The Week in Dramas is back to haunt you if you’re Shagufta in Wabaal, or, awaken you from sleepy despair if you’re Nida and Ahsan in Kaisi Teri Khudgharzi – but, if you’re Bakhtu or Bakhtawar (whichever you pick) or even Hammad in Tinkay Ka Sahara, you’re helping carve a niche in dramas that will hopefully see a turn for the better!
Starting Off With Wabaal
So, we start off with Anam in Wabaal because I for one, have reasons for her heartless behaviour with Faraaz. I mean, who even tells a newlywed ‘dulhan’ to jump out of bed post-wedding night and prepare breakfast for her mother-in-law was probably living in the dark ages, in fact, no, maybe women were more emancipated then. So, although I love Faraaz and his patience to bits and even though Anam’s ‘badtameezi’ goes a bit too far, it’s getting her where she wants to be – a ring, a day out shopping, and now, a grander home?
Here’s my point, girls and ahem, boys. Girls like Anam do exist. They’re not all that bad, but they can turn selfish, self-absorbed, and ruthless if they don’t get their way. She didn’t want to be married in the first place, remember? Also, love the chemistry between Talha Chahour and Sara Khan. I think this couple will make it to more dramas than just this one!
Pinjra
Onwards to Pinjra that is making the cut every week for me. Aina Asif nailed it in the phone-snatching scene as Abeer. She is every girl who is denied a conversation, a seat at the table, and an opportunity to speak her mind before her parents. Abeer has turned into this mean, sneaky, self-absorbed, bitter teenager and Aina makes us feel for her despite the many adjectives I used to describe her above. Khadija oh Khadija, have you ever tried to have a fun, meaningful convo with your daughter? Have you seen the pain in Azaan’s eyes and the disturbed, helplessness of Abaan? While on the other end of the spectrum, Javed is 100% sure he knows what he’s doing, and so is Wajiha and that’s why I love these two characters – because they’re both so sure of the opposite things in life!
Oh and you can catch my conversation with Javed aka Omair Rana right here, so don’t miss that one!
Wajiha takes a pause, contemplating what to tell a mom about her daughter – have we all been there at some point? Have we sometimes lost a friend because we said too much or knew too much about her family? Pinjra continues to grip me as the troubled teen lives continue along their destiny, binding us in a gripping narrative – wishing Khadija would see the light, or Javed would relax his grip on a household that’s a melting pot of disasters about to happen, ready to erupt any day, or episode!
Onwards To Daraar
Shall we speak of Daraar then?
The story line that is disappointing yet riveting to watch. Why? Because we want revenge for Irha, or we want Shaheer to pay for his womanizing or because … well, because it’s one of those sad guilty pleasures that the masses love to watch when it’s not their lives and marriages at stake! What disappointed me about Daraar was the drop scene when Shaheer vouches for Sajal before his grandma. You see, till now, I was very clear about Shaheer’s intentions – to have a good time, keep all his relationships on cruise control – Sajal happy with the credit card, Irha with the baby and him, dadi with a happy household and grandchild and the offshore girlfriend, happy with the distant kinda love – but now, things have taken on a Jalan kinda feel as Shaheer seems to be as enamoured by the other woman as she is by him – what of our ‘not living on planet earth’ heroine Irha who’s hopelessly in love with a vision of Shaheer that’s a total farce? I preferred Shaheer in all his evil designs – just like I prefer Sajal in her dark desires to take over Irha’s home and family – then I know exactly who not to like, no confusion there. But now, with Shaheer flipping over Sajal, I assume, the story will flip too, and I’m just not ready for Jalan 2 – never will be. Are you?
Bakhtawar
And last but certainly not the least, Bakhtawar my friend you bowled us a curved ball there and I am so glad you did! The inspector Mohsin twist in the tale was the best thing so far – no crest fallen Bakhtu, no angry Dilawar, but rather, a crisp story of revelation, thrill, and suspense all wrapped in one as we anticipate Bakhtu getting the better of Sheeda in episode next! I want to applaud the director-writer team for screening an unconventional plot twist, yet one that had just the right spin of drama to keep us going!
Yumna Zaidi has managed to slip into Bakhtu and Bakhtawar’s skin with expert ease, Dilawar needs to up his game against Hooriya and Bakhtawar’s mom needs to wake up from the dream she’s been in the entire drama and understand that her daughter needs her, if only for moral support!
Finally, Tinkay Ka Sahara
Time for one more? I recalled that one can’t leave without talking about the endearing Hammad-Qadar duo. Oh what a couple these two make. From buying her a car, to planning out her workplace and then apartment, Hammad just became the new Pakistani hero on the block to root for. Sonya Hussyn just does Qadar like no one else and Haroon Shahid is the Hammad who’s winning hearts! And if Durriya feels left out, please don’t. Your stand against Wasay, and your clear intention to not be with him despite being pregnant is an example for all young girls that you cannot ‘fix’ a man with love – prioritize your mental and physical health first. Goodness knows how many young girls have been returned to brutal, carelessly angry young men with the promise of better days ahead and I hope Durriya sticks to her word. And Sami Khan (well played there, btw) aka Wasay gets a therapist for himself and his sister (who might need it more than him) just sayin’ – behind every angry young man who loses control is … ??? fill in the blanks!
And that’s all folks, it’s a wrap on dramas till we meet again next week. Tell me what you’re watching and I’ll give you Agar next week, let it slip into its second episode as Juggun Kazim aka Annie and our Knight in shining armour – Junaid Khan aka Shawaiz take baby steps towards a moment that might change the course of their lives! Aaah, hope that sentence had all the right mix of drama and dream – till next time, adios and happy watching!
