The week in dramas – Some dramas walking towards the end (Mere Humsafar) and some new on the block. Here’s a quick recap!
It’s been one helluva week and it’s hard to know where to begin. Long one here as some stories near their finale and others are just beginning! Darakhzai exiting the scene, Hala & Hamza are still (not) doing their thing, Basit suspecting Ayesha, Bakhtawar finally back after two weeks and Kaala Doriya dropping its first episode to gather the views, over 4 million as I write, but, if that’s the success of a drama then Kaisi Teri Khudgarzi at 23 Million leaves everyone behind, yeah?
First Off, Mere Humnasheen
So, let’s start with Mere Humnasheen as we weep for Darakhzai – tragic end to a good human being and Ahsan Khan you made us feel for the poor bloke! Khajista is in torment as she blames herself either way, that mithai was meant for her, and if not the mithai, the life curses she aimed his way in life were enough to put anyone down! A powerful performance from Hiba Bukhari as she reels from the shock, the pain, guilt and the destiny that she feels awaits her. On the other side, Aima finally gets what she deserves.
Unfortunately, that story went on so long that frankly, we’re not too invested in it as we wait impatiently to see how the return of Hadi in Khajista’s life pairs off – much to our dismay, the promo for episode next relates a different story. What? You didn’t watch? Then please do, and tell me why the makers are teasing us, because … we all know where Khajista’s future lies. Aaah, but the story is in the telling and so, patience must win as we wait to see how events unfold.
Habs – Will Basit’s Trust Issues Get The Best Of Him?
But let’s go on to Habs and Basit suspecting his dear friend of having an affair with his dear wife. Oh well, there are two sides to this one.
1. Why would the drama makers use an ancient plot twist to keep us hooked? I mean, an insecure man a perfect Pakistani drama husband does make, right? So yes, you could have approached the story from another angle to add originality to the script.
2. Is Basit justified in his suspicions? That is the more pertinent one, since it addresses the story that is, and it’s a close call.
Appreciate the director’s edit of showing how Basit has viewed the Fahad- Ayesha story. How he attempted to clarify his suspicions by asking Bano, Ayesha and Fahad and … getting zero answers from all three. I mean, someone needs to tell him that it was Zoya’s elopement that caused the rufus and not Ayesha planning one with Fahad!
Basit suspecting his best friend, his only confidante was a bit harsh, I must say, but then, life’s like that sometimes. His betrayal problems hark to his mom and perhaps this story is a lesson in upbringing, how parents need to ensure their children grow up in a supportive, emotionally safe environment. It also, sort of tells us that women are always expected to be and are, more emotionally resilient than men?
Ayesha has a truckload of emotional baggage thanks to her super selfish mom, but she has no place to dump it, or even lighten the load because Basit is, sort of, overwhelming her here? Okay so the story is about Basit, not Ayesha say the makers. Please bear that in mind folks, and let’s not confuse the audience!
Bakhtawar – An Applause For Yumna Zaidi
Bakhtawar dear Bakhtawar, you are in a mess aren’t you? Your heart’s not with you anymore, the neighborhood has turned against you and you labour on as Bakhtu, taking on every challenge with determination and courage!
Yumna Zaidi turns on star performance mode as we see Bakhtu turning on the neighbours and his (ahem, her), landlord. The drama makes me wonder on how much easier it is to handle a sticky situation in our society as a man. And how hard it is as a woman!
Bakhtawar’s struggle is real and I wonder if she’ll ever be able to make the switch back to her real self – seeing that life is easy(ier) behind the male lens … BUT, and here comes the googly life has bowled her – she’s in love with Dilawer and that in itself is enough to make her give up Bakhtu for life, at some point. Yeah, those rooting for these two hope that happens soon.
Anyway, Bakhtawar stands at a precipice and the action is so fast-paced that we can’t keep our eyes off the story even for a bit, so well done there! P.S that last scene with shirtless Dilawer was a good one, threw poor Bakhtu a curved ball right there and boy was it turning
Mere Humsafar – Roomi Ruled the Episode!
While Hala-Hamza drag the episodes, and our lives (coz we are watching because of them)! Maryam seemed to be the highlight of the episode (for some) as she mouthed off revenge statements that seemed to vibe with the audience! Was Maryam voicing our feelings, did Hamza need to hear that, and will it bring about a change of hearts? That’s the question.
Shah Jahan is in a right fix but doesn’t seem to realize that her days are numbered as queen of toxic. Hira Khan played Rumi with so much energy that we felt every terror-stricken thought that went through her head. Much as we despised her actions earlier, her character was written so well, that we understood her setbacks and faulty reasoning and actions. Such is the power of writing that audiences do forgive if the story and performance justifies it!
This was Rumi’s episode, with a little bit of Hala-Hamza thrown in. Shah Jahan’s nonexistent white hair and the 10 minute journey in two minutes made for some shareable memes and why not! It’s all in the Halza family!
New Drama On The Block – Kaala Doriya
Last but not least is Kaala Doriya. The story that has probably come through on popular demand. And why not? With back-to-back Ramzan drama successes – Chupke Chupke, Suno Chanda, Ishq Jalebi, Chaudhry & Sons, Hum Tum, you’d think comedy is what we need yeah?
Kaala Doriya is certainly piling on the views, whether it is because we are too tired of watching heavy narratives, deprived of comedy, (any comedy) or whether it is actually hitting on the right formula is too early to say. I would like to mention that heroines wearing colorful headbands to appear college-going young student look alike (a tad overdone) and slapstick comedy does not really a quality drama make.
What was really going for the show was the joint family dynamics, the politics, the breakups and the endearing moments that, if handled well, might just lead to a better product. Saima Akram Chaudhry and Danish Nawaz have given us some very engaging partnerships so here’s hoping this one will pick up on the reviewer’s end. It has the views, like I said, now will it have more going for it in coming episodes? Let’s hope so. A word on Osman Khalid Butt, he is a natural-born comedian – play on and give us more!
And that’s it folks! Keep on watching and hoping that Hala and Hamza finally manage to reunite before the turn of the new year, Hadi discovers that Khajista is still single, Dilawer meets his Bakhtawar and Kaala Doriya evokes more laughter than sighs! Can they do it? Nothing is impossible, they say, you just have to put your heart (and soul) in it!
And so, put your heart and soul in the dramas you’re watching, till we meet again, next week!
