Here’s a list of actors who impressed us with their performances this week – Farhan Saeed, Kinza Hashmi, Ahad Raza Mir and more!
1. Sajal Aly as Rabeeya in Zanjeerain
Oh what a performance Sajal! Rabeeya moved us to tears, for a moment there, we forgot you were playing a character onscreen. From the water tank rescue to the final reconciling with reality – that Mudassir is no more – that you cannot punish yourself for what was destined to happen, the tears, the silence, the sense of defeat spoke volumes through your body language, expression, tone, and yes – tears. Rabeeya has our heart!
Daniyal Zafar as Sar Buland in Zanjeerain
Daniyal Zafar as Sar Buland has just won audiences hearts. Unknowingly, this character has slipped into our consciousness, we watch every word he utters, his actions, tempered and restrained, yet sensitive to both Rabeeya and Sher Bano’s emotions, his soothing voice and his sense of calm has endeared Sar Buland. We feel Rabeeya is in good hands, and hopefully, he will not do wrong by Sher Bano. That is the confidence Sar Buland is serving up – and we have hope to believe he will do justice.
2. Usman Javed as Torsam in Zanjeerain
Usman Javed reinvents the villain in so many ways that we marvel at the spell he casts on audiences with every new role. Torsam thinks from the heart, his rage knows no bounds, he acts first, repents later, or perhaps, never repents. But his constant presence casts a dark shadow over the narrative. Even when he’s not in the frame, we dread his next move. There is something sad about this villain, despite his threatening stance, he is, after all, exploited by Zafraan Khan – the evil mind who knows how to manipulate him. Usman Javed essays every fine detail of Torsam’s multi-layered character with great skill – almost hypnotic. Well done, Usman!
3. Sana Javed as Ansa in Bas Tera Saath Ho
Ansa refusing to marry Anas all of a sudden, Ansa flitting between helplessness and yet retaining a sense of self respect, Ansa wanting to stand up for her rights and speaking up for herself – Sana Javed portrayed all these emotions on point. We are glad for Ansa’s courage and yet, her pain and sense of abandonment is relatable because neither of the emotions is overdone.
4. Farhan Saeed as Anas in Bas Tera Saath Ho
Farhan continues to tread Anas’s journey as he very subtly and gradually comes into his own. It takes a lot for Anas to stand up against injustice but we see glimpses, especially as he turned on Ansa for wanting to suddenly leave the hospital, or retaliating in college when her character came under attack. Farhan treads both the submissive and aggressive side of Anas in a character portrayal that keeps us hugely invested. We can’t wait for him to come into his own and stand up against his cousins – the final reckoning!
5. Zoya Nasir as Shereen in Bas Tera Saath Ho
Zoya gives off villain vibes in every frame, yet the characterization is so well played that we enjoy watching her. She can manipulate everyone around her and its all fair game if she can justify the end – to achieve her motives. She managed to contrive events such that she and her mother eventually went to Faham’s house – the victorious side smile said it all when she went to get dressed for the occasion.
6. Ahad Raza Mir as Haroon in Aik Mohabbat Aur
Ahad as Haroon gave off just the right balance of a young man who has his values in the right place but is susceptible to borderline arrogant behaviour without even being fully aware of it. Haroon is a smooth talker, funny and media savvy. But he’s also reluctant when it comes to matters of the heart. How Ahad treads Haroon’s journey is a narrative we’re waiting to watch – well done for giving a character who is interesting to watch every time he appears onscreen.
7. Maya Ali as Khushbakht in Aik Aur Mohabbat
Maya Ali as Khushbakht – a young, single working mom, gave us goals. The subtle nuances of character, tending to her daughter, work, and daily grind was so relatable. Maya always wins by never overdoing the character, hence making it totally relatable. Khushbakht must have already won hearts on the other side of the screen as ingle working moms see themselves reflected off of the screen – Khushbakht is a refreshing character portrayal in Pakistani dramas.
8. Kinza Hashmi as Rubab in Leader
Rubab’s sense of defeat when she grabbed the gun to take her own life and successive horror at what happened subsequently was so aptly portrayed. Earlier too, her sense of mistrust as Mansoor tried to pacify her and later, her then her shock at discovering her had left her, was palpably conveyed through her expressions – no words. Well done, Kinza, we fear for you and what awaits you next.
9. Hajra Yamin as Minna in Doctor Bahu
Minna’s expressions, sense of total defeat and realization that ‘it’s all over’ was conveyed impactfully by Hajra Yamin as she struggled to come to terms with the truth before Dr. Amber. A great performance there Hajra, we felt every expression, tone and the pain that women like Minna might face in such a trying situation – played with great sensitivity!
Whose performance did you love this week?
