Mujhe Jeene Do - Episodes 1, 2 and 3

Some names are simply synonymous with quality and when you see those names associated with a production, you are immediately enticed to view that show.  A few of those names are Salman Shahid, Nadia Jamil, Sarmad Khoosat, Mehreen Raheel and, recently even Hania Amir and Gohar Rasheed (I'll forgive him for Mann Mayal).  And when all these names combine to star in one drama, expectations are high.  Add Angeline Malik to the mix as director and I'll simply say the quality of that production is guaranteed to be something special.

Three episodes in, I will say that the show does not disappoint.  Each and every one of these actors (minus Hania, who has yet to appear - for obvious reasons) has a strong role to play and are given ample screen time.

The show follows the story of Saira (played by Emaan Sher, later to be Hania) from the age of eight to eighteen and how her life evolves in those years due to the decisions of others.  Child marriage is the basic story, interwoven with characters dealing with lack of education, poverty, marriage difficulties and health.

             

I can't pin-point one character/actor that I'm impressed with right now.  Sarmad Khoosat is such a great artist that I tend to watch anything he acts and/or directs.  Furthermore, his chemistry with Mehreen Raheel is great, making the husband-wife relationship feel real (which, of course, adds to the anger of the viewer towards their problems).

Gohar Rasheed's acting as a young widower is heartbreaking, while Salman Shahid's act as the patriarch of the family is strong and intimidating.  Nadia Jamil is such an actress that when she takes on a role (which is RARE), you realize how much you've missed her and what a natural she is.  Her role is of adviser and overseer to the majority of the characters in the show (as their doctor), playing the voice of reason.  Little Emaan Sher is no great actress, but is sweet enough as Saira and does as well as one can expect.

Overall, the show is off to an amazing start, depicting extreme, but very realistic situations.  With Baaghi and now Mujhe Jeene Do, quality-wise, Urdu 1 is leading miles ahead of all of the other drama channels.  Excited to see how the show progresses!