Reviews of Pak Dramas - Page 3

Talkhiyan is the story about the Silverwood residents told through the eyes of Zoya, who was also part, but never really a part of Silverwood, just like her mother Bibi and her fraternal twin Jugnu.The residents of Silverwood are family, but as far removed as a family can be. Dey are one of the most dysfunctional family tht I have come across with no emotional bonding with one another and no wonder it gives rise to so much of talkhiyan ( bitterness) that they harbor for one another, especially bibi and her twins who are treated as persona non grata and on lookers and never welcomed within the folds.

Agha ji is the patriarch of the family who is a cruel man who physical abuses his almost blind wife, Mama ji, but presents an intellectual facade of a respected scientist to the world and had physically abused Bbi as a child, that had made her run away at the very first opportunity and marry the first guy who came her way, who happened to be an Englishman. She ends up as the black sheep of the family by default, when she returns to Silverwood with her 2 kids, divorced from her husband who turned out to be no better than Agha ji, but in fact worse. She gets a cold welcome from the people of Silverwood, especially Apoo ji who inexplicably resents her and her children and they become the recipients of her sharp tongue and hurtful barbs. Mama ji is an indifferent mother and grandmother to Bibi and her kids. She is in fact the one financially supporting the family by making and selling pickles, but is totally dominated by her abusive husband and her taunting sister-in-law Apoo ji. Apoo ji is the holier-than-thou spinster, who has one great love for Father Albert who's physical presence has long ago been done with, but who's thoughts are all consuming for Apoo ji. She religiously writes him letters and puts it in the drawers of the table in the Church that was once used by father Albert. Though the letters remain untouched, Apoo ji never falters in her ritual. Ironically her unrequited love for father Albert makes her have that holier-than-thou attitude and makes her harsh towards Bibi and her kids and since Bibi is an adult, she gives it back to her, but Jugnu and Zoyee end up at the receiving end of Apoo ji's rabid hatred. Then there is Janu Baba, the apple of Mama ji's eyes the Oxfordian Marxist Comrade who just like his sister Bibi had left Silverwood for greener pastures, had married an Englishwoman and had a daughter, but was now similarly divorced and had returned to Silverwood sans his daughter. The prodigal son unlike the prodigal daughter was given a rousing welcome back into the family folds and the self-righteous Oxfordian Marxist was ready to take over Silverwood and their residents to greater heights. And then there is the housekeeper, who, though being a mere servant thinks highly of herself just like the residents of Silverwood, who r too feudal in their mindset to embrace the changing times, though Janu Babu gives the impression of being an enlightened aristocrat all for Marxist ideas and workers' right, but in reality exploiting the poor labourers by giving them less than the minimum wages and seeking sexual favors.

Bibi with nowhere else to go to returns to Silverwood, the very place she had run away from, with her twins. She tries her best to be both a mother and father to them and love them double, but the best of intentions can come to a naught when there are way to many things stacked against you and that's the case with Bibi. Also at one point of time she just seems tired with it all, even her twins, and often drifted away into her own world of illusion. It was Jugnu and Zoyee who end up suffering the most from the indifference and bitterness of a mother who has faced too many trails and are surrounded by adults who at their best ignore them and at their worst taunt and belittle them. In this midst they befriend Baloo, a low caste and a total taboo for the snobs and hypocrites of Silverwood, whose ubiquitous presence the residents of silverwood bear for their own selfish reasons. The love between Baloo and the kids grabs Bibi's attention and she is drawn towards him and finally succumbs to the forbidden love which leads to fatal consequences and the separation of Bibi, Zoyee and Jugnu forever.

It is a bittersweet story that touches you and your heart goes out to the innocent Zoyee and Jugnu who are dealt with such a cruel hand of fate at such a young age and for the helpless Bibi who had hoped for a better tomorrow for her kids and herself and who gave false reassurance to her kids about having lots of choices, when she had none.

Originally posted by: khamosshhh

DASTAAN

* May contain spoilers *

Watched Dastaan and sigh! 😭😭😭

Fisrt let me get the political equation out of the way. Being an Indian, for obvious reasons I didn't agree to the political rhetoric that were sprouted, but it at least gave me an understanding to a diametrically opposite POV. I was discussing this show with my sister who too has watched it and she said that when initially she was watching it, she was wondering why Fawad's character Hasan was shown as the villain as she had assumed he was the main lead and then all of a sudden it struck her that it was being shown from the Pakistani POV and I suppose that explains it all!😳 It's all about which side of the border you are literally. But More than that I think it's all politics and power play and it's the common people who paid the price, both Indians and Pakistanis. Also I think the partition was such a fatal man-made disaster that could have been executed better or avoided. But beyond that I am pretty hazy about the exact details so will say no further. Anyways enough of the political commentary.

I usually avoid such grim subjects and was apprehensive about watching Dastaan, but then finally gave in coz I wanted to watch different genres especially the good ones that are being recommended around. It was depressing to say the least.😭 The story was good, but I only got interested after Bano and Hasan meet again. From there on the story was really gripping and I felt so totally helpless seeing Bano reduced to a caricature of the feisty, spirited, girl and her rabid hate for her son brought tears in my eyes. Such a wasted life for such a strong person who had endured so much in the hope of seeing a better tomorrow. Hasan was such a sensitive lover. He tried his best and beyond to get back his old Bano and was so supportive. It's rare to find such a person and though there was no doubt that he loved Bano, but he also realized that he could never have the same kind of reciprocation, yet Bano's well being became his only goal in life.

Bano was such a revolutionary. After having endured so much, she still had the burning desire to make her country an ideal one, but she got disillusioned at every step. I was so happy when she finally became a social worker, thinking finally she has got her purpose, but that again was brutally dashed by the final betrayal and that too at the point when Bano had finally decided to reclaim her life with Hasan ( or had she really, I wonder). Liked Rafia's character too. She was the silent strength of Hasan, though he himself was unaware of it most of the time. My heart really went out to Bano in the end, but guess she was too far gone and could have never gone back to the person she was before. Left a sad feeling within, much after I had finished watching it and though I had finished watching it a few days back, only now could I pen down my thoughts.

Now abt the actors.

Fawad was simply brilliant as Hasan and no I am not a blind fan of his, just like him and especially his acting! He emotes so well and has a repertoire of emotions and never does he go OTT, which in a play like Dastaan one can easily do. Just through his eyes he can express so much of pain and sadness. Simply amazing. I find his role of Hasan very understated and he portrayed all emotions, whether sadness, anger, love, joy or helplessness perfectly and with the right restrain.👏

Had read so much abt Sanam Baloch's acting prowess and undoubtedly she was very good and performed Bano well. Only thing is dat, maybe I had heard so much of praise abt her, I wasn't as awed by her acting. And I didn't feel like only she could hv done Bano if you know what I mean.

Saba Qamar is an actor that I am liking and she played her cameo of Suraiya well . And I agree with those who say she has good chemistry with Fawad. Loved Suraiyya Khala and Hasan scenes.

The guy who plays Saleem was also good. The absolute scared expression when he retuns from Divan Saab's place, having not got any reassurance from him and his encountering a riot victim, sent chills down my spine. He was fabulous in that scene.

Samina Peerzada was as usual spot on and she's turning out to be my fav amongst the senior actors. I liked Mehreen as Rafia and she looked beautiful. Performance wise all others were good too.

Originally posted by: cake-shake

Oh and i would love to do an analysis on Durr e Shehwar sometime. When i get the time. You guys should watch it. It's a masterpiece 😊

Originally posted by: cake-shake

Nice analysis. Though i strongly diagree with what you wrote about Sanam Baloch and that anyone could have played Bano. The same could be said for Kashaf in ZGH or Saba Qamar in Maat or Samiya Mumtaz in MZZBN as well. In my opinion despite what fans may say, a good actor can mold themselves into any role whatsoever.

Actors like Nauman Aijaz, Faisal Qureshi, Sanam Baloch, Savera Nadeem and Saba Qamar are in a league of their own (among the current lot i mean because nothing can compare to the talent of yesteryear Pakistan TV). Sanam Saeed, Sami Khan and Adeel Hussain etc are brilliant as well but they can get monotonous at times. They still have some way to go.

I respect your opinion completely. Just stating my own. Hope you won't mind 😊