Do opposites really attract? Both the couples in this play have nothing in common; Kukoo and Khurram are worlds apart and Laila and Mansoor are like two completely opposite people who have been caged together for life. Laila tries her best to hold on to every single remotely loving/caring gesture by her new husband; she spends every minute trying to convince herself that this stranger who isn’t really letting her in to his life as openly as she would have wanted him to, actually loves her the way a husband should love his wife.

Mansoor’s mother was right, he is “farmabardar” no doubt. He knows how to keep his mother happy. He could have taken a stand to marry Kukoo but he didn’t do so because he knows she will be a part of his life even if she is not his wife. This man has no respect for women at all; he couldn’t care less about their feelings either. The only woman he truly cares about is his mother.

There was a time when Laila lived a life very different from the one that she will be living from now on. Laila was outgoing, adventurous, progressive and ambitious but her mother was in such a rush to push her towards the next phase of life that she totally forgot that this should have been more of Laila’s decision than hers. I think the scene in which Laila finds out that her room had been completely changed said a great deal. Is change really good? Why are some parents so eager to introduce these changes into their children’s lives without even giving their children’s likes and dislikes a second thought. Laila looks up to her father like a role model and for good reasons too. She would have liked to be married to someone like him but Mansoor is nothing like the lively, fun, understanding and positive person that Laila’s father is. It is sad that parents like him do not get to have more of a say in their children’s lives. Laila is her father’s daughter, she is positive and does not fret over things that may upset her. Mansoor’s mother isn’t exactly the perfect mother in law and Mansoor is definitely not the ideal husband but we still see Laila making the most of the situation. She loves her husband and wants to be loved by him although she barely knows him! Because that is how every girl is expected to feel after marriage.

Laila’s mother wants her to enjoy her new life; she has given away everything “old” which belonged to Laila. These old things probably meant more to Laila than anything new that she has now. Laila doesn’t want to feel like a guest in her own house but she happily accepts the fact that this is not her house any more and she should move on. The dialogue “Ab mei chot ke dur se koi khel na khelon” says a lot about her personality. She places other people’s happiness above her own that was something which was very apparent from the telephonic conversation Laila had with her father before leaving for Murree.

I feel for Laila and Kukoo both. Both of them have more than their fair share of unhappiness but they are equally brave and positive. Kukoo may have tried to end her life once but overall she is indeed a strong woman married to a man who will keep on exploiting her for as long as he can. Khurram “steals” from Kukoo but when she offers him money for leaving her, he declines. Khurram is just as controlling and selfish as Mansoor.

Mrs. Khan’s subtle messages to Kukoo are ignored by her every time. The relationship between these two women is special and relatable. The scenes between Laila and her father were really well done too. The conversations between the two were meaningful, engaging and touching. Mansoor’s character has been etched out and acted out brilliantly. I feel that Sohail Sameer shouldn’t have been forced to say a few lines in English in every episode if he was not comfortable with the language. It just seems out of character when he has a difficult time pronouncing every single word. He is doing a brilliant job and would have been just as convincing without the use of English language. Overall, the play has been directed really well; the creativity and hard work shows in every scene. I love all the old songs that have been played in the drama so far. Pehchan has a very different feel to it. There was a time when I thought that the play maybe too slow but now I feel that it is more subtle than slow. Definitely looking forward to the next episode.

Fatima Awan

“Aap ko happy ending pasand hai na? Mujhe bhi!” Because happy endings don’t always mean that a couple with the most dysfunctional marriage resolves all their differences magically in the last episode. Sometimes happy endings can be convincing too. Laila preferred Saadi’s friendship even though Mansoor did his best to convince her that she was lost without him. Tonight I felt like Mansoor really was desperate to get Laila back not only because he wanted to control her but he wanted her back in his life. People like Mansoor do not change of course and I am glad that Laila knew that only too well, which is why she refused to take him back. Mansoor realized that he had lost someone very precious and there was no way to win Laila back now, regret and remorse was all he was left with. It was good to see Mansoor’s real self coming out when Laila told him that the marriage was over because otherwise the change in his personality would have been unpersuasive.

Laila’s mother’s ego did not allow her to accept her daughter for what she was now wholeheartedly but the way things were moving forward there was definitely hope for the future. Mrs. Khan consoled herself with lies like always; yes some things never change and I am glad that Mrs. Khan’s track was wrapped up like this because people’s lives and personalities don’t change overnight. Kukoo and Khurram ended up being good friends; Kukoo’s letter to Khurram at the end was elaborate and pretty much summed up everyone’s life.

I am glad that Pehchan ended tonight because even a die-hard fan like me was feeling that the conversations were getting repetitive. The ending was gratifying in every way, I could not have asked for more. I think Pehchan was the best play of the season because it excelled in all the departments in which a drama can stand out. Bee Gul and Khalid Ahmed gave a brand new treatment to an age-old story and added the zing which a good drama needs. It may have been too slow and unconventional for many viewers therefore it did not the kind of attention that commercial plays get but I hope that will not stop the producers, writer and the director from continuing experimenting.

I feel like I owe Bee Gul in particular a big thanks for not banking on the more easy (which don’t require a lot of thinking) and conventional ways to get attention from the viewers. Her dramas have not been getting the appreciation which they truly deserve but she continues writing artistic scripts and does not rely on run-of-the-mill-stories. All of her characters are multi-layered and definitely not black and white, with the exception of Laila’s mother. Her characters are so real that you can’t help but connect with them, feel for them and understand them even when it is a character as negative as that of Mansoor. I also love the way these characters are revealed to the viewers gradually; the way Laila and Kukoo’s journey of self-discovery was penned down and executed was perfect. I would really like to see a male character as the main protagonist in one of Bee Gul’s upcoming plays because until now she has been focusing on women leads.

Khalid Ahmed brings out the best in Bee Gul’s scripts because he understands the depth of the characters and the narrative. Not just that he made Pehchan a masterpiece by making it esthetically pleasing. Khalid Ahmed’s direction proved that he believes that his viewers are just as intelligent as he is unlike most Pakistani directors who think that the viewers will not understand the underlying messages in the story unless they spoon-feed it to them. There were quite a few scenes in every episode that conveyed the feelings and situations of the characters beautifully even when there were no dialogues involved. I personally feel that Pehchan was a labour of love; Bee Gul assisted Khalid Ahmed herself which must have made a huge difference too and which goes to show how seriously she took this drama. The Director Of Photography Naveed Malik deserves special appreciation for a job well done. A big shout-out to the producers Seema and Razi-ud-din Ahmed for giving the Pakistani viewers a reason to believe that there are still people out there who care about more than just the TRPs. We definitely need more people like them in the drama industry.

I really want to thank the person/s responsible for choosing the cast. It was an absolute pleasure watching Alishba Yusef play the character of Laila. Laila’s feelings and personality underwent a major transformation within two years of her marriage and Alishba Yusef portrayed different shades of Laila’s personality impeccably. Sohail Sameer outdid himself as Mansoor. He played the bad guy without going overboard, it is amazing how a good script and direction can bring out the best in an actor. I don’t have enough words to praise Iffat Omer; everything about her was perfect from the acting to her make-up and hairdos. Parveen Malik played Laila’s mother’s role very well and her character which was very different from the roles she has played till now. We may not have liked her character for obvious reasons but she was definitely in her comfort zone. Qazi Wajid and his character both were adorable; the chemistry that Qazi Wajid and Alishba Yusef shared on screen brought the father-daughter relationship to life. Anita Camphor did complete justice to her character, she is a very gifted actress.  Sumbul Shahid played the role of the proud mother of a son perfectly. Fawad Khan unfortunately brought out the worst in Khurram’s character, he has a long way to go! Faris Khalid and Saad gradually grew on me in the last few episodes but in the beginning he was sticking out like a sore thumb. I think the reason for that could be that Faris Khalid wasn’t very comfortable with Urdu language. The OST of the play was beautiful, Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry coupled with Arshad Mahmud’s composition and Erum Nafees’ beautiful voice gave the viewers a song which they can listen to over and over again.

Watching Pehchan and reviewing it every week has been a delightful and insightful experience. A big shout-out to all those readers who read the reviews regularly and shared their thoughts here.

Did you like the ending? Do share your thoughts.

Fatima Awan

Aap ka mali buhat mature hai mommy kyunke vo poodu se pyar krne mei believe hi nahi krta!

Well said Laila! But guess what? Your mom’s not listening! It is amazing how the writer has shown heaps of expectations that are attached to the bride after marriage and how easy everything is for the man. As long as the man is earning enough money and is good looking no one questions his mysterious behavior. In fact his behavior is justified by calling him mature, serious and stable – attributes that set Mansoor apart from other men! Only Laila knows that there is something just not right because no matter how hard she tries her husband shows little interest in her. Laila will never be good enough for Mansoor because he already has her where he wants her. He is more interested in Kukoo because she is not giving Mansoor the attention he wants. Kukoo finds it difficult to have a relationship with Mansoor especially after getting to know Laila so well. I love the way Kukoo’s character has been etched out. Iffat Omer was the perfect choice for playing this character; she brings out the best in Kukoo’s character.

Mansoor and his mother’s reaction to the news of Laila’s pregnancy was shocking for Laila. She was obviously expecting something very different. On one hand her father pampers her to the fullest and on the other her husband does not even hold her hand to assure her of his support and love. Alishba Yusef looked stunning today in all the scenes; she plays the naive, sweet and confused Laila with perfection. Laila’s frequent visits to her parents’ house show that she needs a dose of her father’s love every day to keep her going. She would want her father to come rescue her but she also knows that she must pick herself up every time and give this marriage her best because she has to make it work. Laila does not ask for more than a wife should from her husband but Mansoor finds it very difficult to even exchange a few words with her.

The way Laila and Kukoo had a heart-to-heart conversation tonight was actually very ironic. While Kukoo knows exactly who Laila is and where she stands in Mansoor’s life, Laila has no idea what relationship Kukoo once had with her husband. She cannot even imagine that Kukoo is the reason why Mansoor keeps his distance from her. I really liked this new turn in the story, I was most definitely not expecting the two families to get closer like this. Kukoo is nothing like the other woman that we see in our dramas a little too often. There was a time when Mansoor made a commitment with Kukoo but she is not going to punish Laila for something that Mansoor did. She understands that Laila is not at fault. Mansoor made a choice and she wants him to stick to it. Keeping a distance from Mandoor is not easy because he understands her the way Khurram never will but she is trying her best.

Mrs. Khan and Kukoo’s conversation was very interesting indeed. Was Mrs. Khan really talking about the delivery boy? I think not! I felt for Laila every step of the way in tonight’s episode and the other woman in this play has to be one of the most likeable characters in that particular category. Sohail Sameer has nailed his character; honestly speaking I did not expect him to do this well. I would give full marks to team Pehchan for giving a brand new treatment to a very old story and turning it into something very different and entertaining. This drama has a whole new feel to it and I can’t help but appreciate the way the story is being taken forward.

Fatima Awan

Poor Laila; she is sensitive, sweet and genuine but fate has tied her with a man who is heartless, cruel and extremely selfish. Laila is trying hard to make sense of the relationship she has with Mansoor. She wants to believe that he loves her but as time goes by Mansoor is giving her very little reason to continue wishing and hoping that he does love her. Mansoor has rejected Laila over and over again in more ways than one. He has never made a conscious effort to come up to her expectations but he knows absolutely nothing about handling rejection himself. This man wants complete compliance by his wife even though he does not have feelings for her. Mansoor’s attraction towards Laila and Kukoo both appears to be strictly physical. There was a time when I used to think that Mansoor and Kukoo were soul mates who met at a bad time but after watching tonight’s episode I got the feeling that Mansoor is incapable of feeling that way about any woman at all.

Kukoo isn’t even trying to move on; her life has taken a very unexpected turn after Mansoor’s wedding and she isn’t even sure how to deal with the situation. Khurram’s promises are nothing more than false hopes which are not worth banking on. The meeting between Mansoor and Kukoo tonight seemed to be a direct reaction of the way their spouses treated them. Kukoo was getting back at Khurram forgetting his promise of taking her out for dinner and Mansoor was punishing Laila for not being an “obedient” wife. Iffat Omer is absolutely brilliant as Kukoo; she does not want to be the other woman but she cannot let go of Mansoor either. I think the only reason Kukoo keeps on going back to Mansoor is that she is lonely. Khurram’s dialogue about not being unfaithful was spot on and timed perfectly. Does being faithful make up for all his other weaknesses? I am not sure! Are there more ways than one to be unfaithful to someone? These were some of the questions that popped in my head when I heard Khurram declaring his faithfulness.

My favorite scene from tonight’s episode had to be the opening scene in which Laila asks Mansoor to “forgive” her for her behaviour. The other scene which said a thousand words was the one in which Kukoo starts cleaning the mirror while giving her client a haircut; she obviously could not take her mind off the message Mansoor left for her. Wiping memories out of the mind is never this easy and simple! Kukoo would like to erase all those memories of the past and present but those memories are probably all that she has and she actually does want to hold on to them.

Laila’s conversation with her mother in law said a lot about who Mansoor takes after. The most outstanding aspect of this play till now has been that every scene and all the conversations add something to the play. There are hardly any dramas on air right now which do not give away unnecessary details to kill time. The scene in which Laila goes to meet her parents was also beautifully done. It isn’t easy for a girl like Laila, who has shared every tiny detail of her life with her father, to hide something so big from him but she does not have a choice. She knows that she has to make this marriage work; letting her mother down is not an option.

The OST of the play is beautiful. It is definitely one of those songs which you want to hear over and over again. I am extremely impressed by the quality of direction, acting and script of this play. Sohail Sameer has nailed his character and Alishba Yusef has breathed life into Laila’s character. Iffat Omer’s character has to be the most complicated one in the play but she portrays Kukoo’s insecurities, loneliness, helplessness and vulnerability effortlessly. Sumbul Shahid has played the proud mother of a “perfect” son superbly.

Thank you Team Pehchan for giving me something worthwhile to watch; Pehchan has to be the only play on air right now which I look forward to and enjoy reviewing.

Fatima Awan

“Kisi ki zindagi ke faisle krna bara sawab ka kaam hai”…Laila’s mother did not stop for a second to think about the irony in this statement. She is too busy planning the perfect life for her daughter to think about anything else…not even her daughter’s likes, dislikes or happiness. Now that she has successfully married her daughter off in a family most people around her can only dream of marrying their daughters in, she wants Laila to have a son soon! Because that is the only way in which Laila can have a strong hold in her new house. Laila’s father is quick to remind her mother that sons don’t come with guarantees but nothing in the world can change the way Laila’s mother thinks. It is sad how she underestimates herself and her daughter. The way she constantly keeps on praising her daughter’s mother in law and her husband goes to show that she has no self-worth. Laila’s father on the other hand values his daughter the way she deserves to be valued but has very little say in the house.

Mansoor’s mother on the other hand knows her “value” only too well. Not only does she come from a wealthy background but she is after all the mother of an ideal son who in her eyes is perfect in every way. The way these two women look at their children defines the kind of individuals their children have grown up to be. While Laila thinks she has to prove herself at every step, Mansoor does not feel the need to do so. Laila is still trying very hard to understand her husband and rightly so too. Alishba Yusef is outstanding as Laila; she portrays Laila’s sensitivity and simplicity perfectly.

My opinion about Mansoor went even more downhill after watching tonight’s episode. He does treat women like objects – meant to fulfill his needs and desires. The way he treated Laila and everything that Kukoo said about Mansoor went to show that he would never put anyone or anything above his own feelings. Mansoor is a charmer in his own weird way and he knows it only too well. He only lets Kukoo go after their chance meeting because he knows that she still loves him and he can have her back anytime he wants. The chance meeting of Mansoor and Kukoo was really well done. Iffat Omer owns her character completely and Sohail Sameer manages to pull it off although he does not have all that it takes to play this character. He manages to convince you that he indeed is a charmer, which in my opinion is grand!

When Kukoo packed her bags and left, I thought she was finally going to leave Khurram but later on when she came back and asked him those questions I couldn’t help but relate to her desire of being loved by a real man! Khurram, in my opinion is a sorry excuse of a man. Did Kukoo fall out of love with Khurram only after Mansoor came into her life? Well her conversation with Mrs. Khan surely suggested just that.

I love this show till now; watching it is like reading a beautiful novel. The credit for that goes to the writer and the director both. The way we are being shown every little detail in beyond brilliant. There is nothing overdramatic about the play but you can’t help but relate to and understand the characters. Tonight’s episode was beautifully directed, like always. The scene in which Laila talks to her parents on the phone was very touching and brilliantly done in all aspects. The only problem was that when Laila comes out in the balcony with a towel tied around her head, it was a little too obvious that her hair was already dried plus the viewers “got the message” any way! I loved the way different tracks in the story were handled especially in this episode.

Do share your thoughts about this latest episode even if you disagree with how I feel about it.

 Fatima Awan

Kayee rishtey koriyu ke mol bikay tu yeh chat mere haath ayee jahan mein sans le sakti hun, jee sakti hun! After watching this episode I am even more sure now that this time around Laila is not going to let anyone stand in her way. She has found her pehchan; she may feel sorry for Mansoor because like Mrs. Khan she may not like him, she might not have forgiven him but she feels sorry for him! Mrs. Khan calls the strange bond which she has with her husband “love” although it is anything but that! She does not like him but she loves him! Which in my opinion means that she is so used to having this man in her life now that she is not sure how life will be without him. Mansoor’s apology seemed fake; he realized that it was his wedding anniversary only after his friend called him. I think he wants Laila back in his life so that he can control her. And I also think that the writer added this twist in the story at this point because she probably wants the viewers to keep on guessing if Laila will forgive Mansoor or not. I am sure that Laila will make up her mind in the next episode because until now the writer has not stretched anything about the story only to gain the attention of the viewers. It was rather ironic the way Mrs. Khan reacted when Laila told her that Mansoor visited.

Laila does not see the world with other people’s eyes now and she does not care about what others want. This is the reason why she forgives her mother so easily; she has no expectations from anyone but on the contrary she wants to “rescue” her mother. Laila’s mother does not show an ounce of concern let alone love for her daughter; I am disliking her character more with every passing episode. Laila’s dialogue ” mujhe Mansoor ka nahi khud apna dur hai, mein buhat bekhof ho gaye hun…apni bahadri ka dur hai bus!” clearly showed that she may get tired every now and then but she is confident enough to make her own decisions now. It has been exactly a year since Laila finally gave up on her husband completely and she has surely come a long way since then

I thought I would never say this but I am definitely warming up to Saadi. He is nothing like the typical male characters we see on our screens all the time. The scene between Laila and Saadi when he brings Laila the candle stand was very cute. The romantic lines were delivered in such a manner that they did not sound very cheesy and I actually thought Laila was being very honest when she called Saadi “dheet”!

Some of the conversations in the first half of this episode sounded repetitive like the one about Mansoor’s pehchan and ego. The conversation between Laila and Mrs. Khan about vegetables and humans did not really strike a chord with me. Maybe because there were many heavy-duty dialogues in tonight’s episode therefore some of them seemed forced. The light-hearted moments between Laila and Saadi were a breath of fresh air.

Do share your thoughts about tonight’s episode.

Fatima Awan

“Hur roz mujhe yeh lagta hai ke bus jo hona tha ho chuka, saari azmaishein khatam ho gaye, ab honey ko reh hi kya gaya hai magar hur roz aik naye jung aik naya mahaz…kub meri himat jawab de jaye gi, kub mei is meidan-e-jung mei maari jaun gi, ya mei yun hi lrti rahu gi!” The path that Laila has chosen is most certainly not an easy one, the hurt that she feels at every single step when her mother makes things even more difficult for her is being portrayed brilliantly by Alishba Yusef. Laila does not blame her mother for a second because despite of everything that she has put Laila through, she understands her majburis. The way Laila kept on hoping that her mother will at some point share her happy moments if not do anything to support her was shown superbly. Even after Laila leaves her mother’s house because she knows that she is not welcome there any more, she is ecstatic to see her mother when she comes to meet her at Kukoo’s salon. Laila does not even react when her mother asks her to give up her share of the property because that is what the man of the house wants. Even when her mother hands over the baby’s toys to her, as if saying that Laila should never come back to her parents house again, Laila does not judge her. Laila is beyond all these things now; she does not want to rely on her brother or husband’s money, she wants to make her own jannat with her own efforts. Laila is ready to make space for new relations but she also knows that leaving her mother and Bhaiya behind is not going to be easy. There are memories attached to these people and Laila clearly loves both of them that is why she is so willing to forgive them! Laila’s call to her mother after she gets her apartment was one of the many scenes in tonight’s episode that went to show that Khalid Ahmed and Bee Gul both believe in showing and not telling. Laila’s mother answers the phone only in the hope that her daughter may have changed her mind and when she finds out that Laila has something completely different to share with her, she hangs up instantly. Kukoo explained the reason behind Laila’s mother’s attitude brilliantly, she has to pay this price….make this sacrifice to continue being the queen of her house.

Laila is a POW now, just like her father said, ” POW bun jana zulm na sehna”. Things would have been entirely different for Laila had her father been alive. Laila has the convenient option of going to her husband’s mahal because after all she is expected to do just that. Like her mother says, ” mard mei jitne bhi aaib hun, aurat apni aulad aur aram ke liye guzara kr leti hai”… this is SO true! Our society is filled with women who put up with the worst only because of their children or because they have a roof on their head and get free meals. Laila has taken a path less travelled and therefore her experiences are going to be very different from that of her mother’s, Mrs. Khan’s and other women like them but she is ready to face those challenges. This play also goes to show that sometimes people who are not related to you support you more than your close relatives. Kukoo and Mrs. Khan have always been there for Laila and so has Saadi. Laila has only been able to come this far because she had support from all these friends. The conversation between the three friends about Mansoor and Kukoo’s statement about Mansoor that there was no room for improvement in his life was just what the doctor ordered. A man like him certainly deserves to be pitied. The scene on the dinner table when Laila asks Kukoo is she was waiting for someone and she replies, “nahi ab mujhe kisi ka intizar nahi” was brilliant.

Mansoor’s mother is already looking for a new wife for him, we saw her raving about her son’s wealth and thanda mizaj while Mansoor shouted in the background! The list of khoobiyan she wanted in her bahu was never-ending. Mansoor, on the other hand still has a very bruised ego which will not be satisfied until Laila comes pleading to him. The fact that Kukoo and Laila both can do without him now is eating him up. Laila is warming up to Saadi and this time she does not decline when Saadi puts the ring on her finger. Laila shared with Saadi how she used to be there for her brother when he was a baby. I must say that I found it hard to relate to the story because if Laila used to take care of her baby brother like that she must be at least 9 or 10 years older than him but she just got married and her brother is already married. Laila must be in her early twenties so that means her brother should be a teenager then…correct me if I am wrong.

I really felt for poor Alishba tonight; Saadi could not take his hands out of his pockets because it was that cold and Alishba was wearing a chiffon saree. Another thing which is a little too odd is that Laila has absolutely no help just like Kukoo, not even someone to clean up the tables etc. Other than that, this episode and the drama in general is picture perfect. Every episode is full of meaningful dialogues and scenes that leave you speechless. Every little gesture suggests something or the other. Pehchan is keeping me glued to my seat because every scene has something significant to offer. In my opinion this episode belonged to Laila – Alishba Yusef. She was the perfect choice for playing this character. The wonderful thing about this drama is that you are able to connect to all the three women in the play. Kukoo has clearly moved on but will Mrs. Khan find her own pehchan too?

Fatima Awan

Mansoor gave his “verdict” on Laila’s character in tonight’s episode when Laila’s mother called him in the hope that he will be willing to patch things up with Laila. Mansoor thinks that a woman who leaves with her daughter for her mother’s house in the middle of the night is a “hooker” but what do you call a man who goes alone to meet his lover in the middle of the night? The double standards regarding men and women that exist in our society were highlighted in tonight’s episode more than ever. Laila’s brother may not have been there for her when she needed him the most but he still feels that he has the right to tell Laila how to live her life. Laila is made to feel like she is the protector of her family’s dignity and in order to keep her family’s dignity intact she must sacrifice her own self-respect and happiness. Laila’s mother does not give her daughter an ounce of respect. I don’t agree with the way Laila’s mother is handling the situation, she is only making things worse for her daughter but I can definitely relate to her character. Our society in general has this attitude towards women; people love to label them and they love to judge them maybe because they are easy victims. And women who go out in search of their own pehchan face the same difficulties which Laila is facing. The dialogue about the kind of relationship which Laila shared with her brother when they were younger was very poignant .. (Zolpidem) ” lekin bhaiya phir aik din bara ho gaya “ !! And then he realized that he was a man, which made him far more superior than his sister and that changed everything!

Laila’s mother thinks that a muraba or some spiritual healing might give Laila the patience she needs in order to put up with the problems of shadi shuda zindagi which are generally considered normal because every woman at some point goes through everything that Laila has been through and is expected to put up with. Now the question is that if something wrong is very widely accepted in the society, does that make it right? When Laila’s mother said “insan sub kuch bardasht kr leta hai”, I found it ironic because what she actually meant was that a woman is capable of enduring anything at all! Dialogues like “mard ka ego hota hai” clearly meant that women don’t have an ego or self-respect because only one person in a marriage can keep their self-esteem intact! After all ego hota hai, hoti nahi hai!!

Laila thinks about the time she spent with Mansoor, starting with the day she got married to the day when Mansoor handed her the phone asking her to talk to his girlfriend. She also thinks about the conversations she used to have with her father and her father’s words reinforce the idea that she too deserves to be happy. She does not need to go through all the pain which Mansoor put her through only because her mother, family and the society expect just that from her.

Kukoo seemed to be doing well without Khurram except for the candlelight dinner scene in which it looked like she was finding it hard to combat loneliness. Kukoo has however learned her lesson well and she also wants Laila to know what is good for her without enduring the kind of pain which Laila had to endure. Kukoo accepts that she wouldn’t want Laila to make the same mistakes she made…“aik mard se jaan churanay ke liye dusre ka khanda mat dhoondo, talash krna hai tu apne aap ko karo…mujh se hi kuch seekh lo”. The relationship between Mrs. Khan, Kukoo and Laila has to be one of the most beautiful aspects of this play. We don’t get to see women looking out for each other in Pakistani dramas the way these three do.

Tonight’s episode was more of an extension of the last one; it focused on the repercussions of Laila’s decision. Laila has her mind made up and she is not willing to give her relationship with Mansoor another chance. Kukoo has moved on as well. Will Laila be able to stay strong considering how much opposition she has to face? Will she find her own pehchan or will she have no choice but to rely on another man? Bee Gul’s script is powerful; many writers might not even venture into writing something that maybe seen as a “threat” to the status quo that exists in our society! Khalid Ahmed’s direction has been superb throughout; the play has a very artistic feel to it. All the actors have done a commendable job but Iffat Rahim and Sohail Sameer in particular have totally won me over. I actually missed watching Mansoor on screen tonight.

Do share your thoughts about tonight’s episode.

Fatima Awan

“Tum bachi nahi ho, shadi shuda ho, aik beti ki maa ho…stop dreaming!”  I love the way this drama gives its viewers a chance to rethink all the clichés and double-standards that exist in our society. Once a girl gets married, she is supposed to dedicate her life to making her marriage work, nothing else in the world matters. The second a girl gets married she should stop dreaming because that is the start of practical life; stop dreaming about being happy…Is that really fair or right? Bee Gul’s script forces you to question all the preconceived notions about married men, women and marriage in general. Is marriage just a social obligation or more than that? Is a woman only a wife and a mother after marriage or does she have a pehchan of her own too? And if a woman loses her pehchan as an individual after marriage why doesn’t the same hold true for the man as well? Why does the society expect the woman to deliver and the man is not questioned because as long as he provides for his wife and kids he can get away with everything. Pehchan rejects all the stereotypes which we have been seeing in our dramas for a very long time now. It is refreshing in its own unique way. Laila has stopped looking for excuses for Mansoor’s less than attentive behavior, she knows that there is no point in hoping that one day things will change for good and she most certainly is done with putting up a show for her mother.

“Jis rastay pe tum chal rahi ho, us rastay pe chalnay wali aurat ko hamare masharay mei jis naam se pukara jata hai, janti ho?…..Buhat achi tarah janti hun, magar ap jaise mard ko kis naam se pukara jaye yeh nahi janti!!”…so true and so ironic! They are so many names for women who cheat on their husbands, who fail as wives because our society loves to label and judge women but what do you call a husband who cheats on his wife and who fails to make her happy? Although this episode like all the previous ones was loaded with powerful dialogues that cast a spell on you; the sort of conversations that stay with you long after you have heard them but my favorite scene in tonight’s episode was the final confrontation between Mansoor and Laila. Laila may think that it is her financial independence that has given her the courage to stand up to Mansoor but something tells me that it is not just that. There are many financially independent women like Kukoo who think they are incomplete without a man but Laila knows that she has an identity of her own, which she can only safeguard if she goes away from Mansoor. Laila also knows that she gave this relationship her best but Mansoor failed as a husband; he failed to give her the love she deserved. Laila would have happily let her husband be her new pehchan had he given her enough love to earn that status. Men do not get respect, love and everything else that comes with a marriage simply by entering into nikkah with women, they also need to work hard to earn all that. Mansoor warns Laila again and again that without his pannah Laila is vulnerable and weak but Laila knows better. Sohail Sameer has outdone himself as Mansoor, he has been brilliant throughout the play. Whoever selected him for this role deserves special appreciation.

“Tum buhat masboot ho Kukoo, tum ne mujh jaise admi ka bhoj saha hai…Mansoor Jaise admi ka stress saha hai!” Khurram and Kukoo both failed each other and they decided to be honest about it when they parted ways. Khurram explained his relationship with Kukoo brilliantly. He was always like a spoiled child and Kukoo like his mother, maybe that is the reason why he never wanted a child of his own! A child does not know that he has duties too but he only expects the mother to be there for him whenever he needs her. Similarly Khurram forgot that this marriage was a two way road, he did not realize that one day Kukoo may get very tired of all this and turn to someone else for the kind of love Khurram never gave her. Khurram always got what he wanted from his relationship from Kukoo but he never gave much consideration to Kukoo’s wishes. He never even tried to understand her. He knew what she wanted but his own happiness was much more important to him. Khurram is not perfect in any way at all but at least he was man enough to admit his mistakes and he forgave his wife for what she did. Mansoor on the other hand still thinks that he did nothing wrong. Kukoo felt liberated after Khurram left, it looked like she was eager to move on.

Kukoo and Laila both have an opportunity to start afresh; how are they going to make use of this opportunity, remains to be seen. Will they be able to find their pehchan without a man? Will Laila be able to stick to her decision? I can’t wait to find out. Pehchan has been a masterpiece till now, it is refreshing, enlightening and very well executed. Bee Gul and Khalid Ahmed make a superb team, I hope we will be seeing more plays from them in the future too.

Do share your thoughts about yet another impressive episode of Pehchan.

Fatima Awan

Pehchan is storytelling at its best. Khalid Ahmad deserves heaps of appreciation for giving us innumerable scenes that convey so much even when they don’t involve a single dialogue. Khalid Ahmad obviously believes in innovation; that is something that shows in the locations and also in the way the characters convey their emotions. You know what these characters are thinking or feeling long before they utter a single word. The clarity with which Khalid Ahmed has translated Bee Gul’s equally impressive script on-screen is truly commendable.

Tonight’s episode opened with a very worried Kukoo sharing with Mrs. Khan how she felt about Khurram’s present state. Later on when Kukoo gets the call from the hospital I felt as if she was crying because she was relieved and scared at the same time; relieved because she still had a man in her life but scared/terrified of falling into the same rut again with Khurram. Did she have the courage and patience to continue leading the fake life which she had been living with Khurram for so long? She obviously didn’t. I also felt like Kukoo was ready to let go of Khurram, as if she had said her final goodbyes and in her heart she was ready to move on. When Khurram went on and on about Kukoo’s loyalty towards him she could not stop herself. She finally came out with the ugly truth because she felt guilty every time Khurram presented a perfect picture of her. I absolutely adore Laila’s character now and the way it has developed in the past few episodes. There was a time when I thought Kukoo will be another strong woman who will never know her worth but now it seems like she is gradually getting there. Even if she does not find her way, I will be quite content because she is not relying on these men now the way she was before. She is not scared of losing either Khurram or Mansoor.

When Laila is getting ready to go out with Saadi, she thinks twice before putting on the lipstick and then she decides not to put it on. Later on she tells Saadi she is married and has a baby, as if she is reminding her own self that. The guilt pangs never leave Laila too, she does not want to do all this but she also does not want to do anything that will make Mansoor happy. Most of all she wants Mansoor to know that he doesn’t own her, at least not any more! Mansoor is a lost soul. He does not know what to do about his bruised ego, he tries threatening Laila but nothing can make Laila change her mind now. He gives Kukoo a desperate phone call; a man who needs saving himself pretends that these women cannot do without him but he is not in control any more. Not being in control is something Mansoor cannot handle.

Laila’s conversation with Saadi about her life, when she says that she has everything and apparently nothing is wrong but something just isn’t right either was simply beautiful. It was probably one of those very few conversations which many women probably have with themselves every now and then and most of them probably convince themselves that there really isn’t anything to worry about but like Saadi rightly points out that Laila is unhappy which is something that just cannot be brushed under the carpet.

Another conversation which was one of my favorites in tonight’s episode was the one in which Kukoo talked to Mrs. Khan about Laila not being able to realize her own self worth and relying on mard ka sahara! That was an amazing conversation which went to show how easy it is for someone to judge others but it is so difficult to see your own life in the same manner.

Tonight’s episode had quite a few scenes that left me in awe of Khalid Ahmad’s direction but the one scene which was my most favorite was when Khurram cries on the shoulder of that kid….very very well done indeed! Khurram doesn’t say much but he is heart broken. The preview of the next episode showed that Laila and Kukoo both will be on their own very soon.

The Voice Of America headlines in the middle of the drama came out of nowhere without a proper commercial break, I was left wondering if it was a mistake or was it done on purpose.

I can’t praise all the actors enough for performances that completely blow you away. Iffat Omer has completely won me over and Sohail Sameer has truly outdone himself. The meaningful dialogues leave an impact on you that lasts long after you’re done watching the episode. Really looking forward to finding out how the story unfolds in the upcoming episodes.

Do share your thoughts about tonight’s episode.

Fatima Awan

Hamei kya bura tha mrna agr aik baar hota! This was Laila’s state of mind when she walked towards her house. Every time she goes home to Mansoor she feels dead because no matter how hard she tries to strengthen her bond with Mansoor she knows that there is no real connection between them. She also knows that things between them can only change if there is a genuine effort from both sides. On the contrary she feels more alive when she is with Saadi and she misses him when he is not around. At this point Saadi may not be anything more than a friend from the past who brings with him beautiful memories or someone who gives Laila the kind of attention which every woman her age wants. Laila’s marital life has been a nightmare come true right from day one. Mansoor has never been the kind of husband Laila deserved, the poor girl has not seen one happy day in her life. Just like I predicted Kukoo gave the present Mansoor brought for her to Laila and at the perfect time too. Laila needed to know that Mansoor was not worth giving a second chance. Kukoo getting the locks changed was the perfect start to the episode which went to show that Kukoo isn’t having a change of heart anytime soon.

The dialogue about Mazloom mard who has an annoying wife but he is compromising because of his children was so very true! Most of the men have this exact explanation for having extra marital affairs. They are convinced that they deserved better therefore they go out looking for someone who they truly deserve to be with – someone they can have an affair with but not get married to because they have to stay married to their children’s mother! Most of these mazloom mard are like Mansoor, only their wives truly know who is at fault. They never put in the effort which is needed to make a marriage work but are never willing to take the blame when things fall apart.

Laila takes Kukoo’s advice and she decides to give herself a second chance. I thoroughly enjoyed Mansoor’s helplessness and Laila’s damn care attitude when she walked out of the door. She did not think that she owed Mansoor an explanation and she needed a break from her married life, I just wish that this break did not involve another man! I strongly believe that what goes around comes around but I also believe that two wrongs do not make a right! If Laila wants to end her relationship with Mansoor, she should go ahead and do that. Laila is of course still confused, she still thinks about the early days of her marriage and forgets that she has a dinner date with Saadi. She is trying very hard to be strong but her marriage has been a very painful experience for her which is not going to be easy to forget. Mansoor broke Laila’s trust over and over again but even then ending this marriage isn’t as easy as it would seem.

Laila for the first time does not sugar coat things when her mother asks her why she didn’t go out for dinner with Mansoor but she still does not have the courage to tell her mother that she is tired of making her relationship with Mansoor work. The reason for that could be that she knows only too well that her mother will never understand. The dialogue about Naani getting the responsibility to take care of her grandchild was so true and Laila’s response was spot on too.

Khurram’s heart attack was actually a good news and I was hoping that he would finally be out of Kukoo’s life now but we see Kukoo baby-sitting Khurram in the next episode – so not looking forward to that! I love the bond that Kukoo, Laila and Mrs. Khan share; they laugh and they cry together and most of all they are always there for each other. We have hardly seen girl friends having this kind of a relationship in any other Pakistani play, it is definitely very refreshing.

The whole conversation about mard ki izzat and aurat ki izzat was music to my ears. Women are always expected to uphold a man’s honor but there is no such responsibility on the shoulders of men.

This episode was picture perfect in every way, just what the doctor ordered! I still can’t seem to like Saadi though. His “words of wisdom” are annoying because those dialogues just don’t sound right coming from someone like him. Overall, this episode was great. I thoroughly enjoyed all the conversation today; they were deep, meaningful and engaging. A big thanks to Bee Gul in particular for a very though provoking script. Really looking forward to the next installment.

Fatima Awan

Mansoor should take his mother’s advice and start valuing things that really matter in life before he loses more than he already has. Tonight’s episode had some very deep and meaningful dialogues to its credit. I must admit though that Saadi’s character has been a complete disappointment. The character is etched-out well but the actor playing the role has failed to do justice to his character. Saadi should have been charismatic but unfortunately that is not the case. Alishba Yusef and the actor playing Saadi’s character have absolutely no on-screen chemistry, this is also the reason why their “connection” with each other seems forced.

While Laila was willing to give Mansoor another chance, Kukoo reminds her that she does not even know the man she is about to give a second chance. Kukoo’s dialogue about Laila and her being the same was so true. They are the same for Mansoor because he has used them both in ways that suited him. Kukoo was the perfect mistress for Mansoor but she didn’t fit in the criteria which the society and men like Mansoor have for a wife. Laila was the perfect wife material because she was young and submissive and most importantly because she was his mother’s choice. Mansoor only apologized to Laila because he wanted things back the way they were but this time around Laila wasn’t willing to go the extra mile to make this relationship work. Mansoor is not interested in Laila full stop! Laila is no longer in denial and therefore she is not willing to give Mansoor benefit of the doubt. Laila’s comment about Mansoor’s friend bringing his phone at night went to show that she is not being fooled at all. It is quite apparent by now that Mansoor wants to look good in front of his own mother and he wants Laila’s mother to have a good opinion about him too. Laila is wise enough to know that and therefore indirectly she threatened Mansoor by mentioning the phone incident.

I wasn’t expecting Mansoor to change therefore whatever happened in tonight’s episode did not come as a surprise at all. I think what Mansoor did tonight will prove to be the final nail in the coffin. This could be Laila’s ticket out of this dysfunctional marriage. Kukoo’s reaction to Mansoor’s advances was an absolute pleasure to watch. Mansoor wants to be in control of Laila and Kukoo’s life and he is finding it very difficult to accept the fact that both of them have moved on. Mansoor may think that Kukoo and Laila are ganging up against him but in reality both these women are doing what is good for themselves.

I am waiting to find out if Laila’s mother will realize at some point that a woman needs much more than a handsome husband who earns well. Will she ever be able to see that this man is incapable of making her daughter happy? Or will Laila just stop caring about what her mother expects from her and she will make a decision that will make her happy? With the exception of “Saadi” all the other actors are doing a commendable job. Every actor in this play is probably playing one of the most memorable roles of their career.

Fatima Awan

Laila has come to that stage in life where she has nothing to lose; this shows in her attitude towards life and towards her marriage as well. She gave Mansoor her best and does not wish to invest in her relationship with him any more. Gone are the days when Mansoor had both the women in his life doing exactly what he wanted them to. Although, it seems like Laila may just forgive Mansoor and give him a second chance, Kukoo has clearly move on. She has realized that Mansoor’s presence in her life was nothing more than “crap”. I must say though that I was actually disappointed to see Kukoo flirting with her client and she obviously has another “friend” to keep her occupied. Mansoor has been replaced by another man, I wish she had learned some other important lessons from her relationship with Mansoor like you don’t always need a man to make you happy! Having said that, I must admit that Kukoo’s characterization is not far from reality; women like Kukoo keep on looking for that one man who will fill the void in their lives which is there due to loneliness. Mrs. Khan is finding it very hard to relate to this new side of Kukoo. She obviously enjoyed sharing all her woes with her, Kukoo is too preoccupied now and too happy to be bothered with all that.

Who is Saadi? An old friend I suppose. Laila was pleasantly surprised to see him, she enjoys his company and he obviously has feelings for her. Laila confesses to him in a weak moment that she is tired of everything but she does not allow him to console her. Laila never had feelings for Mansoor but she always felt obligated to make her marriage work mostly because of her mother. Although, she keeps on saying that she is done with making people happy and wants to do something for herself now but the fact is that she still feels that she needs to make her mother happy. It is only human to want more from life and from relationships than financial stability therefore I find Laila’s state of mind very relatable. Her mother keeps on reminding her that she needs to give her house and her husband more time and Laila keeps on wishing that one day she can make her mother understand her situation.

While talking to Kukoo, Laila says that her daughter looks exactly like Mansoor but when Saadi sees her daughter for the first time they are both quite sure that she looks exactly like Laila! I found it really odd when Laila got up and left without carrying her daughter’s cot with her after that conversation.

Mansoor knows only too well that he cannot pressurize Laila into having his way this time around so he decides to apologize at the end of the episode. The preview of the next episode suggested that Laila decides to give her marriage another chance even though Kukoo tells her that Mansoor isn’t worth it at all. I found Mansoor’s conversation with Shah Zamir very interesting, it was one of the best scenes of tonight’s episode. It was like a reminder to Mansoor about how lightly he had taken his marriage and how he had refused to change anything about his life after Laila entered it. The mystery regarding Mansoor and Laila’s daughter’s name was finally solved in tonight’s episode; the child does not have a name after all!

I must say that after watching the last episode I had huge expectations from this one but I am not sure how I feel about the latest developments. I am waiting to find out of course how the story progresses in the next episode. Do share your thoughts about this latest installment.

Fatima Awan

What a sad turn of events! The only person in the world who truly understood Laila and who gave her the strength to survive in her difficult circumstances is gone for good. And what is even more sad is that this happened when Laila finally decided to open up to her father. Laila had made up her mind about her future and her father was going to be the pillar of support for her like always but it was not meant to be. I must say that the relationship between Laila and her father had to be the sweetest thing about this play. I enjoyed their meaningful conversation, the way her father felt things which Laila never had the courage to say and most of all the fact that Laila’s father was like oxygen in her life. Whenever she felt suffocated, she used to turn to him to unwind and get herself charged again. Qazi Wajid stole the show right from the get-go as the caring and nurturing father. The chemistry between Alishba Yusef and Qazi Wajid coupled with the intelligent way in which the relationship between the two was established by the writer gave us an unforgettable father-daughter relationship to watch on screen after a very long time.

There is nothing new about the story of this play but the treatment is brand new. Laila’s reaction when she finds out about Mansoor’s extra marital affair was definitely not what we usually see on screen. Laila, it seemed, was already prepared to deal with the situation or maybe she had been through so much in the past few months that nothing surprised her anymore. The events in tonight’s episode reinforced my guess that Laila already knew about Kukoo and Mansoor so when the “secret” came out in the open she was prepared to move on in her own way.

What was even more interesting and unusual was that Laila actually turned to Kukoo for helping her establish her business. It is amazing that even though these women are linked together in the most bizarre way but they understand each other so well. For once these two women do not blame each other but they blame the man involved. I love the change in Laila’s character; the character development has been very convincing indeed. Laila is done with pleasing everyone, she has decided to take her father’s advice and do what makes her happy.

Mansoor’s character is very well etched out too. His explanations for not marrying Kukoo and the way he justifies his behavior towards Laila is another interesting and convincing part of the show. Sohail Sameer has outdone himself in this role. Mansoor is losing control on Laila fast and he is not sure what to do about it.

This episode was picture perfect like always. The only thing that bugged me was that everyone kept on referring to Laila and Mansoor’s daughter as “bachi” “choti” etc…doesn’t the child have a name?

The most outstanding aspect of this play is that the script is very coherent and well articulated. The director has a firm grip on the screenplay and the details. The actors are doing a brilliant job, the credit for which goes to the director and the writer too. When you have an outstanding script and director to work with then you can’t help but give it your best.

Pehchan is turning out to be even better than I had hoped it would be. The meaningful conversations and the story is getting better with every passing episode. This drama is extraordinary and unconventional. This drama is about strong women who we don’t get to see on our screens any more. It shows that a woman does not need a man to save her. A woman’s “pehchan” is not the man she marries. I have very high hopes from Pehchan now and I am quite sure I won’t be led down. A Big thank you to the producers Seema Razi and Raziuddin Ahmad for investing in something different.

Do share your thoughts about this latest installment.

Fatima Awan

Bee Gul, the writer of Talkhiyan and Khalid Ahmad, the director are back with Pehchan. Talkhiyan was anything but conventional so I expected Pehchan to be just that too and the first episode proved me right. Pehchan is bound to be dark and depressing just like Talkhiyan was but I expect it to deliver because Talkhiyan managed to engage me completely despite of its gloomy outlook and story. The drama has been produced by Seema Razi and Raziuddin Ahmed. Bee Gul is also the Associate Director of the play.

This first episode introduced the viewers to the characters in a very creative manner that demanded the viewers’ complete attention. We are going to be taken from the present to the past just the way we were in Talkhiyaan. Every character is narrating their own story this time around and a third person is not doing it for them. Pehchan is the story of Cuckoo (Iffat Rahim) who is a strong and independent woman on the outside but deep inside she is very weak and vulnerable. Cuckoo has a flourishing business but that does not compensate for the loneliness she feels inside because her husband is immature and irresponsible. Cuckoo is everything that her husband wished for and more but Cuckoo is tired of earning for him. She wants a normal married life and more than anything else she yearns to be a mother.

Mansoor Ahmed (Sohail Sameer) enters Cuckoo’s life at a time when she is emotionally vulnerable, he lifts her up and gives her the kind of love and attention which every woman wants. What Mansoor and Cuckoo have is very special but we don’t know yet why Mansoor is getting married to someone else. Was it Cuckoo who could not get a divorce from her husband? or did Mansoor back out at the last minute? Cuckoo cuts her wrist in the most unconventional manner on the day of Mansoor’s wedding. Cuckoo is a very strong woman but she is terrified of being left alone, that was probably the reason why she put up with a loser husband for all these years. Cuckoo’s work is like an escape for her, she fears that if she has enough time to sit down and think about her life she will not be able to cope. The opening scene was very intense; I am sure many viewers like me had no idea what they were going to see next.

Mrs. Khan is Cuckoo’s regular client who is always asking Cuckoo to make her look like celebrities her husband likes. Cuckoo keeps on reassuring her that she is beautiful but Mrs. Khan needs that assurance from her husband more than anyone else. In tonight’s episode when these two women meet, they know that something about both of them is not the same. There are many things weighing on Cuckoo’s mind and maybe there was a lot on Mrs. Khan’s mind as well.

The actor playing Cuckoo’s husband (Fawad Khan) could have done much better. He did not look younger than Cuckoo at all; I understand that the character is meant to be unorthodox but I felt that it would have been much better if we could see why Cuckoo married this man in the first place. I guess when you are lonely you end up making some very foolish decisions.

This first episode was on the slow side but by the time it ended I wanted to know more about the characters. I love the OST already. Erum Nafees has done complete justice to Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry. The music director Arshad Mahmood, has done a superb job with the composition; the song is melodious and impactful. The styling and make up was very impressive and it seemed like the director took some time out to find the kind of locations which we don’t usually see in dramas. I am waiting to see Alishba’s character in the next episode.

Did you watch this first episode? Do share your views about it.

Fatima Awan