Laal Ishq - Catch Up

Hi guys!  Just recently, I discovered that "Laal Ishq" existed.  I wasn't choosing not to watch this particular show, I just didn't know it was a "thing."  On the recommendation of someone, I picked it up - and realized "Oh my God, this is a sequel to Landa Bazaar!"!

Flashback to 2002, I remember catching glimpses of Landa Bazaar when at a friend's house and watching episodes here and there, mostly because all the girls found "Rameez" (Ali Zafar) dreamy.  Moving to the summer of 2004 when I was visiting Pakistan - Ali Zafar had hit the big time and the TV channels began reairing Landa Bazaar.  My memories of the show are of watching it in a room with my Dadimaa (grandmother), so not only was it a good show, but I have great memories associated with it.  I also remember being particularly impressed with Babar Ali, because up until that point, he had been quite the goofball of an actor in Lollywood films and suddenly, he was giving this very impressive performance in a great show.

OKAY.  So now I am hoping SOMEONE who is reading this will be able to answer all the questions that I have.  Mind you, I am STILL catching up and I'm on episode 8.

First of all, the OST is stinking beautiful.  That's the only way to describe it, it just grabs your attention immediately and holds you there.

Guys, so many questions.  Who is Saba Hameed playing?  Is she Ameeran?  I feel like I need to watch Landa Bazaar again, because I didn't think Hukum was married.  He was in love with Zohra?  Did he marry Ameeran and that's who Saba Hameed is playing?  Or did I just forget him being married?  Second, where did these kids come from?  Baali and Hukum had that fight ON Baali and Zohra's WEDDING DAY, so I can't imagine that after all that ruckus, Zohra and Bali went into the room to bring some children into the world!  Likewise with Hukum - where did these children come from?  He wasn't married (again, unless I'm wrong and he was).  Also, where did Rameez and Baali's sister disappear to?  I don't think there was an explanation for that one, was there?

And most importantly, Mehar Chirag had FORGIVEN Baali at the end of Landa Bazaar, so why was he in jail?  Why did he get a death sentence to begin with?  He was pardoned......?

*Phew*  All of that aside, there is something so heartwarming and nostalgic about this show.  I love that SO many of the original cast members are a part of the show.  It's great to see Babar Ali again.  Kashif Mehmood is doing such a great job showing Jajji's growth and change over the years.  He's a very lovable character.  It's actually really nice to see Faryal Mehmood in a lead role, as she's a very talented actress that rarely gets her due.

I'm honestly enjoying this show, for both sentimental reasons and for the very gripping story.  Is anyone else watching?  Let me know your thoughts!  Until next time, happy watching!

Best Dramas of 2017

2017 was a year that, overall, had fairly mediocre dramas gracing our television screens.  However, sprinkled throughout the year were some solid gems that were not only memorable, but may be remembered as classics in years to come.  While I've struggled each year to come up with a "top 10 favorite dramas" list in the years preceding, this year, I had a hard time narrowing down the list to only 10.  While we didn't have many action-packed thorough entertainers, this year gave height to more silent, subtle and powerful storylines.

Disclaimer:  As always guys, I only include completed dramas in my list.  Dramas like Baaghi, Mujhe Jeene Do, Daldal, etc. that are still ongoing will most likely (unless they manage to mess up in the coming weeks) be featured on my list for 2018.  I consider the year the drama ends in rather than the year it begins in.

There is also a VIDEO version of this post this year, so if you guys are interested, please visit my YouTube channel at the link below!

The Best Pakistani Dramas of 2017 - Video Version

Alright, so let's get into my list of the top 10 best dramas of 2017!

1)  Yakeen Ka Safar

By far, the best show of 2017, Yakeen Ka Safar is cemented at the #1 spot.  No other show has been able to come close.

The story tells the tale of two families - one being Zubia's family (Sajal Ali).  An abusive husband, Zubia's father accidentally kills Zubia's mother in a domestic dispute and then covers up the abuse by threatening his children.  During this low point of her life, Zubia makes a questionable decision that leads to her to disgrace, only to be rescued in a chance encounter by Asfandyar.

Asfandyar's family is a well to do, educated family headed by lawyer Usman.  His foreign educated son Daniyal (Shaz Khan) is also a lawyer.  Daniyal is married to his cousin and childhood sweetheart Geti (Hira Salman), while Asfandyar (Ahad Raza Mir) - who is in med school and is very fun loving - is engaged to another cousin, Faryal.  This tight-knit family is shown as a very happy unit - until Daniyal takes on a case with an NGO, fighting for a poor woman gang-raped by a politician's son.  Daniyal is directly framed for attempted rape by said politician, in an effort to ruin Daniyal's reputation, and the story reaches a heightened level at this point.  Asfandyar's family moves to a small town to escape the pain life has dealt them.

Zubia, in an effort to escape the shame, takes up a job at a hospital in a small town - a hospital run by Dr. Asfandyar.  It is here where the story truly begins, healing begins and we see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This drama depicts a realistic take on life, family and love.  The characters are lovable, relatable and the emotions depicted are both agonizing and endearing.  This is a show I would wholeheartedly recommend to everyone.



2)  Sang E Mar Mar

Sang E Mar Mar basically sits on the premise of love and a misunderstanding that ensues regarding hidden love.  The story focuses on Gullistan Khan (Noman Ejaz) and his family, consisting of three sons, a daughter in law and his wife (Sania Saeed).  The story essentially follows the plot of Gullistan's son Gohar (Agha Mustafa Hassan) who "traps" a girl Durkhani into his "Web of love."  A series of misunderstandings results in Shireen's brother killing Gohar. How this murder affects Shireen and Gullistan Khan's family forms the basis of the story.  The drama is riveting, each character having multiple layers to them.  There are shades of grey in every character and that's what makes the story all the more intriguing.  Sang E Mar Mar is a gem of a show and, despite the emotional highs and lows, was a treat to watch.  

Noman Ejaz is the backbone of this show and manages to create a character that is both detestable and lovable at the exact same time.  The entire cast plays their parts perfectly.  Kubra Khan leaves a strong impact as Shireen.  Special mention has to be given to Paras Masroor as Torah, who proves to be a stand-out performer.  I won't hesitate to say that as a Pukhtun, it's always nice to see some representation on television, so I have a special place in my heart for this show.



3)  Muqabil

Chup raho, Udaari, even recently Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila dealt with the issue of child abuse.  Muqabil stands out in dealing specifically with the effects abuse can have on a marriage.  Muqabil focuses on Parissa (Kubra Khan), who suffered childhood abuse at the hands of her mother's manager Mehmood, a beloved member of the family.  Years have passed since the incident, but Parissa still carries the pain with her and it has affected her entire life (and personality).  On the other end, Mehmood (Asif Raza Mir) has long carried the guilt of his sin and has turned to God to relieve himself of his heavy burden.  When Parissa decides to marry Armaan, the son of Mehmood, the lives of all three characters are led down a path from which there is no return.  The characters were so complex.  No one character was an angel, they all had shades of grey.

The love story is unusual, beautiful, riveting and in spite of an impossible situation, makes you root for the love birds to somehow make it work.   I cannot speak enough about the performances:  Asif Raza Mir is a master of his art and the way he presents every "pehlu" of his character is gripping.  Kubra Khan, yet again, has delivered an incredible performance, portraying a victim of abuse with depth and understanding.  Mohsin Abbas Haider is always a treat to watch (and LISTEN to).  His performance is so natural, you honestly believe that he IS his character.  Immediately lovable, but with many layers, his portrayal of Armaan is perfect.  

A story of healing, redemption and love, Muqabil presents the audience with a story that is not only memorable, but also very important.

4)  Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai

Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai is the kind of show that moves slowly, the dialogues coated in poetry, the acting subdued and before you can even think “What is the story here?”, you have already been transported into Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar's written world, the world of Kaneez Begum's family. The story is fairly simple: The shy and sweet Gulraiz (Shehzad Sheikh) is in love with Maheen (Ayeza Khan) and, on his wish, the family decides to get them engaged. Enter Waqar (Imran Abbas), a cousin from London and Maheen's childhood enemy. Before the two realize it, Waqar and Maheen have fallen for each other. What starts off as a love triangle between cousins turns into a whirlwind of emotional drama and heartbreak. At no point does the story become “predictable,” despite having a very slow, smooth pace. The emotions are deep, intense and heartfelt, drawing the viewer into a complex situation made further complicated by family relations. Each and every member of the cast does a commendable job, playing their designated part with sincerity.

This show may start off slow, but it emerges as a powerhouse of a show and leaves the viewer grappling with a plethora of emotions by the end. This one comes highly recommended.

5)  Sammi

Sammi boasts of a cast with one actor more talented than the last.  To summarize the story, Sammi is engaged, but on her wedding day, an argument errupts between her fiance and her brother - during which her brother murders her to-be husband.  In exchange for their son's freedom, Sammi's parents agree to making Sammi a "Vanni" (this refers to the forcible marriage of a girl as "punishment" for the actions of a male relative) and she is ultimately given to the Chaudhry of the village as a bride for his 12-year-old son.  It is from here that Sammi's problems really begin and the lives of Sammi, Rashid (Adnan Siddiqui) and Chandni (Sania Saeed) are thrown into a tailspin.

While Sammi focuses specifically on the plight of Sammi, played by Mawra Hocane, her trials and tribulations affect several different key characters and it is this ensemble cast that brings the show together.  Sammi also marked the acting debut of both Ahad Raza Mir and Bilal Khan.

Sammi is a story about the plight of women, not only in rural Pakistan, but also in Pakistani society as a whole.  While this is not a light-hearted fare, it is the sort of show that everyone should watch.

6)  Bin Roye

Bin Roye ended in January of 2017, which just made the cut to be part of 2017's list.  This show captivated me from the get-go.  The story is old wine in a new bottle, but the characters and the treatment make it one hell of a new bottle. Two sisters in love with the same man is not necessarily a new story, but this particular story focuses more on the emotions associated with the situation.  What I love most is that there isn't a "negative" character.  The negativity comes, rather, from the emotions. misunderstandings and wrong assumptions.  High on emotions, we see Saba (Mahira Khan) act out towards Saman (Armeena Khan) and Irtiza (Hamayun Saeed), despite the fact that she loves both in different ways.  Saba struggles with herself and her years of love and adoration for Irtiza, seeing that his heart belongs to Saman.  After tragedy strikes and Irtiza is suddenly presented on a platter to Saba, Saba's grief, turmoil and intense guilt takes over her life.  

It's interesting to watch this storyline only because these characters are written as nice people.  Had there been any vamp-like behavior, this show could've gone to the dogs.  Instead, you sympathize with everyone involved.  It's a beautiful show, visually and emotionally.



7)  Yeh Raha Dil

Yeh Raha Dil focused on the love story between Hayaa, Zaki and Nida - a love triangle between sisters and a boy.  While the story sounds cliched, it's the treatment and the flow that set this show apart.  The show was light-hearted.  Despite my emotional ups and downs with this show and my disdain at how certain characters behaved, I will say that this show was a step above the rest and was different from most shows out there.  They attempted to deliver something "fresh" and I appreciate that.  

Ahmed Ali Akbar and Yumna Zaidi are a couple I always look forward to watching on screen and they have yet to disappoint.  Their chemistry is incredible, you'd almost believe they were a couple in real life. If you haven't seen this show, I'd recommend it if you have a couple of lazy days and want to watch something fairly frustration-free, a little silly and not too heavy.



8)  Khuda Mera Bhi Hai

Khuda Mera Bhi Hai brought a new story to the forefront - a story that focused on a transgender child and his place in Pakistani society.  Ayesha, Jibran, Aly Khan, Saba Hameed, Furqan Qureshi, Irsa Ghazal, Mehmood Aslam......this entire cast deserves applause for their performances in this drama.  The situations depicted were heart-wrenching, the emotions heart-breaking and it made you feel passionate towards the issue of the treatment of "hijras" in South Asia.  Furqan Qureshi, who till date had yet to impress me, is the breakout star in this show, playing the role of Noor with confidence and a heartbreaking kind of sincerity.

How the birth of a third-gender child affects and essentially breaks apart a marriage and affects several relationships is the crux of the story and it was played out beautifully.  I am all praises for this show.

9)  Kuch Na Kaho

A story focused on two sisters, two brothers and the bond between the four characters, this show ran for FORTY SEVEN EPISODES.  In my mind, as the number increased, I thought "What's up with this?  Is it ever going to end?  Is this a soap?"  That being said, there was not a single dull moment.  The story was interesting, the acting was good and the episodes were fast-paced.  I looked forward to watching this show and would wait for new episodes with anticipation.  Was it without flaws?  No.  But was it possibly my favorite show this year?  Definitely.  Naveen & Emmad looked incredible together and their chemistry as at-odds spouses was riveting.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

10)  Shaadi Mubarak Ho 

At the last spot is Shaadi Mubarak Ho, a show that consisted of solid comedy from beginning to end.  In a year full of heavy, solemn topics, this show came like a breath of fresh air.  Resting on the tried and tested formula put into place by the "Baraat" series by Vasay Chaudhry, Shaadi Mubarak Ho follows the love story between a young couple and the chaos that ensues leading up to their wedding.  I will be the first to admit that this show has its share of awkward moments, repetition and lame jokes.  That being said, sometimes a show creates a space in your heart due to the opportune timing - without any good comedy shows on air and an overabundance of misery on television, Shaadi Mubarak Ho arrived at exactly the right moment.  Without being path breaking, this show delivered laughs and kept a smile on the viewers face from beginning to end.


Special Mention goes to these dramas for being good, but not making the cut:  Khuda Aur Mohabbat 2, Nazar E Bad, Phir Wohi Mohabbat and Dil Banjaara.

Alright guys, that's my list!  Please do comment below if there is a drama I missed that you believe deserves to be on this list (even as a special mention).  I am always up for recommendations!  Thanks for reading and until next time, happy watching!

Baaghi - The Finale

I've written a lengthy blog post on Baaghi in the recent weeks, so I don't want to ramble on and on.  What I do want to say is that I am one of "those."  I was pro Qandeel Baloch in her lifetime - not in that I agreed with what she did, but I very much disagreed with people saying she should die and that she was ruining society.  She had a right to live her life however she felt like living it, especially taking her life experiences into account.  I continue to be pro Qandeel Baloch after her death.  Maybe she would have changed.  Maybe she wouldn't have.  She was young.  Whatever she did, it was her choice and not our place to judge.  Whether her brother killed her for "honor" or whether that Mufti had her killed for HIS "honor," either way, Qandeel Baloch's death should not have happened.

Baaghi was a beautiful drama that thoroughly depicted Qandeel's life in a way that was as accurate as could be expected.  All the actors involved did a commendable job, but Saba Qamar in particular should win awards for this performance.  She really touched the hearts of the audience.  That's all I really have to say on this.  I enjoyed the drama from beginning to end, despite some sluggish episodes towards the end and I already know this will feature on my "favorites" list for 2018. 

The drama ended with these words:

"Jhooti izzat aur bemainay ghairati mujh jaisi kahin Qandeelon ko waqt se pehle bujha diya.
Sambhalnay aur badalnay ka jo haq mujhe khuda ne diya tha, woh aap ne cheen liya.
Main maushray ke liye kharaab thi, logon ke ikhlak ke liye khatra thi.
Main jaisi bhi thi, aap ki duniya se chali gayi.
Apni koi safai paish kiye baghair, main sirf yeh poochna chahti hoon ke
Ab to burai khattam ho gayi na?  Logon ke ikhlak bhi bach gaye.
Maushra?  Uska kya hua?  Maushra theek ho gaya?  Hmm?"

("False pride and meaningless ego killed many Qandeels like me. 
The right to grow and change that was God given to me, you took it away.
I was bad for society.  I was dangerous for the morals of people.
However I was, I have left your world.
Without justifying my actions, I would like to just ask one thing.
Now the evil is finished, right?  The morals of people are also safe?
And society?  What happened to society?  It's better now, right?  Hmm?")

I think without saying anything, these words summed up this drama, Qandeel's death and our society.  We have, as a society, gotten worse since Qandeel's death and that's something that is evident.  This drama was eye-opening and tragic.