Faraar is the story of the common man (or woman). Whether it be Batish, Fasih, Babrik or Akmal, or Sadia, Nazo and perhaps, Zallay, in times to come. But as the story takes off, it is in the telling of it that has kept audiences invested. Faraar flaunts frames and camera angles that shift perspectives, clever story twists that keep viewers guessing, and even when we are made to feel horrified at a blatantly graphic scene – we are. So despite the fact that Pakistani drama fans are spoilt for choice, audiences are glued to the story with “what happens next” feels taking over the viewing experience in Faraar.
Faraar airs on Green Entertainment every Sunday evening at 8pm. The drama’s ensemble cast consists of Hamza Ali Abbasi, Sohai Ali Abro, Ahmed Ali Akbar, Mamya Shajaffar, Noor ul Hassan, Sami Khan, Danyal Zafar, Merub Ali, Nadia Jamil, Hassan Niazi, Noor ul Hassan, Iffat Umar, Haroon Shahid, and others. Faraar is written by Mustafa Afridi, directed by Wajahat Hussain and Mussadek Malik and produced by Samina Humayun and Sana Shahnawaz under Next Level Entertainment.
It has to be said, (we kid you not), that Faraar’s directional wins no doubt, stand out and make one want to applaud the creators for keeping it under wraps and deliver a surprise moment or two in every epsiode. Here’s a breezy lookback and “The Faraar Wins” as we’d like to call them, over the episodes so far:
1. Batish Escapes from Sadia’s House (007 – Part 1)
Our bearded hero in shining armour (correction: black vest and collar shirt), makes ‘slick’ seem drab in comparison as he walks out of that gate, cool as a cucumber, calling out the on duty police force to take down the QIP workers as he strolls off defiantly, shooting one bullet in the air to round off the style statement that was an escape straight out of a 007 rule book!
Don’t tell us you predicted that ‘coz no one did. And Hamza Ali Abbasi aka Batish in Faraar made it look as easy as 1,2,3!
2. Turning On Jimmy – Instant Reflexes Save Lives (Or Take Them)
That was a close call. Batish got a shocker when he realized the party wants him to take down his beloved’s father. But despite the unpredictable reveal, he keeps his cool, confronts Jimmy and… here we go, finishes off his opponent in a matter of seconds. Not just that, but the conversation before the kill, when Jimmy and Batish were engaged in a seemingly inane race over water droplets on the car windscreen added layers of atmosphere to the moment.
Note to creators: Keep doing what you’re doing, it works – especially whenever Batish appears onscreen!
3. Leading Fasih to Naseer – The Numbers Game
Now we bet you didn’t see that one coming either. Batish might be lost in love, but he’s certainly keeping his thinking cap on. You Mr. Batish, have out-smarted our star cop Fasih (not in uniform), by simply thinking on your feet. Note how this guy has turned the situation around every time to his advantage?
The scene desreved 5 stars for execution as Batish lands on his feet from the side wall, faces-off with Sadia and Fasih, thinks like ‘Flash’, literally, and makes good his escape (see point 1 above), faster than Mr. Fasih saw it coming! And that’s full marks on the entertainment meter, you win Faraar!
4. Nazo and Akmal – Tragic Lovers
Nazo and her husband seated back to back, deconstructing their fate – it was all in the camera angles. The dialogue unraveled the tragic future they saw coming, and try as they did, they knew deep inside themselves that there was no stopping it. There was an eerie tranquility in the scene, a sense of foreboding for what’s to come, as well as an acceptance for the events that were to follow soon after. The scene played out multiple emotions in a brief moment, almost as a note of silent farewell to Akmal and we were sort of, navigated into predicting his tragic fate.
5. Batish Escapes… Again (007 Part 2)
At the cost of making Fasih look an amateur, (we think the creators are inclined towards Batish, yes?), Batish escapes from right under Fasih’s iron fists as he makes it to Sadia’s house, and then, turns on his heel, to execute a breezy escape, yet again. This time our hero on a motorbike had a final glance to throw at Inspector Fasih, showing him how it’s done.
The escape scene, (albeit we wish Fasih had kept his ringer on silent), was one for the books as we rooted for Batish to do his “Faraar” thing, an escape act he’s getting really good at now, and also, wished that Fasih was, ahem, a bit faster on the uptake?
6. An OST That Plays It Subtle – Zinda Hoon: A Vibe All Its Own
The Original Soundtrack for Faraar spans a range of emotions and essays the multiple journies of the characters. Zinda Hoon is one of those compositions that is gradually hitting peak as the narrative progresses, each character’s experiences taking on the lyrics with deeper meaning and feel. Asim Azhar and Ashir Wajahat belt out vocals that hit a resonant chord with those invested in the story. “Zinda Hoon Main, Thori Jaan Bachi Hai, Jayegi Kahan Yeh, Kya Pataa…” and accompanying lyrics hit you right in the feels… Picture Nazo and Batish fleeing for their life, the chase is on and so is the battle for life…
Zinda Hoon sung by Asim Azhar & Ashir Wajahat, composed by Asim Azhar, Hassan Ali Music, produced by: Qasim Azhar, Kumail Abbas, written by: Asim Azhar, Ashir, Hassan Ali, Raamis Ali. The chorus is accompanied by Shahrukh Abbas Khan, Hasnain Mehdi, Khurram Sunny, Ahsan Iqbal. Mix & mastered by Roshaan, Kumail Abbas.
But that, dear folks, is why Faraar is hitting high notes when the episodes roll out every week. Add to this, the horrifyiong scenes of Nazo’s torture at the hands of Shakila and Akmal, nearly shaving off Shakila’s hair, and we have a story that keeps viewers glued to the screen for reasons beyond the star cast.
Psst: the star cast is not to be underestimated by any measure of the imagination, but it’s good to see the narrative packing in action, close shaves and a couple of thrills that keep audiences guessing and watching! There are not many Pakistani dramas that promise thrill and deliver – we hope Faraar can keep the momentum in future episodes.
Have something to add? Drop us a comment and tell us why you’re watching Faraar.
The drama’s ensemble cast consists of Hamza Ali Abbasi, Sohai Ali Abro, Ahmed Ali Akbar, Mamya Shajaffar, Noor ul Hassan, Sami Khan, Danyal Zafar, Merub Ali, Nadia Jamil, Hassan Niazi, Noor ul Hassan, Iffat Umar, Haroon Shahid, and others. Faraar is written by Mustafa Afridi, directed by Wajahat Hussain and Mussadek Malik, DOP: Muhammad Asif Khan and produced by Samina Humayun and Sana Shahnawaz under Next Level Entertainment in association with Green Entertainment. Faraar airs on Green Entertainment every Sunday evening at 8pm.
Catch Up More On Drama Gup With FUCHSIA!
