A breath of fresh air! Refined yet fun, thought-provoking yet entertaining, only the first episode yet a sure winner. The Nadeem Baig – Muhammad Ahmed combo shows us how it’s done – winning audiences without resorting to sensationalism.
The Story & Who’s Who
Aliya and her two sisters are facing the prevalent issues that women face in our society; from the pressure of marriage to weight management, to earning a living. The mother played by Irsa Ghazal is more like a typical desi mom engulfed by the log kiya kahengay syndrome and is a representation of the typical mindset that exists in our society, The father played by Muhammed Ahmed is however, more progressive but maybe not so courageous.
We get a fleeting introduction to the other two families. Salman who lives with his mother and definitely has a history with Aliya which we are curious to find out about. Sehrish and Azfar played by Shehryar Munawar is the other family, who seem more serious, dark and plagued by bitterness.
Thank you, Muhammad Ahmed Sahib, for giving us more defined character sketches. Both Aliya and Salman are working as real estate agents and not just doing some random, no-name jobs. That makes them so much more interesting, relatable and likeable.
The Direction & Feel
From the color palette used in color grading, to camera angles and lighting, the situational background score and wardrobe, the attention to detail in every scene enhanced the overall aesthetics and viewing experience in addition to giving off calming, feel good vibes. And how can one not mention the very relatable shots of Karachi, the iconic buildings and landmarks such as the Habib Bank Plaza and DJ Science college used as a backdrop to the outdoor scenes. Humayun Saeed’s voiceover at the onset was a heart winning addition and a pleasant surprise for audiences.
Warming Up To The Characters
We are introduced to Sajal and Bilal as Aliya and Salman respectively. Their relationship is highly frictional, yet it is peppered with familiarity. They bring much needed and quality comic relief to viewers. Both Sajal & Bilal have worked together previously, but in Kuch Ankahi episode 1, we witness their on-screen chemistry in a new and refreshing way.
Aliya, portrayed superbly by Sajal Aly, will be relatable to many. She is sensitive, calm, ambitious and thoughtful, but at the same time, she harbours a raw, slightly aggressive side to her that surfaces when she comes face to face with Salman – a combination many of us recognize inside ourselves.
It is a treat to see Bilal Abbas Khan portray Salman different from his recent nonchalant roles. He has made sure that although Salman appears to be a degenerate mischief maker, he does it with class. He seems to be that old school hero with a ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude and a bit proud from the outside but inside, he has the softest heart, minus all the toxicity. Salman just might be the next big crush for all the girls out there.
Qudsia Ali catches your attention with her witty, thought provoking and incessant chatter. She is the voice of reason within all of us. Mira Sethi must be appreciated for beautifully portraying many girls like Samia in a way that we don’t lose patience with her. In fact we relate to her at some level and her concern for her mother’s happiness is so endearing.
We are enjoying the new look and style by Sheheryar Munawar for his role as Azfar.
A New Spin On Old Issues
Although the first episode raised the cliched topic of larki ki shadee, and the question of what is a safe marriageable age for women, it is the treatment of the subject and the highlighting of many vital points within that topic that made Kuch Ankahi unique.
Addressing greying hair in young women and the judgements and pressure associated with it, the fact that parents often bind their daughters in desperation to an unlimited waiting period by finalizing a Nikah without rukhsati and last but not the least, the pressure of serving chai with full protocol to the in-laws on each visit allowed the narrative to gain traction in our eyes from the get-go.
What Could’ve Been Better
1. Both Aliya and Salman used their mobile phones while driving. We must show responsible driving practices. It is absolutely imperative and must not be taken lightly. We do understand it was an oversight and not intentional.
2. Aliya threatening Salman about a harassment allegation and then Salman subsequently mentioning the aurat card – Salman actually does seem a bit anxious there. We believe we can avoid such references. However, we do hope that going forward maybe, the drama will deal with this issue and incident.
Best drama with humour and witty jokes. Love every bit my favourite Billal and Sajal. Family drama worth watching.