Sarmad Khoosat, known for his filmmaking has recently released the much-awaited trailer of his upcoming telefilm, “Roshan Raahein” (lighted paths), offering a promising viewing experience.
Roshan Raahein marks Khoosat’s return to the realm of telefilms after a decade-long break, and the trailer hints at a passion project featuring some of his favorites, including talented actresses Sania Saeed, Rasti Farooq, and Aleeza Fatima.
A Powerful Story
The trailer introduces us to the challenges faced by a young woman moving through literal darkness, her path to home shadowed due to the absence of streetlights. Instead of bowing down to fear and helplessness, she becomes a change agent within her community. The storyline unfolds a narrative of resilience against bureaucratic indifference and victim-blaming, themes that resonate with societal issues surrounding women’s safety and freedom of movement.
In an instagram post, Sarmad Khoosat expressed his excitement, stating,
I used to love telefilms/stand-alone teleplays, but they became passé and stopped making any lucrative sense. Literally after a decade or so, I got an opportunity to direct this heartwarming story with some of my favorite collaborators. It’s releasing soon.
Sarmad Khoosat
Sisterhood & Collective Resistance
The telefilm appears to be an excellent portrayal of sisterhood and community unity, addressing the challenges women face in their daily lives. The protagonist’s struggle against bureaucratic apathy and victim-blaming becomes a rallying point for women in her community. They unite, raising their voices against systemic shortcomings, and the trailer leaves us eager for more, questioning whether their collective fight will illuminate the path to a brighter future.
Addressing Societal Issues
Roshan Raahein seems to touch upon the issue of victim-blaming and the challenges women face in their daily lives. The trailer showcases how society often fails to address seemingly minor problems when a woman suffers, often dismissing them as inconsequential, prompting others to band together to achieve something that should be pretty straightforward.
The trailer sheds light on a common problem in our society: blaming women for things that happen unexpectedly. In one scene, the female protagonist goes to complain about the lack of streetlights, but she’s told “Raat Ko Jaanay Say Guraiz Karein”, This is something women often hear, and the question that arises is, “Kyun Guraiz Karein?” The telefilm seems like it will answer these queries by scrutinizing the people in power and encouraging discussions about equality and breaking harmful stereotypes.
The film might, on the surface, be focusing on a single, isolated issue – lack of street lighting and hence, safety hazards for women, but in effect, the narrative encompasses a whole lot more, once we examine it under the scrutiny of recent harassment cases in poorly lit public spaces in the country. It is often the woman who has been schooled for risking her safety by stepping out in presumed danger zones – all we need are well-lit public areas to prevent a life-threatening situation, not victim blaming. The narrative for Roshan Raahein could not be more aptly placed.
Aurtein Ghar Pe Rahein Na, Mehfooz!
Roshan Raahein
The under 2 minute trailer voices a poignant dialogue, one we’ve heard uttered many times as a protection for women, yet, it is more of a conditioned retort from within male-powered corridors and the mindset they contain – stay home in order to stay safe.
Roshan Raahein appears to be a promising telefilm that combines stellar performances, an impactful storyline, and a message of empowerment. As we await its release, the trailer has already left us eager, promising a cinematic experience that goes beyond entertainment, shedding light on the strength that emerges when individuals unite for a common cause.
Roshan Raahein features a talented cast including, Sania Saeed, Rasti Farooq, Omer Ghaffar, Aleeza Fatima, Adeel Afzal and others. The telefilm is directed Sarmad Khoosat and written by Nirmal Bano. The story and concept are credited to Rashida Dohad and Omar Asghar Khan Foundation It is produced by Sundus Hashmi
