A review on Pakistani classic telefilm, Adam, Hawwa aur Shaitaan (1994). This telefilm is directed by M. Zaheer Khan and written by Naheed Akhtar Sultana. Adam, Hawwa aur Shaitaan was part of the ‘Tele-Theater’ program and aired on PTV in 1994.
+ Crew
- Directed by M. Zaheer Khan
- Written by Naheed Akhtar Sultana
- Music by Javed Allah Ditta
- Cinematography by Asrar Nadim, Muhammad Ijaz, Salman Naji Abdul Mujeeb and Abdul Muhammad
+ Note
In the 1990’s, PTV Tele-Theater was famous for its low budget production but tackled daring societal issues of Pakistan. Adam, Hawwa aur Shaitaan takes its cues (as the name suggests) from the verses of the Holy Quran where Hazrat Adam and Bibi Hawwa were misled by Shaitaan and were then banished by God from Heaven forever.
+ Main Cast
- Shafi Muhammad Shah as Hafeez
- Zahin Tahira as Buwa
- Humaira Zaheer as Husna
- Wakeel Farooqi as Naseer
- Abdullah Kadwani as Muzammil
- Rashida Yaqoob as Zoni
- M.D Gul as Basheer (Doodh Wala)
- Mehmood Ali as Imam Masjid
+ Plot
Hafeez is a successful Real Estate agent who yearns for romantic fulfillment in his life. After a woman by the name of Husna approaches him for a hand in marriage in order to avoid certain pending problems, Hafeez accepts the offer and it seems like Adam has finally met his Hawwa. Unfortunately, their marriage quickly dissolves into chaos as Husna gets seduced by ‘Shaitan’ who goes by the name of Naseer.
+ High Points
i – Regardless of its low budget, there is a certain charm and a daring sense of realism behind PTV’s Tele-Theater days. And this unfortunately cannot be said for the current TV dramas. The question of infidelity and marital problems create intriguing melodrama for the plot as Hafeez, who is perhaps twice the age of his spouse, cannot keep her content because she yearns for something that he cannot provide. Even though the telefilm takes its time to set up the story and its characters, it does reward its viewers for their patience with excellent performances and wonderful dramatic set pieces.
ii – I’ve always been a fan of Shafi Muhammad Shah. He was unique in his quiet yet stern performances and there has been no other actor in Pakistani television who could ever replicate his talent on screen. His enigmatic and captivating performance as Hafeez is memorable as he pays the ultimate price for his generosity.
iii – The main cast of the show is unique in its characterization and fairly well balanced. Each character’s motivations and desires are well defined to set up the core conflict of the telefilm.
iv – As expected, the story between ‘Adam and Hawwa’ does not end well for either side and once again, just goes to show how bold and fearless the content was on mainstream Pakistani television back then. Admittedly, the production quality was mediocre at best but the writing and performances brought so much to the table. These shows lingered on with you in your thoughts long after the show ended and Adam, Hawwa aur Shaitaan is no exception.
+ Low Points
i – As previously mentioned, the production of the show is obviously bare minimum. There is a single set location of a street which is repeatedly used throughout its runtime, the camera work is unimaginative and there is absolutely nothing that could visually entice you as a viewer. Modern viewers might easily be discouraged due to its slow pacing, darb colors and uninspired visual presentation.
ii – While the characters are all enigmatic, the show does not really allow the viewer to decide who they should root for. Clearly we are led to sympathize with Hafeez who, as a good husband, provides a comfortable life for his wife Husna but in return, she just wants more out of life. It is indeed greed that destroys any chance of happiness for Buwa as she gets seduced by the ‘devil’ Naseer who makes false promises to her and takes advantage of her vulnerability.
There is some degree of reasoning given for Husna’s erratic, impulsive behavior, hidden in the form of massive age difference between her and the husband but it is not nearly enough to sway the viewers away from understanding Husna’s point of view.
+ Overall
Adam, Hawwa aur Shaitaan is a cautionary tale of Love, Hatred and Innocence. This telefilm is yet another example why the present TV dramas are spineless in comparison to the golden years of Pak television.
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