This episode showed more of Sitara’s majburis and quite contrary to my expectations Sitara still is no match for people who are so willing to use her. Sitara did not sugarcoat the reasons for coming back to Khawaja because there is nothing sweet about the relationship these two people have. Their relationship is based on the concept of give and take. Khawaja has the money Sitara needs in order to keep her family happy and Sitara has looks to entice people who Khawaja wants to impress. In this episode Sitara’s dream died down completely. Unlike the last episode in which Sitara was still hopeful that her dream of becoming a star might come true, in this episode she was willing to do everything Khawaja wanted her to do in return for money and also if he entered into a nikkah with her. Sitara has obviously forgotten her past experience; a nikkah can be broken in seconds! This episode ended with Khawaja talking to someone on the phone – someone who could most likely be a replacement for Sitara!

Sitara’s mother gladly accepted the gifts given by her without asking what price she paid for them but she made it very clear that Sitara could not attend the wedding. The scene in which Sitara had to watch her sister get married from a distance was very emotional. For some reason Sitara cannot let go of her family. She knows exactly how they feel about her yet she continues to support them and somehow needs their approval. Sitara’s meeting with Farhad was like a desperate attempt to talk to someone who respected her and loved her since there isn’t anyone else in her life now who would give her love or respect. This scene was the highlight of tonight’s episode. It went to show that the Farhad Sitara once knew was gone forever.

Naseem Dil Ruba’s track got some screen time as well in tonight’s episode. This scene showed that Naseem was losing her position in the industry and Jamal was now in a position to reject her proposal. I am waiting to see the downfall of Naseem Dil Ruba.

Saba Qamar looked pretty as usual in tonight’s episode and just like every other week she completely stole the show. The actresses playing Sitara’s mother and sister are newcomers but they are playing their respective roles really well. This episode was slow and somewhat repetitive, definitely not one of the best episodes of Mein Sitara. Nothing exciting happened in tonight’s episode but what we saw was a shift in Sitara’s character; she no longer dreams to be a star but is looking for other ways to ‘secure’ her future. Time and circumstances have completely changed the perspective of a girl who once believed in dreaming big! Sitara is much more practical and ready to be used today than she was before.  The nikkah did not take place in this episode but the preview of the next episode suggested that it will take place. The preview of the next episode did not give away much, it only suggested that Sitara’s troubles are far from over.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.

This episode of Mein Sitara definitely gave me something to look forward to but it wasn’t as impressive as I was expecting it to be. So far every episode of this drama has been very convincing and entertaining but this particular episode was slightly disappointing. Saba Qamar was exceptional in tonight’s episode and Sitara’s love and sincerity towards Jharna and Farhad has definitely been shown in a really good manner but for the first time Jharna’s character annoyed me. Jharna is a confident and intelligent woman, instead of sitting at home and getting jealous of every heroine Farhad works with, she should be out there working with him on the sets so that there is no room to be doubtful. It would have been nice if Jharna did not start doubting her husband just now and it would have been even better if she doubted Farhad based on what she saw or felt herself instead of listening to a helper share her own point of view on the relationship between Farhad and Sitara.

This episode opened with Sitara showing her talent on the sets once again – this time she was even more confident than before. Adnan Shah Tipu’s character is an interesting addition to the drama. He owned his role in this episode although he got very little screen time – I admire this man because of his talent and versatility. Right from day one the film is being shot on the same sets. Some outdoor shoots could have broken the monotony. We heard Farhad mentioning these shoots but they were not shown. I hope that the next song will be shot on either a new set or it will be shot outdoor because now it looks like they are making the whole film on one set. Sitara has finally opened up to Farhad and she clearly looks up to him because he is her mentor now. Farhad has also realized that he was very wrong about Sitara and gives her opinion and feelings more value.

I was eagerly waiting for the meeting between Sitara and her parents, I definitely expected this union to be a little more dramatic and emotional. It was surprising to see Sitara welcoming them with open arms. She felt sorry for them and wanted to help them out. Sitara forgave her parents instantly, which was not wrong but definitely not something I was expecting. The parents still don’t care about their daughter, they only want the money. Sitara knows that but even then she feels because she is in a much better position than them therefore she should help them. Although this whole situation was contrary to my expectations but it went to show that Sitara got so much love and acceptance in the house she was raised in that she was able to forgive them long before they came to visit. Sitara’s conversation with Farhad also showed that she did not expect them to visit her even now!

Jharna’s conversation with Sitara in which she apologizes to her for making her a part of the world of films went to show that her experience had taught her that this wasn’t really the perfect life. Like I said before Jharna’s insecurities are getting annoying now. For how long will she keep on doing this? The preview of the next episode suggested that Farhad is ‘fascinated’ by Sitara and Jharna wants her out of the picture. Also, Naseem Dil Ruba will create further misunderstandings between Jharna and Farhad. Jharna is a very gullible woman, she believes everything people say to her especially when it comes to heroines who are working with her husband. She does not trust Farhad but sadly she trusts everyone else.

The scene between Jamal and Naseem Dil Ruba was very interesting, I found the ‘dafa ho jao’ bit very amusing!!

This episode belonged to Saba Qamar (Sitara) yet again. Right now I am only interested in Sitara’s journey. Also, I am waiting to see how Sitara responds to Farhad’s ‘compliments’ in the next episode. How will she be able to continue working in the industry when Jharna wants to get her married? Even though Farhad’s interest in Sitara was quite apparent from the preview but even then I am hoping that there will be nothing like that between these two. Mein Sitara continues to be a very intriguing play, it definitely gives me something to look forward to every week.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Please share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

This episode belonged to Saba Qamar. She translated Sitara’s feelings brilliantly on screen. Sitara’s character has always been very powerful, the little girl with a big personality has grown into a young woman who believes in dreaming big.  Although there are many other important and primary characters in the story but right from the start the way Surraya (now Sitara) has grabbed the attention of the viewers goes to show that Mein Sitara has been written and directed brilliantly. Jharna’s character is very strong indeed and Aisha Gul has done complete justice to her role but gradually the focus of the story has shifted from Jharna and Farhad to Sitara. The developments in tonight’s episode were predictable mainly because the past 2 episodes focused on building up what was going to happen tonight.

Farhad chose Sitara as the heroine for his film chiefly because he wants to prove a point. Naseem Dil Ruba thought that she could bully Farhad into having her own way because she could never have guessed that Farhad would take such an extreme step. Her over confidence got the best of her and everything she did worked in favour of Sitara. Sitara went into shock when Farhad chose her as the heroine of his film. This scene was shot brilliantly; Sitara’s expressions, her body language and most importantly the flashback scenes went to show that she never ever even dared to dream this big. There was a time when she was rejected completely not by strangers but by her own family and now fate has put her in a situation where she can earn a big name for herself based on the same talent which was rejected and criticized over and over again.

Until the last episode Jharna and Farhad were on the opposite sides of the pole; Jharna wanted to prove that Sitara really was capable and Farhad did whatever he could to prove her wrong. Even though he realized Sitara had potential but he was bent on giving her a hard time. After tonight’s episode he will do whatever it takes to make her a star which will change everything for Sitara and perhaps for Jharna too. I must admit that I miss watching Jharna and Farhad’s scene in which they were shown sharing things with each other as husband and wife and not just business partners. It seems like Jharna and Farhad’s relationship has gone stale. There was a time when Jharna used to share her feelings with Farhad and he used to assure her that he loved her just as much as he did before but now things are different. Farhad is completely focusing on his film and till now Jharna was investing all her time and energy into finding out what was going on between Farhad and Naseem. Now that Naseem is out of the picture and Farhad is focusing on Sitara alone, I want to see how these dynamics change.

Sitara’s father’s reaction was not very surprising but his decision to go to Karachi definitely was not expected. I did not expect him to be this gutsy since he stole from these people but now that Sitara is the main heroine of Farhad’s film, his hands are tied therefore he might have to entertain these people.

There was a lot of shouting in tonight’s episode and rightly so too. Farhad shouted almost all through this episode which was justified. Mikaal Zulfiqar’s acting was effortless throughout. Saba Qamar acted brilliantly, she is a really good dancer too but Sitara’s loud make-up even when she was unwell and the missing duppata did not go well with the character since in the last episode we saw her making it clear that she was not going to compromise on her values. There is obviously going to be big change in her dressing and lifestyle now that she is one her way to stardom but in that particular scene in which she goes to give Farhad lunch the missing duppata did not make sense. This was obviously a minor glitch which can easily be ignored. Meera once again did complete justice to her role. Mein Sitara continues to be exciting and gives you something to look forward to.

The preview of the next episode showed Sitara’s parents turning up at Farhad’s door step. I am definitely looking forward to their meeting with Sitara. The preview also suggested that Farhad might start getting jealous of Sitara’s hero which means that he feels possessive about her! The next episode of Mein Sitara promises a lot of drama.

How many of you watched this latest episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it. If you missed it, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

This was yet another episode of Mein Sitara which kept me glued to my television screen right from the very first scene. There are rarely any stories or characters in dramas nowadays which give you very little to complain about. Most often there are times when the writers and directors rely on convenient ways to take the story forward which don’t always make sense. That is when the viewers start questioning the developments in the story and the intentions of the characters are also questioned. Well, I can safely say that after watching this drama for 7 weeks now I am very convinced that Mein Sitara will continue to have a solid story. The logical developments in the story and characters which are brilliantly etched-out make this drama not only entertaining but it makes all the characters and tracks easy to connect to. Tonight’s episode of Mein Sitara did not have a single unnecessary scene to its credit. Mein Sitara is also ‘unique’ because it is one of those few dramas which you must watch every week in order to grasp the story because every episode adds something tangible to the storyline.

This episode focused on Sitara’s first few days in the film industry and on the sets of her first film. The first scene was perfect; Sitara managed to regain her lost confidence only when she saw Jharna on the set, it would have been highly unbelievable if she gave an excellent performance without Jharna’s presence on the set since she was surrounded by people who were very eager to bring her down. Naseem only came to the set to make things more difficult for Sitara and to make sure that she was there to brainwash Farhad but Jharna’s presence there changed everything at least for Sitara. Unfortunately, the way Sitara conveyed everything to Jharna suggested that something was going on between Farhad and Naseem. Sitara is naive and she has no idea what repercussions the kind of feedback she gives can have for Jharna and Farhad’s married life. It was refreshing to watch Farhad Sethi’s ‘contained’ reaction because had he been blown away by Sitara instantly it would have not been the same. The scene in which Sitara remembers her childhood was another part of this episode which basically went to show that the director has done complete justice to this script. That scene one again showed the girl we all loved as Surraya when she was little and it also went to show how far she had come! Aisha Gul and Saba Qamar’s on screen chemistry coupled with the brilliant acting by both these actresses makes their scenes really special. Although Jharna keeps on reminding Surraya why she helped her become Sitara but it never seems like she is trying to belittle her or to make her more indebted to her.

Unlike many other dramas all the characters are given enough screen time in Mein Sitara and they are not ‘forgotten’! The fact that Sitara’s parents were shown yet again in this episode indicated that the writer and the director have a lot of surprises in store for us in the future too. In this particular case there was a very solid reason for not showing her parents again but watching them in the context in which they were shown suggested that at some point Sitara might have a confrontation with the parents who deserted her for money. This latest development definitely added something new and interesting to the story.

Naseem’s insecurities were highlighted in this episode but there was no mention of a secret which was another pleasant surprise. The only reason it seems Farhad is putting up with Naseem’s tantrums is that he believes that she is the only heroine who can make his films stand out. Mikaal Zulfiqar owns his character as Farhad. It is great to see him playing a different role and excelling in it. Naseem was given a lot of screen time in tonight’s episode probably because these latest developments will be the determining factor for Sitara’s future in the film industry. Meera has surprised me with her acting. She was the perfect choice for playing this role, she has done complete justice to her role. I am certain having her on the sets must have proved to be an interesting experience for her co stars as well:)  Jamal’s character is turning out to be an interesting one as well. As it turns out he isn’t very ‘loyal’ to Naseem and he is not going to help her create problems for Sitara. On the other hand we saw him giving Sitara advices which might in his opinion help her.

This episode ended with Farhad finding out that Sitara was eavesdropping while he and Naseem were talking in the make-up room. Although Farhad was terribly upset with Sitara by the end of the episode but the preview of the next episode suggests that things will work out between them.

Seema Taher Khan deserves tons of appreciation for not only directing this play  brilliantly but also for being bold enough to cast Meera in this drama since this is the first time that she is playing such an important role in a drama. And also because the viewers are not used to watching her on screen therefore there was no way to be sure how the viewers will react. I must thank the director, producer and the writer for not playing it safe, for not sticking to the ‘formula’ which is being widely used by everyone in the business to earn money. The fact that there are still some people in our drama industry who are not afraid of taking risks gives us hope that the viewers will always get to see some quality dramas even if they air every now and then!

Loved this episode of Mein Sitara and can’t wait to hear everyone’s views about it. Don’t forget to comment. If you missed this episode, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

Mein Sitara is the only drama right now which truly gives you something thoroughly entertaining to look forward to. It had made Thursday nights special. This episode was totally worth the wait, it had to be one of my most favorite episodes of Mein Sitara so far. Saba Qamar finally got a chance to show her acting and dancing skills to the fullest in this episode since this particular installment was all about Surraya’s first big step and she was beyond brilliant in ever single scene. The viewers have been waiting to see Jharna and Surraya to bond in the same way in which they saw them bonding when Surraya was little and this episode showed all that and so much more.

Every scene of this episode was picture perfect. The first big step of Surraya’s journey was covered in detail. The episode opened with Jharna convincing Farhad Sethi to give her a few days to groom Surraya. Farhad is very talented but so far we have seen him judging people on the basis of their background until he witnesses these actresses/dancers prove that they really are talented. Even when Jharna suggested that he should cast Naseem in his film, his first reaction was very similar to this one. He instantly rejected the proposal because Naseem was too ‘bazari’ for the role. In this episode too his sole concern was Surraya’s background, he wasn’t even willing to give her a chance but Jharna being the strong woman that she is managed to convince him.

I absolutely love the way Jharna’s relationship with Farhad has been shown. She loves him dearly, she will never do anything that would harm his career in any way but she is also practical. We found out today another reason why Farhad cannot completely sideline her; the house, all of the financial assets and even the business is in Jharna’s name. Aisha Gul has already proved that she was the perfect choice for playing this role; she has made me fall in love with her character over and over again. The person incharge for make-up and styling also deserves due credit for completely transforming all the actors and Aisha Gul in particular. Her look coupled with the perfect body language and expressions have brought this beautifully written character to life on screen in a superb way, I think she deserves an award for making Jharna a memorable character. The chemistry that was missing between Aisha Gul and Saba Qamar in the past 2 episodes was definitely there in tonight’s episode. Their scenes reminded of the scenes which we saw in the beginning few installments. Saba Qamar’s expressions when Farhad Sethi shouts at her and the expressions on her face whenever she is with Jharna spoke louder than any words she had to utter in those scenes. Sitara’s journey is not off to a smooth start but we all know that she will do anything for her baji. Her love and passion for acting and dancing is sure to take her places. I am waiting for the time when Farhad Sethi will be truly impressed by her. I am also very curious to find out if she will stay this loyal to her baji once she is exposed to the world of film.

Farhad Sethi’s adviser/assistant Saleem is another interesting character who might not have a big role to play in the story but the actor playing the role has most certainly made this character stand out. Saleem always gives Farhad honest advice and although he works with Farhad but he has more respect for Jharna. Naseem on the other hand is a bad influence. Although she tried her best to make sure Farhad does not cast Surraya but she obviously does not have the edge which Jharna has. I have said it before and it needs to be said again it is refreshing to watch Mikaal Zulfiqar in this role. His portrayal as Farhad Sethi makes you forget every other (typical) character he has played so far with the exception of Mansoor in Durr-e-Shahwar. He sports a brand new look and is completely into his character.

I thought I will never say this but to be honest Meera has also nailed her character as Naseem Dil Ruba. She is confident and giving the kind of performance which is expected from her character. Not once has she gone overboard or given a weak performance. Hassan Ahmed is another actor who is giving a flawless performance. I am sure his character has a bigger role to play in the story. The credit for all these remarkable performances, the great on screen chemistry between all the actors and episodes which leave you spell-bound goes to the director as well. Seema Taher Khan has brought a very old era but a very new story to life on screen brilliantly only because of her creativity and hard work. Every scene of this episode in particular appeared to be a labour of love. Faiza Iftikhar’s script is not just different but very well though out. All the characters and all the events are easy to connect to. Mein Sitara always manages to transport me to another world and Thursday seems too far away. I cannot thanks the whole team of this play enough for putting so much effort into making this serial a complete package.

The preview of the next episode showed Naseem throwing tantrums and eventually wanting to get back at Farhad. Later on the scene between Jharna and Sitara suggested that Naseem probably knows something about Farhad which Jharna does not and that is how she is manipulating him.

Loved loved loved this episode, I cannot praise it enough! Anyone who is not watching this show is missing out on a masterpiece. My favorite dialogue from this episode was…. “pyar tu sirf aik baar hota hai na, us ke baad tu weham hota hai” – beautiful!!

How many of you watched this episode? Did you like it as much as I did? If you missed it do watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

This episode of Mein Sitara was phenomenal. It is refreshing to see something different and entertaining on television for a change. Jharna’s character and the way Aisha Gul has translated it on screen makes the viewers look forward to her scenes. Jharna has faith in her husband but at the same time like any other wife she cannot see her husband getting influenced by another woman therefore she needs to make sure that Naseem Dil Ruba is sidelined in the next film. Jharna rightly pointed out that she could spot a talented individual when she saw one because she was the primary inspiration behind Farhad’s career in films . The best aspect of this drama so far is that it is totally free of clichés. Farhad Sethi might be over impressed by Naseem Dil Ruba but he is not being unfaithful to his wife. He admires Naseem’s talent but she is using this admiration to have her own way. Most of us thought that Naseem will succeed in blackmailing Farhad Sethi but apparently there is no such secret and Farhad is genuinely impressed by Naseem’s talent. Naseem on the other hand has completely different intentions. She wants everything her way and makes subtle and not so subtle passes on Farhad too which he completely ignores.

This episode laid the foundations for the transformation in Surraya’s life from Surraya to Sitara. Jharna knows that she can trust Surraya with anything therefore having her on the sets of the film will be beneficial for her. Farhad’s attitude towards Surraya is very different from that of Jharna’s. He cannot stand her and it will actually be interesting to see their interactions once Surraya enters the world of films. Surraya will do anything to be a part of the film industry and with Jharna’s help she will have a very good chance to make a career in films.

The best aspect of tonight’s episode just like all the previous ones was the clarity with which the story is being taken forward. There are no unnecessary secrets or mysteries; the motives of the characters and their personality traits are as clear as daylight. This aspect of the drama in particular coupled with the brilliant acting by all the actors and especially by Aisha Gul who always manages to steal the show single-handedly has given this drama the edge it needed. Saba Qamar looked good in her new hairstyle otherwise the bangs on her face were somewhat distracting. She is a brilliant actress but her role so far is limited therefore I am waiting to see her once Surraya turns into Sitara. Mikael Zulfiqar owns his role, the credit for that goes to the director as well who managed to extract such good performances from all the actors. Meera’s acting is spot on, she did not give me anything to complain about in tonight’s episode but I must confess that she looks as old as Jharna. Naseem is a young budding artist therefore this role should have been given to someone younger.

Nowadays when most writers and producers want to play it safe by showing stories which revolve around love triangles or the trials and tribulations of newly-wed girls, it is refreshing to watch a drama which has something new to offer. The credit for this goes to the entire team of the drama. We have watched many dramas in which production houses invested lots of money on sets, star cast and outfits but the stories and characterizations were so weak that these dramas failed to have an impact. Mein Sitara however has all the right ingredients in the right proportion. The director and the actors have done complete justice to a script which could have been a train wreck in the hands of an unskilled director. Although there is excessive dancing and singing in the drama but the development in the story is not effected in any way by these songs and dances. The dances are decent enough and the songs take you back to the 60s.

In the preview of the next episode Jharna is seen grooming Surraya to meet the requirements of the film industry and perhaps the outside world! The real story will start from the next episode, looking forward to it.

How many of you watched tonight’s episode of Mein Sitara? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it. If you missed it, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

The viewers were introduced to the ugly side of the film industry in this episode. Everything is not always what it seems in the world of glitz and glamour and there are times when even directors like Farhad Sethi who do not compromise on quality have to make decisions they don’t necessarily agree with. Jharna’s decisions in tonight’s episode were based on her own insecurities but she had no idea what kind of a woman she was letting into her husband’s life. Naseem Dil Ruba is a back-stabber who makes Jharna believe that she is her biggest fan and at the same time she tries her best to woo her husband. Meera’s acting in this episode was spot on, she fits the role perfectly but unfortunately it seems like the director let her have her own way when it came to her dressing. We all know that Naseem Dil Ruba is a bazari aurat. Her actions in tonight’s episode were convincing enough to prove that, the revealing blouses did not help at all. I really appreciate the director for keeping the dance performances decent but disappointed with this particular aspect.

So far the viewers had seen a very strong and confident woman in Jharna’s character but this episode showed a very different side of Jharna which was slightly typical but very believable. Jharna shared all the details of how she met Farhad and how people around them reacted when they decided to get married. The age difference between Farhad and Jharna was yet again highlighted in this episode. The first meeting between them suggested that Farhad was in love with Jharna’s voice, her talent more than anything else about her. Farhad’s assistant in one of the previous episodes also said something that suggested that Farhad’s marriage with Jharna was much more than just a love marriage, he made it sound like it was also an investment into Farhad Sethi’s future in the film industry. Farhad has been shown as a man who is very focused, he does not want to cast someone like Naseem Dil Ruba because he only wants to work with professional people. At first watching Jharna support Naseem Dil Ruba seemed a little odd since she could be a bigger threat to her marriage than any other heroine but later on when she talked to Surraya about why she insisted on casting her in that role, everything made more sense. Jharna obviously thinks that she can trust Naseem Dil Ruba but Naseem has other plans.

Surraya loves her baji but Farhad never even accepted her as a maid therefore she is scared of him. Surraya is still full of life, she never went to school but is still as interested in music and dance as she was so many years back. I especially liked the answer Jharna gave to Surraya when she asked her why she left everything for Farhad. It seemed like Jharna is someone who got a lot of fame but never the kind of love which every woman wants therefore when she found the man who would love her like that she was more than willing to leave everything for him. Jharna trusts Farhad but she is very possessive about him. She is also used to making Farhad’s decisions for him and won’t let anyone else do that. To be honest, Saba Qamar did not blow me away with her performance. While I had absolutely no problem connecting to all the other characters in this play and falling in love with quite a few, the older Surraya did not instantly click with me. I am however waiting to see more of her.

The way this drama has been shot is absolutely brilliant, it manages to transport you to another world every time. The story is different and so far very entertaining but the performances on entire songs in almost every episode is getting monotonous. They add to the overall feel of the play but need to be short. Mikaal Zulfiqar has been flawless as Farhad Sethi and Aisha Gul has also done complete justice to her character. I feel for her character so much that I am actually scared of watching her getting betrayed or hurt! The preview of the next episode suggested that Naseem Dil Ruba will somehow succeed in having her own way. Jharna will start suspecting Farhad when he starts taking decisions to please his new heroine and that is when Surraya’s journey as Sitara will start. Does Farhad have skeletons in his closet? It surely looked that way! I am waiting to find out.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it. If you missed it, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

There were many new developments in this latest episode but I must confess that for the first time while watching this show I felt rushed. Also, there were some scenes like the dance shown in the party and Jharna Begum practicing music which took a lot of screen time. If that time was given to Jharna and Surraya’s relationship or Surraya alone then it would have been a more fulfilling experience. I understand that the director showed all these scenes to build an atmosphere but Surraya grew up too fast! Surraya’s character is one of the most appealing characters I have seen on screen in a long time therefore I wanted to see more of her in tonight’s episode too. The story of course is not just about Surraya therefore other aspects of Jharna and Farhad’s life had to be covered as well. I admit that this  was more of a ‘personal’ issue which I had with this episode but overall a great deal was covered in this episode in a very intelligent way.

The first and the most important aspect of these recent developments was that Jharna and Farhad finally managed to bridge the differences between them. The phase in which Farhad felt like his wife was neglecting him has passed and we saw Jharna taking a very active part in Farhad’s work life. Jharna also paid more attention to her music. It was good to see the problems between Jharna and Farhad being resolved. Jharna once again showed that she is a very wise and confident woman who does not get offended when her husband shares his concerns with her but she tried her best to overcome the problems between them. Right now apart from many other things about this drama, I am absolutely relishing the fact that we are finally getting to see a very normal married couple in a drama. So far the issues between these people who belong to a world very different from ours are very easy to relate to. The credit for that goes to the entire team; the writer, director and the actors. The conversations between Jhankar and Farhad are always very meaningful and the actors playing these roles are doing a remarkable job. I cannot praise Aisha Gul enough for nailing every single scene; it isn’t just her dialogue delivery which is beyond impressive but more than that her expressions and body language conveys more than anything she has to say. She has an undeniable screen presence and she has brought out the best in her character. The way Jharna looks at Farhad practically says everything she feels for him.

Jharna’s relationship with Surraya was shown in different stages in tonight’s episode. Jharna’s association with Surraya has grown stronger with time. Like I said before, young Surraya will be sorely missed and I hope that the older Surraya gives us a reason to forget all about her. Surraya cried for her family, wasn’t very keen to study and when she grew up she was still the same old person she was as a child. The viewers did not get to see a lot of older Surraya in this episode and I am really looking forward to seeing more of her in the upcoming episodes.

This episode focused more on Farhad and Jharna. It covered a span of 7 years and in these 7 years Farhad has established himself in the film industry. He is just as big a name in the film industry as he was in the television industry. People still respect and admire Jharna, something that was quite obvious from her meeting with Naseem Dil Ruba. I haven’t seen Meera performing in any drama ever therefore watching her play a serious character for the first time was a brand new experience! Meera was very convincing in the scene and so far it seems like this role was meant for her. Hassan Ahmed’s character was also introduced in tonight’s episode. He plays the character of Jamal; a relatively new actor who has a few television dramas to his credit and wants to work in films now. Both these characters were introduced just as well as all the other characters. This is one thing which I absolutely love about this show – clarity! You understand all the characters because of the way they have been introduced right from the start. This of course helps the viewers relate to the characters and the viewers are not left wondering about the motives of the characters. Jharna’s character is multi-dimensional; she is not just a star, she is a mother, she is a mentor, she is a wife who will not give up on her marriage and most importantly she is a very strong, honest and dedicated woman.

The young actress who played Surraya’s childhood won my heart with her splendid acting. She has given Surraya’s character an amazing start and even though we will not see her again in the upcoming episodes, she has made little Surraya unforgettable. Kudos to this little girl who gave a really big performance and kudos to the director for bringing out the best in her. A big thanks to Faiza Iftikhar for etching-out a character that is fascinating. The actress who covered few minutes of Surraya’s life after a few years was equally brilliant in the few scenes that covered those years. In these years we see Surraya getting even closer to Jharna, loved the scene in which she kisses her photo but she still seems scared and distant when she looks at Farhad’s picture. It is refreshing to see Mikaal Zulfiqar play a different role; although his character does not stand out the way Surraya and Jharna’s characters do but the viewers can relate to his struggles, ambitions and know exactly what his priorities in life are.

Overall, this was yet another episode of Mein Sitara which made me look forward to more. It would have been perfect if the dance performance in the beginning and Jharna’s music classes were cut short. This time around the viewers were not shown the preview of the next episode therefore there is no way of knowing what turn the story will take next. I am waiting to see more of Surraya and hope that the older Surraya will be just as fascinating as the young one. I recommend this drama to all the viewers out there who want to watch something different and entertaining.

How many of you watched this latest installment of Mein Sitara? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it. If you missed this episode, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

Jharna and Farhad’s track came to an end with this episode and Illyas Khawaja’s entry in Sitara’s life changed everything for Sitara in more ways than one. Jharna’s last scene was shot beautifully, the OST playing in the background pretty much summed up her whole story. Sitara has come a long way and not necessarily in a good way. When she started her career she was not willing to compromise on her principles, even when she fell for Farhad it did not take her very long to realize that she needed to set her priorities straight. Sitara has always been someone who has thought of the consequences of her actions before taking a step forward in any direction but things have changed altogether now. After trying really hard to find work through proper channel Sitara has come to the conclusion that her parents will not give her the time and support she would have needed to make a name for herself once again and also she knows that she will have to resort to means she has always disapproved of in order to earn money which her parents will always be asking for. Sitara has chosen an evil which suits her not only so that she can support her family but also because the fact is that Sitara wants to be a star again. Sitara was not willing to meet Illyas Khawaja again until she found out that he was a producer therefore the main motivating factor behind taking this big step was that it will eventually get her a role in a film and as a result some recognition.

Sitara might have changed a lot but the fact is that she is no match for people like Illyas Khawaja. She still takes people at face value; she did not doubt this person’s intentions and thought that he really valued her. He gave her hope at a time when she was completely hopeless therefore Sitara wanted to believe everything he said and went along with whatever he wanted. The dialogue “Mera dil aj bhi us aurat ka dil hai jis pe sapno ka pehra hai lekin ab yeh haath ab aik aisi aurat ka haath hai jis ne apne khawabon ki khatir khud ko girvi rukh diya hai.” described Sitara’s state of mind perfectly. It went to show that Sitara was not only doing all this to support her family but also because this was the only way for her to make her dreams come true. Sitara thinks she will get something in return for the time she is investing in Illyas Khawaja but Illays’ conversation with his employee suggested that he was only using Sitara and as soon as he loses interest in her, she will once again be desperately looking for work. Sitara might think this is a step forward but this will prove to be a huge step backward. She is going to waste her time and will get a reputation which will not get her work but more opportunists like Illyas Khawaja.

Sitara’s story has been translated on screen so intelligently that there is hardly a time when you feel the need to judge her character. When she talked to her sister about how she knew what she was doing was wrong, she answered all the questions that might have been in the viewers’ mind. I have always loved the fact that this script spells everything out clearly; there is always a logical reason for every new development. I was looking forward to Nauman Ijaz’s entry in the play but I must say that he had nothing new to offer since he has played this character many times before too. He is obviously a brilliant actor who always delivers but he has played many such characters of people who used their position and money to exploit women. Saba Qamar was the star of the show yet again not only because of her performance but also because of the way this character has been written. It was a superb idea to break this story in 3 different seasons otherwise we would have been anticipating an ending right now. Now we know that this is only the second phase of Sitara’s life and we have tons of reasons to look forward to more. There is a hardly a drama which manages to hold your interest till episode 20 but Mein Sitara has managed to do just that.

The preview of the next episode showed Illyas Khawaja showing his real self – something which will dash Sitara’s hopes for good.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

The developments in this episode were quite predictable since the preview of this episode pretty much summed up what was going to happen next but even then what I enjoyed the most about this episode was the attention to detail. Although some of the scenes were very long and this wasn’t exactly a fast paced episode either but every scene added something to the story. I didn’t feel like the scenes were being prolonged unnecessarily but it felt like everything that was being shown needed to be seen by the viewers. Surraya’s mother’s desperate attempts to make her daughter sneak out of that room and the pressure from her husband to leave her there was shown very convincingly. She couldn’t wait for Surraya and even after all her attempts she could get her out of that room and as a result Surraya was abandoned by her parents.

Jharna’s maternal instinct instantly took over when she found out that Surraya had been abandoned by her parents. Surraya is the kind of girl who is very adaptable as long as she is in an environment in which she gets what she wants and with the support of Jharna she will have no problem settling in that house. The most important development in this episode were the growing differences between Jharna and Farhad. In the last episode as well the viewers were given subtle hints that Farhad’s first love was his work but Jharna’s priorities had completely changed. Farhad wants Jharna to help him in his work but Jharna’s main focus of attention are her kids. I must say that I had absolutely no problem relating to all the characters and what they were going through in this episode as well. The problems between Farhad and Jharna are the kind of issues that exist in many marriages. Farhad feels left out because Jharna does not have the same priorities as him. Farhad’s assistant’s conversation with the man who came to his office also went to show that Farhad fell in love with Jharna’s talent and her position in the film industry.

Farhad has been shown as a practical person who is very passionate about his work and Jharna comes across as someone who believes in giving whatever she chooses to focus on her best. At one time the film industry was her primary focus therefore she did everything she could to make her place there. Now she feels that her house and children should be her primary focus.

I am waiting to find out if being abandoned by her parents effects Surraya’s overall personality once she grows up. Surraya was always a misfit in her family, she will definitely get the kind of life she wanted if she stays with Jharna but will that life make up for the absence of her family? It is truly refreshing to watch a drama in which all the characters are superbly etched-out. You can’t help but connect to these characters immediately and want to find out more about them. The preview of the next episode showed a grown up Surraya well settled in Jharna and Farhad’s house. Jharna will be a mentor to Surraya. Jharna’s character is very likeable, while I understand her priorities but at the same time I had absolutely no trouble relating to Farhad’s feelings as well.

The little girl playing Surraya was the star of the show tonight. She nailed every single scene. I love the way the director showed Surraya’s obsession with films and film stars yet again! The way she cried while watching the last scene of Mughal-e-Azam was one of my favorite scenes. Once again while watching this episode I felt like I was transferred to another world. So far it seems like Mein Sitara will be one of those very few dramas with a very well-thought-out script. The director has done complete justice to the script by giving it a completely different feel mainly due to the attention to detail. She has also managed to extract some memorable performances from all the actors involved in the story so far. This episode of Mein Sitara just like the last one was definitely up to the mark and I am still very convinced that this drama will have something different to offer to those viewers who are sick and tired of watching run-of-the-mill stories.

How many of you watched this episode of Mein Sitara? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it. If you missed it, watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan

This episode marked the end of Season 1 of Mein Sitara and what an amazing end it was to this phase of Sitara’s life. So much happened in these 16 episodes and the way it was all wrapped up was beyond brilliant. Yet again the story took a turn which was completely unexpected and extreme but just like always very convincing. There couldn’t have been a better ending to Farhad’s ‘love story’; only something of this magnitude could have jolted him enough to rethink his priorities. The treatment Farida gave Sitara tonight reminded me of the way her mother used to treat her when she was little. After all these years Sitara has once again landed in the same place she started from. The only big difference is that when she was little her spirits were high and she was fortunate enough to have Jharna’s support and love. Sitara’s life wouldn’t have taken the turn it took tonight had she kept her feelings to herself. Farhad always had feelings for her but he only started owning her and pursuing her even more when he found out that she had feelings for him as well. The opening scene of this episode was yet again brilliant. No one knows Farhad more than his wife therefore it wasn’t surprising when she could predict what Farhad was capable of doing under such circumstances. Everything that happened afterwards was an eye-opener for Farhad in particular.

Naseem Dil Ruba, Jamal and Sitara’s parents have a lot in common – they can’t think past their own selfish interests. Sitara’s father might be a complete nikama but the fact is that he is a smart man who knows that he can cash in on his daughter’s popularity. Although Sitara never completed her film but she is now a well known name in the industry and this latest controversy will give her even more ‘fame’!!! Jamal also ended his ‘relationship’ with Sitara, which was also an apt end to this particular track. Jamal and Sitara’s nikkah  played an important part in taking the story to its culmination, there was nothing more to it. It was a decision made in haste and out of desperation that was bound to have severe repercussions. In the end Sitara was the one who suffered the most unbearable loss. She lost the person who she loved the most, Jharna, her confidence has been shattered and is once again with parents who never loved her. Both her parents don’t feel any remorse or regret, in fact they only took her back so that she could earn for them.

Tonight’s episode was brilliantly executed as usual. There wasn’t a single scene which was out of place or which failed to have the impact it was supposed to have. The way the director showed Sitara’s frame of mind in particular, the duppata and her chappal on the floor while she recalled all the terrible things that finally led to this incident was one of the best scenes of this episode.  Sitara tried really hard to save her Baji from getting hurt but in the end she herself became the biggest victim. In the end Jharna’s love for her husband stayed intact and Farhad learned his lesson the hard way. The detail with which Sitara’s visit to the studio was covered went to show that this was the final goodbye. Jharna’s dialogues when she begged Sitara to save her husband were superb; she knew that Farhad didn’t fall for Sitara just because she was beautiful but there was more to this story.

Season1 of this drama has set the bar really high; it had some amazing characters, which I am not certain will be part of the second season and the story and direction was top-notch throughout this season. Also, it has been truly refreshing watching Mikaal Zulfiqar shine in a very different role. Aisha Gul has been phenomenal as Jharna but I did feel that the make-up artist failed to do justice to her in this particular episode. Saba Qamar was the star of the show tonight; she knew exactly what was expected from her. Watching Meera act in a serious drama for the first time was an altogether new experience and her acting came as a pleasant surprise. The credit for this also goes to the person who was in incharge of choosing the cast. I am eagerly looking forward to the next season, next episode. Nauman Ijaz will most likely play an important role in the second season. Right from the start the story has taken unpredictable turns therefore it is impossible to guess what will happen next. Mein Sitara has it all, a strong cast, an intense storyline, well etched-out characters and a director who believes in being creative!

Do share your thoughts about tonight’s dhamakedaar episode!

Fatima Awan

Wow!!! What an episode! Simply mind blowing! This was an extremely intense episode and the kind of effect such an episode has on you, can only be felt and not explained in words! I will nevertheless try my best to do justice to this amazing episode. This episode was all about the desperation of two people who are in love. Farhad and Sitara both are equally desperate, the only difference is that Farhad desperately wants Sitara to admit that she loves him and that she will eventually get married to him, while Sitara is equally desperate to convince him that she feels absolutely nothing for him. Sitara’s impulsive decision to get married to Jamal went to show just how desperate she was to get out of this situation and rightly so too. Unfortunately, she chose a man who will never be able to do anything to help her, a reality which hit her soon after the news of the nikkah was made public.

This episode belonged to Farhad – Mikaal Zulfiqar. Farhad has absolutely no control over his feelings, his reaction to the news was shown superbly, it was a mixture of disbelief and helplessness. The way Farhad pleaded his case in front of Sitara and the manner in which Sitara kept on telling him lies was the best part of this episode. Jharna stood in the door way and listened in disbelief, everything must have made more sense to her now!! It was truly refreshing to watch Sitara sticking to her plans, although she did not take the best decision but she did the best she could in order to make sure that Farhad is not in a position to pressurize her into getting married to him. Sitara proved that she was a strong person who knew what she needed to do and even though she truly was attracted to Farhad but it was her relationship with Jharna which mattered the most to her. The sizzling chemistry between Saba Qamar and Mikaal Zulfiqar makes everything about their track even more intense. Saba Qamar has owned her role as Sitara in every single episode. She manages to convey Sitara’s helplessness and her real feelings which are hiding behind those lies flawlessly.

Another thing about this drama which I absolutely love is the strong relationship between two women which is bound to stand the test of time. Very often we see bromance on screen, there are also times (rarely) when mother and daughter or sisters have a strong bond but it isn’t very often that we see a drama which is largely based on the relationship which two women who are not even blood relatives have with each other. There was a time when it seemed like Sitara was going to betray Jharna but she has proved that she was not going to let anyone destroy their relationship and the trust Jharna has on Sitara. Aisha Gul is another actress who has been faultless as Jharna. She is standing out in this role more than she has ever before in any other character.

Jamal and Naseem Dil Ruba’s track is the reason why Jamal agreed to Sitara’s proposal but even then this track was completely relegated to the background tonight because of everything that happened in Sitara, Jharna and Farhad’s life in this episode.

The preview of the next episode suggested that there might be an even bigger surprise in store for the viewers! Will Jharna ask Sitara to marry Farhad? Farhad once said that if Jharna ever found out how much he loved Sitara, she was bound to support him…was he right? I hope no one gets killed! That would be really ugly.

Mein Sitara has given its viewers 15 amazing weeks of wholesome entertainment. It has it all – a script which keeps you at the edge of your seat, characters which you can fall in and out of love with but you cannot detach yourself from them, riveting performances and superb direction. The best aspect of Mein Sitara’s script is that the viewers are not tempted to ‘judge’ the characters very often. Every character’s story and feelings have been translated so well on screen that you understand their characters and actions without even trying. Mein Sitara’s success is the result of team effort, this script is very different and if the director lacked creativity or did not have vision this drama could have been a train wreck but fortunately the writer and the director were on the same page therefore the end product is outstanding. I have recommended this drama to many people but once more I would like to ask anyone who is not watching this show to give it a go, you won’t be disappointed especially if you are tired of watching the same old stories.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

This latest episode of Mein Sitara focused on Sitara’s attempts to persuade Farhad that she did not love him. There was also an obvious change in Jharna’s attitude and Farhad’s growing madness got ample screen time too. Just like all the previous episodes of this drama, in this episode too the intentions and feelings of the characters were crystal clear. Although the situations and the characters in Mein Sitara are anything but simple; they are complex characters which are changing with time and so are the situations in the drama. Translating such characters on screen in such a manner that the viewers have absolutely no problem connecting to their feelings and circumstances is not an easy job but the writer, director and the actors have done their work with utmost honesty therefore it is always very easy to understand the characters or the happenings.

This episode clearly showed that Jharna has started trusting both Farhad and Sitara once again. Even when Farhad was shouting outside Sitara’s door in the middle of the night she did not suspect that this was something she should be concerned about. She thought it was something related to work and her only problem was Farhad’s drinking. Jharna is the same person now who she was before Nasim Dil Ruba came into the picture. This change in character is believable and it once again makes her character more likeable. It is easier to feel for her because she isn’t constantly looking for excuses to prove that her husband is cheating on her. Aisha Gul has always been faultless as Jharna and it is good to see Jharna being the confident woman she once was once again.

It is Sitara’s bad luck that she turned to Jamal for help. If she had made up a story and turned to Jharna for help, she would have been in a far better position today. Jamal cannot even help himself, he relies on Naseem Dil Ruba entirely and is working for her but Sitara thinks she can trust him. This episode laid down the foundation for the climax which will be a part of the next episode. In her desperation Sitara keeps on doing one silly mistake after another which might cost her more than she bargained for. Just like I guessed undoing what has been done seems impossible now unless Sitara takes a big step which too will do more harm than good. Some of the scenes in tonight’s episode clearly suggested that Sitara still has feelings for Farhad and it is very difficult for her to hurt him like this over and over again but she is doing all this only for Jharna – she might have revealed her true feelings for Farhad in a weak moment but she has realized what is at stake here and she is not wiling to put her relationship with Jharna at stake for the sake of her own happiness. Sitara has set her priorities straight and unlike some other heroines of our dramas she is not giving the hero mixed signals! Saba Qamar is a brilliant actress who knows exactly what is expected from her as Sitara. Playing this character is difficult because there are so many concealed emotions involved in every other scene but Saba Qamar does it all so effortlessly.

Farhad does not have the courage to tell Jharna how he feels about Sitara therefore the only way for him to make this relationship ‘legal’ is to enter into a nikkah with Sitara. Another reason for this also is that he wants to make sure Sitara stays with him for the rest of his life. Farhad knows very well that what he is doing is wrong but he claims to be helpless. Farhad’s feelings were portrayed brilliantly on screen by Mikaal Zulfiqar and the character has been written very well too. We have seen many married men falling for younger women in many dramas but never has such a scenario been so ‘enticing’ ! I am certain that there is very good reason why Naseem Dil Ruba is still getting plenty of screen time. She will have an important role to play in the story at some point.

The preview of the next episode suggested that Sitara will probably enter into a nikkah with Jamal to stop things from getting worse. I could be wrong of course but that is what I gathered from the promo. If Sitara does that I will truly feel for her because at this point she is completely helpless – if she tells Jharna, her marriage will be over and she will be very hurt and there is no way that Farhad will back off now!

This episode was rather slow, I was expecting a little more action but overall the convincing changes in the characters, powerful conversations, the great direction and the mind blowing performances always manage to make every episode of Mein Sitara a must watch. The slap however was highly uncalled for and not needed, the way Farhad shouted at Sitara and kept on pushing her was enough to get the message across.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

Mein Sitara is one of those very few dramas on air right now which keep you hooked right from the get-go. Time flies really fast while you’re watching an episode of Mein Sitara because every scene adds something to the story and every character in the play is intriguing. There has hardly been an episode which could be missed unlike many other dramas which have plenty of filler episodes which can easily be missed! Mein Sitara is the most underrated and under appreciated play of this season in terms of TRPs but it is definitely on top of my must-watch list!! Mein Sitara promises quality entertainment, anyone who hasn’t watched this drama yet should definitely catch up because Sitara’s journey is fascinating right from the first episode!

The first scene of this episode was remarkable; this was the scene which changed Jharna’s mindset and Sitara got another chance to regain her trust. In the beginning of this episode Sitara wasn’t sure what she should do, she didn’t want to do anything to let Jharna down and at the same time she did not want to hurt Farhad’s feelings, also she could not resist the temptation of meeting him. Meeting Jharna in the studio changed everything for Sitara, this was a really close call, she knew that had Jharna come at a time when she was there with Farhad she would have lost her ‘Baji’ forever. Sitara has her mind made up now but Farhad is convinced that his ‘ishq’ for Sitara will never die. He knows that he shouldn’t be cheating on his wife who has always been by his side but at the same time he cannot live without Sitara now. The ‘fascination’ with Sitara tripled when she made it clear that she could not go on meeting him like this. Had Sitara been willing to go along with these secret meetings Farhad might not have proposed to her. The logic Farhad gave Sitara was spot on – a man who is as desperate as he is right now would do exactly what he is doing.

After a long time I felt for Jharna while watching this episode. She felt guilty and after a long time it seemed like she had faith in Sitara and her husband yet again therefore this time around it really did look like she deserved better from both these people. She has invested a lot in both these relationships. Sitara’s attempts to prove to Farhad that she is not interested in him are likely to make him more interested in her. The whole situation has become very interesting. Farhad is not willing to back out at any cost and it remains to be seen if Sitara really is strong enough to deal with this situation. She genuinely feels bad and has proven that she does not want to betray Jharna, but is this situation reversible? Will she use Jamal to get out of this situation? I can’t wait to find out.

My most favorite part of this episode had to be Farhad and his junooni ishq, the way he justified it and the manner in which Mikaal Zulfiqar has translated this character on screen is beyond brilliant! Yes!  I am dead against extra-marital affairs but I am all for showing raw emotions on screen in such a way that the viewers are convinced that the characters are unable to control these emotions. Saba Qamar is faultless as Sitara; she was especially amazing in the first scene of this episode. It was great to see a glimpse of the old Jharna in this episode and the relationship which Jharna and Sitara once shared. Sitara’s conversation with Jharna after her brother left went to show that she was not going to let anyone exploit her. Although Sitara was the first one to show how she felt about Farhad but right now Farhad is the one who is pressurizing her to something she does not want to do.

Mein Sitara is beautifully written and brilliantly directed, all those people who are not watching this play are missing out on something truly amazing! Every episode of this drama is spell-binding and I can’t thank the whole team of this drama enough especially the producers for taking a chance and giving the viewers something different to watch.

The preview of the next episode promises a lot more drama, some brilliant performances and even more of the raw emotions we all love!

How many of you watched this latest installment? Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Fatima Awan

Right now the most amazing aspect of this drama serial is the characterization and the relationships of all the characters with each other. Mein Sitara has never been a fast paced play but things always move forward a little with every passing episode giving the viewers something to look forward to. Watching this drama is like reading your favorite novel, you want to pause after you have read a few lines so that you can enjoy every little detail.

This episode showed brilliantly how hard it is for Sitara to make a decision at this point. She vows not to take this relationship with Farhad any further but then whenever he approaches her, the temptation is too much to resist. She does not want to let Jharna down and at the same time she cannot break Farhad’s heart. Tonight for the first time it seemed like Farhad was taking advantage of Sitara. At this point he is definitely the one investing all his emotions and energies into taking this relationship forward. He is not letting Sitara do what she wants to do. Although Mikaal Zulfiqar and Saba Qamar are the same age but the way their relationship has been shown right from the start has made it very easy for me at least to look at Farhad Sethi as a much older man who is taking advantage of a young girl who is probably infatuated with him – nothing more and nothing less. Saba Qamar and Mikaal Zulfiqar outdid themselves in tonight’s episode. Two scenes stood out more than any other in tonight’s episode; when Farhad goes and tells Sitara that he wanted to meet her alone and when Sitara sits in front of the mirror regretting what she had done. These scenes were directed so well and acted out so brilliantly that it didn’t look like acting at all. They have portrayed every single emotion faultlessly on screen. Farhad is blinded by his fascination with Sitara right now and Sitara is unsure. Mikaal and Saba also played the lead in Sangat but Mein Sitara’s characterization is so solid that you forget that these two have played the lead ever before too. I never feel like I am watching Mikaal Zulfiqar and Saba Qamar on screen while watching this play because they are so into their characters.

The song sequence was another addition to this episode which went to show the amount of creativity and effort that must have gone into making this play. There was absolutely no need to add this scene but adding this scene gave the viewers something different to watch, we got to hear one of the most unforgettable songs of its time and also the picturization showed the feelings of all these characters. Right now Farhad is not willing to listen to anyone. Saleem tried to tell him that he was making a mistake in very clear words but right now Farhad only wants Sitara, he does not care about his relationship with Jharna. I am hoping that the latest development in which Jharna shows up unexpectedly will serve as a wake-up call for Farhad. Farhad is just being a ‘man’ right now – I hate to generalize but there is no other explanation for this scenario! Sitara is young, beautiful and interested in him – he finds the temptation very appealing. Probably because it makes him feel young again. He is the only character at the moment who is not analyzing the whole situation in a practical way not even after Saleem told him that Jharna asked him about him and Sitara. The actor playing Saleem is another person who fits into his role flawlessly. Also, his relationship with Farhad has been shown impeccably.

Naseem Dil Ruba’s phone call confirmed Jharna’s fears although she didn’t know what was going on between Sitara and Farhad for sure. Naseem’s ‘mole’ is probably the make-up artist who keeps on giving her the information she needs. Meera’s acting yet again was a pleasant surprise. Also, the make-up artist has given everyone superb makeovers. Meera has never looked this good and Saba Qamar looked very pretty particularly in the scene in which Farhad comes to see her. Also, the person incharge of the wardrobe has complimented everyone’s looks to fit the era this drama is showing.

A lot of attention to detail, a brand new story and amazing team work is what makes Mein Sitara one of the most spell-binding dramas I have seen in a long time. It is unpredictable and enticing without being too over-dramatic. This drama has provided its viewers with 12 weeks of quality entertainment which is a huge accomplishment.

The preview of the next episode showed Jharna finally trying to convey her feelings to her husband without giving him a reason to walk out of the room. Will she be able to knock some sense into Farhad? It looks like nothing can stop Farhad right now not even Jharna.

How many of you watched this episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

This was another superb episode of Mein Sitara which covered Sitara’s guilt, the change in Farhad’s feelings and Jharna’s journey from being doubtful to being quite sure that there was something going on between Sitara and her husband. Like every other episode of Mein Sitara this one too was a must watch because this is one of those very few dramas which should be followed every week. Every episode adds something important to the story and most importantly the way the feelings of different characters are changing especially in these episodes makes them an unmissable treat.

Farhad was already struggling to contain his feelings for Sitara – something which was quite clear from the scene last week in which he shouts at Jamal for getting too close to her. Farhad was angry after that scene, he shouted at Saleem for the first time because it was very hard for him to come into terms with his feelings. Jharna’s age or her attitude had very little to do with what had happened but it definitely added to the time which Farhad spent away from home and on the sets. Sitara’s confession at the end of the previous episode gave Farhad the license to share his true feelings with Sitara. Sitara expressed her ‘interest’ in Farhad in a weak moment but she wanted to go back to being the way they were before that night. Farhad however is blinded by his fascination for Sitara (I won’t call it love!) and he managed to convince Sitara that she didn’t need to hide her feelings. Mikaal Zulfiqar and Saba Qamar both were beyond brilliant in this episode. The acting of both these actors has been top-notch right from the start but the scenes which we saw today were exceptional.

Farhad, like any other man blames his wife although he knows that he is the one cheating on her. He does not want to feel guilty because like he says to Sitara he has the right to be ‘happy’! Sitara on the other hand realizes that all of this is wrong. The way Sitara’s guilt and confusion was portrayed on screen tonight was absolutely fantastic. The writer and the director both have made sure that they add every little detail which matters. There isn’t a single moment in this drama when you question the motives of the characters or wonder what is going on in their mind. Sitara is attracted towards Farhad but at the same time she does not want to betray her baji.

Jharna was doubting Farhad even when he was not having an affair and even when he had not ‘changed’ therefore I found it really difficult to feel for her! What Farhad is doing is very wrong, no doubt but the fact is that Jharna expected him to do just that! It was almost as if she spent the past few years planning how she would tackle such a situation! She had been planning to fight this battle even when there was absolutely no reason for it therefore I am waiting to see what she does now! Had Jharna trusted her husband blindly and Sitara too, it would have been a completely different story. Jharna’s character is very realistic, there is no doubt about that. She is much older than Farhad and she was always insecure because of her age. Now that her husband is busy with his career, she feels left our and unlike before because she is so filled with doubt she doesn’t even talk about his work the way she used to. I wasn’t however expecting her to leave the city at this point. She has always put her foot down whenever she wanted something and even though she is heartbroken right now, she is still practical enough to do something about the situation.

The scene between Jharna and Saleem was the highlight of this episode; it was very convincing. Saleem had just witnessed something ‘shocking’ and he also wasn’t expecting Jharna to ask him this question therefore that was another shock so he was unable to cover up for his boss! The actor playing Saleem is doing a commendable job, love his get up and acting both. It was also good to see Sitara finally confronting her mother even if it was on the phone. First time around she thought her parents were majbur but this time she knew they were greedy too therefore she said what she had felt all these years but at the same time she knows she cannot back out of this commitment.

The preview of the next episode was dhamakedar. Saying that I am looking forward to the next episode would be an understatement, I will literally be counting days!

Mein Sitara has been very exciting and engaging so far. Like every other play penned down by Faiza Iftikhar this one too is spot on! The writer has covered every little detail and she has etched -out some very interesting characters. The director Seema Taher Khan has put in her best effort which is why she has succeeded to breath life into every scene. Saba Qamar and Mikaal Zulfiqar were the stars of the show tonight. There are very few dramas in which every actor suits the role they are playing and this is definitely one of them.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

Very interesting!!! All the characters in the play are no longer the flawless people we saw on screen in the first 8 episodes and unlike the last time I enjoyed watching these changes in the characters. There are very few plays in which when characters change for the worse you have reasons to appreciate these changes because it only makes things more interesting. Sitara falling for Farhad was actually a nice twist in the story instead of Farhad pursuing her.

Farhad was like a mystery to Sitara all her life although she spent most years of her life living under the same roof with him but he never acknowledged her presence. Now that Farhad is not only acknowledging her presence but also being possessive about her Sitara finds him more attractive than ever. She has attained the unattainable and it only takes a person with a very strong character to resist such a temptation. Sitara proved today that she wasn’t a strong person, she is very vulnerable and she has forgotten all the promises she made to her Baji. I honestly felt that I would hate everything about such a track but honestly speaking the way everything was shown was very convincing and it is interesting to watch Sitara proving that she really is her father’s daughter! Although she vowed to prove otherwise but some things are beyond your control!

Sitara’s character got a lot more appealing with this episode because there can be so many different reasons why she fell for Farhad and not Jamal. Is it because she never had a father figure in her life – someone who would want to protect her? This is the first time Farhad has fallen for one of his heroines and obviously his reasons might not be as deep rooted as that of Sitara. Sitara is young, pretty and talented and she made it quite obvious today that she too feels something for Farhad. I am waiting to find out how Sitara interacts with Jharna in the upcoming episodes. There wasn’t a single scene between Sitara and Jharna in tonight’s episode because Sitara is too busy on the sets and it is always easier to forget promises when someone is not there to remind you of them! Sitara it looks like is already lost in the world of films and she has left Surraya far behind. I absolutely love Pappu’s character; he has a small role to play in the story but somehow he is standing out already. The perfect and effortless performance given by Adnan Shah Tipu has made all the difference.

I think it is time to say goodbye to the strong and sensible Jharna we saw in the first few episodes for good. Her character was very impressive and very well-balanced but now she is an insecure wife who feels left out all the time! There was a time when Jharna was too busy having and raising kids. She used to be too tired to wait up for her husband or give him the time and attention he wanted but even then she was always a positive influence in his life. She always supported him even when people doubted him, now that he is where he wants to be she has tons of free time on her hands and is worried sick that he will fall for one of his heroines. I still remember the few conversations between different people which hinted that Farhad married Jharna because he had some vested interests but until now Farhad was faithful to her. This new development with Sitara however might prove to be the final nail in the coffin. It would be nice to see Jharna tackling her insecurities in some other way instead of complaining all the time. Now that she has a reason to doubt her husband, her character might seem more ‘reasonable’ in the next episode.

Nasim Dil Ruba is not out of the picture, which is also a nice surprise. She has not managed to bag any quality projects therefore she was seen employing different methods to get Sitara out of the film so that she could be a part of it again. This was another development in tonight’s episode which gave a very realistic touch to the whole story.

This episode was beautifully directed and I found the latest developments in the story exciting which is not how I was thinking I would feel! The credit for that goes to the writer for penning down such interesting characters which are human, the director, for doing complete justice to every single scene and most certainly the actors for giving some remarkable performances. Saba Qamar is amazing as Sitara, Hassan Ahmed and Meera are picture perfect in every scene. There were times in tonight’s episode when I thought Mikaal Zulfiqar’s performance was not up to the mark but on the whole he has given a brilliant performance. Those people who don’t get to watch this drama on the television are missing out on the experience because watching Mein Sitara on the television screen is a completely different experience. I would give full marks to the stylist and the make-up artist for giving everyone the perfect looks.

Quite contrary to my expectations, I loved this latest episode and can’t wait to see what happens next!! I am sure there are many people out there who are very disappointed with Sitara but honestly speaking if Sitara did not get involved with Farhad the drama wouldn’t have been this exciting!

How many of you watched this latest episode?

Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

Writer: Faiza Iftikhar
Director: Seema Taher Khan
Produced By: TVONE
Channel and Timings: TVONE – 8pm – Thursday

This first episode was gripping; it definitely managed to hold my interest and made me look forward to what is in store in the upcoming episodes. Anyone who was waiting to watch this play probably already knows that this drama is set in the 60s and the story revolves around the Pakistani film industry. All the primary characters in the play which are going to be a part of it right till the end were introduced in tonight’s episode. Farhad Sethi (Mikaal Zulfiqar) is a renowned television director who is stepping into the world of films. I must say that in this very brief first episode Farhad’s private life along with his work life was covered flawlessly. Farhad’s love for his wife Jharna (Aisha Gul) was shown in the very first scene but at the same time the gradual shift in his priorities was also covered in a very subtle manner. Jharna feels that her husband is not as excited about their third child as he was about the first two. The obvious reason for this was that Farhad was clearly ‘distracted’ because he is very enthusiastic about his first film. He also mentioned that he did not want another child. Farhad fell in love with Jharna the star and he wants to use her talent even now, he cannot see it going to waste.

Different conversations in this first episode and the portraits/pictures on the walls suggested that even though Jharna Begum is no longer a part of the film industry but she was a super star at one point and she still has a much bigger name in the industry than her husband. Jharna Begum was a multi-talented star who people admired not just because of her talent but also because of her wisdom. The conversations in the party went to show that people were more enthusiastic about the film because Jharna was in some way associated with it and not because of Farhad Sethi. Farhad also relies on the advice of his wife. Farhad might be a big name in television but Jharna is the star when it comes to the world of films. Jharna however has left all the fame behind, she is hopelessly in love with her husband and wants to focus on her family. The way Jharna’s standing in the world of films and her personality in general along with references to her physical strength were conveyed to the audience through different conversations definitely added to the overall impression of the character.

The characters and story of Surraya’s household was introduced just as seamlessly as that of Jharna and Farhad. Surraya’s character instantly caught my attention. Although every girl this age is impressed by glittery things but Surraya is different because even at this tender age she knows how to manipulate situations to her advantage. Surraya has a mind of her own and she knows exactly what she wants to do to keep herself happy. The second she walked into Jharna’s house she knew that if she pleases the woman of the house she will be able to gain access to television, music and make-up!! In a short span of time Jharna started trusting Surraya so much that she asked her to look after her kids when she was leaving for the hospital and later on too she trusted her with taking care of her and her kids. Surraya in return got exactly what she wanted! Surraya is a little girl with a big personality who definitely won me over. Surraya’s parents especially her father however had a different agenda when he figured  out that he could easily get his hand on some expensive jewelry and flee the scene.

This first episode was extremely refreshing; it had a completely new feel to it and the direction was absolutely brilliant. Every scene was well-conceived, to the point and most importantly highly creative. None of the scenes had a been-there-seen-that feel to it which was definitely something I had been waiting to see in a drama. The makeovers were spot on and the acting by all the actors including the children involved was top notch. Aisha Gul was truly impressive in this first episode, she managed to bring out all the shades of Jharna’s personality – the person she was when she was alone and the star she is when she is among people – beautifully on screen. Her acting was effortless and she definitely made her presence felt. Watching Mikaal Zulfiqar in a different get up was also another plus and at least in this episode his dialogue delivery gave me nothing to complain about. The child star playing Surraya deserves special mention here because her confidence and acting both blew me away!! I think Faiza Iftikhar is finally going to give us a story we have all been waiting for – something new and entertaining. Loved the kind of Urdu that was used in this episode. I really like the OST as well because it is completely in line with the main subject of this play. The director successfully managed to transport me to another world through this episode and I really did not want this episode to end. It is very rarely that you instantly connect with all the characters in the very first episode but for me this episode managed to do just that. I also loved the way the credits rolled in the end, everyone from the director to the sweeper was mentioned in them.

The preview of the next episode showed that Surraya’s parents will leave her behind because they wouldn’t have been able to flee with the jewelry if they took her with them. Although Farhad thinks Surraya is involved too but Jharna will protect her. This is how Surraya will start living a new life, away from her family but with Jhankar Begum and very close to the world of glitz and glam!

How many of you watched this first episode? Did you like it as much as I did? If you missed it I highly recommend that you watch it on http://www.dramasonline.com

Fatima Awan