Shanaas first episode dropped last night and we’re here with a review (Spoiler Alert) we promise to be as speedy as the episode!
Shanaas is actor Yasra Rizvi’s directorial debut on Green Entertainment. The story, scripted by Adarsh Ayaz opens and closes in the first episode with a roller coaster ride of events from an approaching engagement to an erratic break up. The performances spoke volumes – Sania Saeed stood out as Aneesa’s mom and Hajra Yamin, Shamim Hilaly joined in for good impact.
The Story
The topic is adoption, but it’s more than that. It’s also about how we view adopted children, why that prejudice makes us, the parents, not divulge their adoption, not only to others, but to the children themselves, a car crash, tragedy, and possibly, a search for the identity of a young woman who didn’t know she was adopted till the day of her engagement.
Shanaas gives us all this in the first episode and safe to say, the vibrant frames, attention to detail, aesthetics and rapidly moving story line kept the pace.
Aneesa aka Hajra Yamin & Ramis aka Arez Ahmed are about to be engaged and very much in love when a secret is revealed. Much to everyone’s surprise and shock, the engagement is called off, and interestingly, by the mother of the daughter herself. Finally, a drama portrays parents standing up for the self respect of their children, their daughter, and telling off the in laws that if they can’t accept their daughter happily, perhaps, they should call it a day.
Oh what a relief!
Direction Is In the Details
And that’s why, the drama, directed by a woman, made a slight dent in the Pakistani drama canvas, and a good one. Direction also needs a nod for attention to detail as the engagement planning, from the aperitifs to the decor were aesthetically pleasing and apt representation of the family dynamics in play. Sania Saeed’s character shone like a bright star – she seemed to be everything, everywhere all at once, and in a good way. The car chase revealed subtle details showing a woman driving, revealing just enough but not quite enough to keep the suspense going. Great overhead shots there!
More Than Just Adoption
But messages aren’t all its handing out as Shanaas proceeded to picturize a mysterious car crash, more to be revealed later. The sense of mystery and suspense seems to suggest that the drama is not just about regressive in laws and society’s attitude towards adoption, but much more.
Shanaas first episode was a good watch. If we were to note something lacking, it was probably the chemistry between the young couple. Arez and Hajra seemed a tad stilted in interaction – Aneesa quite vibrant, and Ramis, trying hard to get there. But Sania Saeed’s performance and her onscreen chemistry with Hajra was doubly impactful, making us hope that episode next will dive straight into more of the same, and hopefully, a better connection between our hero and heroine.
The secret to a successful first episode is leaving the audience wanting more. Shanaas did that. We’d give this one a thumbs up for sure, awaiting episode next!
Produced by Q&K Productions in collaboration with Multiverse Entertainment, Shanaas showcases a talented group of actors led by the versatile Hajra Yamin, who skillfully portrays the character of Aneesa. Alongside her, esteemed actors such as Sania Saeed, Shamim Hilaly, Arez Ahmed, Shahzad Nawaz, Adnan Shah Tipu, Adnan Jeelani, and Kashif Hussain, bringing depth and richness to their individual roles.
Written by the talented Adarsh Ayaz and directed by visionary Yasra Rizvi, the show airs every Tuesday on Green Entertainment.
