We’ve heard of drama grand finales on the big screen – Meray Paas Tum Ho did the honors, but if a KRQ x Humayun Saeed project wants to do things differently, yet again, they decide to put the cart before the horse and screen the first two episodes instead. And why not, someone’s gotta do it, FIRST! And being first is something the legends do best, if they are to retain their legendary following.
Make Some Noise!
Now the drama creators’ move to air the first two episodes of Gentleman back to back likening it to a movie premiere with a turnout of the “who’s who” of the entertainment industry to add oomph factor to the event was perhaps, a noise-making move that hit the right chords.
Gentleman reels following the screening were doing the rounds on IG. There was, in fact a very narrow window to make some noise as Kashmir HUM Style Awards took place the following evening, so while social media creators had a blast with their phone cameras and more, the rest of us too, could sit back and do our thing; that is, scroll and troll and hopefully, applaud too! Keep it positive guys and gals!
Onwards to the first episode drop which was slated to be a small screen cinematic release, (not us, that’s what those who watched the first two episodes in cinemas had to say), it sure was one for the big screen.
From sound mixing to sets and then the characters’ makeover, the production threw off a big screen feel, as if, Gentleman was giving a flavour (to Pakistani drama audiences) of what Yumna Zaidi and Humayun Saeed would appear in a filmy affair, for all those who cannot, or will not spend on a cinema ticket.
Sounds fair? Sounds more than fair actually. You get to watch the star couple onscreen and cheat the cinema walay from selling not so cheap tickets – well, because, now, who would want to go? Even the expensive bag toting aunties and the staid uncles who accompany them, can sit home and watch over a cup of chai?
The Episode Deconstruct
Onwards to the first episode, because that’s what we got to watch on the small screen, that did appear larger than life when Yumna appeared onto the frame, wearing an intense shade of red lip color (the shade could trend as a Zarnab signature btw) and a noticeably differently contoured lip line that quite became her, if we may so! Not to take away from Iqbal Munna (bhai) who happily munched on some sort of paratha naan or bun kebab, on a charpai. We’re not sure what he ate, but it couldn’t be a Mc Donald’s for sure and of course, no Coca Cola for him, our chai dhaaba hero!
The first episode set the pace for a female lead who’s outspoken, already in a relationship and ready to take on the local ghundas – sounds familiar? Oh well, yes, but then Zarnab does that thing with her eyes and exasperated expressions, and you just know Yumna will play it differently.
Onwards to Iqbal Munna, the crowd puller who managed to tease a smile from viewers as he did his “Love bole tau” meme phase. His leg-pulling of Dilbar resonated with Munna Bhai x Raees vibes in a good way. When a drama pulls off slick casting and the characters slip right in from episode 1, you feel in your veins that Bhai’s Chhota seems to fit the bill pretty well. He’s comical yet pathetic, evokes amusement but not necessarily peals of laughter, which is fine, because one has to read between the lines on Dilbar’s comeback banter to Munna on his potential love life pains – party tau abhi shuru huwi hai, and aagay aagay dekhye, maamla kahan tak jayega!
The Reveal That Didn’t Happen
While much of the first episode seems to have been revealed in teasers, one wonders if it would have been better to keep some reveals unrevealed? Rehmati bhai’s oath administering to Munna was a prize moment that took away from the actual moment, well, because we saw it coming. Same difference with Zarnab’s reveal; one anticipates an element of surprise in episode one and while the eye lingers on details, such as Assistant Commissioner Faris’ first day at work, the surprise cake and Zarnab’s white kurta, which really brought out the summer vibes onscreen, one feels that the episode could have been enjoyed better if we had not already watched the scenes over and over again in multiple teasers – sometimes too much information is not a good thing.
But Karachiites will watch Gentleman perhaps, with an entirely different fervour. From insights into local gang warfare to visuals of the streets and mohallas that make up the inner city life, this Pakistani drama aims to go where no drama has been before. Mention of Korangi dhai draws a smile, yet, the area also serves as a stark reminder of the tough realities that surround its inhabitants. Gentleman will probably lift the lid on that one!
Problematic Behaviour?
Onwards to the rikshaw scene when Zarnab strikes a pose as defiant, “independent minded” young girl and threatens to slap Munna, one wonders when our drama creators will step out of the strong girl trope to essay real life, strong girl vibes that resonate with real life strong girls who are watching the scene play out onscreen – don’t think they threaten physical assault on local ghundas.
Also, the local ghunda seemed to have fallen head-over-heels in a matter of seconds, almost as if there was a race against time and the writer had instructed our hero: “you have very little time to get into this, so fall in love at the first mention of a resounding thappar” – yeah, that’s the way, uhuh uhuh, no time to waste on serenading your lady love, we have to get on with the story!
Gentleman, The Show
While the character styling and wardrobe deserve special mention, Rehmati’s bracelets and earrings plus heavy-set eye makeover plus Munna’s multiple necklaces and an overall rugged look, (though Humayun carries that one effortlessly), one felt something amiss in Moazzam bhai’s look. Saqib Sumeer is such a fabulous character actor, yet, his makeover did not seem to have received the same attention to detail as the rest of the cast – note to makers, the secret is in the small details. Additionally, Moazzam did not come off as threatening as we believe he was meant to be, and if he wasn’t, then the comic or lame side was also lowkey missing – a character must carry spark – witty, laughable, intense, evil, cute or heroic – Moazzam seemed to have none.
The Munna x Zarnab Encounter
The chance and much awaited encounter between Zarnab and Munna was, perhaps the highlight of the episode, the moment fans were waiting to let out the cheers – possibly the whistle & hoot moment in cinemas – however it was and it wasn’t perhaps, the high point of the episode. Though both Yumna and Humayun played it on point – the script seemed a bit contrived and predictable, especially with Zarnab threatening to slap Munna on first encounter. The scene aimed at eliciting some crowd applause (and that might have been okay in a cinema watch), but seated inside the comfort of a living room, it felt forced in a disappointing sort of way. Subtlety is a fine Art and can work wonders when you have two mega stars on screen to play with.
What Stood Out In the Story Line?
Zarnab and Faris’ already established connection, a route many scripts are now following where the story doesn’t have to be single girl meets single boy or, ahem, married girl meets single boy (Mere Paas Tum Ho) – it’s’ all about telling the same story in a new way! Zarnab is not your average girl waiting for marriage and Faris walking into a job that positions him to face-off with Iqbal Munna very soon is, though predictable, a plot twist to generate much audience anticipation with room for an intriguing, action-packed watch. Add to that Zarnab’s career in the media and you have a story!
But back to our original question: Was Gentleman a thunderous start to a star-studded offering? Oh well, seems more like a cross between lightning, rain and a bit of sunshine – we hope the sun shines on Iqbal Munna and company though the promos tell a different story!
Play on Gentleman, as audiences predict how the love angles and triangles come together in this one – we hope some reveals are left to be revealed, no more spoilers please!
And that’s it folks, Gentleman has set the stage for a “Crime thriller-romance” – there’s something in it for everyone apparently.
Gentleman is based on a story penned by the renowned playwright Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar and skilfully directed by Haissam Hussain, brought to life by the dynamic duo Samina Humayun Saeed and Sana Shahnawaz of Next Level Entertainment. The stellar cast, including Humayun Saeed, Yumna Zaidi, Adnan Siddiqui, Zahid Ahmed, Sohai Ali Abro, Saqib Sumeer and Ahmed Ali Butt.
