Your week in dramas just got a facelift! If Murtasim & Meerab are not your thing, or Dania & Dr. Hasan are taking things too slow, Sar e Rah is here to pick up the pace, but then, Yunhi will throw it back once again! There’s something for everyone you say? But of course, we agree! So join me as I give you the spectacular, the sensational, the heart-warming, the romantic, the new and the old, in a dramatic recap of the week that was!
Let’s begin with Saba Qamar’s Sar e Rah!
Saba Qamar is one actor who doesn’t need a male lead to complete her story. And that’s it, that’s all I need to say about Sar e Rah, but since I must say more, I will give you more. Sar e Rah is about a young girl who must take on taxi driving to support her family financially. The episode run time, start to finish, gave us a story that was gripping, uplifting, tear jerking, relatable, and powerfully executed. I would even go ahead to say this one can make it to a limited edition Netflix series, even though it is only the first episode that we’ve watched so far. This 6 episode series seems to be packed in a fast paced story, but without cutting corners – we walked Rania’s journey every step of the way, from a young, unassuming engaged-to-be married girl to one who takes on the steering wheel and eventually, sips chai at the dhaaba while awaiting her next ride.
Saba has killed the role on all fronts, taking care to retain her feminine charm, despite playing in an all male environment, with just the right blend of nerves, confidence, pride and courage! From the moment her first ride gave her lessons on how to face a mal- dominated profession to her disappointment with her fiance, Rania handed out massive girl goals to all young women who take on this responsibility at home, and do it with honour!
Great scenes of Karachi, fab execution, and dialogue that was sensitive and laden with multiple messages! If you’re not watching this one you are missing out on a whole lot of quality watch time! For more on Sar e Rah, get the full blown review here.
Shout out to both Ahmed Bhatti for stellar direction and Adeel Razzaq for a script that’s going to be the envy of many drama writers for sure!
Yunhi Takes Over As My Vintage Drama Love!
Yunhi had my heart even before it started because, well, I have this bias for directorMohammad Ehteshamuddin and his projects. You would too if you knew Udaari, Khaab Toot Jaate Hain, Yorker, Superstar and more, yeah? Anyway, I was also awaiting the pairing of Maya Ali and Bilal Ashraf onscreen and while the first episode didn’t give me enough of them, it did set the scene for what’s to follow.
For those who are wondering whether to watch Yunhi or not, Yunhi is not for everyone. If you have a reader, a book lover in you, if you like a vintage feel on the set, if you like to take a breather from jarring OSTs, sensational story lines and multiple flashbacks, then Yunhi might just be your cup of tea. It is unpretentious, soothing, calming on the senses yet promises to send out subtle messages in future episodes. The narrative is staged as a possible love story between Kim aka Maya Ali who’s returned from abroad and her cousin Dawood aka Bilal Ashraf who lives in Pakistan; East meets West and the judgement calls have already begun. While Kim seems to have a borderline immature approach to thinking this topi clad, high on the ankles shalwar kurta wearing bloke is a fundo (yeah, typecasting there), we also see her balking at the site of a desi toilet. We assume Dawood will have his turn to retaliate next episode while the two will have to, reluctantly, get to know each other. The ensemble cast is handing out refreshing feels and in particular, Danial aka Khaqan Shahnawaz as younger brother of Dawood made me smile.
The episode unravels a story with a soulful OST from Shae Gill and Sami Khan. Get to know more about Yunhi from the makers here. And a full blown first episode review here.
Mere Ban Jao is Sending Shivers Down My Spine BTW, and a Far Cry From Yunhi!
This one is not for the faint hearted as Azmia aka Kinza Hashmi, Azfar Rehman aka Fardeen and Zakki aka Zahid Ahmed have us in for a story that is very relevant and instils a silent fear in the heart as we realize its too close to home! There might be many young women like Azmia who are trapped in an uncomfortable relationship, one in which their partner emotionally blackmails them, plays mind games, makes them commit acts they are clearly not sure they should do – it’s not just about consent but about playing on the insecurities and personal trust issues in a relationship. When is intimacy too much, when do we say no, when is it okay to just talk or video call over the phone, what is considered too much, can someone record your video without your knowledge, should you not trust anyone, even your fiance or husband beyond a certain point?
If you aren’t watch Mere Ban Jao, the story is really quite riveting and Kinza Hashmi is doing a great job with expressions and dialogues. the narrative is handled with the utmost sensitivity, keeping in mind the topic. Watch it if you’re up for a heavy dose of an intense, socially relevant plot. And yes, we have a more detailed review for you here.
That was a lot of heavy conversation right there so in order to lighten the mood, let’s move on to Tere Bin! For all those who are too intellectual, cynical or … just not the Tere Bin types, yeah there is a type, I’m told, skip this one, Though I gather (judging by the tremendous views in millions), most will stick around!
So Folks, Is Murtasim In Love With Merub?
For all those second guessing that Murtasim is playing Merub (included this writer) he certainly has us confused! At one point, he asks her to never leave him in full drama mode, and then, at another, he toys with her remote idea of jumping off the terrace, the much awaited ‘lights off scene’ had viewers shipping the two star-crossed would be lovers, and then enters Maa Begum to pour a cold jug of water on whatever Murtasim had planned with his newly wed wife (who, incidentally, is waiting at the other end probably with another jug), if he so much as dares!
But Murtasim standing up for his wife before his oh so matriarchal mom was a breath of fresh air for Pakistani drama heroes. Fans got their fair share of romance, with gold chains being fastened, Murtasim claiming to be hurt in his heart, oh so dramatic, and Merub throwing him half a quizzical glance (is he really in love?) but then, shaking herself of any paltry, love emotion – she’s not that girl or not yet, we think. But soon, Murtasim is getting under her skin again and we might just see a new and ahem, improved Merub very soon!
So Tere Bin has been relegated to the brand of dramas I’m just going to sit back and enjoy with my cup of tea while my teenager, lounging on a sofa next to me, utters in a disdainful tone, after taking in a slap, onscreen “What are you watching?” and I, with a confident air, will turn around and say, oh well, you watch all those mind-blowing reels and TikToks too yeah? So, this is my chill moment of the week, let me be! And then, if the chill moment has Yumna and Wahaj I guess, I’ll just leave it at that!
Though in all honesty, I have to be truthful, I might not be watching the drama if I didn’t need to review it. Now go ahead and judge me, but I have to look back on this piece of writing 10 years later and live with myself, so there, I’ve said it. But if you’re still missing Tere Bin, here’s your weekly dose!
Kuch Ankahi has my heart again!
From Samiya and her mom’s conversation to Shagufta’s defense of obedient Saif and Shakeel aka Adnan Samad’s entry, Kuch Ankahi handed out smile moments as if Eid had come already, eidi and all! Has Salman really fallen for Aaliya, does she sense the beginnings of something for him too, will Tanya get stuck in Taxila and which cricket team is Azfar planning to buy?
But these are all superficial reasons for loving a drama that has conversations around a girl’s marriage, her in-laws, stereotyping men to be take charge, controlling husbands whom we complain about, but when they become the obedient Saif ur Rehman, we complain even more. Inheritance for men and women is on the cards and as Samiya’s marriage draws closer, we want her to refuse, but don’t know how the story twist will come about – that’s for the makers to know and us to find out I guess.
But here’s the thing, although I see many young girls relate to Samiya, many more have been infuriated by her stance of being the ultimate self sacrificing daughter. I feel that Kuch Ankahi will give out this particular message on a girls’ marriage by showing us how real people actually deal with the issue – just the way Samiya is? I also trust the makers will find a way out where she, or characters around her will see the light. Hard as it is to believe right now, I believe, because, this drama has an agenda, so don’t get blind-sided into a story that is only leading you to a place you want to be eventually, just hold on tight, and, as Shahrukh Khan says in Pathaan, tighten your seat belt for the ride. Just keep the Faith and believe!
Till then, I’m going to smile on and relive the moment Saif’s mom was planning the wedding menu and counting those cold drinks – that’s one shaadi budget that will certainly not go overboard! Get the full episode review here.
And how can we forget Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha?
Are you disappointed that Saad did all that on the behest of Maheer’s mother? Would you have been more in love if he acted alone? I feel he still deserves all the love but Maheer’s mom just went down many notches in my drama character grading scheme. The woman is turning out to be quite the master mind and heart breaker!
But what I loved most was the final call from Saad to delay the rukhsati. You can take a horse to the water but you can’t make him drink and Saad is not about to give up on Maheer finding lasting love! Aha, but who will that love be with? Do you get Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam vibes here?
Anyway, I’m just going to sit back and enjoy this new drama hero who will sacrifice his happiness even when it’s handed to him on a platter, to make his beloved achieve her dreams. But I hope the story rolls on a bit faster because I’m a bit done with all the weeping. I mean, I know the sad, sad story needs to come to a point where the characters move on, but let’s just step on the accelerator and move on to the next stage, I mean, Ramazan dramas are still over a month away and I just can’t take anymore tragic love stories.
My wakeup call of the episode? Or rather, irony. Despite the fact that Areeb was the biggest loser of the episode, fans wept for Saad. I mean, the guy is a clear winner, he wins and they cry, he loses and they cry, he writes in his diary and they cry, he does NOTHING and they cry. But when Areeb loses his dad and his bride to be, they just keep posting images of Saad as if, Areeb never happened!
Get a conscience drama folk, or should I blame the makers for being unfair with Areeb these past few episodes and too fair with Saad so that we have a hugely disbalanced take on MPHT onscreen events?
Oh well, you can answer that one in comments as we move on to a new week. keep watching and tell me if there is a drama we need to add to the list, will you be watching Yunhi & Sar e Rah? I apologize for not covering Pinjra here, but please do visit the full review here. Pinjra is in a league of its own and one that is handing out life lessons on a weekly run!
Adios and Ciao!
