Mr. Khan’s Review on Daastan (2010)

A review on Pakistani TV Drama Series, Daastan (2010) aka Tale. Its Production House is MD Productions while its Distributor is Hum Entertainment.

 

 

+ Crew

• Directed by Haissam Hussain
• Cinematography by Farhan Alam
• Written by Razia Butt (Novel) & Samira Fazal (Adapted)
• Title Song “Aasmanon Se” by Sohail Haider
• Produced by Momina Duraid

 

 

 

+ Note
Daastan aired on Hum TV from 26^th Jun 2010 – 4^th Dec 2010. It consists of total 23 episodes. It is based on the partition of the Indian Subcontinent and the resulting independence of Pakistan, and takes place between 1947 and 1956.

In this drama series, Bano, a girl from a close knit Muslim family living in Ludhiana (located in undivided Punjab) in the pre-1947 era. The story follows Bano and Hassan, as they face the repercussions caused by the 1947 independence.

It starts out at a neighborhood of Lahore, which was shown as Ludhiana, India. The locations changed with every couple of episodes as the story corresponds. Other locations include Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Kapurthala. Notable locations include the Islamia College and the famous, Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, as well as the Pakistan Railways Station.

Daastan ranks among one of the highest-rated Pakistani television series of all time.

 

 

 

+ Main Cast

1. Sanam Baloch as Bano
2. Fawad Khan as Hassan
3. Mehreen Raheel as Rabia
4. Ahsan Khan as Saleem (Bano’s elder brother)
5. Saba Qamar as Suraiyyah (Saleem’s Wife)
6. Saba Hameed as Rasheeda (Hassan’s Mother)
7. Babrik Shah as Basant Singh
8. Affan Waheed as Nadir (Hassan’s Friend)

 

 

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+ Supportive Cast

1. Qavi Khan as Naseeb Bhai (Bano’s Father)
2. Samina Peerzada as Saliha or “Bibi” (Bano’s Mother)
3. Seemi Raheel as Sakeena (Hassan’s Maami)
4. Asma Abbas as Sultana (Rabia’s Mother)
5. Naeem Tahir as Rabia’s Father
6. Daniyal Raheel as Faheem (Bano’s younger Brother)
7. Anita Fatima Camphor as Jameela (Hassan’s Aunt)
8. Humaira Abbasi as Kaamini
9. Azra Mansoor as N/A

 

 

 

+ Plot

Bano and her fiance face the trials and tribulations that caused by the 1947 Indian partition.

 

 

 

+ High Points

i – Fawad Khan’s performance is always the top notch. He in the year 2010 had the ‘First Class’ looks and performed ‘A’ graded on-screen. No wonder why people love to see him perform.

ii – This is the first work I have watched of Sanam Baloch. Yes, I agree with others on her great performance in the main lead role ‘Bano’. She really captured the viewers’ attention by her realistic act. Other Honorable Mentions: Babrik Shah, Ahsan Khan, Mehreen Raheel and Saba Hameed.

iii – The first 11 episodes are very fascinating to watch.

iv – Asma Abbas reminded me very much of Bushra Ansari; the way she sounded and performed.

v – Praises to the director who made sure the performances came on top.

vi – The misconception of Pakistan which Bano has in her mind was greatly handled by both, the writer and the director.

vii – Ahsan Khan’s character as Saleem is well written.

viii – I would always praise Hum TV dramas to take the ‘Risk Factor’ where other entertainment channels just interested to play the ‘Safe Side’.

 

 

 

+ Low Points

i – I am not against tragic endings but I firmly don’t agree with this one, even if the novel carried the same / similar ending, even then. Still I can assure you that during the 17^th episode, it was now very predictable how this TV drama series would come to its end. Pity!

ii – After so many years, when Bano finally has the chance to meet her fiancée… this scene was poorly directed and shot in most unconvincing manner.

iii – Rather to have political argument here, let’s just say that Daastan mainly focused on one perspective of the partition of the subcontinent in 1947. I agree to some extend as to why the writer chose this move however keeping it in our minds that our mass public is still unaware / unconcerned of what actually happened at a time like this.

iv – It seems that due to low budget constraints, the production design and shooting locations were very carefully selected.

v – Similarly it goes for costumes designing as well.

vi – Its strange to see that a small child is unable to react or cry in front of crazy, shouting mother.

 

 

+ Overall
Daastan has its moments, but it’s vaguely written and self-indulgent to justify for its slow chronicle theme.

 

 

Rate: 2.75 out of 5 stars