Here are the actors who impressed us this week with performances that hit the roof. Catch up as the week rolls over!
1. Urwa Hocane as Beena in Aap Ki Izzat
Welcome back Urwa! Beena took over the screen as the wife who felt slighted in love, showing borderline obedience yet having a mind of her own, willing to please, yet, not afraid to speak her mind. Urwa walked a very fine line to reveal a character who is repeatedly dismissed by her husband as insignificant yet carries underlying shades of a strong woman – it seems Beena is all set to surprise us – all that in two episodes is a lot to convey, yet Urwa did it effortlessly and we’re already a fan!
2. Ahsan Khan as Tabish in Aap Ki Izzat
Ahsan Khan delivered a totally new look in Aap Ki Izzat. Tabish seems to have moved on in his marriage. On the one hand, he plays the enamoured lover with Naz, and on the other, a bored husband with Beena. His devotion to his mother and political and social ambitions reveal a complex character – one that intrigues beyond the regular hero who is merely planning a second marriage – Ahsan Khan makes Tabish interesting with his expressions, subtle, secretive interactions and dismissive, almost derisive treatment of his wife Beena. Tabish has a journey and we’re already curious to find out where this one goes.
3. Sajal Aly as Rabeeya in Zanjeerain
Sajal nailed the episode. From signaling Sar Buland not to drink the juice to scaring Shirin out of her wits in the kitchen, Rabeeya is the answer to our prayers – the family needs a saviour and she’s IT. A great performance that kept us hooked!
4. Anaayah Shahid as Shirin in Zanjeerain
Anaayah won us over once again with her expressions and body language. At one moment, she appears smug, almost over confident, when she addresses Rabeeya and tries to assure Sohrab that she has things under control, and then almost instantly, she is taken by surprise with a single intense gaze from Rabeeya, a sense of suspicion that makes her almost lose her nerve. Anaayah is keeping things intense and we love watching Shirin’s story unfold with all its drama and emotion, keeping us on the edge of our seat.
5. Shuja Asad as Salman in Doctor Bahu
Shuja flips ever so often as Salman and every time he does it, he reflects the reality of so many men, and so many women who have to live with such a red flag male in their lives. He is soft one moment, selflish the other, and one can see how he has Saniya emotionally invested so much so that she’s willing to give up everything for him. Shuja is making us despise Salman, and he is doing a great job at gradually revealing all the shades that make this character so negative and yet so relatable – we have seen many Salman’s around us, such is the relatability of this character.
6. Kubra Khan as Saniya in Doctor Bahu
Kubra Khan has essayed Saniya’s inner torment so beautifully that our heart goes out to her. From wanting to stand her ground to giving up everything just to be with him, Saniya’s sytematic breakdown over the course of her marriage – emotional, mental and psychological, is something many women in troubled and emotionally abusive relationships can relate to. Our heart goes out to her, and Kubra is giving us reasons to feel for women who might be suffering a similar fate as Saniya in real life.
7. Zoya Nasir as Shehreen in Bas Tera Saath Ho
Zoya Nasir gives us a flavour of a negative character who can be toxic, manipulative and selfish, and yet, keep us invested in her story because she does it with so much originality and presence. Shehreen’s downfall is imminent, but at present, Zoya essays the young girl who is madly in love with a guy, totally oblivious of his red flags. Nothing her family says can make a difference, and it is precisely Shehreen’s defiance that will be the cause of her downfall. Shehreen is a character that has so much screen presence that we can’t take our eyes off her!
8. Maya Ali as Khushbakht in Aik Mohabbat Aur
Maya Ali nailed Khushbakht’s troubled emotions, her inner torment reflected as a sense of uncertainty in her expressions, and yet, her outward composure, and sense of confidence before others, in deciding to marry Haroon. Maya plays it subtle with Khushbakht’s character and that is exactly why it stays so impactful throughout the story. Well done Maya, Khushbakht is inspiring many women across the screen, while representing so many more in real life.
9. Ahad Raza Mir as Haroon in Aik Mohabbat Aur
Ahad is adding a touch of humour balanced with sensitivity in Haroon’s character. Where he seems to be showing us how men can truly empower the women in their lives, he also brings a smile to our face with his nervous playfulness when in Khushbakht’s presence, and now, a sense of calm as he finally weds her. All the shades belong to Haroon and this is exactly what makes the character so interesting to watch onscreen.
10. Ali Raza as Mansoor in Leader
Ali Raza carries Mansoor’s character with an effortless, ,vintage charm. Mansoor speaks with his eyes and if its romancing Rubab despite her frustration and rage at him, he manages to convince us and now her as well, that he is genuine about his feelings. Angry young man one minute, calculating politician the next, and invested lover in yet another moment – Ali Raza delivers a convincing performance as Mansoor, keeping us wholly invested in his story.
11. Saif Ali Khan as Behraam in Aap Ki Izzat
Saif Ali Khan debuted in Aap Ki Izzat with a brief scene and that was all it took to make us wait for more. His natural demeanour, unaffected and seemingly genuine interaction with Beena stayed with audiences long after the episode was over. The screen presence was unmissable and he has already set the stage for more – we can’t wait to find out more about Behraam.
12. Marina Khan as Zainab in Doctor Bahu
Marina Khan won us over as Zainab navigated the past traumas she wasn’t willing to let go off. Her bitterness came from a very dark place and yet, as realization dawned upon her, it was the sweetest moment onscreen, to watch her reach out to Saniya and say she would listen without judgement. Marina Khan reflected the lives of so many women in real life, who struggle not to become a Zainab, but often, find it hard to let go – continuing a chain of generational trauma through their children, not knowing how to break free.
A splendid performance that undoubtedly struck a deep chord within audiences.