Nadaan is the new drama on the block. One would expect that with Ahmed Ali Akbar and Ramsha Khan on the cast, one doesn’t need a reason to watch. Add to that, a script by Saji Gul and Mehreen Jabbar in the director’s chair and Nadaan is your dose of suspense thriller, mystery, and, to top it all, relevant story line rolled into a 30-minute episodic watch.
The Limited Episodes Drama Revolution
It seems that the Pakistani drama scene has warmed up to limited episode series like an avid gamer to Fortnite – maybe not the best parallel yet one that might stick as we see the influx of limited series on our screens. Wasn’t it Mann Jogi that just finished yesterday and here we are, with another helping of a limited episode series that’s certainly promising to be a gripping watch. So, here’s what’s going for Nadaan and why the first episode is giving us reasons to watch!
The storytelling is nonlinear and adds to the suspense feel of the narrative. We start with a bang (no spoilers), and the story then moves back to eventually bring us back to the bang. We might have watched it before, but the events that transpired justified the chain of events and pulled one into the drama. Ramsha aka Dr. Tabeer, a doctor in a poverty-ridden neighborhood; Jam Nagar, is fighting a demon that is threatening to take over the lives and livelihood of its inhabitants.
Ahmed Ali Akbar aka Haider, the new SHO in town who has a possible tragic past and yet seems like an upright, honest addition to the police force. Will he be able to help Dr. Tabeer fight Jam Nagar’s demons? Pir Subhan, the local pir who hosts regular sermons and offers healing through a home-prepped miracle antidote – (any wise guesses as to what that is?) that is roping in his followers and voters for the local MPA.
Usama aka Hammad Shoaib who is a fellow doctor with Dr. Tabeer at the local hospital they helped build together, also the son of the MPA above. He seems to be a suspicious character though Dr. Tabeer hasn’t warmed up to his reality, obviously. Usama plays apparently harmless community doctor, tending to the welfare of his patients and not raising an alarm on too much, so it’s easy not to suspect him, for now. Tayyab, Pir Subhan’s right hand man who has a history (not a good one) with Dr. Tabeer and will eventually spell trouble, which is quite obvious from his present entitled behavior in the neighborhood.
Storytelling
Finally, and the story moves fast here, Dr. Tabeer has come upon evidence that could incriminate Pir Subhan, but that’s just the beginning folks. The story will run deeper, and more tangled, before things unravel. Do we fear for Dr. Tabeer? You bet. Do we question if Haider, the new SHO has the power to handle the local drug lord? Oh yes. Haider seems a tad too honest, yet has all the right ingredients when it comes to sincerity and determination – but can he overcome the mafia lurking within the system? Is the job too big for the man? We hope not.
Gripping Performances
Performances in the first episode pulled us in with just the right mix of intrigue and suspense. Where Haider carried a huge likeability factor, Dr. Tabeer came off as empowered young doctor who is liable to get into trouble with her outspokenness (a trait her father acknowledges). Tayyab threw off a deeply sinister feel and Pir Subhan made us feel that he will stop at nothing to get save his empire. Usama was exactly the shade of subtle we needed; unsuspecting, lowkey yet, knows more than he lets on. We must mention Mahtab, essayed by young actor Emaan Khan who delivered a riveting performance in a very brief onscreen appearance. The makeup added to her appearance and gave further traction to the story.
Inner City Feels
The real feel of the inner city must be attributed to direction that took in attention to detail. Interestingly, despite the somber appearance of the frames, the narrative did not come off as monotonous or drab. In fact, it added to the suspense-thriller like feel. Perhaps because it was matched by a fast-paced episode, one did not feel at any point that the story was taking its time to unfold.
The Messages
Nadaan has picked up a story that is hugely relevant to the present times. The prevalence of drugs among our youth is a disturbing phenomenon, and one that is not easy to eradicate. If the narrative does justice to the message, which we hope it will, this should be the first of very few Pakistani dramas that touches upon the pulse of a nation to reveal exactly what transpires in the heart of our inner cities and why, the story needs to be paid close attention to. By wrapping the narrative as a crime thriller, the makers have added miles to the storytelling and story will hopefully reach in areas where it can trigger impact, if not start conversations and raise awareness on an issue we often sweep under the carpet or rather never address.
If you watched Nadaan, drop us a comment to add to the story.
Catch Up More On Drama Gup With FUCHSIA
Nadaan is a story by Saji Gul, directed by Mehreen Jabbar, airing on HUM TV every Saturday at 8 pm. It is produced by Sultana Siddiqui. The cast includes Ramsha Khan, Ahmed Ali Akbar, Hammad Shoaib, Emaan Khan, Saji Gul, Hammad Shoaib, Ahmed Randhawa, Kashif Hussain and more.
