Author: Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Rom-Drama TV series, Shert aka Bet (2015). Its Production House is Momal Productions while its Distribution is done by Urdu One.

+ Crew

• Directed by Shaqielle Khan
• Written by Irfan Mughal
• Opening Theme & Music by Sabir Zafar and Waqar Ali
• Edited by Jameel Aiwan, Waqar Ali Zaidi and Saad Bin Jawaid
• Produced by Momina Duraid, Humayun Saeed and Shehzad Naseeb

+ Note

Shert aired on Urdu One from 04^th Apr 2015 to 24^th Jul 2015. In total, it consists of 17 episodes. Shaqielle has directed a number of TV series including, Choti Si Zindagi (2016), Perchaiyan (2019). An Islamic practice ‘Halala’ is highlighted in this TV series, where a woman has to marry another man and then divorce to marry her ex-husband.

The former Pakistani supermodel, Nadia Hussain plays the role as Sofia. In this TV series, her younger brother, Adnan and his wife, Hira, also are the part of supporting cast. The music is a label of Momina Duraid Productions. The opening song is sung by Aleyha Waqar. The shooting locations are mostly done in Karachi and Murree; Pakistan.

 Shert also aired in India on Zindagi TV as ‘Na Gumaan Kar Kisi Aur Ka’.

Warning: There may be SPOILERS ahead!

+ Main Cast

1. Danish Taimoor as Imaad
2. Ayesha Khan as Momal
3. Syed Jibran as Sameer
4. Nida Khan as Afroz
5. Nadia Hussain as Sofia

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+ Supportive Cast

1. Mustafa Qazmi as Sami
2. Adnan Hussain Ahmed as Sherry
3. Hira Hussain as Sherry’s Wife
4. N/A as Imaad’s Doctor
5. N/A as Imaad’s Lawyer
6. N/A as Sameer’s Friend
7. N/A as Sameer’s Lawyer

+ Plot

Momal, Imaad, Afroz and Sameer are four university friends who share a very friendly bond. After the failed marriage, however, Momal leaves Sameer for his infidelity and stays with Imaad and Afroz. There, a secret bet is placed between Momal and Afroz that all men are alike. Momal will win her bet if she is able to win Imaad for herself.

+ High Points

i – Overall performance by everyone is mild. Though, Danish Taimoor as Imaad has performed slightly better than the rest of the cast. Imaad is one of the lead characters, who is a protagonist and is lucky enough to propose his love to his long time friend, while still being married. Danish’s performance is highlighted mainly in the episode where the main twist comes into place. His natural reaction over the bitter news shows how well Danish is in his acting craft.

This is first TV series I have watched of this actor. After watching his performance, I would like to watch more of his work. Other Honorable Mentions: Aisha Khan.

ii – A quick thinking character as Sami played by Mustafa Qazmi, showed as in the main supporting role. This character helps in resolving the matter regarding the two couples’ relationship and on vital decisions need to be taken for other matters.

The credit goes to the writer, for coming up with such an important character for the TV series.

iii – The makeup & hair styling has done a satisfactory job. The lead stars, especially Danish and Aisha look glamorous on-screen.

+ Low Points

i – I can’t really say that the worst point of this TV series is its finale. The reason is that Shert’s writing is no good. Throughout the TV series, it hardly made its mark or impressed the viewers. Almost the entire TV series is weakly produced. As for the last episode, who comes up with such idiotically writing? The ending is clearly indigestible and unconvincing.

ii – Oh God! Why do we have to watch such illogical scenes?

• In which hospital, would you find no single soul in the two-story building? And Sameer literally threats Imaad by pointing his gun to shoot him at point blank range inside the hospital. Where is the security, the eye witnesses?
• How did Sameer know to where exactly his former wife might be during her Murree trip? His explanation of getting information from the office is not sufficient. I mean, come on! They were walking within the vast forest of Murree and somehow, Sameer ends up at the exact spot where they are. Gimme a break!
• Who remains still in love with a person, after such a betrayal? Even after everything has happened, Imaad still refuses to end the marriage. And because of that, we were gifted of 4 more episodes… [Sniff].
• In the end, everything is forgiven and forgotten? What about all those betrayals, attempt to kill unborn child?
• This is the first time, where an actual medical lab franchise is openly shown to be involved in bribery, corruption. Boy! Was I shocked and left dumbstruck. I mean, really? How this franchise has allowed them to be degraded like this? You can see that the guy who is persuaded to take the bribe is wearing their official lab coat with their brand name written on it.
• Sherry’s wife is shown to be supporting both the rival couples POV. This usually is shown intentionally as the TV series sometimes show their some characters to be double sided. However, this would be false in this TV series, as this character is shown in negative light in any other scene or episode.
• After spending one night together, Imaad suddenly hears of good news. Yes, it’s possible to happen. But very unlikely, for such a scenario. And, after 2 – 3 weeks later, they get the news.

iii – I have not watched any of the previous works by this director. He may or may not be successful in those. However, for Shert, his direction takes the lion’s share of being poorly handled. Still, I do not blame him directly for this TV series’ failure. It’s the writer mainly, who should be held responsible.

iv – Pathetic level of production design. To make the audience believe, that for Sameer and Momal live in Scotland (part of UK), they have England’s flag nailed on the wall, with ‘England’ written on Sameer’s slippers and T-shirt. WTF? Naturally, the BTS team didn’t go there for shoot. To pretend it, they used a very cheap method to do it.

v – Although, it’s a welcome for the viewers that Shert has only total of 17 episodes. But the way, this TV series has dragged the story to its unnatural length, is unbelievable.

vi – The opening theme song is not only bad but the singer seems to be having a sore throat.

vii – I am not really sure if this title name does justification to the TV series. Okay, fine… all hell loose, after the ‘Bet’ goes wrong in the end. But still, I feel that this TV series title should be based on either the character’s name or given to his/her main attribute.

As far as the writing is concerned, [shaking my head] really, I don’t know what to say? I am absolute speechless. To confirm, one should be daring enough to watch this TV series.

+ Overall
Shert is a kind of bet which you would surely like to miss watching.

Rate: 0.75 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Rom-Drama TV series, Meray Paas Tum Ho aka I Have You (2019 – 20). Its Production House is Six Sigma Plus while Distribution is done by ARY Television Network.

+ Crew

• Directed by Nadeem Baig
• Written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar
• Music by Naveed Nashad
• Edited by Khawaja Arif
• Produced by Humayun Saeed and Shahzad Nasib

+ Note

Meray Paas Tum Ho aired on ARY Digital from 17^th Aug 2019 to 25^th Jan 2020. In total, it consists of 23 episodes. The writer, Khalil sb has written Pyarey Afzal (2013 – 14) which has also starred Ayeza Khan in one of the lead roles. Nadeem Baig has previously worked with Humayun Saeed in a number of blockbusters films, such as Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2017), Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 1 (2015) and its sequel with the same name in (2018). Some people find this TV series plot somewhat similar to a Hollywood film, Indecent Proposal (1993), starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore.

Kamal Hussain and Arshad Malik are theater artists and have minor roles in this TV series. The opening theme song, ‘Mera Yeh Bharam Tha Meray Paas Tum Ho’ is sang by fame Qawal singer, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Meray Paas Tum Ho became one of the most popular TV serial in 2019. This drama series has also received one of the best ever Pakistani TV ratings in our TV history. Its last episode was viewed by almost more than 80 million people in Pakistan only. It has won seven awards at Pakistan International Screen Awards in 2019, including Best TV Director, Best TV Writer and Best TV Play.

Warning: There are SPOILERS ahead!

+ Main Cast

1. Humayun Saeed as Danish Akhtar
2. Ayeza Khan as Mehwish Akhtar
3. Adnan Siddiqui as Shehwar Ahmed
4. Shees Sajjad Gul as Roomi
5. Hira Mani as Hania

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+ Supportive Cast

1. Mohammad Ahmed as Mateen
2. Mehar Bano as Anushey
3. Musaddiq Malik as Monty
4. Furqan Qureshi as Salman
5. Rehmat Ajmal as Aisha
6. Hina Javed as Wateera

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+ Minor Cast

1. Savera Nadeem as Maham Syed
2. Shamim Hilaly as Roomi’s School Principal
3. Anoushay Abbasi as Ifrah
4. Waseem Lashari as Anti-Corruption Officer
5. Kamal Hussain as Govt. Office Attendant
6. Arshad Malik as Stock Buyer

+ Plot

Danish working at a govt. job, he is happily married to his wife, Mehwish while having son, Roomi. However, Mehwish dreams to have richness and flourish lifestyle quickly in life. Their marriage forever shatters when Shehwar steps into their lives.

+ High Points

i – Controversial it may be for some but, Khalil-ur-Rehman has done excellent job with the script writing. The main ingredient to this TV series success is the script, its dialogues. They were so good, so intriguing that I had to raise my TV volume to listen to its every dialogue carefully.

One of the best dialogues is: When Danish is forced to reconsider to forgive and forget the mistake his former wife has made. In return, he says, ‘Shirk Ko to Khuda Bhi Maaf Nahi Kartha’ (‘Even God doesn’t forgives any Associates Equal to him’).

ii – As far as the characters are concerned, there are few examples to show, how well the writer define them. Such as:

1. Mehwish is the main antagonist of this TV series. She has a sugar-coated personality with a combination of great beauty but a cold heart. She loves to chat with the rich man, Shehwar. There is a numerous times where he flirts with her to which she doesn’t shares this with her husband. She is strongly attracted towards Shehwar, mainly because of his vast wealth. However, when a similar thing is done by her medium class neighbor, she doesn’t accept and ignores him completely. This shows that Mehwish’s nature to be attracted towards people who are wealthy to fulfill her dreams.
2. Maham Syed is shown as a powerful character. She doesn’t really need to say or do anything really. Her wealthy status and dominant position can be seen in her strong glare which she makes while confronting Mehwish for the first time.
3. Roomi is given utter importance as the primary supporting character. He is given with one of the most interesting dialogues. He is shown to help his father in giving some good suggestions in rebuilding relationships, helping him to remarry and make him realize that his father is his true strength. This is very rare to see such importance given to a child character in a Pakistani TV series.
4. Danish intentionally ignores his wife’s all misdoings for the sake of their marriage to survive and good upbringing of their only son. He is even willing to do corruption for her, so that she could live a better lifestyle and fulfill her expensive demands. His character is shown who truly believes that by having his beautiful wife by his side, his life is complete. Upon her insisting, Danish allows her to do job at Shehwar’s, as he loves and trusts her.

iii – Humayun Saeed portrays as Danish, the main lead character of this TV series. Humayun gave a strong performance as a faithful lover to his wife, good father to his son and an honest employee to the govt. workplace where corruption is common there. His loyal, good heart nature had instantly won many viewers’ hearts all over the world. With his devotion to play his heroic role, Humayun would always be remembered as Danish, an iconic and memorable character.

iv – The main plot of MPTH is not about the women degradation. This is one of the allegations that the writer was accused of. This is a situation where the wife is the cheater (rather than the husband), who leaves her family behind for a high social class status and richness. Most of TV series of our industry is about a cheater boyfriend or husband. But here, the tables have turned.

The other criticism was showing women in bad light. In this TV series, only Mehwish’s character is shown that way as it is related with the main plot. Some viewers alleged that this TV series shows a cheater wife as unforgiving but not for a husband?

For clarification, there was a scene in earlier episodes where Mateen sb reveals that his late wife never truly forgave him for his betrayal to leave her for another woman. And, due to that, he suffered to this day for his grave mistake. It clearly shows that the writer wanted to viewers know that the forgiveness for both the genders is unacceptable. That’s exactly what happens with the main characters.

There’s another reason, provided by Hania is that the women should not be forgiven since she is the one who bears the child and not the husband. So, leaving family behind by a female is worse than done by a husband. It is a POV of the writer that is debatable. Personally, I agree with the writer and how he has put up in the story.

v – There are two best scenes in terms that I considered them intriguing to watch. Such as:

1. Danish gains confidence to face Shehwar at his office and warns him to be step aside or face his wrath. This scene was quickly become viral on the internet.
2. Mehwish is caught red-handed at the airport with Shehwar by her husband. The disappointing look on Danish’s face says it all. His pain can be seen in his eyes where saying it a loud wouldn’t have made such an impact.

vi – Adnan Siddiqui as Shehwar, who can’t stop himself from being drawn towards a married woman. His desire to have her, he impresses her with his vast wealth and higher social status. Adnan is a great actor, who is often seen as an artist who gives his all to play his characters as authentic and believable. It was a good choice to choose him to play as the secondary antagonist.

vii – A small, yet a vital supporting role as Mateen sb played by Mohammed Ahmed, gave a solid performance as the only co-worker with whom, Danish shares his pain with. Ahmed sb’s performance is often comes to lime light because of playing his characters on a realistic note. Other Honorable Mentions: Ayeza Khan.

viii – The makeup & hair styling department has done a great job in making the stars very glamorous on-screen. Adnan Siddiqui and Ayeza Khan looked very mod and stylish in their respected roles.

ix – Great work in its costume designing and wardrobe selection. It works well with the makeup & hair styling team.

x – Nice job in its production design. It helped in making the scenes visually authentic. Such as: Danish’s govt. workplace, Shehwar’s residence etc.

xi – MPTH surprisingly consists of total, 23 episodes. By having less than average total number of episodes nowadays, this TV series avoids in dragging the story to its unnatural length.

+ Low Points

i – This got to be the worst finale I have ever watched in Pakistani TV series till date. It seems that the writer wanted his main lead character to die in any way possible. Danish’s untimely and illogical death only raised more questions.

After watching the last episode, I still cannot believe that this was the end the writer preferred to write to this TV series. It doesn’t connect to how the story was progressing or the main character’s story arc. Even if the writer wanted to give a tragic end to this TV series, there were multiple ways to do this. But he chooses the worse way possible to kill his character. The last conversation Danish has with his son, had made me literally to doze off.

MPTH kept comparing themselves on viewing ratings with international critically acclaim TV series, Games of Thrones (2011 – 19). Though, in the end, it raises one true question.

Similarity to these two TV series is, ‘Which TV series has a worst ending‘?

1. Meray Paas Tum Ho
2. Games of Thrones

ii – There are some questions that troubled me. Such as:

1. Why Danish went to meet his ex-wife at the former house where he has the bad memories attached to it? He could have told her to change the location of their meeting.
2. Why Danish removes his ‘Oxygen Mask’ (in actual, it was a nebulizer mask) to talk to his son, when knowingly that he is admitted in ICU? How the doctors allowed this to happen? Danish talks to his son for 10 – 15 minutes at least.
3. Why Mehwish doesn’t call her close friend to stay the night? Instead, she visits her former husband’s apartment to stay the night.
4. Maham is willing to forgive her husband and promote him at her workplace. But then she says that she would fire him too. What does she really wants?
5. I’m sorry. How does this stock ratio, really works?

+ Overall
Similar to Achilles, Meray Paas Tum Ho is almost invincible with its spectacular dialogues and well-written characters until its ankle gets fatally wounded with one of the most disappointing finishing to a TV series.

Rate: 4.0 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani classic Comedy-Drama TV serial, Sona Chandi (1982-3). It’s Production House and its Distributor is PTV Network (Lahore Studio).

+ Crew

• Directed by Rashid Dar
• Written by Munnu Bhai aka Munir Qureshi

+ Note

Sona Chandi aired on PTV Network was released on 18^th Sep 1982-3. In total, it consists of 32 episodes. The story revolves around a newly wedded, lower-class couple who arrive at Lahore, in search of work. There they meet a vast number of different people tangled with their social or financial issues, where Sona Chandi tries to sort them out.

It is believed that this TV series is inspired by a real couple named Sona (male) and Chandi (female) from Kallurkot, a Tehsil city of Bhakkar; District of Punjab, Pakistan. During one of the late writer’s visits to Kallurkot, Munnu Bhai got to meet the ‘real’ Sona. He (Sona) has portrayed in the film version of the same name, Sona Chandi (1983-4).

Hamid Rana, who plays the lead role as Sona, comes from a background where his family who never considered the show business a respectful job. Although, by birth, Hamid was a stammer but that didn’t stop him from becoming a recognizable actor. After working in a number of theater plays, he his future co-star, Sheeba Arshad. Soon, they became good friends and started to appear in many theater and TV serials together. The classic hit TV series, Sona Chandi is the first project for the two stars to appear in the lead roles together. Both of the stars are recognized by their iconic characters, rather than by their real names.

+ Main Cast

1. Hamid Rana as Sona
2. Sheeba Arshad as Chandi

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+ Supporting Cast

1. Mohammad Ayub as Rukhsana’s Husband
2. Tashqeen as Baji Rukhsana
3. Ghayyur Akhtar as Bhai Hameed
4. Ayub Khan as Mama Yaqoob
5. Munir Zareef as Chacha Karmoo
6. Atiya Sharaf as Massi Barkate
7. Munna Lahori as Driver of Nawab Farasat Ali Khan

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+ Guest Cast

1. Khursheed Shahid
2. Asim Bukhari
3. Farooq Zameer
4. Arifa Siddiqui
5. Tauqeer Nasir
6. Aurangzeb Laghari
7. Tamanna Begum
8. Jamil Fakhri
9. Sajjad Kishwer
10. Abid Kashmiri
11. Talat Siddiqui
12. Shakila Qureshi
13. Ismat Tahira
14. Masood Akhtar
15. Najma Mehboob
16. Muhammad Sharif

+ Plot

A simple lifestyle couple do domestic-help jobs in different middle and upper class houses. There they help many people in solving their problems.

+ High Points

i – The incredible writing behind this couple is moral example of two having life commitments to each other, to face the life’s hardships together in every step. No matter what happens, they respect each other’s different POVs. It’s the writer’s sensational writing skill on how he has able to come up with different situations of comic and drama, to merge together to highlight them on a serious note.

ii – The issues that were highlighted where we are given shown the stubborn parents with their loving children. In some cases, the devoted parents are shown with their ignorant children. Either way, Sona Chandi still manages to handle such people with different circumstances. They even come across such landlords who without their permission cannot leave the house. The viewers also have the chance to meet with humble landladies with whom they have dinner with them on the same dining table. All comes to the point where the couple are able to cope up with different personas of people with different circumstances to sort out their problems.

iii – Sona and Chandi are a simple married couple who sing songs and trust each other with their secrets. Due to their innocence & love, they win many people hearts and gain friendships to build bridges of relationships between those people who had been in conflict with much time.

iv – In the supporting cast, we have Munir Zareef and Ayub Khan were the comic relief characters, who were very amusing.

v – The performances by the lead stars as well as the other cast members have portrayed their characters very nicely.

vi – There are many cameo appearances by a number of fame artists, where the viewers love to see favorite ones on the silver screen.

vii – Having 32 episodes in 1980s TV series, is a rare thing to see. Yet, the writer manages to make most of the episodes interesting enough to watch it till the finale.

+ Low Points

i – Simple set designs, camera handling, editing, just doesn’t works with the kind of writing this TV series is produced with.

ii – Rather than having the story written in cannon manner, we are presented with different stories with different characters, where Sona Chandi work at. Sometimes, it loses interest to watch new stories every time you are switched to a new episode.

+ Overall
Sona Chandi portrays two evergreen characters that are still remembered to this day for their sheer innocence and simplicity to deal with life’s problems.

Rate: 3.50 out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani Rom-Drama TV series, Do Bol (2019) aka Two Words. Its Production Houses are Six Sigma Plus and Next Level Entertainment while its Distributor is ARY Digital.

+ Crew

• Directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain
• Written by Sarwat Nazeer
• Opening Theme & Music by Naveed Naushad, Nabeel Shaukat Ali and Aima Baig
• Produced by Humayun Saeed, Shahzad Nasib, Samina Humayun Saeed and Sana Shahnawaz

+ Note
Do Bol was aired on ARY Digital from 5^th Mar 2019 – 5^th May 2019. In total, it consists of 30 episodes. This is my first TV series that I have watched of Affan Waheed.

Actors such as, Usman Mazhar and Ifrah Khalid are NAPA’s theater performers. They have played supporting roles in this TV series. Usman happens to be a stand-up comedian as well.

+ Main Cast

1. Hira Salman as Gaiti Ara
2. Affan Waheed as Badar-u-Zaman
3. Haroon Shahid as Sameer
4. Mehmood Aslam as Iqbal Hussain
5. Samina Ahmed as Firdous
6. Anam Tanveer as Fareeha
7. Salman Saeed as Jamshed
8. Seemi Pasha as Jahan Ara

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+ Supportive Cast

1. Zainab Qayyum as Nafisa
2. Rubina Ashraf as Qudsia
3. Akhtar Hasnain as Munawwar
4. Salma Hassan as Nasreen
5. Haris Waheed as Zafar
6. Ifrah Khalid as Rania
7. Laiba Khan as Rafia
8. Mariam Mirza as Safeena

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+ Minor Cast

1. Vasia Fatima as Neelam
2. Emmad Butt as Hassan
3. Usman Mazhar as Lateef
4. N/A as Sameer’s Fiance
5. Shehryar Zaidi as Nafees
6. Shehzad Mukhtar as Badar’s father
7. Shaharyar Irfan as Khalid

+ Plot

Gaiti is a cheerful daughter, who is loved by everyone around her. On the other hand, Badar belongs to a middle-class, works for Gaiti’s wealthy family and is also secretly in love with her. However, after a bitter incident, they both are forcefully married to each other. In such a relationship, Gaiti can’t help herself but to despise and hate him for it.

+ High Points

i – Everyone gave mild performances.

+ Low Points

i – The story itself is not interesting enough to watch it in the first place. Many people may find it very similar plot to other typical TV series.

ii – Too many episodes only drag the story and waste your time. The viewers eventually altogether lose their interest.

+ Overall
A number of known faces, may bring your attention towards Do Bol. But that is clearly not sufficient to consider this TV series any watchable.

Rate: 1.50 out of 5 stars