Habs adds the filmi touch, Sang e Mah moves towards a Shakespearean tragedy, Pehchaan calls out to be watched & Badshah Begum attempts to redeem itself!
Hello Week in Dramas, Where have you been? The Sang e Mah women have us floored, Cookie in Pehchaan is throwing shades of empowered, angry young woman and an estranged wife and mom, Basit has announced a Nikah that hasn’t happened yet, and Badshah Begum’s Shahzeb was just served a checkmate from younger bro Shahmir. It’s all happening here as I wrap up the best of the best this week!
Sang e Mah Stays On Top
First up, Sang e Mah is still on top with moments that set it apart from the rest. From the heart-stopping visual of empowered women ascending the mountain to participate in the jirga (full marks there Saife Hassan Sahab for placement, frames, and the resultant effect on appreciative audiences). It was not just the scene itself but the ‘cut moment’ to finish off the episode with a flourish that delivered a final punch to the jirga affairs – yes, you guessed it right, you smart audiences – it was the moment Zarghuna calls out and asks the men to make way for the women!
Can’t not mention Marjaan Khan relinquishing his pagri for young Hikmat as he finally gives his ‘rightful’ son, his ‘rightful’ place in his life and also, Hikmat, as he proceeds to step into dad’s shoes. You see, you have to understand the strategic timing of this pagri passing on moment – if anyone, Hikmat would make the ideal person to pronounce a sentence with ‘justice and honor’– his beloved brother on one side, the love of his life on the other, and then, his parents on another – how sublime could this even get!
A note on Hilmand – kuch zakham itnay gehray hotay hain keh shayad kabhi na bharen? Will Sherezade be able to reunite with her Hilmand? Will Kabul & Qandahar stay together ? The heart says yes, the head isn’t so sure! Tough one that! But she’s wearing his Sang e Mah, don’t let that slip your mind folks!
Well I for one, vouch episode next Sang e Mah is going to be a banger, crossing a few million views for sure!
Cookie In Pehchaan Impresses
While Sang e Mah might have left us speechless, Pehchaan wasn’t far behind and credit must be given to the story that is only 6 episodes old yet has us in its grip – fully invested in Cookie and Adnan’s saga. The drama is gradually unfolding into a spectacular whodunnit desi flavour narrative, susraal and all thrown in for extra juice! But why I write about it is the subtlety, the low key yet impactful dialogue and performances. Toxic in-laws can be like Cookie’s – all happy and content till she decides to take a stand for herself, traditional parents can be like those of Cookie too, attempting to respect her wishes yet befuddled as to why she would walk out of a seemingly happy, convenient lifestyle and also, on her children who are caught between a war that’s not even their’s. Rubina Kabir has penned a refreshingly original narrative and director Asad Jabal has kept it relatable because many women, ahem, can see themselves in Cookie! But can many men see themselves in Adnan too? That is the million dollar question!
Cookie’s assertive nature backed by a quiet, sad, thinking Sharmeen in private makes us feel for her, knowing she is being strong and hiding her tears before the ever judgemental family tribunal she is placed before. Her refusal to offer any explanation is somehow adding to the mystery, and our speculations: Did he really have an affair, is she interested in Aziz, why is she leaving him? Oh and the children too? Can a mother really do that? Both Syed Jibran and Hiba Bukhari are playing their hearts out here and we see you! In a sea of run-of-the-mill stories, this one is different and we hope it stays that way! Go watch if you’re still on the fence on this one!
The Latest On Badshah Begum
A quick word on Badshah Begum, where Jehan Ara does the switchover from gentle reconciliation to a force to be reckoned with. Shahzeb just had the Queen snatched away from right under his claws as Shahmir makes a return to Piranpur to claim his bride as a prize, leaving poor Catherine in the lurch! Of course, he throws us a surprise with Bakhtiar and his mom in toe – what happens next is anybody’s guess but word has it that change is in the air? What will Roshan Ara do? That is the question on my mind – she’s not one to take anything lying down! While we wait on that one, let’s move on to the crowd puller…
Wedding Bells Ringing In Habs
On to Habs episode 7 hitting just over 4.2M viewers on YouTube and counting and Mr. Basit is keeping us guessing. How will he treat Ayesha eventually? His sudden declaration of Nikah and that entire scene, boardroom, mother, Ayesha – Nikah – Bang! What just happened there Habs?
From silently contemplating the idea in private and shaking his head in denial to announcing it out loud to his mom, Basit has just landed himself in hot water, but we the audiences are rooting for him and her! So far, Habs has delivered a hero who is considerate yet broken, angry yet sincere. How will he envelope all these feeling in an umm contract marriage-like situation with our heroine? Again, episode next will be the one to watch – Believable performances from Feroze Khan and Ushna Shah as well as a shout out to Dania Enver for delivering a heartfelt strong girl role. Writer Aaliya Makhdoom gave us positive human beings in Talal & Bano who underwent tragedy but decided not to turn toxic – Shah Jehan from Mere Humsafar might want to take a page out of Bano’s book maybe?
Last But Certainly Not The Least – Mere Humsafar
And that brings us to the final call – Mere Humsafar!
Hamza is being so good that our heart stops at the thought of him discovering the truth. Clever move that Mr. Director, you play with our emotions so that when Hamza discovers the truth about Khurram, we have all the positives to fall back on!
Yet … and that is a very significant yet … we are feeling for Hala as well. Hala’s meltdown with dadi over how a baby must be cared for as well after she is born was deeply painful, making her relive childhood trauma and abuse, the memory of separation, and growing up without her parents – a shoutout to the makers for playing it so sensitively! Hala is not just any old miserably weeping heroine who has been through abuse, she is a living, breathing example of what happens to young children when they grow up without their parents into seemingly independent adults but with a host of emotional insecurities.
Both Hania Aamir and Farhan Saeed stepping up the romance quotient despite the tragic backstory is a breath of fresh air – “Manzil se khoobsoorat hota hai safar, aur isko aur khoobsoorat banata hai, tumhare jaisa humsafar” Hamza in full dialogue mode, embracing us in dreamy-romance mood yet again!
And Hala’s mood: What? Khurram Who? Yeah, that’s right Hala, play on, we’re rooting for you!
And that’s a wrap on The Week in Dramas! Tell me where your heart lies, between Sang e Mah, Mere Humsafar, Basit & Ayesha’s impending nuptials in Habs or Pehchaan – take your pick!
