This was another flawless episode of Mein Sitara and the perfect start to this second season. The opening scene of this episode summed up Sitara’s journey from Surraya to Sitara. After her parents left her, she had Jharna’s support, love and guidance which she treasured more than anything else but because of her bad luck and a few mistakes she lost that forever. Even though Sitara did not stay in the film industry for too long but the few months she spent in the film industry taught her that she has talent and even after everything that happened, she managed to pick up the broken pieces of her life and tried her best to put them back together. She went out looking for work but this time around she does not have the kind of support Jharna and Farhad gave her, she is all alone and her background is going to be a big hindrance in her path. Also, the constant pressure from her father in particular is likely to disillusion her further as was evident from the preview of the next episode.

Sitara started off with looking for work, then she went to see Jharna but failed in doing both. Even though the odds are strongly against Sitara but in this episode she proved that she is still as strong and focused as she always was. Everyone in Sitara’s house is banking on her to earn a living because her father in particular was always someone who preferred shortcuts. The only reason her parents brought her back was so that she could earn for them. Sitara’s father’s proposal did not come as a surprise at all, he will make Sitara do anything it takes to earn money.

All the wonderful characters we were introduced to in the beginning of this drama are now victims of fate more than anything else. None of them deserved to be so unhappy but the recent twists in the drama have made it even more interesting and I must say very realistic too. While most people view the life of people associated with this industry to be very charming and full of perks, the reality is that there are many women in particular like Sitara who are confronted with situations which are beyond their control. Sitara has been tagged ‘manhoos’ and her relationship with Jamal has also effected her reputation negatively therefore she will have to find someone who can support her. Sitara faced rejection everywhere she went but she has still not given up on her dream. Naseem Dil Ruba and Jamal continued to plot and plan like always, making sure that Sitara never gets to make a comeback.

Just like all the previous episodes of Mein Sitara, this one too made it very easy for me to relate to all the characters, their stories and most importantly their struggles. Jharna has lost everything, her status and her husband. Farhad has lost his senses and Sitara is lost in her own way. Everyone gave brilliant performances yet again but this episode belonged to Saba Qamar. Faiza Iftikhar has written every character and their stories realistically and the director has done complete justice to this amazing script. There wasn’t a single scene in tonight’s episode which seemed out of place or unnecessary. Mein Sitara is one of the most intelligently written and executed dramas on air right now which constantly gives you reasons to look forward to more excitement and drama. It also gives all the actors involved an opportunity to put their acting skills to good use. Pakistani drama industry is blessed with some amazing actors but unfortunately most of them like Mikaal Zulfiqar and Aisha Gul in particular do not always get the opportunity to showcase their talents because they most often become victims of typecasting.

The writer and the director in my opinion have not only done the viewers a great service by taking a risk and experimenting but they have also done these actors a huge favor for choosing them for these roles. Mikaal Zulfiqar hasn’t stood out this much in any other role other than the one he played in Durr-e-Shahwar. Aisha Gul got noticed for the first time because of Jharna’s character and even Saba Qamar got the opportunity to play a character which has so many different shades.

The preview of the next episode showed that Sitara will end up doing something she never intended to because of a family emergency. Although all the tracks in this story are very interesting but Sitara’s journey has always been the major part of this drama and the most entertaining one too mostly because of the way all her feelings and thoughts are always shown so clearly in every episode. Mein Sitara continues to be one of those rare dramas which stays with you long after you’re done watching a certain episode.

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

Fatima Awan

After watching these two episodes of Mein Sitara, I am more convinced than ever that Mein Sitara is the best play of this season and will remain on top of my list for a very long time. Every character in this drama has a story to tell and all these stories are not only interlinked but equally interesting. This drama is surely the most underrated and under appreciated drama of the year. It might not be getting the ‘ratings’ it deserves but people who are watching it find it very difficult not to fall in love with it because it has a powerful script, an amazing cast which is meant to play the characters assigned to them and the detail and precision with which this drama has been directed is exemplary. Watching this drama is like reading a beautiful novel; every page holds your attention and you can’t wait to turn the page to find out what is going to happen next. I am in love with all the characters in this play because they are not one dimensional. Although Sitara’s father has been a one dimensional character yet the way he manipulates his daughter makes him so much more than just another negative character. Like all the other characters, he has a presence and a very important role to play in the story. Also, unlike many other dramas he is not the one running the show. Sure, there will be times like in these two episodes when Sitara might have to do things she is dead against because she is a sensitive soul who cannot see her family suffering due to the lack of money when there is something she can do to help them but mostly she tries to do what she feels is right. Another aspect of this drama which sets it apart from the rest is that although this is the story of Sitara but the supporting characters too manage to hold your interest. Their stories are just as important as that of Sitara’s, in fact Sitara’s story would have been incomplete without them.

In both these episodes Sitara dragged her feet with as much determination as a person in her condition could gather together yet her past kept on haunting her. She is filled with regrets and guilt which might have lessened had she met Jharna. She did not get the opportunity to apologize to Jharna, to have that one final conversation which might have put her mind to ease. In a desperate attempt to vent out her feelings, she went to meet Farhad but that proved to be an even bigger shock. Jharna too struggled to get over what had happened and kept on hoping that Farhad might be his old self again. Jharna’s meeting with Farhad in episode 18 was exceptional. When Farhad says that Jharna’s role in the film was over, it was a very emotional scene. Aisha Gul has been absolutely brilliant as Jharna. She has definitely made this character memorable.

Mein Sitara is all that it promised to be and much more. It reveals the bitter hidden realities which are a part of the world of glitz and glam. The OST promised that Mein Sitara will be the story of rise and fall of celebrities and the kind of compromises people have to make in order to stay in the business. In the end it is all a ‘dhoka’ – those who shine on our big screens as stars do not always live a very glittering life! Mein Sitara is a very sensitive story in which the writer has very intelligently told everyone’s side of the story in such a way that you find it very hard to put the blame on anyone at all. All these wonderful people got caught up in situations beyond their control and ended up being a story of the past and a story of regrets. Sitara’s struggle continues and she still has the spark and determination. She still believes in herself and is not willing to be just another face in the industry. Episode 18 was fast paced and extremely poignant. Episode 19 marked the start of a new life for Sitara  and Nauman Ijaz’s character made his entry with this episode. Sitara finally has a chance but this time around she is all on her own against all those people who will do everything it takes to see her downfall. Although all the actors played their roles really well in these episodes but in my opinion Saba Qamar was the star of the show. Sitara’s character went through many different emotions in these two episodes but Saba Qamar never faltered.

The preview of the next episode showed that Sitara and her new director/producer will develop a close bond with each other. It also showed Jharna in a very helpless state, I thought this episode marked the exit of Jharna’s character but that is not the case. Watching both these episodes together was a real treat. I am so happy that I decided to watch and review this drama. A big thanks to the entire team of Mein Sitara for giving us something truly entertaining and novel to look forward to every week.

How many of you watched these episodes? Do share your thoughts about them.

Fatima Awan

Wow!!! What an ending! It was poignant, spell-binding and picture-perfect just like the drama as a whole. This episode delivered from the start till the end and unlike many other endings I have seen recently every single scene was on point and all the developments very convincing. The last scene of this episode was a winner; Farhad and Sitara together in one frame…amazing!! After everything that Sitara had gone through and the bitterness she had lived with so many years it was impossible to imagine an ending as happy as this one but Faiza Iftikhar made it happen and Seema Taher Khan made it work with the soulful background score and the amazing camera angles which made this last episode a treat to watch. Watching Sitara forgive Naseem Dil Ruba and the conversation the two had clearly suggested that Sitara had finally moved on. There was a time when Sitara was not willing to forgive, all she wanted was revenge from everyone who had ever hurt her but in the end Sitara learned to forgive which was amazing! It went to show that now she was completely free. Falak decided to write her mother’s story, this was another interesting part of this ending. One person who Sitara chose not to forgive was Illyas Khawaja, which was also apt since this man did not deserve to forgiven.

Mein Sitara was remarkably impressive throughout. The way the story was carried forward and the manner in which the characters changed with time was the best part of this entire serial. This drama went to show that it takes hard work, an eye for detail and most importantly dedicated team work to make a drama truly unforgettable. Faiza Iftikhar’s script was very well-thought-out and Seema Taher Khan brought different eras covered in the drama impeccably on screen. The person incharge of styling also deserves a special mention here. Some of the actors in particular made their mark in such a way that they will be remembered by many of us who watched the show through the characters they played in Mein Sitara. Aisha Gul, Meera, Mikaal Zulfiqar and Saba Qamar in particular did exceptionally well and made their presence felt the whole time.

A drama which makes you look forward to every single episode for more than 30 weeks in my opinion can easily be termed as a classic. The director and the producer deserve tons of credit for choosing the best actors for the job and extracting memorable performances from them. The writer deserves due credit for making Sitara’s journey so captivating that those of us who followed this show lived every moment with Sitara right from the time when she was a child. There are very few dramas in which every character makes their presence felt and Mein Sitara was definitely one such drama which overflowed with supporting characters which made their mark. Mein Sitara stayed true to its plot right till the end. This was the story of different eras of the film industry shown with the help of Sitara’s struggles in particular. It was also the story of a fighter; a strong woman who was not perfect but she remained strong right till the end. The last conversation between Naseem Dil Ruba and Sitara focused on just that and Falak’s success proved that strong people ultimately get what they deserve. A big thanks to the team of Mein Sitara for giving us a complete package which kept the audience glued to their television screens for weeks.

I would like to thank all those amazing readers who accompanied me on this remarkable journey, it would not have been the same without you all. It was a pleasure and an honor reviewing this play. Thursday nights will not be the same now that Mein Sitara has ended.

Please do share your thoughts about this last episode in the comments section.

yeh khawabnagar ik dhoka hai…yeh husn yeh shuhrat yeh daulat sub aik hawa ka jhonka hai!!

Even after so many weeks Mein Sitara continues to enthrall its viewers with stellar performances, a very well written script and brilliant direction. The pace of the drama has slowed down but Sitara’s story is still just as gripping as it was in the very first episode. The reason for this is that showing all these details will ultimately help the audience relate to the changes in the Sitara’s personality once she transforms completely. Sitara compromised on a lot of things in these two episodes. All the rules she had in place for herself went out of the window a long time back but when she decided to go to that trip with Feroze Sheikh that was the biggest compromise she made only because she thought it will eventually get her a role in Khawaja’s film. It is ironic that Sitara never made so many compromises when Farhad fell in love with her, had she done that she wouldn’t be in the situation she is in right now! Only to escape a situation like this she refused Farhad Sethi’s proposal and it ended up being her biggest mistake which ruined everyone’s life. Sitara never wanted these ”shortcuts’, she didn’t want to give men such favors to get work and she always had faith in her talent but with the reputation she has in the industry now she has very little choice.

Even though Sitara was betrayed and used in the worst way possible by Khawaja, the truth is that he is still not as bad as her parents who use her and don’t even give her a place to live unless she pays for it! They do not even own her! Sitara’s mother is willing to own her husband who is a drug addict and cannot fulfill his duties, she also owns her son who stole from her and ran away but she is not willing to own Sitara – a daughter she never looked after, loved or cared for and one who has always been there for her family. Sitara was always an outcast, that was something which was made clear right from the beginning but now that she is in a position to bring her family money they don’t even want her around unless she pays for their businesses and marriages! Sitara’s family and all those people who refused to acknowledge her talent eventually made her realize that she was better off with Khawaja.

What I love about Sitara’s journey so far is that she is not doing all this to earn money but what she really wants is a chance to prove her talent. She wants to see her dream coming true and at this point she does not care what price she has to pay for it. Although Sitara is trading herself like a commodity but her dreams haven’t yet died down completely. Even after everything that happened, she was still willing to show her talent to those producers and was convinced that she could get work on the basis of her talent. Sitara has changed a lot but she is still not as fake or clever as people like Khawaja and Naseem Dil Ruba. The preview of the next episode suggested that Sitara will learn the tricks of the trade soon. Sitara’s journey has been translated on screen impeccably; I feel for her every step of the way and I also feel that this might just be the story of many women out there who go through this and much more to make their dreams come true in the world of showbiz.

Although both these episodes were filled with scenes which blew me away but my favorite scene from episode 21 was the one in which Sitara asks Khawaja for money so that her brother could start a business. This scene said so much about Sitara, who she had become, the things she had to do to win her family’s approval (although she did not need it) and how Khawaja always made sure she knew what a big favor he was doing for her. Right after that he asked her to travel with Feroze Sheikh. My favorite scene from tonight’s episode was the one in which Sitara goes to the studio to find work and she comes to know about the function. The OST in the background was remarkable! Also, Sitara’s conversation with her father in which he tells her he is old and a druggie and might die any day was beautifully written – this man always has something to say in his defense and does not feel anything for his daughter.

Mein Sitara continues to be one of those rare plays in which all the actors give flawless performances whether their roles are big or small, they manage to leave their mark. Saba Qamar however manages to steal the show every single time. It is however sad to see someone as talented as Nauman Ijaz being typecast over and over again. It would be nice to see him play a role in which his character is shown respecting women for a change. He is playing a very similar role in drama serial Mann Pyasa. In fact he has been playing such roles for the longest time now. Nauman Ijaz is a brilliant performer and he never falters, I am a huge fan and would like to see him play a different role.

Both these episodes were extremely poignant. Even after 22 weeks Mein Sitara manages to hold your interest and gives you something to look forward to. Every episode is full of deep and meaningful conversations and performances which are spell-binding. I don’t mind the slow pace because I don’t want Sitara’s journey to end just yet!

How many of you watched these episodes? Please share your thoughts about it.

“Bojh sirf roti ka nahi hota, rooh ka bhi hota hai!” This episode of Mein Sitara showed that Sitara had been harboring grudges all these years and that was the main reason why she resorted to drugs and even with a running business and a daughter who valued her, she could not see the positive aspects of her life. All this time what she wanted more than anything else was an opportunity to get back at Illyas Khawaja for what he put her through. She failed to forgive and move on therefore what we saw in this recent episode was not a decision made by a mother but by a woman who wanted to take revenge. Pappu was once again the voice of reason, he continuously kept on giving Sitara reality checks but she refused to listen. She was not willing to let go of this golden opportunity and was being extremely selfish.

Falak’s character has been etched-out beautifully, she is the person Sitara once was when she too felt sheltered and loved. Falak is intelligent, practical, ambitious and loving. Anum Fayyaz has done complete justice to her character even though this is the first time she is playing a role like this one. Unfortunately, Sitara is exploiting her daughter’s love for her without thinking about how it might effect her. Apart from this twist in Sitara’s character, the other shocking twist was Illyas Khawaja’s change of heart. After losing a daughter who did not only have the same name as Falak but had similar interests too Illyas Khawaja feels he has found his daughter in Falak and wants to help her make her dreams come true. Sitara however thinks that Illyas Khawaja is interested in Falak in the same way he was interested in Sitara at one point and will not help her further her career. It was sad watching Sitara resort to such measures to take revenge from Illyas Khawaja. Even though she said to Pappu that Falak will never know that he was her father but later on she said that when he makes a move on her she will take Falak with her and go and confront him. Tipu Shah has been phenomenal as Pappu right from the beginning.

Sitara’s side of the story keeps on getting darker with every passing episode but Falak’s track keeps the drama from getting too depressing. Even after so many weeks the writer still has some shocking twists in store for the viewers which definitely have an impact every time. Also, Mein Sitara is still as unpredictable and enticing today as it was when it started, this is what makes this drama a success in my eyes. This was a picture perfect episode which put the story on a brand new track. The picture quality of Mein Sitara is always superb and the person incharge of the makeovers has done a brilliant job throughout. Illyas Khawaja really did look like he had been through a lot. Losing his daughter aged him more than anything else. The flashback scenes clearly suggested that he had a very strong bond with his daughter and the fact that she died in such a tragic manner while she was talking to him must have added to his grief. The actress playing Illyas Khawaja’s daughter was the only weak link in this episode.

In this episode the viewers did not only get to see a different side of Sitara’s character but we also saw a very different side of Illyas Khawaja’s character as well. Nauman Ijaz’s performance was faultless in tonight’s episode and this episode was directed skillfully too. The preview of the next episode showed Illyas Khawaja uttering those lines which the viewers have heard him saying many years back which made me wonder if my reading about Illyas Khawaja was wrong but all those scenes in which he kept on thinking about his daughter did suggest that Falak reminded him of his daughter. Also, the preview of the next episode showed Sitara getting frustrated because of the fact that Illyas Khawaja had not made a move on her daughter. It looks like Illyas Khawaja will unknowingly help his daughter make her dreams come true! Will Sitara forgive him then and move on? I am waiting to find out.

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

P.S. I have been terribly sick therefore I might not be able to post the reviews on time for a few days, please bear with me.

There are plenty of reasons why Mein Sitara is my most favorite play right now but the most important reason is that it is filled with strong female characters who might be flawed in many ways but they are in no way becharis! You feel for them but not because they want you to feel sorry for them, you root for them without pitying them in any way at all and most of all, all these women have a screen presence which cannot go unnoticed. Until this episode Jharna and Sitara were two such women who fought till the end but tonight Falak proved that she too had tons of confidence in herself. Sitara has faced many difficult times in her life but she has always fought back and she refused to play the victim in her story. It is great to have writers and producers who dare to tell the story of women who are not becharis. It might not get them the ratings most people run after but it does earn them the respect of viewers who are sick and tired of watching women in similar scenarios in dramas. The grace and precision with which Saba Qamar translated Sitara’s character on screen yet again tonight was beyond impressive. Sitara has gone through many different phases of life throughout this drama and Saba Qamar has done complete justice to all these stages in Sitara’s life.

Falak’s character was introduced properly in this episode. With Sitara’s mother out of the picture for now Falak and Sitara got to spend more time together without the involvement of a third party. Falak is a born artist, she cannot think about pursuing a career which does not involve performing, writing or directing. After being led down by her sister Sitara decided to give Falak the permission to go ahead with her plan to study film and performing arts. Sitara’s reaction after the refusal was shown brilliantly. The way Pappu has been kept in the picture throughout these last few episodes in particular has helped in many ways. He is someone who communicated Falak’s feelings to Sitara and pleaded her case. Also, he was seen accompanying Falak wherever she went, which gave Sitara a sense of security. Pappu’s conversations with Falak helped the viewers find out more about her character as well. Adnan Shah Tipu has breathed life into a character which was not an easy one to translate on screen. His portrayal is effortless and very impressive.

The scene in which Falak managed to persuade her mother to have more faith in her was one of the best scenes of this episode because it showed the amount of confidence Falak had in her own self. She really is Sitara’s daughter because she is not willing to give up on her dreams but she has a better chance than Sitara because she is going through proper channel. Sitara decided to convince Falak that she should not tell people about her relationship with her. Falak did not decide to go along with her mother’s decision because she was ashamed to be her daughter but because she wanted to make her own identity and she respects her mother’s wishes. The conversation between Falak and Sitara in which she acknowledges the pains her mother went through to raise her went to show that finally Sitara had one blood relative who was willing to acknowledge everything she had done for her and was not ashamed of being associated with her. Even Sitara’s sister who used to support her at one time, severed ties with her in order to keep her marriage intact therefore Falak is the only person who is proud of the bond she has with her mother irrespective of whatever happened in her past. The on screen chemistry between Anum Fayyaz and Saba Qamar makes their relationship with each other relatable.

There are very few dramas which manage to hold your interest for this long. Mein Sitara hasn’t only held my interest but it gives me something new and exciting to look forward to every week. The preview of the next episode promised new twists in the story and perhaps another tragedy. Can’t wait to find out what is going to happen next.

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

What I loved about this episode of Mein Sitara was that although the latest developments in the story focused on the clash of ideas between Sitara and Falak but there was genuine love and concern for each other on both sides. Falak grew up to be a strong girl who knows exactly what she wants from life. Sitara tried to persuade her but she was not willing to give in. All the scenes between Sitara and Falak were beautifully directed and written. Although Anum Fayyaz wasn’t the perfect choice for playing this role but she definitely made it work. This episode also showed how Sitara had started taking drugs and the role Falak played in making her quit drugs. The conversations between Sitara and Tipu gave the viewers an insight into Falak’s personality. Tipu’s character has been very positive throughout this play and unlike many other dramas in which the heroine fights her wars alone without anyone by her side, Sitara had Tipu by her side right from the time her troubles started. Although Tipu has been able to do very little for Sitara practically but he was always been there to lend an ear and most importantly to guide her in the right direction. The relationship between these two friends whose friendship stood the test of time has been a very important part of this drama.

Saba Qamar’s overall look in this episode was picture perfect and her performance as usual was mind blowing. The way the director showed how Falak’s wish to become a star effected Sitara was beyond impressive. All the flashback scenes coupled with Saba Qamar’s expressions and body language made it quite clear that Sitara’s worst nightmare had just come true! After going into depression and resorting to drugs Sitara decided to reason out with Falak. Sitara’s feelings were very relatable because it is the first instinct of a mother to keep their child away from something they had a bad experience with, no matter what it is. Sitara in particular was always shown as a mother who kept her daughter away from her because she did not want her own life to effect Falak therefore this was a huge setback for her.

The story in this episode took a new turn and just like always Sitara will once again bounce back in the upcoming episode. The preview of the next episode showed Sitara finally giving in to Falak’s wishes. It also showed Falak’s father watching her perform and he will probably meet her by chance in the upcoming episode. This episode ended too quickly and it left me wanting more of Mein Sitara! This drama has always focused on Sitara’s journey even though it had quite a few notable supporting characters to its credit. Everything that happens around Sitara is in some way associated with her or it impacts Sitara’s journey in some way or the other. Mein Sitara has always surprised me in many ways and just like most of Faiza Iftikhar’s dramas it has always been unpredictable.

Any predictions about what is going to happen next? Will Falak manage to achieve what her mother could not? How many of you are looking forward to an encounter between Illyas Khawaja and Falak? Do share your thoughts about it.

This was another superb episode of Mein Sitara which showed the ups and downs in Sitara’s life. Sitara has proved over and over again that she is a fighter. Now that Sitara has Falak in her life, her top priority is to ensure that Falak gets everything she did not get as a child and at the same time Sitara’s line of work does not effect her life in any way. The opening scene of this episode showed a very different Sitara. There was a time when Sitara used to get hurt by the things Naseem used to say to her and did not have much to say in return but this time around she was the one who put Naseem in her place. Similarly, when she met Jamal she made sure that she spoke her mind. When her parents questioned her decision to send her daughter to another city she did not hold back! Just like every other episode there was a very definite change in Sitara’s personality. This episode covered a few years and in these years the change in the entertainment industry was also shown. Sitara managed to earn enough to start her own parlour and all through these years Pappu was a close friend and now her partner. Although Sitara kept her parents with her and looked after them but she made sure that they did not make her decisions for her.

Sitara’s reaction when she saw the news about Illyas Khawaja went to show that she had not forgiven or forgotten him. This scene was very well crafted just like all the other scenes in this episode. One minute Sitara was cursing him, hoping his channel fails and the other minute she saw an opportunity in this new development. The way Sitara keeps on turning to Farhad Sethi for sharing those turns in her life which impact her the most in a positive or a negative manner is also an interesting addition to the story. I truly felt for Farhad today, every time Sitara visits her he becomes more upset!

Apart from the confrontations that were on point and a pleasure to watch, Saba Qamar’s acting as well as her makeovers made this episode a complete package. Saba Qamar has portrayed all the different phases of Sitara’s life faultlessly. The writer has given the viewers a story which is not only different but also very logical and entertaining. Sitara’s character has been the biggest strength of this story right from the first episode. The credit for this goes to all the people involved; the writer, the director, the actor and even the make-up artist.

The preview of the next episode showed that Falak comes back home and she wishes to be an actor, director, dancer – anything at all that is associated with the entertainment industry. This will prove to be another difficult turn in Sitara’s life. There was a time when Jharna used to tell Sitara that the world of glitz and glam wasn’t as appealing in reality as it looked like from a distance but Sitara never understood that. Now, Sitara is in the same situation but the huge difference is that Sitara attached all her hopes to Falak’s bright future. Sitara’s struggle is not over yet! She has won every other battle in her life but will she be able to win this one? And if she does than what price will she have to pay for it?

The next episode would be the beginning of a new phase in Sitara’s life. I am eagerly looking forward to what the Mein Sitara team has in store for us. How many of you watched this latest episode? Please share your thoughts about it.

This episode was full of surprises! Even after so many weeks Mein Sitara still gives its viewers something to look forward to. After watching the last episode and the preview of this one I was quite certain that Sitara’s journey would end with nothing but regrets but this episode (especially the last scene) showed that Sitara is still strong and very willing to compete with Naseem Dil Ruba. Also, Sitara’s decision to live independently went to show that she is ready to cut off her ties with her parents completely, a decision which will definitely benefit her in the long run. Saba Qamar once again stole the show with her impressive performance. It is very interesting how some of the characters who we thought were never going to appear again are actually the ones which are playing a very important role in taking the story forward now. Naseem Dil Ruba and Pappu are two such characters which have been there right from the start but no one could have guessed that they would play such a major role in the story.

Pappu’s character shows that not everyone in the industry is fake and there are times when people like Sitara make some good friends too. Adnan Shah Tipu is brilliant as Pappu, he made his presence felt even when Pappu’s role didn’t have a bigger role to play in the picture and now that he is the only friend Sitara has, he is going to be her biggest support. Pappu is wise and has a realistic approach towards everything and for once Sitara is willing to listen to him. The opening conversation between these two characters showed what kind of a person Pappu was and that Sitara was going to listen to him. Sitara wanted to tell Khawaja about the baby but didn’t do so when Pappu told her it might not be such a good idea.

Sitara’s father’s character has to be one of the most impactful negative characters of recent times. The dialogue “is duniya mein akela tu hi beghairat nahi hai” was on point! Sitara’s mother has a soft spot for her daughter but she too is just as selfish and greedy as her father. The scene in which Sitara tells her father that she had huge expectations from her daughter Falak was a very powerful scene.

At the beginning of this episode Sitara was completely hopeless but by the time it ended, she had a very different approach towards everything! Naseem Dil Ruba has not learned anything in all these years. She is still the person she was so many years back and I must say that Meera was the perfect choice for playing this role. Sitara could not compete with Naseem in films but now with the new openings in theatre she might have a chance. I had given up all hope that Sitara will one day rise again but now it seems highly likely that it might just happen! This was the most pleasant development in tonight’s episode. Mein Sitara has always been very unpredictable and just like all of Faiza Iftikhar’s scripts even now it is impossible to guess what is going to happen next!

Time passed quickly in this episode and every scene of this latest installment added something new to the story. Sitara’s character grew with every interaction she had with different characters in this episode. Sitara was always a fighter and she still is. She is the kind of heroine which most of us want to see in our dramas – she is flawed but at the same time inspiring! Seema Taher Khan has done complete justice to the beautiful script penned down by Faiza Iftikhar. Mein Sitara is not the story of one girl but it shows different transitions our film industry went through and different ways in which these changes effected those people who were associated with the film industry. The amazing thing about this drama is that Sitara’s journey is just as enticing today as it was so many weeks back when the first few episodes of this drama had gone on air.

After tonight’s episode I am eagerly looking forward to what is going to happen next. How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it.

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