Oh my goodness, I can’t even begin to explain how amazing this episode was & how hard I laughed while watching it. Even though the overall vibe of the drama is humorous but what’s commendable is that in the middle of all this the writer has imparted some very beautiful messages which warm your heart. Watching Aangan is like getting a 3D view of a family where everyone has a love-hate relationship, where everyone comes together for one another but then everyone has an issue with each other because they all are different & this entire mix makes this drama a complete package.
The opening scene of this episode once again underlined what the family is all about. Abba Jee was the one who didn’t want his son in law Allauddin to show up at his doorstep, but the moment he heard about his accident, he couldn’t stop blaming himself because he knew that by the end of the day, his daughter will be the one who will suffer & that thought was quite daunting for him. It is absolutely amazing how all the intricacies of all these relationships have been portrayed where no matter how many differences one has, courtesy & compassion keeps them all connected with each other!
So, now that finally Allauddin & his wife made it to Anila’s place, they made sure to do everything that would make them feel valued. Both Anila & Allauddin are a formidable team & they make sure to exploit everyone’s courtesy to the max because it makes them think they have an upperhand. Anila & Allauddin are a representation of those relatives who no matter what, find a reason to nag & complain because they are so engrossed in the idea of their perfect life that they deem it as their duty to rub it on other’s faces. Anila made sure that everyone gave her husband the utmost attention so that he doesn’t complain but then again, Aalu is nothing without complaining!
I loved how Hajra handled everything & how every single time she emerged as a peacemaker. What I love the most about her character is that she is brutally honest while still being courteous, like she knows everyone’s weaknesses & doesn’t mind talking about them but at the end, she uses them to rectify & pacify things as much as she can & that is the beauty of her character. Well, Sajjad followed Hajra’s lead & decided to visit Kulsoom’s place but then again, he was wary of what might happen if Anila will find out the truth!
Rubina came back & even she couldn’t stop complaining that she was forced to return because Anila was visiting. Every single family member has an issue with Anila but then what Hajra told Rubina about Anila made so much sense that being the daughter, Anila had the leverage to run things for a while but because the daughters in law had nowhere else to go, they shouldn’t let anything influence their behavior & cloud their judgment. It was absolutely sweet how Rubina immediately understood what Hajra was trying to convey to her. Well, generally it happens that the daughters of the family find it hard to accept that the house which once belonged to them is not theirs anymore, so they make sure to do everything to let everyone know that they still have an upperhand, can influence whatever happens in the house & are still the decision makers!
Anila had an issue with how Zoya took care of the household chores but then Zaitoon’s advice overruled whatever Anila said as even Zaitoon knew that this was going to be one such place where Zoya will always be welcomed after her marriage. The advice to be good to daughters in law was spot on because it showed that Zaitoon not only valued them but also had enough heart to place them at a certain level of authority, which was refreshing to see that too in such a typical household set up!
The most beautiful scene of this episode was the conversation between Miyan Sahab & Zaitoon Bano where they both reminisced about old times & spoke about how they were now standing at the same pedestal. Miyan Sahab spoke the truth & tried to make Zaitoon Bano understand that their children had their own lives. It was endearing how Zaitoon presented her own perspective but Miyan Sahab tried to show her the bigger picture!
Even though Zahid is shown to be quite stern & staunch but his naivety is endearing. He actually thought that Allauddin passed away & thought about every single formality that they’d have to go through. I liked how it was shown that in the middle of this chaos, Asim & Laila stole some time for themselves. Even though they were equally involved in family affairs, they still made sure to get some breather & disconnect with the family drama. As they both have no kids, they make sure to give each other all the importance in the world & that has further strengthened their relationship!
So, the family drama continued & once again Laila & Rubina faced each other. It is a done deal that they both are two different people who can never come to a common ground & I feel for all those who’ll have to do the damage control that too with Anila around them!
What I loved the most about this episode was that I could relate to so many things & since it is so diverse, I am sure every single viewer will be able to connect & relate to different characters & their scenarios as well. Since this drama is a pure depiction of reality, it makes it even more amazing! All the actors did a wonderful job & there is not even a single character that I find unnecessary in this huge family. This episode was hilarious & I love Faiza Iftikhar’s sense of humor. The entire scene where Mr. & Mrs. Aalu were being Ham-King & Queen had me in a laughing fit. This drama offers so much, so many flavors, so many emotions which makes it perfect. Irsa Ghazal & Waseem Abbas were the stars of this episode, equally & perfectly supported by ZQ. Loved every bit of it & can’t wait for the next episode already. I know what I will be doing on Saturdays, laughing & getting emotional while watching Aangan. Please share your thoughts about this amazing episode of Aangan!
So Naima is finally the winner in Atif contest. She is engaged to him and has reached the ultimate goal of her life. Naima character is so dark that it has become downright annoying. The writer must have tried to keep her a bit subtle because the way she runs around the house shouting Main Arsala ko bardasht nahin karr sakti is not acceptable at all. The family of Arsala is that of lower middle class and it is not a norm there that you steal your sister’s fiance; here I might add the sister who is sole bread earner of the house and not get a call out from your parents. And the way she keeps chanting Atif Atif all the time is so annoying that you want to tape her mouth. Nonetheless, SHE IS ENGAGED! Atif, on the other hand, is also a super confused character, marrying one sister while he is dying for Arsala all the time.
The greed of Arsala’s parents was shown well. They don’t see their daughter as a human anymore but as some kind of money-making machine. Her mother’s reaction when her khala tried to make her focus on Arsala’s future was hideous. Only Arsala’s brother has sympathy for her but he is also a shallow person. The only difference is that he accepts he is shallow. Arsala’s khala is more of a mother to her than her own mom. She has complete faith in her and believes that her son is doing wrong but since Atif is a dumb person; no sense can be put in his brain.
Arsala now knows the whole picture. Her family has ditched her big time and the good thing was she at least accepted the facts that they don’t think of her as a daughter anymore. Because as silent and submissive she is it was good to see her showing some spark. Arsala is now at Haseena’s friend’s house and her husband is a sexual predator (played by Saife Hassan). Seems like she will leave that house too in the next episode. Will Haseena lead her to Bilal Khan’s house, we will find out in the coming episodes!
What do you think about Naima’s antics? Share your thoughts!
This had to be the best episode of Shayyad so far and one which won me over completely although it wasn’t picture perfect. The manner in which Salar’s character was introduced in tonight’s episode was a classic case of show and tell. Nauman Ijaz’s overall demeanor and the way the scene was structured gave the perfect introduction to Salar. He is a serious and no-nonsense kind of a man who didn’t fall for Hani instantly but later on felt attracted towards her or perhaps felt a desire to have her in his life when she played hard to get. Hani was looking for “inspiration” when Salar happened to pass by and he grabbed her attention instantly. Nauman Ijaz’s screen presence and his sheer brilliance as an actor allows him to translate every role assigned to him on screen with perfection. Salar’s character got the full-blown introduction he deserved since it is a central character and also someone Hani felt attracted to instantly.
Tonight for the first time the viewers saw a different side of Hani’s personality. Although Salar caught her attention instantly and it seemed like a case of love at first sight but even then she told him off more than once. Hani’s character is being revealed gradually and so far she appears to be a woman with a strong personality, definitely not one of those typical heroines who only look pretty and wait for someone to come rescue them. She has a purpose in life and her dialogues tonight gave an insight into how she feels about life in general. Sadia Khan looked stunning as usual in all of the scenes but the scene covering her first meeting with Salar was shot so beautifully that it looked like a painting. The on-screen chemistry between the leading actors in this drama makes their scenes together a treat to watch; the credit for this goes to the writer as well because these scenes have been written so beautifully.
Saad’s scenes with his friend showed how sure he was that Hani loved him too and once he has finished his education, he will have no trouble convincing his parents. Saad is too young and too in love to see that Hani doesn’t feel that way about him. The fact that Hani felt attracted to someone like Salar showed that her ideal man was very different from Saad. Saad’s love for Hani is pure and it has been translated on screen superbly.
The only thing about this episode which didn’t work for me were phupo’s scenes since all her scenes show her resentment towards her brother and bhabi for not being concerned about her marriage. Also, Salma’s overall look doesn’t go well with her character, she is too made up for a “ghulam”. These scenes shouldn’t have been given so much screen time since they disturbed the flow of the main tracks. Having said that Hani, Saad and Salar’s track is headed towards an interesting direction especially after tonight’s episode. Although I feel for Saad already and can’t imagine how he will cope once he finds out Hani is in love with someone else but I can totally relate to why someone like Hani would fall for a man like Salar and not Saad. Sadia Khan has failed to bring out the best in her character, so far her portrayal isn’t entirely flawed but at the same time it is pretty average. Hani’s character and the story as a whole is interesting enough to keep me coming back for more. Salar’s entry in the drama has definitely made it more appealing. Uzair Jaswal yet again was perfect as the naive young boy who is madly in love. I also like the stark difference between Salar and Saad’s personalities
How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.
Ohkay so, I will be completely honest, after weeks, this episode worked for me & just when I was wondering what changed that all of a sudden I felt this episode was strong as the initial episodes of this drama, I got reminded around 30 minute mark when Tipu showed up, that is when I understood that just because he was missing from the major chunk of the episode, it was working for me. Oh I so wish the writer had omitted Tipu’s character because it would’ve changed everything!
I loved almost all the conversations that took place in the first half of the episode. Meena’s reminder to Saasi that she is just trying to chase an image, a deception was spot on. Sassi really needs to know better, that too when she herself has had a firsthand experience with Sonia Jahan & she has seen how messed up Sonia’s life is & more so, how she has ruined Khayyam’s life too but sadly, she is unable to understand that right now. For the first time I felt that with all this exposure & the freedom to make her own decisions, Sassi is on a path of self-discovery & because of that she is now seeing things differently as well. I say this because the more Sassi is getting to interact with Wajih & getting dissed by him, the more she is growing compassionate towards Mumtaz. It is like Sassi now understands what Mumtaz must be going through after getting shunned away by the man she has dedicated her entire life to. This is why now that every time Sassi looks at Mumtaz & speaks to her, she has this kindness because she has started seeing Mumtaz as a victim!
The thing I found interesting was how Khayyam & Sassi were on a similar track, which went to show that the writer’s mind was working in a similar way for both these characters. Khayyam after getting a chance to be with Sonia was now feeling guilty because of Mumtaz, similarly, after getting attention from Wajih, Sassi immediately felt as if she was wronging Qasim, hence, the question where she asked him if she was being unfair to him or not. I have no hopes for Qasim & anything about him doesn’t interest me. It’s like Qasim has become Sassi’s spot boy & happily so, therefore there’s nothing that gives me hope that he will take charge of the situation, shake Sassi & try to make her realize that she is losing the plot!
Mumtaz & Khayyam’s conversation was interesting too but I think something more needs to happen – more than Mumtaz’s one-liners which have a short term affect on Khayyam because he now seems dual minded but still continues to meet Sonia, even after telling her that he won’t see her again!
The entire scenario of Sassi trying to become an actor is not sparking any interest whatsoever, because yes, it is obvious that it is her dream & she is chasing after that but I don’t see the purpose of it.
Well, as usual, Tipu’s double standards surfaced once again where he had no issues sending his girlfriend to the movies with his friend but couldn’t tolerate the fact that Sassi wasn’t home past the appropriate time. Again, I don’t see the reason behind the inclusion of this character because Khayyam was quite a strong & out-there character portraying the double standards of men. Like I said before, I will say that again, the character of Tipu is absolutely unnecessary & I see him as just a filler that has been forced upon the viewers.
Overall, this episode was really good because of the conversations & absence of Tipu for the most part of it. I loved Sajjal Ali in this episode, she looked absolutely gorgeous & I loved her acting too. Please share your thoughts about this episode of O Rangreza.
Sajal Ali had developed a very warm relationship with Sridevi and her family while she was in India to shoot for her Bollywood debut movie, Mom. Now Sridevi’s own daughter Jhanvi Kapoor is all set to appear on screen for her debut movie Dhadak. It has been made by Dharma Production and Karan Johar has both produced and directed it.
Sajal sent best wishes towards the debutante actress, wishing luck and power her way. She is confident that Jhanvi is going to reach success and fame easily since she has Sridevi as a mother and as a mentor.
Arth-The Destination is one of the most anticipated films releasing this December. The cast includes Shaan Shahid, Uzma Hassan, Mohib Mirza and Humaima Malick. Since Shaan is playing a musician in the film, the music is bound to be beautiful. The first track from the movie Sanwar de Khudaya is out now. It is sung by the one and only Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and the music is directed by Sahir Ali Bagga. And with such a team the song had to be fabulous and it is. Here listen to it:
What are your views on the first song of Arth and what are you expecting from the whole music of the film? Share in comments!
I am a student of a well reputed public sector university where we get the best faculty and our mentors in addition of giving us the bookish knowledge keeps on encouraging us to get into healthy debates which has resulted in debunking many stereotypes all of us have been believing for so many years and has at least made us a better human if nothing else. I along with my fellow students always look forward to events and conferences meant for educating us in one way or another. So, on this very fine morning all of us got free after taking a class and suddenly we were made attentive by an announcement that a representative of a famous show KHABARDAAR hosted by AFTAB IQBAL on EXPRESS is here to invite us. The time duration announced was from 1-4 and they assured that we will be dropped back to our departments in time. Most of us got overwhelmed and after taking permissions from parents by calling or texting, we boarded the coach and were there on the set in a couple of minutes. As soon as I entered the studio some strange smell immediately disturbed my nostrils and it did not take long for me to identify that there have been people smoking day in and day out. Ignoring this smell I continued to walk in the studio with the expectations that I’m going to have a great time over there so all of us got seated and got busy in taking selfies. We were enjoying the whole setup lights ad were having the conversation regarding the camera work. Little did we know that we were about to experience something that will shake us from the core.
Few minutes later, the shooting began with a performance of the band and some old Punjabi song “Chaan Mukhhaya” was sung with closed mike by Baboo Bhai which still felt melodious to ears and as soon as it ended our torture began. Some young man entered the studio, all of the crew got attentive and he stood in front of audience and began to stare at each one of us. Majority of the people in studio were my fellow students and there were some other people as well including some men and a couple. This man began switching seats of audience and asked some of us to leave the seats and stood at a corner. He was displeased because he did not like the two things:
1)Majority of people were wearing black,2) They were wearing spectacles and kept on saying ,don’t know where such people have come from. Moreover, the representative of the show got to manage more people than needed so a group of girls were asked to sit in the corner just like extras. I was one of them and was pretty sad about it. One of us told the representative that it is unfair and insulting to which he replied “You guys will be adjusted in next segment, don’t worry’’ which was just a meaningless placate because we spent entire time sitting over there.
So after the audience got ready that person left and some comedians entered the studio and audience was asked to twitch off their phones, girls were given makeup touchups without even asking them. While on students asking about when will be having a meet and greet session with the host as he wasn’t there and the shooting was about to start .One of the team members told the students that for some reason, he could not make it today so we will just shoot you and a person started dictating them the directions where they were supposed to look when asked. The crew wanted to take shots of their claps, nods and most importantly laughter as it was a so called comedy show. So some comedians began cracking jokes and let me tell you the jokes being cracked there were explicit, disgusting and profane to the height. Women were made a laughing stock and jokes were so derogatory that even Indian comedy shows and stage dramas will not make up to their level. While as per the expectations and excitement, students were in a state of real shock and were forced to laugh on the FAHASH jokes .
Since most of the students were girls how could they laugh at such cheap jokes so every time they didn’t a man pointed them out telling why isn’t she laughing though she is KHOOBSURAT and JAWAAN and they kept on repeating “KYA THUNDI AUDIENCE HY AAJ” and decided to facilitate us with some GARAM jokes so that we could laugh properly. One of the comedians including the singer treated the women’s body as an object which obscene jokes could be cracked on as there was everything from a woman (actually a male actor)opening her upper buttons and asking about where the smell is coming from ,to the pregnancy jokes. One joke was regarding the woman asking the man to put on the Shalwaar as it was about to fall down. Another joke was regarding the difference of sleeping of an educated and an uneducated woman and the difference was described through acting by putting a pillow between legs as a sleeping posture of an educated woman and then there were continued jokes and the description on why an educated woman puts pillow between legs. So, there was everything which a person needs to fulfil his JINSI TASKEEN and which is needed to represent a woman nothing more than but a sex object. Yay alag baatt h k beechary sirf gandi language sy hi kaam chla skty thy. Seeing all of this happening, the group kicked out wanted to leave but they weren’t allowed to and made to sit in such ill ambiance while a girl was daring enough to let the team know, not to be a part of the audience anymore and stood up and joined the group.
Audience along with us was tortured while we were reminded time and again not to make a video and when they caught me using phone, two members immediately came to me and checked my phone twice if I was making a video. In between the comedy, some man out of blue began talking about how artists like them should be respected and also discussed that no one can give you bread and butter but ALLAH just because they wanted to take the nodding shots. All of this continued to happen until 5 although we were supposed to be at department at 4 and after making us exhausted enough we were asked to leave the studio by handing in a lunchbox and a juice which many people refused to take. As soon as we left the seats, all of them started smoking. After all this vulgarity and obscenity, we were boarded in the bus at 5:30 because they wanted us to give them the feedback which was too obvious by looking at the girls who were crying like hell in the midst of fellow guys .Till us reaching the department, girls kept on crying severely and were screaming with the words that no matter how much we think of ourselves as an equal human being, we can’t be as we have known our real AUQAAT today. Although I don’t want to over generalize but still somehow, most of us have understood the reason of why the parents don’t let their girls to join media industry. Moreover, what we see on television is just one part of reality which is deceptive for sure. Whereas, this whole experience makes me scream at the loudest of my voice:
“Yes, I Am A Feminist And Will Be One Till Death.”
P.S: This episode will be on air today at 11PM. If any one needs me to facilitate you people with the pictures of the comedians, I surely can.
This year although there were many actors who put their heart and soul into their performances and bowled the viewers over completely but there were only a handful of actors who were most sought after and they received a lot of love and appreciation from the viewers. Some of these actors were relatively new but their popularity sky rocketed this year because of their impressive performances and the kind of projects they chose to be a part of. Some of the actors in this list are those who have been associated with the drama industry for a long time but this year the performances they give outdid all the other ones they have ever given. They were the kind of performances which gave these actors a new identity.
Here is a list of those actors who the viewers fell in love with over and over again!
He came, he saw and he conquered would be the best way to describe Ahad Raza Mir‘s few months in the drama industry. He started his acting career with drama serial Sammi in which he played the role of a young man who did not let his mother hold him back from helping someone in need. His role in Yakeen Ka Safar however won him unprecedented popularity. He translated Dr. Asfandyar’s role so brilliantly on screen that people fell in love with the character and the actor himself. Ahad Raza Mir entered the industry wanting to carve an identity for himself because he didn’t want people to know him as Asif Raza Mir’s son only. He surely managed to do just that which is why he is definitely one of the most impressive newcomers in the year 2017. A talented actor, a heart throb and a wonderful human being, Ahad Raza Mir deserved all the love he got from the viewers this year.
Sami Khan
Sami Khan has always given every character he has ever played his best but this time around in drama serial Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua he played a rather complicated character faultlessly. This character wouldn’t essentially have been too likeable either if it wasn’t translated on screen so well. Sami Khan made the viewers fall in love with his performance more than the character itself. He brought out the best in Faris’ character and the viewers loved watching him playing a leading role in one of HUM’s best plays this year. Sami Khan’s award-worthy performance gave the viewers a reason to look forward to his future projects as well and definitely gave them the reason to shower him with love and praise.
Bilal Abbas Khan
Bilal Abbas Khan was part of some of the best drama serials this year. He proved his versatility by translating every character he played brilliantly on screen. Bilal Abbas Khan got recognition and appreciation for his work. The fact that he isn’t just talented but is also good looking and has a pleasant personality makes him a complete package. Although Bilal Abbas hasn’t been associated with the showbiz industry for too long but he has most certainly made a big place for himself in people’s hearts as well as in the showbiz circles. We are pretty sure that he will continue growing as an actor and will get a lot more love in the upcoming year.
Kubra Khan
Kubra Khan is one of those lucky few actors who got to make a debut with a blockbuster drama Sang-e-Marmar and that is when she secured a place in everyone’s heart. After Sang-e-Marmar, there was no stopping for Kubra Khan because she got to appear in one super-hit and most-watched dramas after another like Khuda Aur Mohabbat, Muqabil, Andaz-e-Sitam and Alif Allah Aur Insaan. In such a short span of time, Kubra Khan proved that she is serious when it comes to this craft because she not only chose the best of the best projects but also different characters which gave her the margin to showcase her talent. In such an early stage of her career, Kubra Khan has garnered a huge fandom and has become one such actor who can sell the drama by just being associated with it. It won’t be an overstatement but it is safe to say that Kubra Khan has emerged as a Star of Pakistani drama industry.
Imran Abbas
Even though Imran Abbas made a name for himself in the industry a long time back and was considered one of the most sought after actors of Pakistan, he took a break and explored the Indian domain. During that time Imran Abbas was unable to do any projects in Pakistan due to which his presence was missed in Pakistani dramas. Ever since his return, Imran Abbas once again made an effort to give back to his fans and compensate for the time that he was missing from Pakistani TV screens and since then, he has given one good drama after another. Though Imran Abbas does a very few projects a year, it goes to show that he believes in quality rather than quantity. His super-hit drama Khuda Aur Mohabbat once again gave him a chance to showcase what a phenomenal and gifted actor he is. Imran Abbas is one of those few actors who draw a massive viewership to any drama because of his huge fan following.
Sajal Ali
Sajal Ali might be young, but her acting prowess matches that of an experienced actor. Sajal Ali is a born and gifted actor, that is why no matter which character she chooses, she gives it such a treatment that it leaves an impact and becomes unforgettable for her viewers. Sajal Ali has been a part of the industry for a long time but recently, she has started exploring different genres which allow her to perform like never before. There was a time when Sajal was being typecast but now she has made it obvious that she will work in limited but quality projects and will accept such characters which will be different from one another. Sajal Ali’s flawless performances as Zubiya and Sassi in Yakeen Ka Safar and O Rangreza have earned her a lot of appreciation from the viewers and there’s no doubt about the fact that she is the most loved actor of 2017.
Nauman Ejaz<
Nauman Ejaz is one such actor who guarantees a quality performance no matter which drama he chooses to be a part of. Nauman Ejaz has been in the industry for such a long time but it is awe-inspiring how every single time, he brings something new to the table making it look like it outdid himself this time. It is absolutely amazing that even after giving so many performances, Nauman Ejaz exceeds the expectations of the viewers by performing like never before. Nauman Ejaz does appear in quite a few dramas every year but he chooses such characters which are completely different from one another which show that he has this urge to experiment and perform even after he has been in this field for such a long time, be it a character like Gulistan Khan in Sang e Marmar or that of Peer Habibullah in Dumpukht, a sophisticated businessman in Khan or a strict father in O Rangreza, Nauman Ejaz believes in giving variety to his fans. Nauman Ejaz’s fan following is unprecedented and he is one of the most respected and loved actors of our industry.
Do share your thoughts about the actors in this list and don’t forget to add more names. We would love to hear from all of you!
Ohkay so, this episode of Yaar e Bewafa was utterly sweet because it gave us viewers those moments that we wanted to see. I am glad that they didn’t end the drama at Zaid & Amna’s union & continued the story, not making us feel like we didn’t get enough of them!
So, at first Amna decided to accept the proposal that her Khala arranged for her because she felt that now after learning the truth about Saleem’s promise, if she will go to Zaid, it would make her look selfish & that is something that she didn’t want. Even though Amna decided that she would ignore Zaid’s request, she still continued to think about him because deep in her heart, even she knew that Zaid genuinely cared for her & Omar.
Zaid on his own was trying to send a message to Amna that he wanted to be with her but knowing that she accepted someone else’s proposal left him with no choice than to be happy for her. It was only because of Zaid’s niceness, Amna rejected the proposal & gave a good thought to what she wanted to do with her life.
Amna’s initiative was sweet where at first she went to meet Humera & then she went to tell Zaid that she respected his feelings & wanted to apologize for her behavior. Amna’s mention of not accepting the proposal was basically a hint to Zaid that she was kind of ready to give him a chance & the best thing happened when Zaid not only understood her message, but took it a step further by proposing her directly. That entire scene was done beautifully & Imran Abbas took it a notch higher with his acting where he made it obvious that Zaid was so much in love with Amna & wanted to be with her.
All the scenes which showed Zaid & Amna as a happy married couple & all of them as one happy family were absolutely sweet. It genuinely evoked a smile on my face as it was so good to see both Zaid & Amna & even Humera getting to live such happy moments after facing all the trials & tribulations. Their chemistry as a family was perfect & the overall feel was so positive.
I am sure Fizza will now try to walk back in Zaid’s life because that’s the only reason why she rejected Ali’s proposal. Fizza will come back only to learn that Zaid has moved on & all the reasons which forced him to do so. I can’t wait to see that.
Overall, this episode was perfect in literal sense. Imran Abbas & Sarah Khan’s chemistry was beautiful. The fact that this drama has been executed with simplicity makes it even more special because then you get to connect to the characters even more & easily at that. The writer, the director & the entire cast should take a bow for bringing such a simple & decent drama to the viewers. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Yaar e Bewafa.
An uproar has been happening for a few days now when Verna was banned by the censor board. People showed discontent over this decision and celebrities too came out to talk about this ban. The good news is that Verna will finally release all over Pakistan uncut since the censor board has passed the film after the final viewing.
Verna has released today and has finally come out of the pressure, the director was getting to do some major cuts in the movie. The lead actress Mahira Khan shared a message on Twitter about the power of art:
Ohkay so, if there is one word that can describe this entire episode, it would be awkward. Every single person in this episode was making every other person awkward. All the situations, all the scenarios were awkward but what’s funny is that the writer has tried to turn every awkward thing into something absolutely normal, which is again awkward!
I don’t really understand what the writer is trying to suggest by showing an ex husband & wife being over friendly with each other? It is like she is trying to normalize a divorce by showcasing that you can always be ‘friends’ with your ex-spouse? It is like the writer is suggesting that you don’t have to worry about making a marriage work because even if it won’t you will be fine being friends with your ex? Also, the worst thing about this drama is that all those people who aren’t supposed to be in touch with each other are always in contact? When Suhana was married to Imtiyaz, everyone starting from her Abba to Amma to Kaam Wali to Suhana herself, all of them were in contact with Rameez’s family & now again, when Suhana has happily moved out of Imtiyaz’s life, her psychotic kumba is in contact with both Sitara & Imtiyaz? What for? The entire focus on Samaan was so bizarre, again it was used as a petty excuse to keep them all in touch with eachother, something that the writer has been doing right from the beginning! First Suhana told Imtiyaz that Talat was calling him for Samaan. Then Zafar told Sitara that he didn’t need Samaan & again someone asked/told someone about Samaan but by that time I was so tired of this Samaan that I didn’t bother paying attention to it. The point is, since Suhana was being ‘friends’ with Imtiyaz, she could’ve directly asked him for her Samaan!?!?! & oh yes Mr. & Mrs. Faarigh (read Zafar & Talat) also spoke about Samaan!
Ugh! Suhana & Rameez’s cheesy romance was sickening. All this while, Suhana played the victim but now she was sitting there shamelessly, designing her future home with a guy jiss ki ammi usay kitchen mai dekhte hi kehti hain ‘1 paisa nahi doongi’. Seriously, can Rameez afford a Ding Dong Bubble for himself that he was going on & on & on in front of Suhana about the house that he will build for her? Bachay pehle apne pairon pe kharay to ho ja! Chalo, this is Rameez, he is like that but what’s wrong with Suhana? How is she going to settle for a loser like him & most importantly why? The mere ‘love factor’ has been overdone by the writer here that only on the basis of LOU, Suhana forsake her marriage & is now flirting with him, wearing an extra white foundation & unflattering orange lipstick?
Well, since Seema has called her dibs on Imtiyaz, she subtly told Suhana that she should move on, as she knows that it would be like a last nail in the coffin & Imtiyaz wouldn’t be left with any reason to cling onto Suhana & her memories. Well, I loved how Sitara ignored Talat when they came across each other at Seema’s place. Everytime Talat gets insulted, I do an imaginary happy dance because such an unreasonable character deserves all of that! Anyways, please share your thoughts about this episode of Teri Raza & oh the preview of the next episode seemed so bizarre, at one hand Rameez has told his mom that he is only going to get married to Suhana & on the other he is telling her to do an Istikhara? Accha, if Istikhara doesn’t show this relation to be favorable for them both, will Rameez leave Suhana? LOL!
The three wonderful actors Sami Khan, Madiha Imam and Furqan Qureshi are powerful performers individually. They can easily carry the ratings as well as emotional power of the dramas in which they act. This time, the threesome will be seen together in a very unconventional love story pal do pal written by Faiza Iftikhar and directed by Mohsin Ali. The combination of the writer, director and actors are making us anticipate that this is hopefully going to be a very good play.
This was yet another episode of Baaghi which showed that Qandeel Baloch wasn’t looking for the kind of attention she got after her Pakistan Idol audition video went viral. There wasn’t a lot of rona dhona and becharapan in this episode which was great but the way the prince charming entered Kanwal’s life was somewhat weird! The fascination with which Shehryar looked at Kanwal and his eagerness to help her showed that he came from a completely different world! He is affluent, more polished and obviously extremely sensitive and caring since he actually felt for Kanwal while watching the Pakistan Idol video and didn’t think twice before helping her! This episode covered the general sentiment of the public after this video went viral and its effect on Kanwal Baloch. So far, the viewers have been shown that every time Kanwal gets negative attention instead of taking a back seat she reacts on social media and so far that is the only bhagawat she has done! Instead of staying quite, she posts videos in which she expresses her feeling in her own bizarre way (which comes naturally to her) but only after crying over all the comments people passed on her already!
After her parents, husband, her first employee, the care taker of the shelter home, the host of the reality show and the judges of the singing audition, those people who use social media are responsible for Kanwal’s actions. Every time Kanwal reads negative comments about herself on social media, she makes another video – not because she wants to get famous but because she wants to express herself ;) So basically, everything Kanwal has done so far has just given her fame even though she never planned to get famous in this way! Watching Kanwal worry about her family seeing the video was the final nail in the coffin! Kanwal’s character so far is confusing to say the least! When Goher called her, she liked the fact that she was in a position to tell him off which suggested that she knew that these videos and comments had brought her the fame she always wanted. If Kanwal was shown making these videos to cash in on the fame and attention she was getting, it would have made a lot more sense.
Watching someone like Kanwal worrying about log kya kahenge just doesn’t add up! If you watch Qandeel’s actual video, she was crying because she said she had told her parents she was going for audition and now they will be disappointed! It is funny how the actual facts have been twisted to make Qandeel look like someone who had absolutely no support from her family members. Qandeel Baloch was a smart woman who knew how to bag public’s attention and how to make the most of it but Kanwal has been shown as a naive woman who is getting attention even though she is not asking for it!
This episode also covered how Kanwal’s father reacted when she sent the money and how the rest of the family felt about it. Abid’s business is also going downhill because of obvious reasons so basically everyone who didn’t support Kanwal is in financial crisis for some reason or the other. Shehryar is the first good man in this drama and his first impression suggests that he will be a little too good like all the other characters in this drama which are black and white!
Kanwal’s story moved to the next phase with this episode, she is now popular and will start getting more offers. The preview of the next episode showed that the tables have turned and Goher will now get in contact with Kanwal once again even after the way she told him off. The only reason why someone like Shehryar would fall for Kanwal is because he feels sorry for her! Even after coming this far does Kanwal need a man to save her?
Shoaib Mansoor is back with Verna and this time he has focused to raise the issue of rape. Rape is not something our society is foreign to. Every day we hear stories on news channels that her heart wrenching and shake every woman out there to the core. Verna was meant to be released on 17th November but the film has not gotten clearance from censor board yet. Apparently, censor board was not happy with the rapist shown as a politician’s son, as well as the rape scenes in the movie, were considered inappropriate for Pakistani audiences.
With so many cases of violence against women in Pakistan, the question is being raised by the masses as what is bad if someone is making a movie to promote awareness of this heinous crime and the trauma it causes afterwards on the victim. Celebrities are also standing with Verna:
According to the information minister, the film will be released but in the other news, major cuts are expected. Let us see how it goes for Verna in the end!
Deepika Padukone’s ‘Padmavati’ has been banned by the censor board in India meanwhile Mahira Khan starrer ‘Verna’ has met the same fate here in Pakistan.
When asked of the Padmavati ban the Baajirao Mastaani starlet had the following to say in her recent interview with Pinkvila,
“It’s amusing actually sometimes when I look at it and I actually look at this as a moment for all of us to be celebrating this woman’s life. To celebrate everything she stood for, to celebrate everything that she believed in, to celebrate Rajput culture and heritage. This is a time for us to celebrate really.”
Speaking of bans when she was asked of her opinion on the ban Mahira Khan starrer ‘Verna’ is facing and how people are so quick to judge films she said,
“Yes, It’s sad that a small section of people don’t understand the power of cinema and what it can do to the world. It brings people together, it spreads love, it’s fascinating what cinema can do and it’s sad that a certain group of people choose to not recognise that.”
Both films are set to release this fall and what becomes of them is yet to be seen.
Shoaib Mansoor’s Verna has been talk of the town ever since it’s filming started and it’s in the headlines again but not for the reasons we’d like it to be for, the film was banned by The Censor Board a couple of days ago almost five days before it was set to release on November the 17th.
The fans are outraged and so are women’s rights groups including Pakistan Nari Tehreek which is a network of over one hundred grass roots women organisations, hence the organisation filed a petition against the ban.
The petition reads,
“The incident in D I Khan of stripping a woman naked and frequent incidents of rape are alarming, and it is appalling to see such decisions being made regarding a film which addresses the ill of our society and the gaps in the system,”
It further said,
“It is known to us that the Lahore and Karachi Censor Boards have passed it but still await the final decision from Islamabad. The full Film Censor Board is due to revisit and review the film and we hope the board members will realise the importance of Shoaib Mansoor’s work and the awareness he has created regarding the heinous crimes against women.”
Moreover the petition adds,
“Verna is also pro-democracy and will take the society forward. As far as we are concerned, the film belongs to the women of Pakistan and it needs to be shown to all, inside and outside Pakistan.”
The petition was signed by representatives of the core members of Nari Tehreek including Mukhtaran Mai, Maliha Husain, Bushra Khaliq, Anbreen Ajaib, Aqeela Naz, Shad Begum, Gulalai Ismail, Aasia Mughal, Sidra Humayun, Shazia George, Irum Fatima, Sana Malik.
This isn’t the first time The Censor Board in Islamabad is being criticised for banning a feature film, it has quite a reputation for that.
Saawan is a 2017 Pakistani suspense drama film directed by Farhan Alam and produced and written by Mashood Qadri under the production banner of Kalakar Films. The film is based on a true story of a disabled child, who is up against all kinds of obstacle and cruelty.
The film stars Saleem Mairaj, Syed Karam Abbas, Arif Bahalim, Najiba Faiz and Imran Aslam in the lead roles. The other cast includes Tipu Sharif, Hafeez Ali, Sehrish Qadri, Sohail Malik, Shahid Niazmi, Muhammad Abbas, Danial Yunus, Mehek Zulfiqar and Syed Muhammad Ali. A special appearance is made by Lt. Gen. S. A. A. Najmi (R).
It was selected as the Pakistani entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards.
Previously the movie has bagged Best Foreign Language Feature Film Award at the Madrid International Film Festival 2017, the Best Film Award and the Best Soundtrack Award at Salento International Festival Italy.
Saawan has once again made us proud by bringing home the Best Foreign Film Award at the 11th annual Alexandria Film Festival held in Virginia USA. It was screened on the second day of the festival.
Farhan Alam (Director) had the following to say in his recent Facebook post,
“I am proud to announce that Saawan has won Best Foreign Film Award at the 11th annual Alexandria Film Festival held in Virginia, USA. Congratulations team Saawan on another win,”
We wish team ‘Saawan’ more luck and more success, way to go!
The second episode of Dar Si Jati Hei Sila gave the viewers a more detailed insight into the family dynamics in Noor Manzil – a place which holds many secrets, one in which those who have power exploit other family members who are dependent on them. On the surface it looks like all these people living in Noor Manzil form a perfect family unit but that is clearly not the case. This episode showed why Sadia was so helpless and what was the reason behind Sila’s lack of confidence which was the root cause of all the other problems in her life. The fact that I actually wanted to forward Joi’s scenes because they were so disturbing goes to show just how brilliantly Nauman Ijaz has translated this character on screen. Sadia and Sila do not only have to live under the same roof with him but Sikandar also trusts him blindly! Sikandar has a life of his own in Canada and has no time for his wife and daughter which is why they are completely dependent on his relatives. Yumna Zaidi and Saman Ansari once again gave solid performances and Sakina Samo is spot on as the woman who is so busy judging others that she fails to see the wrongdoings of her own brother.
Raheel’s conversation with his mother showed why she had to go ahead with this engagement even though her son did not want to get engaged to Sila. Zaini flirts with Raheel and also plays hard to get which is why he finds her even more attractive! Zaini and Sila are poles apart which is probably why Joi chose those women in the house who are weaker and would never have taken a stand for themselves. Zaini also tells Joi off every chance she gets. Even though Joi held Sadia’s hand and harassed her openly but his Aapa and Noshi both failed to see what he was doing because of his “impression” as well as his position in the house. He is the brother of the woman whose husband runs the house therefore even if someone found out what was going on they are more likely to blame Sadia and Sila. This is the main reason why Sadia takes out her frustration and anger on Sila instead of finding a way out. Sila’s breakdown and anger was shown superbly in this episode as well. The scene covering Sila’s reaction after she sees Joi and her mother together was the most powerful scene of this episode. Bee Gul’s plays always have at least one female character which does not conform to the norms and is strong, I am waiting to see if Sila will be one such character as the story progresses. Right now although Sila has been shown as a victim but she has not been shown as a lifeless character. She is quite outspoken and expressive whenever she is around her mother. Sadia and Sila both are completely different people when they are with each other, they are more submissive when they are around everyone else.
The Chaudhry Kashif Nisar scene showed that Joi’s sisters ran the show in the house. She has been shown bossing everyone around including her husband, this is the reason why Joi knows that he can get away with everything. This second episode took the story forward, the focus was on the main characters and their relationship with each other. Tonight’s episode had some exceptional performances to its credit. I am waiting for the story to take off but I am glad that the writer is giving the viewers time to warm up to the characters. Kashif Nisar is a brilliant director who delivers every single time and Bee Gul has given us a few phenomenal plays therefore I have high expectations from this drama. I am all for dramas which highlight issues that are usually brushed under the carpet and truly appreciate producers, writers, directors and actors who invest their time and energies into projects which are not likely to be commercial hits. Also, the team of Dar Si Jati Hei Sila promised that this play will also show a way out to all the Silas out there therefore that will be the biggest reason for tuning into this show from now on.
How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.
Last year we made a list of actors who we felt needed to up their game especially when it came to showing versatility and adding more substance to their performances. All these actors were gifted without any doubt, they just needed to choose the projects they worked in more carefully because they were being constantly stereotyped. This year it was great watching some of those actors who topped that list in 2016, showing more versatility and giving the viewers some unforgettable performances as opposed to the clichéd or annoying roles they chose to play last year. Their performances in the year 2017 showed that they are here to stay and they will continue to enthrall the viewers with their impressive acting skills. Some of these actors also compromised on quality last year because they were busy working across the border, we are delighted to have them back!
Here is a list of those actors who upped their game in 2017 and we are expecting even better from them in the upcoming year.
Shehzad sheikh deserves to be in this list more than any other actor because he definitely upped his game in every department. His polished acting skills and the kind of projects he decided to work in, won the viewers over completely. His roles in drama serials Alif Allah Aur Insaan and Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hei were both likeable and meaningful. He gave solid performances in both the dramas which is why the viewers couldn’t help but feel for his characters. Gulrez was a simple yet sensitive individual and so was Basit. Both these characters went through a great deal during their journey and gave the viewers a reason to look forward to their tracks. We are definitely looking forward to what Shehzad sheikh has in store for us in the future.
Ayeza Khan
Ayeza Khan chose to play a few challenging roles this year and she excelled in them as well. This year she made her comeback with drama serial Shehrnaz which can easily be termed as the worst drama of the year because the script went downhill fast after 6 weeks or so but it was good to see Ayeza Khan in a bubbly go-getter avatar for a change. Her characters and performances in drama serials Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hei and Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua were also different from the bechari roles she has been seen in over and over again. Ayeza Khan nailed both these roles although they were challenging. Her dialogue delivery, body language and overall look suited the characters which is why we expect something even more grand from her in 2018.
Sajal Ali
There was a time when Sajal Ali was being typecast or may be she herself was choosing more or less similar kind of roles because she wanted to stick to her comfort zone but not anymore. Sajal Ali has now started exploring different genres of dramas and is now choosing such characters which not only allow her to experiment but also let her showcase her caliber as an actor. Currently, Sajal Ali is being seen in two dramas Yakeen Ka Safar and O Rangreza and both her characters are completely different from one another, where one is a subtle character and the other is completely boisterous and she fits both the roles perfectly. Sajal has done complete justice to the characters of Zubiya and Sassi which goes to show that she is a fine actress who can own any role that is assigned to her. Sajal really has improved her graph as an actress and it is good to know that she is not going to stick to similar kind of roles from now on, which really makes us look forward to her future projects.
Imran Abbas
Even though Imran Abbas was always a star in Pakistan and gave super-hit dramas to his fans, he took a long break in order to work in India but ever since he has returned, he really has upped his game because the amount of work that he has done goes to show that he not only believes in quality but also wants to provide variety to all those viewers who tune to his dramas. Even though Imran Abbas is mostly seen in love stories, he still makes sure that there’s enough margin for him to perform differently and for this reason we totally believe that he has upped his game.
Sana Fakhar
There’s no doubt about the fact that Sana Fakhar knows how to act but when it came to dramas, she really wasn’t getting enough opportunities to showcase her talent, however, that is not the case anymore. It is good to see that the drama makers have started offering Sana the roles she can do complete justice to and Sana on her own is giving her 100% to the characters that are assigned to her. Sana has been seen in Alif Allah Aur Insaan and O Rangreza, even though one can draw a similarity between these two characters but the portrayal is completely different. It is good to see Sana Fakhar choosing such roles which she can portray effortlessly and that shows that she has really started choosing her projects wisely.
Ushna Shah
Even though Ushna Shah doesn’t have many projects to her credit in recent times, her single performance in Alif Allah Aur Insaan outweighs everything that she has done so far. With her portrayal of Raani in Alif Allah Aur Insaan, Ushna Shah proved a point that when given the opportunity, she can turn into a character actor too because before this drama, Ushna was sporting a very specific kind of image in all of her dramas and no one could actually imagine seeing her in a role which was anything but glamorous. Ushna Shah’s graph has skyrocketed after her role of Raani because with this she has shown what she is capable of. Ushna Shah has definitely upped her game and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for the drama-buffs.
How do you feel about the actors in the list? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about these actors and feel free to add to the list.
Ohkay so, I don’t know after how many weeks I found a few bits & bobs interesting in this episode but yes, those were all related to the original characters because my mind still hasn’t been able to comprehend the reasons why the newer lot was introduced. Yes, on the whole the drama has derailed but after weeks, I found myself getting interested in the future of a few characters but still the drama in general has lost the charm & is not working anymore!
First & foremost, I loved the conversation Shahzeb had with his mother. It was almost as if those were Baba Jee’s thoughts that were being voiced by Shahzeb. Baba Jee has left a great influence on Shahzeb & that is why he not only gracefully accepted everything that happened, he moved on & grew out of his love for Nazneen peacefully too.
Even though Basit emerged as a coward, a loser but still what happened between him & Nazneen was something that I didn’t see coming. Basit always said that the intensity of Nazneen’s love for him scared him & once again, he said the same thing & used it against her but then, now when he lost his parents & eventually betrayed Shahzeb’s trust, there was no need to dwell so much into the guilt that he decided to part ways with Nazneen. Once again, another curse was fulfilled & this time it was the one that came from Zaitoon Bano where she told Nazneen that she won’t get her fair share of happiness after ruining Shahzeb’s life. Even though Nazneen will return to her parents’ place, I am keen to see how Basit will pick up the pieces & what he will do with his life?
Suddenly, Shaheer’s mother has started taking interest in her son’s life & there is absolutely nothing that sparks interest about this love triangle. Zimmal is not into Shaheer & I think not into Arsalan too, may be she will fall for Basit after learning what he has been through, after learning about his reasons?
Reena had a daughter & even though everyone was trying to show her the real picture, I cringed how casually the word ‘tawaif’ was being used for a newborn, euuu!!! Anyways, Nawazish’s wife got such an insider news that Reena was expecting a child, so it is unrealistic that she didn’t find out who fathered the baby? Weird!
I think 30 episodes were more than enough for this story to get a proper closure but they have ruined it by dragging things from last 10 episodes. It is also highly unlikely that the drama is nearing the end, which makes us question the purpose of the story again & again! Please share your thoughts about this episode of Alif Allah Aur Insaan!
As we brought the news a couple of days back, this power couple has been blessed for th second time with one of the most beautiful gifts for man in this world. They received a blue bundle of joy this time and the happy dad announced his arrival to all fans and well wishers.
Well, this time he has posted a very gorgeous picture of the baby’s hand in his own for the world to meet the seven day old prince, who has been named Mohammad Rayan Taimoor. The beautiful couple are already parents to three year old Hoorain who we are sure would be over the moon to receive a gorgeous little baby brother.
Mahira Khan has been flying high for a year back now. The star has attended International Award events, made her debut in Bollywood opposite Bollywood’s biggest Khan and has been enjoying success in Pakistan too with successful projects and brand endorsements. Recently, she announced her appointment as the first Pakistani brand ambassador for Loreal Paris. For that, she has also visited Paris to the beauty giant’s headquarters.
According to the Pinkvilla, the beauty may attend the prestigious Cannes Film Festival next year to be held from May 9th to May 20th as she is now the brand ambassador of Loreal. If that happens, Mahira Khan will add another achievement to her book and will be standing alongside stars like Naomi Watts, Eva Longoria and Aishwarya Rai Bachan.
Let us see whether the Pakistani beauty makes it to the Cannes or not!
Afreen Afreen was originally sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and that was before the advent of soft copies of everything going viral. Coke Studio’s rendition of the same song by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Momina Mustehsan has captured hearts again and this time it has crossed hundred million views on YouTube.
Firstly, Tajdar e Haram by Atif Aslam had reached the same milestone but it took two years which Afreen Afreen has conquered in only one year.
Verna is the upcoming movie starring Mahira Khan, Haroon Shahid and Zarrar Khan in lead roles. This is the comeback movie of ace-director Shoaib Mansoor after his previous hit Bol. The film is based on the issue o rape and social stigma and pressures attached to it. The cast has been promoting the film in full swing for a few days now. But the bad news is Verna has been banned by the censor board.
According to CFBC, Islamabad the film has shown raw abuse and is indecent to be shown to the masses. According to Hum Films, the director Shoaib Mansoor has gone into an appeal for the urgent review of his film. The film will now be reviewed by a full-board and they will decide the fate of Verna.
Meanwhile, the lead actor Haroon Shahid has posted a unique reaction on his twitter:
Mahira also talked to Dunya News and has expressed shock on this decision. Let’s see what censor board decides about Verna. Watch this space to remain updated!
So the aftermath of all that happened at the end of last episode is worrisome on all sides. In Sarim’a house, the chaos was obvious, as his parents and sisters tried to come to terms with his untimely and very brutal death. Needless to say, the grief shown by all actors individually and as a family was so real it was almost palpable. Almost the whole episode was dedicated to the condition of parents and siblings of a child murdered in cold blood like this.
In the Mir household, family members are equally taut with worry but of a different kind. Sitara was acting on her motherly instincts and wanted her child out as soon as possible, but Mir is trying to play it slow and steady. He wants to make sure this action of his son’s does not affect his prospects for the next elections. Saman Ansari gives beautiful expressions. No matter how many dramas you see of her, the lady does not fail to impress with her finesse and totally natural acting skills.
Nothing much happened in the story form today as it was just sadness and disbelief from Sarim’s family and arrogance and self serving interests in the Mir’s. Khaani is slowly realising that she needs to grow up and take the world head on. Her twin brother who was more like a shelter to her is no more and that has made her realise her role in the family.
Mir Hadi is not at all remorseful at everything he has done. If anything, he is more arrogant after becoming a murderer. Feroze Khan is slightly over acting here, especially when compared with others in the play. His father has started dropping subtle hints and pressurising the victim’s parents to agree to forgive Hadi. Then they become quiet threats like defaming their late son and pointing fingers at their daughter’s character. Whether they succumb to the pressure or hold their own is yet to be seen. The promo shows that Khaani will want revenge vehemently and nothing can stand in her way. Stay tuned for next episode..
The story took yet another highly unpredictable yet interesting turn with this episode. When this drama started I wasn’t expecting it to be so entertaining, right from the beginning it was apparent that Mujhe Jeenay Du would have tons of powerful messages but the fact that it is so entertaining as well gives it an added advantage. Mujhe Jeenay Du has to be the most underrated dramas of this season and definitely one which is a must-watch for many reasons. The story has been logical right from the get-go and it has variety of characters as well as a solid screenplay and plot. The entire team of the play has put in a great amount of effort into presenting a realistic picture of how easily children are exploited by people who claim to love them and Naseeb’s character shows that even those people who don’t want to be a part of such scenarios are dragged into it and ultimately end up being extremely unjust.
Shaheena’s decision tonight came as a total surprise but this entire development was shown so convincingly. Even though Shaheena has been in a very vulnerable position herself but now that she has a chance to have a better life she does not want to think about how this decision might effect Saira. She knows only too well that Naseeb loves her and will give her the kind of life she always dreamed of therefore she went to his house right after her iddat to tell him that she was willing to marry him without any terms and conditions. Even though Yasmin has always been there for her but right from the beginning Shaheena has been shown as someone who has a mind of her own. She has also been shown as a confident and practical woman and mostly insensitive as well therefore her actions were completely in line with her personality. Mehreen Raheel has outdone herself in this role; she is beyond impressive as Shaheena.
I truly appreciate the fact that in every single episode of this drama there is a great deal of focus on showing how difficult, in fact impossible, it is for Saira to take care of Tipu. She gets frustrated and is always clueless because she cannot cope. Saira’s conversation with Yasmin showed that she did not want this life and she was capable of being so much more than a “housewife”! Saira is too young to take a stand for herself and there is so much pressure on her therefore she doesn’t have a choice but to continue doing what she is expected to do. She doesn’t know what it means to be married and she has no clue what her “husband” is planning but unfortunately things are going to take a turn for the worse in the upcoming episodes. Murad and Saira’s father’s reaction was also shown on screen realistically. While everyone else in this drama is looking after their own interests, Yasmin is the only person who looks out for Saira’s interests continuously with dedication. Yasmin has problems of her own and her life isn’t perfect but even then she is constantly dedicating her time to help others who are definitely in a much more difficult situation. Yasmin’s character is inspiring and Nadia Jamil is doing complete justice to it. She chose the perfect drama to make a comeback with.
The preview of the next episode showed how Shaheena will change once she gets married to Naseeb. The developments leading to the marriage were covered faultlessly in this episode. I am looking forward to watching how Saira’s personality develops under these circumstances and whether Yasmin is able to help her in some way or not. This had to be one of the best episodes of Mujhe Jeenay Du, the latest developments in the story were surprising and interesting. It also had some amazing performances to its credit.
Amir Khan is in headlines again but unlike before this time it is not because of his marital life crisis but because he just landed in Brisbane, Australia to begin shooting for a reality TV show ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here’.
I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! is a British made reality TV series in which up to 12 celebrities live together in a jungle environment for three weeks. They have no luxuries, and compete to be crowned king or queen of the jungle. It is now produced by ITV Studios and has been licensed globally to countries including the United States, Germany, France, Hungary, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Romania, Australia and India.
The show bosses originally considered Amir Khan will be an interesting addition to the show given his controversial relationship with his wife Faryal Makhdoom but since he patched up with her just yesterday we have no idea how this will play with the original setting.
Other celebrities including famous names are also landing in Brisbane for the TV show. Amir Khan further told reporters that he was using this show as an excuse to stay out of trouble.
Wanna add something to the story? Use the comments section.
Ohkay so, the production Six Sigma Plus, writing of Faiza Iftikhar & direction of Qasim Ali Mureed; Aangan commenced on Saturday & the first episode was an instant hit. Since Aangan’s story is based on how a family unit runs & operates, it gave me enough reasons to connect to the characters immediately because everything about it starting from family dynamics to politics was based on reality & all of it was so relatable. The first episode focused more on the introduction of all the characters & their relationships with each other & there was so much to love about it. Aangan seriously gave me Manchalay vibes & reminded me of those days when I used to watch it with my family as it was a family favorite & I am sure this is what Aangan is going to be all about as well, as it is a family drama that is actually based on a family drama, if I’m being clear about it. :)
So, we got introduced to a big family living under 1 roof, comprising of parents – the father (Qavi Khan), the mother Zaitoon Bano (Samina Ahmed), their 3 married sons & 1 unmarried daughter. 1 of the 4 sons lives in Germany & 1 married daughter & her husband reside in Lahore too.
So, the focal point in this family was Zoya’s (Mansha Pasha) marriage & the fact that Zoya comes from a joint family was what impressed her prospect mother in law the most. It was intelligently shown that from the surface, everything seemed perfect & they all looked like 1 happy family but when magnified, they were just ordinary people with some extraordinary problems that too with one another.
Hajra (Irsa Ghazal) being the eldest Bahu is supposed to pacify everyone after they have a conflict. Hajra’s husband Sajjad (Noor Ul Hassan) is the bread winner who has to take care of the major expenses. Then there is Laila (Iffat Omar), the second Bahu who is a bit too smart to knows how to victimize herself in order to get away with everything. Laila’s husband Asim (Hassan Ahmed) is the calm & composed son who is doing well for himself financially but is also under his wife’s influence as he only believes his wife’s side of the story. Then there is the third Bahu Rubina (Uzma Hassan) who sees herself as a victim because she has her own complexes & complains in regards to her husband. Rubina’s husband Zahid (Paras Masroor) believes in striving for the Afterlife & because of that he doesn’t pay much attention to the life he has to spend in this world & that turns out to be the bone of contention between him & Rubina.
So, now when the entire family had to come together to fix Zoya’s marriage & do their homework before finalizing everything, each & everyone came with their own baggage because all of them are interlinked with one another in a way that they just can not ignore & move one. This was the aspect that I enjoyed watching the most where all of them had issues with one another but also knew that they had no escape so the best they could do was fight about it & then move on.
In the middle of all this chaos, the one who remained unaffected was the father. I loved his approach where he would pass the verdict about everything with so much of finality & share his frustrations out loud but when he would be asked to showcase his authority, he would prefer staying in his room watching TV, haha. Even the father knows that he has no control over what goes around him so he only shares what he feels with his wife. I also loved how Zaitoon lied in front of everyone covering her husband’s laid back attitude as she still wants everyone to think of him as a head of the family. It was so realistic how even the sons knew about their father’s nature but chose to smile on their mother’s lies as they knew where she was coming from.
Zoya is the one who does most of the heavy-lifting as she has no other life than this. Zoya also knows that after marriage her life, her activities will remain the same, that is why she wasn’t really thrilled with the news of her marriage. Even though Zoya has lost hope & she really doesn’t think the marriage will bring anything new in her life, she knows she has to abide by what everyone will decide for her.
So, the married daughter Anila (Zainab Qayyum) & her husband Allauddin (Waseem Abbas) are the complainers of the family. They are the ones who love getting all the attention in the world & despite that, they would still complain. Even though they have their own lives, their own set up, they still believe that they run (read ruin) things in Zaitoon Bano’s house, that is why the news of their arrival sent a shock wave in Zaitoon’s home because everyone knew what they were getting into!
In this family, everyone wants everyone’s attention. Everyone feels the need to fight for the last bit of attention which would make them feel valued, that is why, even though Laila & Asim initally said they wouldn’t go to Zoya’s in laws, the moment Asim saw that Zahid wanted Rubina to be a part of the event, he spoke about Laila too.
I think the best part about this story is going to be the different perspective of all the different characters, like in this episode, everyone had his or her own perspective, where they even fought over certain things but no one seemed wrong because they all were right in their own place. I think this is what is going to make this drama quite interesting & entertaining because there would never come a time where they will all come to a common ground & that will create interesting scenarios.
Overall, I found the first episode to be perfect & intelligently written because to introduce so many characters while still making their personalities come through is not an easy feat but writer & the director seemed to have worked in harmony to make it so impactful. All the actors seemed to be in their element but I loved the performances of Qavi Khan, Paras Masroor, Uzma Hassan & Iffat Omar the most. It is good to see how all the actors have paid special attention to their get up because it spoke a lot about their background & gave us an insight into their personalities. The first episode has skyrocketed my expectations of this drama & I am sure everyone else is feeling the same way. Really looking forward to the next episode. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Angan.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers, Zahra Mirza.
Ps: If anyone can tell me what the Father’s name was, I’d appreciate it.
Hamza Ali Abbasi and Mahira Khan’s friendship goes a long way back. They are always there to support and back up eachother. Hamza has specially been very vocal about his praise, appreciation and loyalty for the beautiful diva.
As the promotions of Shoaib Mansoor’s upcoming movie Verna are increasing in intensity with only five days left in its release, Hamza has also joined the promotions. In a short video shared by both stars on their social media, Hamza encourages everyone in typical Punjabi style to go and watch the film, while Mahira also tries her hand at Punjabi.
The upcoming movie Rangreza starring Urwa Hocane, Bilal Ashraf and Gohar Rasheed has been continually impressing the anticipating audience with its trailer and songs. The latest in the collection Balamwa is a treat to the ears. It’s soothing, spiritual and will sway you with its lyrics and rhythm. It’s music director Hamza Qawal has certainly produced an outstanding number this time. You must listen to it to get what we mean;
The relationship between most of the characters got even more complicated in tonight’s episode but the most interesting element of this play so far is that even after all these weeks some of the characters are still mysterious and all of them are extremely unpredictable. Although Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua is bold and unusual in more ways than one but the overall feel of this drama is such that it continues to hold my interest and every episode gives me a reason to look forward to more. After this episode, there is only one single woman in this play who hasn’t shown her interest in Faris, all the other women including Maya’s own sister have fallen for Faris one by one! Faris is a likeable man and has a charming personality but it would have been so much better if Lubna did not feel this attraction towards him. Although Siraj Uncle’s conversation with Lubna last week laid down the foundation for the turn this relationship took in this episode but even then watching another woman feeling that way about Faris was more comical than anything else! Although I like Lubna’s character and the manner in which it has been translated on screen a lot but if Faris also starts feeling something more for her, I would feel even more for Dariya since she deserved to be with Faris more than anyone else.
Zoya and Maya didn’t have any scenes together in this episode, I was looking forward to a conversation of some sort between these two after the developments in the previous episode and whatever happened in this episode as well. I have to say that Tipu’s character is turning out to be really interesting, the viewers have absolutely no idea what to expect from him. The way he insulted Zoya showed that he was more sure than ever now that Zoya loved Faris therefore there was no hope that she will ever feel that way about him therefore he showed his true colors. Tipu wants revenge now more than anything else, he clearly told Zoya that Maya will never be able to get married to Faris again but how will that help him? I am waiting to find out. Tipu had a new found confidence today, he has definitely thought everything through. It is however impossible to figure out what is going on in his mind.
Lubna’s interactions with Faris and Siraj Uncle’s role in the entire situation reminds me of Dariya’s track. The change in Lubna’s personality in the past few episodes has been interesting and likeable. Although most of the characters in this play are unconventional but there are plenty of them which are likeable as well. Maya’s conversation with Lubna once again showed that Maya still thinks that she has the right to feel possessive about Faris. The preview of the next episode showed that after the kind of reaction she got from Lubna, she will turn to Saif for help. Maya will do anything to get married to Faris again perhaps because she is sure that even though he did not invite her back in his life, he still loves her!
Overall, this was another episode of Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua which was brilliantly directed; every single scene of this drama has been executed flawlessly from the background score to the locations, everything is right on point. Some of the developments in this episode did not work for me but I truly appreciate the brilliant performances by Imran Ashraf, Hajra Yamin, Ayeza Khan, Rehan Sheikh and Sami Khan in tonight’s episode. Their superb portrayals have definitely elevated the level of this drama.
How many of you watched tonight’s episode? Do share your thoughts about it.
Writers are responsible for etching out the characters in a drama, the directors help the actors breathe life into these characters by instructing them but what really matters the most in the end is the kind of performance which an actor gives. No matter how well written a character is, if an actor does not portray it properly on screen, it does not have the kind of impact which it should have. An actor has to live and breathe the role he or she has been assigned in order to do complete justice to them. Pakistani drama industry has a lot of actors who continue to impress the viewers with their outstanding performances all year through but there are always some performances which stand out more than others.
Here is a list of the most impressive performances of 2017.
Paras Masroor (Sang-e-Marmar)
For any actor to convey such a twisted character with so much of perfection is a very tough job but Paras Masroor made it seem effortless when he played the character of Torah Khan in Sang-e-Marmar. Conveying every minute expression and every thought that crossed through the character’s mind is what made his performance undeniably impressive. Paras Masroor through his flawless acting made the viewers sympathize with his character which to some extent was dark because he never let the viewers forget that he was a victim too.
Nauman Ejaz (Sang-e-Marmar)
Gulistan Khan went through an extreme transition in this drama and Nauman Ejaz portrayed it beautifully. Gulistan went from being arrogant to someone who now wanted to spend his entire life repenting for his sins and Nauman Ejaz played it beautifully. It is not an easy feat to make the viewers detest and then sympathize with the character but it was because of such a strong performance that Nauman Ejaz made it possible.
Sania Saeed (Sang-e-Marmar)
A helpless woman who despite dire circumstances, who despite being a victim of domestic abuse emerged stronger and irrespective of what life offered her, she never lost her sense of right or wrong and never ever became unjust in the matters that she had control over. Sania Saeed made us fall in love with her character and that phenomenal acting through which she portrayed this character won us over.
Uzma Hassan (Sang-e-Marmar)
Even though she was a very negative character, Uzma Hassan owned it and it was because of her convincing portrayal, that everyone detested Sherbano. Each and every shade of Sherbano’s character was elaborated on screen with perfection and we are sure that no one else, other than Uzma Hassan could’ve done that job so well!
Kaif Ghaznavi (Sang-e-Marmar)
Negative character to the core who only schemed and plotted but in the end lost everything that she had was what Fari’s character was all about and Kaif Ghaznavi put her heart and soul into portraying it so realistically. We are still not over the lullaby that she sung for her stillborn child because it sent shivers down the spine and Kaif Ghaznavi deserves a special mention for this performance.
Hassan Noman (Sang e Marmar/Yakeen Ka Safar)
To perfectly portray a character like Bulbul Khan who was an opportunist but loyal to the core was something that Hassan Noman could do. He was totally in his element with that perfectly delivered Pushto accent and those expressions which showed that he was upto some mischief in every other scene made his character a treat to watch. Even though Bulbul Khan was a side character but Hassan Noman’s perfect treatment made him likable to the point where the viewers used to look forward to his scenes. In Yakeen Ka Safar, Hassan Noman once again is showcasing his caliber by portraying the role of a cold-hearted man who doesn’t mind doing anything for his boss and also assaults his wife. No matter which character he plays, he nails it!
Imran Abbas (Khuda Aur Mohabbat)
To showcase the struggles of a man whose life changes completely after he falls in love is no easy feat but Imran Abbas not only breathed life and soul into Hammad’s character but made the viewers fall in love with him as well. All the phases that Hammad went through were showcased brilliantly by Imran Abbas and that is why Hammad’s character stayed with the viewers for a very long time.
Ushna Shah (Alif Allah Aur Insaan)
It won’t be an overstatement but for the first time in Ushna Shah’s career, she got the opportunity where she could showcase her talent, prove her mettle and show her caliber as an actress and Rani’s character did it all for Ushna. Before this drama, no one actually knew that Ushna Shah had this potential in her where she could turn herself into a character actor by realistically playing the role of a messy beggar as in all the previous dramas we had seen her in glamorous roles but with this character, Ushna Shah proved that if given the opportunity she can shine!
Ehteshamuddin (Yakeen Ka Safar)
Ehteshamuddin played the role of a controlling husband who didn’t believe in giving his wife the respect she deserved because of his own complexes. Later, Khalil’s character goes through a transition where he not only realizes his mistakes but repents and this entire transition was impressively portrayed by Ehteshamuddin because when he was a tyrant husband, we loathed his character but later when he repented, we also felt for him. It was one convincing and perfect performance, therefore it deserves a spot in this list.
Imran Ashraf (Alif Allah Aur Insaan)
To play the role of a eunuch with such ease and effortlessness is something that only Imran Ashraf can do because he has proved himself to be one of the finest character actors that our industry has. Imran Ashraf made us fall in love with Shammo’s character, so much so that now when his character got compromised upon, the viewers were keen to see more of him.
Sana Fakhar (Alif Allah Aur Insaan)
Sana Fakhar really knows how to bring grace and elegance in her characters, that is why despite playing the role of a courtesan, Sana Fakhar never took it overboard and kept it within the realm of grace and elegance. Nigar Begum had so much to offer and till her character lasted, Sana Fakhar give it all and made Nigar Begum a memorable character through her brilliant performance.
Sajal Ali (O Rangreza and Yakeen Ka Safar)
This year, Sajal Ali outdid herself in both O Rangreza and Yakeen Ka Safar. Where she has played a subtle character of Dr. Zubiya in Yakeen Ka Safar to perfection, she has done complete justice to a boisterous character like Sassi as well by portraying it without any hesitations, restrictions and limitations. Sajal Ali has improved her choices a lot and that is why she seems to have enjoyed playing these characters which allowed her to perform with all her heart and soul.
From adolescent years of carefree life to be faced with such a heart-wrenching news of his brother’s murder and then picking himself up to dedicate his life to be able to serve his people through his own hospital, this is what Asfand Yar’s journey was all about and Ahad Raza Mir made sure to own each every shade of Asfand’s character. He most certainly made sure to portray that character flawlessly and that is why he has turned Dr. Asfand Yar’s character the talk of the town!
Sarah Khan (Nazr e Bad/Yaar e Bewafa)
Sarah Khan has not only improved her acting but her drama choices as well, which is the reason why every single play of hers get a good number of viewership because she not only acts brilliantly but owns every single character that is assigned to her. The fact that Sarah Khan chose to go for a raw face in order to realistically portray Amna’s character in Yaar e Bewafa shows her dedication to her craft because it is not easy and something that even veteran actors don’t usually do. Only because of one such detail Sarah Khan has made Amna’s character easy to relate to because it showcases her struggles in a very different perspective. In Nazr e Bad, when the characters lost their personality, it was only Sarah Khan’s consistent and brilliant acting that kept the character of Maham likable.
Bilal Abbas Khan (O Rangreza)
Qasim’s character has so many shades to it. He is a man who knows the art of selfless love but just plays goofy because this is how his lady love feels comfortable around him. Bilal Abbas Khan has made sure to immaculately convey every single emotion that Qasim experiences and he has done that effortlessly, which is why the viewers are in awe of Qasim’s character and look forward to his bit in every single episode of O Rangreza.
Nauman Ijaz (Dumpukht)
Nauman Ijaz’s sheer brilliance as an actor and his commanding screen presence enables him to make every role he plays count. He played the role of Pir Habib Ullah in drama serial Dumpukht; a peer who is revered and admired by many but he exploits his position for personal gains. This was a challenging role which goes through different phases and this Pir had a different personality in public and in private but Nauman Ijaz brought out all the different shades of his character faultlessly on screen.
Saman Ansari (Dumpukht)
Saman Ansari has given some phenomenal performances this year but it was her brilliant acting in drama serial Dumpukht which won her a great deal of recognition and appreciation. Saman Ansari played the role of Bibi Sahiba’s character in Dumpukht – a woman who was strong, intelligent, elegant and completely in love! The fact that Bibi’s character wasn’t all white made it even more appealing. This wasn’t an easy character to translate on screen but Saman Ansari owned it completely. Her overall look, dialogue delivery and body language was not only in line with her character but also gave it a definite identity.
Mohsin Abbas Haider (Muqabil)
Mohsin Abbas Haider played the character of Arman in drama serial Muqabil. Arman’s character was etched-out brilliantly but it was Mohsin Abbas Haider’s flawless performance which gave this character the edge it needed. He made the viewers feel for and fall in love with Arman’s character over and over again. There were episodes in which you felt for Arman more than Parisa’s character.
Kubra Khan (Muqabil)
Parisa’s character wasn’t an easy one to translate on screen since she was a girl who was fighting a constant battle inside but was always very calm and cool on the outside. Parisa didn’t say a lot in many scenes but she had to convey her feelings through her body language and expressions. Kubra Khan outshone in this role and proved that even with her limited experience in the field of acting, she was indeed a very polished actress.
Asif Raza Mir (Muqabil)
Muqabil was a bleak yet powerful drama which could only work if it had equally powerful performances to back it up. Asif Raza Mir played a character different from any other he has played till date and he excelled in it without even trying too hard!! Even though the character itself wasn’t as well-etched-out as rest of the characters in the play but even then Asif Raza Mir‘s faultless performances accentuated the weaknesses and insecurities of his character.
Bilal Khan (Sammi)
Bilal Khan’s character and his performance was one of the best ones in drama serial Sammi. He played the role of Aalyan in the drama – the only person in a small village in Rahim Yaar Khan who was enlightened and humane and one who did not believe in watching people suffer in silence. Bilal Khan’s distinctive screen presence and his subtle performance made his character even more likeable and appealing. It was the kind of performance which made the viewers look forward to Aalyan’s scenes.
Sania Saeed (Sammi)
Sania Saeed is undoubtedly one of the most versatile actors of our television industry. She continuously chooses to be part of projects which are completely different from each other. Sania Saeed played the role of Chandni in drama serial Sammi – a strong, independent woman who did not have the kind of strength needed to stand by the side of a girl who was completely helpless. Her character went through a dynamic change after a tragedy and Sania Saeed translated different shades of her character brilliantly.
Madiha Rizvi (Sammi)
Most often some actors do not make it to such lists because we are so used to watching them deliver every single time in all the supporting roles they perform that we forget to appreciate them. Madiha Rizvi is one such actress, who always gives every role assigned to her the very best. Madiha Rizvi played the role of Chaudhrani in drama serial Sammi – a woman who was married to a rich and powerful man but she was continuously fighting to ensure that her son did not turn out to be like his father. This character had a lot of layers and a definite screen presence. Madiha Rizvi’s overall look in the play and her performance was superb throughout.
Adnan Siddiqui (Sammi)
Adnan Siddiqui’s character in drama serial Sammi wasn’t an easy one to translate on screen because Rashid’s character always had an underlying goodness about him even when he was being shown as someone who did all of Chaudhry’s dirty work. Adnan Siddiqui’s makeover and his portrayal both were flawless throughout. It was great watching him play a different role and making his presence felt right from the first episode.
Seemi Raheel (Sammi)
Seemi Raheel played the role of Rashid’s mother who represented the slave mentality of people who cannot see just how misguided they are. She was also a mother in law who couldn’t wait to get rid of the bahu who couldn’t give her a grandson. Seemi Raheel breathed life into this character with a performance which was very natural and brilliant.
Sami Khan (Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua)
All the characters in drama serial Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua are unusual in their own way and it is never easy translating such a character on screen yet Sami Khan completely nailed his role in Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua. He portrayed Faris’ frustrations and his confusion impeccably on screen and most importantly he made it easy for the viewers to connect to an otherwise complicated character. Sami Khan’s flawless performance is one of the best things about drama serial Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua.
Mansha Pasha (Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua)
Mansha Pasha plays the role of a girl who loves a man she has very little chance of winning over yet you never see her feeling sorry for herself. Dariya’s character is refreshing for many reasons and Mansha Pasha’s subtle performance makes it truly likeable. The viewers look forward to her scenes because she has done complete justice to her role.
Ayeza Khan (Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hei & Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua)
Ayeza Khan made her comeback this year and she clearly chose projects which would give her a new introduction. The characters she played in drama serials Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hei and Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua both were complicated and multi-dimensional. Both these characters weren’t easy to translate on screen yet Ayeza Khan nailed them both. Maheen’s character development and the role in general wasn’t likeable most of the times but Ayeza Khan’s performance was always on point. She also portrayed different shades of Maya’s personality impressively on screen. Ayeza Khan’s performances in both these plays showed her versatility and it was great watching her in plays which were definitely not run-of-the-mill.
Saima Noor (Mubarak Ho Beti Hui Hei)
Naheed’s character itself has tons to offer and Saima Noor’s brilliant performance has made it even more impactful. Saima Noor especially highlights the dignity and self-respect that is an integral part of Naheed’s personality traits. For the longest time Saima Noor’s restrained yet effective performance was the reason why Naheed’s character stood out and made the viewers look forward to every single episode.
Aisha Khan (Noor-e-Zindagi)
Aisha Khan played the character of a wife who worked hard to win her husband over in drama serial Noor-e-Zindagi. Although her character was anything but different but Aisha Khan’s did complete justice to it and made Noor’s character more likeable. Aisha Khan was well-suited for the role and her on-screen chemistry with Syed Jibran definitely helped in making the overall experience of watching her play this role more pleasant.
Hania Aamir (Titlee)
Hania Aamir played the role of Nayla, a beautiful girl with a personality which was anything but likeable. Hania Aamir chose a role which guaranteed that she won’t be stereotyped because of her looks in the future and performed brilliantly throughout. She stole the show completely and made Titlee itself more appealing. There were times when the viewers tuned into this show only because of Hania Aamir which was incredibly impressive given the fact that this was her first television serial.
Adnan Jaffar (Yeh Raha Dil)
Only Adnan Jaffar could play a role like that of Jimmy without taking it overboard. Jimmy was OTT yet he was sophisticated, he was a friend, a confidant, an adviser and also someone who knew how to manipulate people to benefit himself. Adnan Jaffar played this role to perfection because he also provided the comic quotient which made his character even more enjoyable.
Azfar Rehman (Nazr e Bad)
Azfar Rehman not only played but literally owned a dark character like that of Parvez who resorted to black magic in order to achieve what he wanted. Azfar Rehman’s performance was brilliant because he showcased all the stages of Parvez’s life from someone who was hopeless to someone who felt he had all the power in the world and he was unstoppable.
Adnan Shah Tipu (Khuda Mera Bhi Hei)
Adnan Shah Tipu is an extraordinary character actor whose spell-binding performances always leave the viewers in awe of his talent. This is the reason why very often he is chosen to play difficult roles. He played the role of Bubbly in drama serial Khuda Mera Bhi Hai which was an exceptionally tough role to play but Adnan Shah Tipu managed to pull it off flawlessly and effortlessly. He translated Bubbly’s emotions impeccably on screen and made the viewers look forward to his scenes.
Do share your views about the performances mentioned in the list and feel free to add to the list.
Now here’s a drama serial that’s been making headlines a lot lately, Aangan is a drama based on Khadija Mastoor’s pre-partition novel of the same title which will be directed by none other than the Udaari director Mohammad Ehtishamuddin. The cast will comprise of Ahsan Khan, Sonya Hussyn, Mawra Hocane, Ahad Raza Mir, Sajal Aly, Omair Rana, Abid Ali, Zaib Rehman and Uzma Hassan among others.
In a recent interview both Ahsan khan and Soniya Hussyn talked about the drama serial, about their roles and gave some insights on the show and here’s what you need to know.
Ahsan always goes all fan-boy over Ehtisham and that’s how it went this time as well when he said,
“Ehtisham is a great director and above that, he’s a great person who knows how to deal with his actors. I have always been very comfortable with him and I trust his vision. You see, it’s not all about ratings. He and I did a serial together called Preet Na Kariyo Koi and it wasn’t a huge success but we enjoyed making it. I feel one needs to satisfy the actor in you and feel good about what you’re doing. Working with Ehtisham does that for me.”
he further added,
“There’s always a certain depth and beauty in period plays, but production houses hardly make them anymore because it requires a lot of time and effort to recreate an era. They’re more expensive and it’s relatively tougher for the director and the production team. There’s also no guarantee of how well they’d do either,”
The Udaari star continued,
“Mustafa had been working on Aangan for more than a year. It was undoubtedly one of the best novels of its time and now it’s been written by a new writer. I feel such plays are memorable and acquire a cult-classic status if produced well. And one can certainly trust Ehtisham with that.”
Talking about the drama Sonya said that since her own ancestors migrated to Pakistan she felt at home with the script,
“I’ve wanted to do a period play for the longest of time! My family’s originally from Lucknow, and considering Aangan is a pre-partition story, I felt at home, I think in some bizarre way, I relate to the world that Aangan is set in; I absolutely love the wardrobe, the dialogues and the whole feel of the play that Ehtisham has captured perfectly. I’ve never extensively worked with him before, but he’s truly one of our finest directors.”
The starlet went on to add,
“Aangan’s been written really well. When I first went through the script, I realised that my character was perhaps the most prominent and I felt I had enough room to explore its dynamics and intensity. You know, she has a lot of shades to her. When you’re offered a certain role, it’s either innocent or dark. But this one has a lot of variation to it. In fact, it’s very human and real. After I did Nazo, I became very selective about accepting roles and this project was exactly the kind of departure and freshness I was looking for.”
Talking about the rest of the cast Sonya said that she absolutely loves working with them,
“I’m very fond of all the actors in the serial. I’ve worked with Mawra and Ahsan before and always have a ball with them. Sajal is a powerhouse of talent and Ahad, I feel, is a great new addition to the industry. You can expect some pretty brilliant performances.”
While Ahsan being the artist that he is said that cast doesn’t matter much what matters to him is the script,
“I never knew who was in the cast when I was offered the play and I didn’t try finding out either. I was more concerned with characterisation, the script, the story and the production. It’s nice when you have greats like Zaib Rehman and Abid Ali around you and then, we also have such a promising young cast! I feel Sonya’s been doing great work lately and her character in Aangan is also something to watch out for. Mawra and Sajal are also very talented. I feel everyone fits their characters well and we’ve all gelled in. But casting is never my priority.”
Our curiosity for this show is increasing each time it is making headlines, I mean air it already!!!
Shaan Shahid is known for not just being an amazing actor that he is but also for his constant struggle to revive Pakistani cinema. Shaan Shahid made us all go gaga over him one more time when he convinced the Oscar-winner Garry Madison to work on his movie Arth-the destination and turn it into a visual delight like Garry’s previous projects that include Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, Dunkirk, The Dark Knight Rises and movies like The Avengers.
When asked of how thrilled Shaan was about working with Garry Madison he said,
“I was enthused for having an Oscar winner on my team. Working with him has made the experience even more enthralling than I had expected.”
The Khuda Kay Liye star further added,
“I am glad that I made this choice and look forward to witnessing the audience’s response to a fresh display of cinematic art.”
In a recent interview Garry said the following,
“The themes usually determine the colouring scheme and effects for a movie. Arth not only revolves around themes that are specific to Pakistan but are also a step ahead from what has already been done and shown in Pakistan’s cinematic history and that was a beautiful task for me to accept and make the movie shine,”
While discussing his previous projects he said,
“I’ve been lucky enough to work on some of Hollywood’s biggest films over the last six years; films such as The Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar and The Avengers. Arth 2 also falls into that category of film – even though it’s aimed at a different culture. The themes of this film, in fact, carry across all cultures; the feeling of loss and then finding what you thought you had lost – for me that transcends culture.”
Madison further talked about his work on Arth-2,
“Arth is going to be a new evolution for the Pakistani film industry. I’ve been fortunate to be able to infuse my experiences from Hollywood to enhance what is, without a doubt, a visually stunning film but the main credit for that leap goes to the director Shaan and producer Hammad for bringing to life, a modern view surrounding a journey of today’s Pakistanis.”
When asked of the challenges he had to face while working on Arth-the destination he said,
It was very important to Shaan to make sure that the grade of the film was progressive in terms of other Pakistani films that have released before, but along with that, Shaan also wanted to maintain an authentic feel. So that was basically the chief challenge I was faced with.”
He further added,
“I had to find the balance between the old and the new – and let me tell you, I think we found it.”
Shaan has done his best with Arth 2 to bring Lollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood in one place and we can not wait to see the results.
What kind of a Pakistani doesn’t remember the most amazing sufi rock band to have ever existed in this country, yes, we speak of none other but Junoon, the band. The band is originally from Punjab and was formed in 1990 by the lead guitarist and songwriter, Salman Ahmad who was later joined by keyboardist Nusrat Hussain and vocalist Ali Azmat. The band broke up around 2005.
But in a recent facebook post on the band’s official page team Ali Azmat asked this,
As expected the fans gave an enthralling response though they are a bit paranoid.
The rumors of a Junoon reunion did surface back in 2014 and last year both of which were put to rest by Ali Azmat who had the following to say,
“It’s not happening… under no circumstances. Everyone else is in the US and I am in Pakistan.”
So this was a good but non happening episode of Lal Ishq. We cannot judge this drama in the usual way regarding realism and practicality since the theme is totally different. The story is about people who are quite detached from the urbanised societies of today and who lived and died within their tall havelis all entangled in their ancestors’ stories of love and hate and crime which they pass on to the next generation religiously. So we will also discuss it in that fantasised state of mind, like we are watching an old classical novel unfolding right in front of our eyes, with some very thoughtful and witty dialogues to pique up the interest.
Mehrunnisa’s brother mamoo Munir has arrived who is equally deadly and even more aggressive than his sister. He is all ready to sacrifice his time, effort and even life in search of Bali which she thinks Mehr Punar is not proving to be good at. His dialogues were very witty and his character instantly likeable. A simple rural young man who stands up for his blood, even if he had to sacrifice his childhood friend for it once. He is not playing any games, rather he seriously believes shooting someone point blank is how conflicts are resolved. His short conversations with both Mehr Chiragh and his sister were very entertaining.
The rest of the characters are pretty much up to the same as last time. Farhad and Mahi have just started to weave dreams after Mehrunnisa agreed to meet his father. Mehr Punar is still in search of Bali whom he could not recognise when he came face to face with him. The school master and shopkeeper are still trying to protect Bali.
One interesting development was that Jajji has finally recognised that Mahi is the daughter of Mehr Hukum and the revenge spree her family is on leads to Farhad’s own biological father. He was extremely upset and really wanted to protect Farhad and take him as away from Mahi’s family as he possibly can but he did not come out clear with them. His way was bound to make Farhad and Rameen curious, upset and ultimately rebellious and rightly so.
Yawar is shown playing chess with Mehr Chiragh after sometime and he wanted Yawar to reveal the whereabouts of Bali. Yawar pleaded on his behalf but that only led to frustration and Chirag’s conversation shows that even he himself wants Bali dead and that he cannot forgive the murder of his only son.
Stay tuned to see how the next episode of Lal Ishq turns out to be
