Why watch Rafta Rafta? Asked a friend. Why not? We responded. What’s there not to like about Rafta Rafta? Except, perhaps, your distinct taste in drama genres might have undergone a bitter transformation if you cannot appreciate the simple, sweet moments in the drama. Right?
Here’s why we feel Rafta Rafta is the IT show to watch post or pre iftar, well, because it has all the makings of spontaneous smile comedy, not forced, not laugh out loud, but just unpretentious, simple, situations and dialogues that make one feel that all is not lost in the (not so) humorous world of Pakistani dramas.
Read on as we elaborate:
1. Simple, Breezy Storyline
Something happens in every episode. Yes, it’s not about slo mo soundtracks or flashbacks attacks. The story is swift, the storytelling is crisp and the plot moves the story forward in a smooth flow, from start to finish. When Hamza’s friend Munawar offers to solve Hamza’s problem, he actually does. And to the surprise of Hamza (and viewers) proceeds to announce Hamza’s secret (and fake) wedding to a non existent bride.
Audiences sensed instantly what’s going to happen next, but how Savera will be trapped into performing as the pretend wife is where the story entertained. And that brings us to our second point.
2. Rafta Rafta Is All About Entertainment. Hard To Get That One Wrong!
What you see is what you get. If Hamza and Savera must pretend to have tied the knot, they do so, in comic fashion. Savera taking the lead as the daughter inlaw while Hamza is left falling in with the plan. Savera’s forgetful mother adds to the formula and although we know she is suffering from dementia, the story goes there just enough, lingering on the peripheries of comic and sobriety. When Hamza takes her to the hospital, Savera is sincerely thankful to him for caring about her, yet, we don’t suffer unnecessary emotional fallouts, because, after all, the teasers promised a fun watch, which is exactly what it is, from start to finish!
3. Fleshed Out Lead Characters
Despite the comic element to the story, Savera and Hamza both reveal layers – well scripted, interesting character sketches that go beyond the superficial. What transpired, therefore, is a character that is both interesting and fun to watch. Where Savera is an independent young girl, a tough cookie, we must say, who must tend to her mother and run the household, she also carries a fun twist to her character where she thrives on acting and takes on the pretend marriage challenge with spirit. Hamza on the other hand, poor Hamza, is merely thrown into situations not entirely of his making. From trying to impress Savera by extracting her rent from dodgy tenants, to evading his mother’s desires to marry his cousin, Hamza is that lost soul who just wants to live a simple life and falls for the girl next door. By standing up for Savera repeatedly, he also reveals a feel-good side to his nature; one we can appreciate fully as Pakistani drama audiences who are used to watching black or white heroes – all fun or all toxic to begin with – Hamza is neither. And that in itself, is a refreshing watch for sure.
Which brings us to our very next point …
4. Performances Are Key
Not only are Zaviyar Ejaz and Saheefa Jabbar turning out fine performances, but Faizan as Munawar is also entertaining us as the hero’s best buddy. His comic timing and responses are on point. Neither is he too over the top or exaggerated in delivering key dialogues and scenes, nor does he come off as forced. Rehan Shaikh too, amuses with his relaxed, non compliant character, who injects random, witty one liners to the scene.
5. Simple Storytelling
It’s not just the story, it’s how you tell it. And the makers here are making sure the story keeps to the script. Scenes are crisp, impactful and paced just right. The secret is in the simplicity. Rafta Rafta is not pretending to be anything more or less than a sincere project aimed at delivering a quality watch to viewers. The characters are not too many that one is lost in the maze of stories, neither are they too few that we are bored with a stagnant storyline, the aim of the makers is to get you into the episode from the very first minute and keep your attention to the end. From visiting her tenant to collect rent, to chopping vegetable in the kitchen, Savera is your ordinary young girl who is going about an ordinary life as best as she can – and the makers have kept frames and scenes relatable. The interiors match the lifestyle. Hamza too, is your average young guy trying to make ends meet and helplessly in love with his landlady – the setting is believable and perhaps that is why, this drama can be recommended to all the people who might be watching in homes such as Savera’s and relating to the look and feel of her surroundings.
To wrap it up, Rafta Rafta is an example of a drama that doesn’t need to blow its own trumpet. It’s a humble attempt at storytelling and, if we were just to tone down Hamza’s boss’s role (the only character that is a bit far-fetched), we might just get a drama that has absolutely nothing wrong with the creative process. This one’s a well deserved watch and we hope viewers give it a place in their watchlist!
Credits
Rafta Rafta is written by Hassan Imam and directed by Abdul Khaliq Khan. It is produced under BJ production and it is airing on Green Entertainment on Saturday and Sunday. The cast features Hina Dilpazeer, Rehan Sheikh, Shaheen Khan, Zaviyar Noman, Saheefa Jabbar Khatak, Faizan Sheikh, Afifa Sheikh, and Adnan Sodha.
