feel of these two actors together onscreen, with the vintage feel sets from Qasim Ali Mureed make us wonder if there could be a reveal better than Jaan e Jahan’s double episodes on Fridays and Saturdays to give those who crave their winter weekend retreat a better reason to stay home!
Casting Notes
Just a note on storytelling and casting. Sawera Nadeem and Haris Waheed’s characters, though gripping, and well enacted, seem to have fallen prey to typecasting. We have seen them both perform in similar roles not too long ago, namely Wehem and Meray Humnasheen.
Shehraam Abdul Mahnoor
Hamza‘s rendition of Shehraam is layered with taking the higher moral ground and defending his father’s goodwill, simultaneously not yet ready to take full control of the reins his father wants to push him into taking on full throttle. Will he turn a tad too preachy or overcome the urge? Therein lies his journey.
Ayeza too, shines as Mahnoor, the heroine who will stand up for what’s right, perhaps an inch more outspoken than Shehraam yet, her journey might bring her face to face with moments that make her silence more valuable than her words? And therein lies her journey?
And on that note, lots more to be said as the story rolls on! Buckle up folks as episode 3 of Jaan e Jahan drops on air very soon. Leave us a comment to tell us what you loved most and why you’re watching!
In this eagerly anticipated venture, penned by the talented Rida Bilal and brought to life under the direction of Qasim Ali Mureed, produced by Next Level Entertainment. The cast, features Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ayeza Khan, Asif Raza Mir, Savera Nadeem, Haris Waheed, Raza Talish and others.
