Qarz e Jaan dropped episode one and the story is one to watch for sure. Perhaps it’s in the air of mystery that surrounds the tale or the lingering question: what happens next?
The story seemed to open up Nashwa’s home (played by Yumna Zaidi), to the viewers with a real life feel. Perhaps that has a lot to do with the storytelling mention: director Saqib Khan, perhaps it has a lot to do with the performances; Yumna Zaidi, Usama Khan, Nameer Khan and Tazeen Hussain topped the list, and perhaps, it has everything to do with the story too, Rabia Razzak scripted a mood into everyday dialogues that lifted the watch from ordinary to just that little more.
The Story
Nashwa has just passed her exam with flying colors and is all set to take on the world of legal affairs, aka Law. However, she has lost her father some time ago and lives with her mother and father’s family, cousins included, in a joint family set up.
Nashwa is outspoken without being thankfully, not overly jarring, a trait many Pakistani drama heroines have fallen trope to. She knows how to fend off her red flag cousin Ammar yet is aware that she needs to be patient to get what she wants; permission to start working (which she will have to ask her uncle Bakhtiar, essayed by Deepak Perwani).
In a parallel world, resides Burhan essayed by Usama Khan who’s seeking to buy a house, but he’s a tough buyer, also a lawyer by profession. The two have yet to meet.
Both Usama and Yumna have great onscreen presence. Usama has taken giant leaps in performance, dialogue delivery, expression and onscreen appearance, he’s the whole package now and a great casting decision. Yumna Zaidi is of course, Yumna, who never takes on a simple character, and this one will navigate challenges for sure. No ordinary girl she, her first thought, refreshing indeed, pointed to a no-nonsense approach towards marriage, seeking a life partner or airy-fairy ideals was not on the list for this heroine who’s more into seeking a full time career. (Let’s hope she has both, eventually)!
It is Tazeen Hussain, playing Nashwa’s mother, delivers a convincing performance as the slightly worried, deeply proud, mother of a young girl who just topped her college exams. She evokes sympathy, as many such characters do, but she also essays a moving bond with her daughter Nashwa, the daughter for whom she has sacrificed a whole lot. Her dialogue delivery, in simple, unassuming ways shows yet again why Tazeen needs to take on more and diverse projects – an actor whose immense talent will add miles to our stories.
Nameer Khan as Ammar delivers amusing onscreen moments as Nashwa and him spar with words. The interaction is fluid and entertaining to watch. Here’s hoping the character gives us reasons to watch!
The Conflict
Bakhtiar is a dark soul along with his mother (Nashwa’s dadi), Sakina Samo’s character, who secretly plans to usurp property belonging to all the siblings. He also harbours a dark side as his intentions towards Nashwa’s mother are circumspect. His son Ammar, played by Nameer Khan has his own spoilt brat issues to throw at us, and throw he will with Nashwa in the line of fire presumably.
If clever viewers can connect the dots, Burhan will most probably buy the house Bakhtiar is selling and there is obviously a mysterious connection here for which, we will have to watch episode 2!
Storytelling
Qarz e Jaan stood out for its storytelling. There is a particular scene where Tazeen’s character is prepping teatime for her family and attention to detail in the kitchen had us totally riveted, with pakoras and samosas inviting us to literally partake of the family teatime.
Burhan sipping a steaming cup of coffee outdoors was a visual treat. His neatly carved out lawyer’s frame meant business as did the character which spoke volumes about character portrayal through wardrobe, stance and overall look and feel.
There was a weak moment in the episode as Beenish (Nashwa’s cousin) and Asad, her fiancé, meet up. But with just the first episode in, let’s not be too picky and wait for the story to unravel. Sakina Samo’s character is also one that is outwardly negative, and we wish dadi’s could be portrayed in a more positive light – a shift in Pakistani drama narratives?
To round off, Qarz e Jaan is an intriguing watch. The episode left audiences with just enough to want to know more, many unanswered questions, yet the stage is set for the story to take a leap and add the drama to the plot. It’s all happening on Sunday evenings and we’d recommend you give this one a watch!
Qarz-e-Jaan features actors Yumna Zaidi, Usama Khan, Nameer Khan, Aniqa Zulfiqar, Faisal Rehman, Deepak Parwani, Tazeen Hussain, Daniyal Aamir, Sakina Samo, Salma Asim, Ismat Zaidi, Fajr Sheikh, Tabassum Arif, and Mubassir Khan. It is written by Rabia Razzak, directed by Saqib Khan, and produced by Momina Duraid. It airs on HUM TV on every Saturday
