Sar-e-Rah’s last episode was as touching as all the other ones. It was a beautiful and wholesome ending to a drama that managed to cover so much in only 6 weeks. There are so many other dramas that start off on a strong note but completely go off track because the writers have to stretch the story in order to hit the 20-plus episodes mark. Sar-e-Rah proved that a mini-series does the job with the utmost precision and that is exactly the way it should be. Sar-e-Rah’s script was not its strongest point. While there were so many aspects of the script that definitely deserve praise, there were many loopholes as well which did not work for me at all. However, in the end, the emotional element and the main essence of the story ‘tu ur ja be fikar’ was an all-out winner. This series started off on a positive and inspiring note and it ended on the same note as well.

I am honestly sick and tired of watching issue-based dramas which prolong miseries or undermine them. In the end, even with all its shortcomings, Sar-e-Rah’s script managed to do justice to the main element of the story. The ending definitely gave hope to many out there who might be afraid of trying out something for any reason at all. The way Sarang and Rania’s tracks ended had to be my favorite part of this ending. Muzna and Rameen’s tracks were not carried forward convincingly in this last episode but they did have an element of positivity as well. The execution of the drama never faltered. Saba Qamar remained the brightest star of this show right till the very end. The on-screen chemistry she shared with all her co-stars made this ride an absolute treat to watch.

Follow Your Heart

This last episode opened with Maryam pouring her heart out. This track had a befitting ending but I felt it could have been a lot more powerful. However, this was perhaps one of the most relatable tracks in this series for me. It highlighted the day-to-day issues faced by working women in particular so well. The next scene showed Rania getting the break she was not anticipating but definitely one she needed and deserved. It was good to see another woman giving Rania this big break because we usually do not get to see such supportive women in our dramas. Rania’s business proposal also went to show how women such as her who work hard to achieve the impossible can open more avenues for other women once they get there themselves. This reflected Rania’s far-sightedness and her keenness to help others.

Rania’s scenes with her family were some of my favorite ones. Even though she was never given the same opportunities as her brother and did not have her father’s support when she decided to drive the taxi, the main source of her happiness continued to be his family’s well-being and support. I also loved the dialogue about letting go of old customs, ideas, and things in order to change the way things work. What stood out more than anything else was Rania’s love for her family and her kindness. Even when she went to drop the mithai at her phupo’s, she went with a clear heart. It is rarely ever that we get to see such female characters who are confident enough to speak their minds but also positive enough not to be bitter. Rania never came across as too-good-to-be-true but there was always so much positivity in this character; which was one of her biggest strengths as well. She wouldn’t have been able to achieve half of what she did if she did not have this positive outlook toward life.

Sarang’s speech was beautifully penned down and his interactions with Rania were adorable. This was the most beautiful connection. Just like Rania, Sarang also made sure that his family benefited from his growth even though they never supported him. Rameen’s track took an unexpected turn with the share in inheritance taking the lead. Although this is an important social issue as well the way it was included in this track was definitely not the best. Muzna’s track also took a turn I was not expecting it to. I guess through this track the writer wanted to show that affluent individuals can take care of a child without adopting but I am not sure why they showed that. It would have been so much better if her husband accepted the child and then told his parents the truth. It was also not good watching Muzna go back to the same toxic household.

I never thought I would be able to forgive Faraz but the last scene was written and executed so well that forgiving him was the only right thing to do! The writer deserves tons of applause for showing that an individual should not let anyone stop them from doing what their heart desires because if you believe in yourself, sooner or later people who are truly meant to be in your life will find their way back to you.

Final Remarks

Sar-e-Rah will always be remembered for its poignant storylines, Saba Qamar’s phenomenal performance, beautiful cinematography, and most of all for wholesome entertainment. We definitely need more dramas such as this one.

I would like to thank all those readers who were part of this beautiful journey. I enjoyed your feedback and watching this drama would not have been the same without you all.

This had to be my favorite episode of Sar-e-Rah even though the first two episodes completely won me over as well but this one was special in so many ways. With this episode, the writer did not only manage to tell another relevant story but he also broke the pattern with which the stories have been taken forward till now. Hareem Farooq’s screen presence and performance were exceptional. I felt she was the only guest actor in the series till now whose energy and presence matched Saba Qamar’s. This latest episode highlighted issues that most women face on daily basis and most of them have unfortunately been accepted as ‘normal’ because of the reason given by the taxi driver who harassed Maryam. The instant comradeship between these two women was the highlight of this episode. Hareem Farooq and Saba Qamar’s on-screen chemistry as well as their performances made their scenes even more enjoyable. I also felt that Saba Qamar was at her best in this latest episode. She looked tired and weary in the beginning and warmed up gradually to her new customer. Some of the dialogues also caught my attention because they were in line with the realities of our social fabric.

Women Empowerment

When I watched the promo of this episode, I thought the reason why Maryam looked ‘that way’ at Rania was that she was perhaps someone who knew her already. The actual reason however was far more interesting. I found Maryam’s amazement and her excitement perfectly enacted on-screen by Hareem Farooq. It also came as such a pleasant surprise because Maryam was genuinely happy to sit in the front seat of a taxi without the fear of being harassed! With this opening scene, the writer set the tone right for whatever was coming ahead. This was such an intelligent way of showing how some things which are ‘normal’ and standard practice for men can be such a rarity for a woman.

There has been a lot of debate in Pakistan lately about women claiming public spaces because in our society men can easily roam around freely but women most often do not have such security. Therefore, very often the daughters and wives are expected to stay indoors because it is ‘safer’ to do so. Maryam was shown as someone who was not going to let this mindset win. The fact that her mother played such an important role in giving her this confidence also resonated with me. It is always a pleasure watching ‘secure’ men and women in dramas. Maryam was definitely such a woman who invited Rania to her house, gave her work opportunity without making it come across as a favor, and was in awe of Rania’s courage to take up an unconventional job. At the same time watching Rania gain more confidence in all these weeks and also focusing on the monetary aspect of her job gave the viewers an insight into how much she had matured.

Maryam’s character was the perfect depiction of a go-getter with a positive personality. We definitely do not get to watch such female characters in our dramas since most on-screen women are often either too good to be true or they are the vamps. The male representation in this episode was also balanced; all the male characters were not shown as opportunists. Some of them were professional enough to give Maryam the credit she deserved based on her abilities. As someone who studied and worked in a male-dominated environment, there was so much about this character and its journey which I found relatable! Women who want to achieve something without using any shortcuts have to try extra hard and that particular aspect of a working women’s journey was depicted faultlessly in this episode.

Final Remarks

This episode covered the stories of two women from completely different backgrounds but with problems that were similar. This was an intelligent way of showing how women often fight the same battles irrespective of their financial status, education, and nature of work. Some of the dialogues in this episode were hilarious, especially those covering Maryam’s frustrations. Some of the scenes and conversations were penned down and executed brilliantly, especially the ones that focused on Maryam and Rania.

In my opinion, Sar-e-Rah is aptly delivering what it promised and it is doing so with clarity because each episode covers a specific issue. This is a brilliant idea which should be taken up by other production houses as well. I am looking forward to the next episode of Sar-e-Rah more than ever because I am certain Maryam and Rania together will be a force to reckon with.

Do share your views about this episode.

This was another episode of Sar-e-Rah which was not faultless but it did manage to put yet another positive message across. With every passing episode the simplicity of the script at times affects the depth and meaning of the stories but it also makes Sar-e-Rah a drama that is for everyone. Even a teenager can watch each one of these episodes and understand the message that is being delivered. Therefore, while the simplicity of the script is a weakness, it is perhaps its strength as well depending on the audience. As one of the representatives of the more ‘mature audience’, I feel that if the script had a little more depth and intensity, these messages would have been far more powerful. While watching this episode, there were a lot of dialogues that sounded ‘too basic’ but just like every other week, by the end of the episode, the viewers were left with a message of hope. The positive and inspiring element of these stories definitely takes the lead.

Sar-e-Rah has definitely been penned down and executed with the best intentions – that is something that shines through even when in each episode you find yourself questioning more than you want to. I am definitely not one of those people who are still asking why these passengers get candid so quickly with the taxi driver since I have accepted the fact that this is indeed the premise of the story. However, it irks me when I find myself questioning multiple aspects of each episode with reference to the story. The way these characters get candid could have been far more convincing. My question isn’t why; my reservation is why in this manner. So far, two of the passengers decided to open up and were looking for support because they were in a vulnerable position. Had these scenes not been so rushed, they would have been easier to relate to. I still feel that each episode of Sar-e-Rah manages to put forward so many positive messages that the flaws in the story are easily relegated to the background. This drama could have been an even bigger masterpiece had the writing been more solid.

A Story of Hope

This episode revolved around Sarang played by Muneeb Butt. Even after watching this episode, I am still not sure about the actual gender identity of the main character. However, it was pretty clear that Sarang was a ‘misfit’ in society which is true for every individual who does not fit into the stereotypes and standards set by the majority. I felt Sarang did not only represent individuals such as him but every person out there who is bullied, rejected, and looked down upon because of any given reason. This drama reminded me of Khuda Mera Bhi Hai, which covered in detail the rejection faced by intersex individuals. The fact that Muneeb Butt introduced his character as that of a transgender when he posted about it on social media; I was left wondering throughout if Sarang really was transgender or he was intersex. That particular aspect was confusing but watching Sarang’s journey was interesting and meaningful. Muneeb Butt was likable as a grown-up man who had managed to make his father’s dreams come true even though he got little acceptance and love from anyone else throughout his life. His relationship with his father and the way his support changed the course of his life was the highlight of this episode. Muneeb Butt’s performance was likable for the most part but I must say that the mannerisms could have been far more convincing. While he nailed the dialogue delivery and the expressions, the body language was not on point in all the scenes.

It was great watching Nabeel Zafar back on-screen after such a long time in a serious role. His character was one of the many positive parents we have seen so far in this drama. While many dramas nowadays show where parents go wrong, very few actually show how supportive parents can help children develop confidence and attain their objectives against all odds. This was Shabbir’s story just as much as it was Sarang’s. The way the writer highlighted the fears of this father and the manner in which he hid them from his son truly stood out for me. It was a beautifully etched-out character. I felt that it was more impactful than Sarang’s character. Some of the dialogues were well written as opposed to a few of Sarang’s dialogues which were too plain.

In this episode, as well, there were times when it was difficult to relate to Rania’s sudden concern and closeness to her passenger. Although I understand that the writer has to wrap everything up in one episode, it would have been nice if Rania’s empathy was shown in a more realistic manner. Nevertheless, Saba Qamar makes this character an absolute treat to watch and I do find myself invested in Rania’s story more than any other so far.

Final Remarks

This was another meaningful episode of Sar-e-Rah which was not picture-perfect but it was engaging and stayed true to the main essence of the story throughout. The visual appeal of the drama and the attention to detail continues to be impressive. Some of the details relating to the story lacked clarity but the emotional element took the lead like every other week. Just like every other episode this one also ended on an interesting note! I am wondering if this new character is someone Rania knew in the past.

Do share your thoughts about this latest episode of Sar-e-Rah

Sar-e-Rah continues to offer a variety of stories with the kind of execution which we rarely get to watch on the small screen. All the stories so far have revolved around female protagonists with the males in their lives playing an important role in some way or the other. It started with Rania finding the courage to take a step that was not welcomed by many and since then we have watched two more empowering stories. Tonight’s episode was yet again refreshing mainly because of the male lead Shozib.

While I thoroughly enjoyed watching this episode as well, some of the dialogues and scenarios in this episode, just like the previous one, were not too logical or convincing. The first episode was penned down faultlessly but the next two have not been equally well-written. However, this episode was just as meaningful and entertaining as the previous two. Through this latest installment, the writer showed different sides of social media. This was a relevant topic covered interestingly. Although social media stars are quickly getting the same kind of attention that many of mainstream celebrities get, we do not get to see such characters being part of new stories. With the exception of a few dramas such as Hum Tum, most of the time we get to see only the negative side of these social media stars.

Breaking Stereotypes

I must say that the beginning of this episode was a lot like the previous one. The new protagonists were just as trusting of their taxi driver as the previous one. This introduction and sudden warming up did not work for me this time around as well but by the time this episode ended, there were so many positive aspects of the story which made up for this flawed scene. If Rameen’s (Saboor Aly) video had already gone viral and she was a rising social media star with millions of followers, why was she surprised that Rania recognized her? The whole viral video issue was also confusing because Rameen mentioned multiple times that the video was already available online. This particular aspect of the story was important but it lacked clarity.

This episode definitely did not have the best opening scene but later on, the story moved forward with the same flow which is turning out to be one of the best aspects of this drama. The writer quickly shifted his focus to Rameen’s story which was initially somewhat predictable – the video going viral and the aftermath. However, the real surprise was Shozib (Mirza Zain Baig) and his open-mindedness. It is always great watching a male lead such as him in dramas. He was introduced as a loving, caring, and open-minded individual, and right till the end he retained these qualities.

Rameen was shown as a young social media star who was not in this field for money or even fame but it was something she enjoyed doing. There was a great deal of focus on Rameen’s creative side instead of showing her as an attention-seeker. Through this character, the writer showed a different side of such social media stars. All of them are not attention-seekers, there are some such as Rameen as well who have a creative side, and showcasing it on social media gets them the public approval they want. At the same time, the writer also highlighted the monetary aspect of the work. This was such a good way of showing that being a social media influencer was also a way of earning money for many but it isn’t something that is readily acceptable by the older generation. Rameen did not cross any boundaries even when she was presented with some lucrative deals by the best people in the business.

Apart from Rameen’s side of the story, Shozib’s role throughout was the main attraction. It was truly refreshing watching a ‘secure’ man standing by his lady unconditionally. Rameen and Shozib’s relationship dynamics were the perfect example of a healthy relationship. Mirza Zain Baig and Saboor Aly played their parts really well.

Final Remarks

Overall, most of the aspects covered in this episode aptly highlighted the kind of pressure girls in particular face when they decide to take up a profession that is looked down upon. That is how Rania’s story started as well. Even though Rameen was extremely conscious of the kind of content she posted on social media, it was not accepted by people around her. Apart from that, the writer also managed to do justice to the trend of ‘going viral’ by showing how it brings with it opportunities. Yet again, the one thing that stood out and made this episode truly refreshing was the way Shozib and both the mothers stood by Rameen. Even though at times the emotional element of Sar-e-Rah is difficult to ‘explain’, it never fails to be heartwarming and uplifting. Saba Qamar has given this character her best and sometimes her performance saves the day, especially in circumstances that are difficult to relate to. I do find myself questioning some of the scenes in each episode but in the end the kind of impact these stories have on me wins!

Sar-e-Rah continues to be positive, uplifting, and inspirational. Rania’s character continues to be delightful. Although she is struggling herself, she spreads positivity effortlessly. The visual appeal of this drama cannot be overlooked. Each element of cinematography from camera placement to lighting makes every scene a treat to watch. Also, the fact that each episode has a new story that is wrapped up in a few minutes makes it interesting to watch even when these stories are rather simple. Muneeb Butt’s character definitely piqued my curiosity; I am more interested than ever to watch his story unfold on-screen. Hareem Farooq will be the only character left after this one so I am wondering if the next 2 episodes will cover Rania’s track.

Did you watch this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

This second episode of Sar-e-Rah was just as engaging, empowering, fast-paced, and visually pleasing as the first one. The writer managed to get his message across with the utmost ease and precision throughout this episode. I must say that even though I knew that the writer was going to tell other people’s stories through Rania, the focus on Muzna’s (Sunita Marshall) story was the surprise element for me. I was expecting Rania’s story to stay central but it seems as if we will be watching her story from her professional life’s perspective and not the personal one. I must say that I missed watching Rania’s interactions with her family but I do understand why the writer thought it was more important to shift the focus to Muzna. It is the only way that he can tell different stories in a single episode.

Breaking Free

This episode opened with Rania and Muzna’s first interaction. Rania went from judging Muzna to trusting her and liking her as the story progressed. By the end of this episode Muzna and Rania were not just friends but also partners in a way. I loved how quickly Rania changed her opinion about this woman she barely knew but was open-minded enough to give her the benefit of doubt. Even though this was Muzna’s story for me Rania’s character stood out in this episode as well. It is such a well-etched-out character; she isn’t overly bold, not ‘too’ kind but considerate enough, and most importantly she comes across as a positive person who does not believe in stereotypes at all. Saba Qamar nailed this character yet again in this episode and her on-screen chemistry with Sunita Marshall made their interactions even more wholesome. Sunita Marshall is an exceptional performer who adds grace to every character she plays therefore she was the perfect choice for playing this role. It was however not too pleasant watching Mikaal Zulfiqar play yet another character that he has played so many times before. He has been playing the toxic husband who always fails to make his marriages work for the longest time!

Through Muzna’s story, the writer highlighted an issue that is not the subject matter of Pakistani dramas often; everyone wants a doctor bahu but most people expect these bahus to leave their profession and use their knowledge only for the benefit of the family they are married into! The family which chooses to marry their son to this doctor bahu because of her degree and education dictates to her as if she has no wisdom or mind of her own. Also, the writer showed how flawed the concept is that qualified people should only work if they needed money. Muzna’s character was that of an educated, polished, and intelligent young woman who forgets what she is capable of because of the way she is treated by her mother-in-law in particular. Apart from that, her husband lets her bear the brunt instead of telling his mother the truth. This was such a good way of showing how toxicity and mental abuse is accepted as a norm by many women such as Muzna who can easily step out and build a life of their own. It also went to show the kind of exploitation such women are subjected to by the so-called ‘khandani’ families they are married into. Even though the husband was clearly the one at fault, he had an ‘ally’ in his mother and I could totally see him getting married a second time just to prove that there was nothing wrong with him.

Through this story, the writer also showed how adoption is looked down upon in our society. The episode as a whole also showed the judgmental attitude of society and how most often even women such as Muzna are forced to do something they don’t want to because of the pressures. Even though Muzna did not want to give that baby away, she did try to do it. Later on, she took a decision she could have taken earlier but was not in the right mental state to do so. The scene at the mall in which that auntie tells Muzna off truly resonated with me! It is so true that most of us are constantly judging others and expecting their actions to match our own perceptions, thoughts, and experiences.

I really liked the scene in which Muzna leaves the baby with Rania when she goes to get milk for her. Rania doubts Muzna, and wonders if she was going to get into trouble for helping her but still continues believing in her. This showed that Rania was not ‘perfect’, she was completely capable of doubting someone as well but she did not instantly pass judgment or make a decision. If Rania did not decide to help Muzna, things could have been so different for her.

Final Remarks

There were some aspects of this episode that made me question Muzna’s decision in the beginning. Why couldn’t she talk to her husband about this beforehand? Can a married woman legally adopt without the consent of her spouse? If she had decided to adopt this baby, why was she not more ‘prepared’ for it. I think that these are some of the angles in this particular track that needed a little more explanation. However, the way this track was used to raise so many big and small issues was definitely on point. Rania’s reactions throughout this episode revealed more about her personality and character. It is always refreshing watching a drama showing women supporting each other. Rania continues to be the star of the show; Saba Qamar owns this character and she clearly enjoyed performing it. Tonight’s episode of Sar-e-Rah belonged to all those doctor bahus who have so much to offer yet they somehow forget their own potential.

This was another empowering story shown brilliantly on-screen. The concept and the execution have been brilliant. I am looking forward to the next story. The outdoor scenes had to be the best aspect of the execution. Unlike many other dramas, you don’t feel ‘suffocated’ while watching Sar-e-Rah because the director has dared to use a large canvas as opposed to limiting himself. I am so glad that Sar-e-Rah is getting the attention it deserves because the first episode did not take off immediately but this one already has an impressive number of views. Also, I am wondering why this drama is airing at 9 pm because it definitely deserves the primetime slot. Am I the only one who missed Rania’s interactions with her family in this episode? Do share your take on this episode.

Writer: Adeel Razzaq
Director: Ahmed Bhatti
Producer: Abdullah Seja
Schedule: ARY Digital Every Saturday 8 pm

After a really long time just when I had almost given up on Pakistani dramas altogether, the first episode of Sar-e-Rah reminded me of the reason why I started reviewing dramas in the first place! This first episode was pure genius. It had a soul that most dramas nowadays lack. Most importantly, this first episode was not just meaningful but also gripping right from the first scene till the last one. Even some of the actors who usually don’t deliver were at their best; the director Ahmed Bhatti definitely deserves credit for that. I don’t remember the last time when the opening episode of a drama made me connect to and root for the main protagonist as much as this one did. The most interesting bit was that although the subject matter of the drama is really serious, the overall feel of the drama was not gloomy or dark. The cinematography, direction, and treatment given to the script couldn’t have been more ideal. The director even managed to make it visually pleasing while ensuring that the meaning did not get lost in translation.

Even though the promos of Sar-e-Rah promised meaningful entertainment and I was expecting it to deliver but this opening episode completely blew me away. The clarity in the script and the execution won me over. This episode was also inspirational in many ways because the hope this story carries outweighed everything else. Women empowerment is a topic that is really close to my heart but there are only a few Pakistani dramas that have done justice to it. Some of the dialogues put this message across in the most concise and impactful manner possible. “paisun ki koi jins nahin hoti”, had to be my favorite one from this episode.

Inspirational and Uplifting

Sar-e-Rah’s first episode was fast-paced therefore it would be wrong to say that it merely introduced the characters to the viewers. We were introduced to so many dynamic and well-etched-out characters and at the same time their stories took off from this episode as well. The main protagonist Rania was the star of the show, enacted powerfully on-screen by Saba Qamar. This first episode covered the first major step in Rania’s journey while commendably showing different shades of her character.

The first few scenes showed a young woman who was in love, others showed a strong woman who was determined, responsible, intelligent, and articulate, and most importantly there were so many scenes that highlighted the ‘human’ element of this character which stood out more than any other. Rania’s concern for her parents, the way she owned and respected her father’s profession (wearing that wristwatch being my favorite), and last but not least her love for her younger brother even though it was not reciprocated. The scene in which she gave her mother the money she earned and asked her to keep on giving Hatim (Junaid Jamshed) his pocket money was one of the many subtle yet powerful scenes that showed she was not bitter towards her brother even though he had been anything but supportive.

Rania’s first ride was another one of the many scenes that showed that the writer was more interested in telling her story as one of hope and was not going to show her as a victim. Also, unlike many other such stories, it was not a case of Rania against the world. Starting from this first customer who gave her a valuable piece of advice as a token of his support to the lady who runs the NGO, Rania met quite a few people who were supportive. This variation in characters and the kind of people Rania met along the way made this first episode more interesting. Had it been any other drama, this first episode would only have covered Rania’s equation with Faraz (Agha Mustafa Hassan) and her father’s deteriorating health. I would especially like to mention here that I was pleasantly surprised to watch Agha Mustafa performing so well. His expressions have never been so balanced and his dialogue delivery was exceptional. His performance had to be the surprise package in this episode. The character itself was not ‘new’ but the performance and the on-screen chemistry he shared with Saba Qamar, made their scenes and track stand out.

Rania’s household and the way it was being run showed the typical mindset which is prevalent in many such low-income houses. The parents invest all their savings in educating their sons because they are the ones who are expected to be the bread-winners. However, the turn that this story took was refreshing in so many ways. Also, it was good to see the parents realizing their mistake and even though the father, played beautifully by the exceptionally talented Rashid Farooqui was not comfortable with his daughter taking up the role the men in the house were expected to take, was in a way proud of her. There are only a handful of Pakistani actors who manage to say so much just by their facial expressions and Rashid Farooqui is definitely one of them.

Final Remarks

I watched this episode today, a day that started on a grim note because there were 3 different news on the media today in which women had been violated in public spaces in the most horrific manner. Watching a woman take control of her life even if it was on-screen and that too in a convincing manner was definitely something I personally needed today. Also, I feel that women in Pakistan are breaking barriers now. I see women driving motorcycles with other women escorting them; I have seen women delivering food on motorcycles as well – something which was not happening a few years back. Women are making space for themselves in places that were considered fit only for men therefore this story is also relevant in so many ways now more than it ever was.

This first episode not only shows the challenges a woman faces when she decides to take up a job that is traditionally assigned to men by society but also showed that a woman is able to make it on her own. Also, it was especially pleasing watching female characters who supported Rania. The on-screen chemistry Saba Qamar shared with all her co-stars in this episode definitely made all the difference. It was quite obvious that she put her heart and soul into this project. Her performance coupled with the way Rania’s story has been written as well as the excellent treatment given to the script by the director made this first episode of Sar-e-Rah unforgettable.

If you haven’t watched this first episode, you are missing out! If you watched this episode please do share your views. Did you fall in love with it instantly as well?