Tag: Nina Kashif

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay Episode 12 (2021). The new TV series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Farooq Rind. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a Momina Duraid Production and currently airs on HUM TV.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

• Directed by Farooq Rind
• Written by Umer Ahmed
• Produced by Nina Kashif & Momina Duraid Productions

+ Note

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay marks 5 years since Mahira Khan appeared in a TV drama and as was the case before, this drama was also originally a novel by Umera Ahmed where the childhood and upbringing play an important part in the main plot of the show. The show deals with dark topics such as drug addiction and its impact on a child’s upbringing. 

The show also focuses once again on a love triangle between three cousins who shared a childhood together; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is essentially a case study of internal flaws and unspoken guilts that makes us human and how we learn to cope up in a less than ideal society.

 + Main Cast

1. Mahira Khan as Mehreen Mansoor
2. Kubra Khan as Mashal Tahir
3. Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub
4. Omair Rana as Mansoor
5. Zainab Qayyum as Shagufta
6. Haroon Shahid
7. Laila Wasti
8. Huma Nawab as Saliha
9. Kaif Ghaznavi
10. Shamim Hilali as Aswad’s Grandmother
11. Khalid Malik

+ Plot

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a story of three cousins; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Their lives have coincided with each other since childhood. While Mashal and Aswad grew up in a stable, loving household, Mehreen had to live through the mistakes of her father for being a drug addict and financially unstable. As they grow older, it is obvious that they all share an unbroken bond between each other that will only culminate with certain unforeseeable events.

+ High Points

i – The impact that Mashal’s death has left on the family is very well depicted. The reactions from her parents and those who are accused are all splendidly portrayed and is clearly one of the highlights of the show. Character building and authentic dialogue are two of the most obvious assets of Umera Ahmed’s writing.

ii – But it always takes two to tango. Well written dialogues need to have authentic dialogue delivery by the actors and suffice to say, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay does not disappoint in that department. The talented cast of actors give their all in bringing authenticity and melodrama to the show without overstaying its welcome. Laila Wasti as Mehreen’s mother is definitely an unsung heroine of the show that deserves more praise and attention for her impressive performance.

iii – Regarding the main storyline: Since the death of Mashal, the story has picked up significantly in terms of level of engagement and pacing. Although the previous episode proved to be a tad bit timid, Episode 12 once again progresses story/ character development at a brisk pace. Although there is a lot of room for improvement, the show is getting better each week forward.

iv – It’s great to see Haroon Shahid as Saffan being part of a larger picture of the show. He’s a great counter to Aswad’s moral stubbornness and fits quite well with the rest of the cast. Would love to see him play a bigger role in the upcoming episodes!

+ Low Points

i –  Its still a bit confusing why Aswad keeps jumping back and forth when it comes to Mehreen’s fate. On one hand, he refuses to help her beyond what is required but at the same time, takes a monumental step regarding his future with Mehreen. To be fair, there is a reasoning given behind his action but still, the decision (presented later in the episode) came almost out of nowhere and needed an episode or two to let it sink in the psyche of Aswad and the audience watching the show as well.

ii – The character of Police Inspector still seems out of place with the tone of the show. His performance is a tad bit too excessive and it’s really hard to take him seriously. 

+ Overall

Episode 12 had good, engaging character development and even with some questionable moments, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is improving each and every week.

 Rate: out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay Episode 9 & 10 (2021). The new TV series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Farooq Rind. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a Momina Duraid Production and currently airs on HUM TV.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

• Directed by Farooq Rind
• Written by Umer Ahmed
• Produced by Nina Kashif & Momina Duraid Productions

+ Note

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay marks 5 years since Mahira Khan appeared in a TV drama and as was the case before, this drama was also originally a novel by Umera Ahmed where the childhood and upbringing play an important part in the main plot of the show. The show deals with dark topics such as drug addiction and its impact on a child’s upbringing. 

The show also focuses once again on a love triangle between three cousins who shared a childhood together; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is essentially a case study of internal flaws and unspoken guilts that makes us human and how we learn to cope up in a less than ideal society.

 + Main Cast

1. Mahira Khan as Mehreen Mansoor
2. Kubra Khan as Mashal Tahir
3. Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub
4. Omair Rana as Mansoor
5. Zainab Qayyum as Shagufta
6. Haroon Shahid
7. Laila Wasti
8. Huma Nawab as Saliha
9. Kaif Ghaznavi
10. Shamim Hilali as Aswad’s Grandmother
11. Khalid Malik

+ Plot

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a story of three cousins; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Their lives have coincided with each other since childhood. While Mashal and Aswad grew up in a stable, loving household, Mehreen had to live through the mistakes of her father for being a drug addict and financially unstable. As they grow older, it is obvious that they all share an unbroken bond between each other that will only culminate with certain unforeseeable events.

+ High Points

i – Since the passing away of Mashal, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay has taken a drastic turn in its tone and narrative direction. And for the most part, the show works quite well. The plot seems much more focused towards the immediate storyline and the reaction of the main cast towards the tragedy is appropriate and well written. Although there are some glaring flaws, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay has evolved into a much more interesting show and moves further away from the stereotypical “cousin love triangle” storyline.

ii – The performances from the main cast and supporting are commendable and memorable. Mahira Khan’s soliloquies display the internal conflict that she faces and perhaps feels somewhat responsible for what has transpired in the last few days. One of the unsung hero of the show, Ali Tahir’s superb performance also plays a massive role in displaying the anguish and anger that embellished the parents as they somehow need to rationalize their daughter’s death by resorting to violence and revenge towards Mehreen.

iii – Great shot. By displaying her mother only as a reflection of herself, it perfectly encapsulates the psychological torture that Mehreen has been through by her mother.

iv – I do admire the fact that for the prison scenes, the director Farooq Rind went for a more theatrical approach with spotlights and minimal set design. The director wants the audience to dive right into the moral ambiguity and subconscious torture that Mehreen has to face alone throughout this ordeal.

+ Low Points

i –  Although the psychological infliction of pain on Mehreen and her being trapped in a jail cell is appropriate to the current storyline, reality arguably dictates that you cannot imprison someone just on the basis of suspicion. Up till now, there has been no clear evidence if Mashal was poisoned or she committed suicide so how can Mehreen be imprisoned for days?

ii – The police inspector’s performance seems slightly goofy and hysterical. While performances from the supporting cast come off fairly realistic, his “exaggerated” dialogue delivery does not seem on par with the tone of the show.

+ Overall

Since its major plot development, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay has moved away from your typical “cousin love triangle” storyline into a much more engaging and compelling show.

 Rate: out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay Episode 8 (2021). The new TV series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Farooq Rind. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a Momina Duraid Production and currently airs on HUM TV.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

• Directed by Farooq Rind
• Written by Umer Ahmed
• Produced by Nina Kashif & Momina Duraid Productions

+ Note

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay marks 5 years since Mahira Khan appeared in a TV drama and as was the case before, this drama was also originally a novel by Umera Ahmed where the childhood and upbringing play an important part in the main plot of the show. The show deals with dark topics such as drug addiction and its impact on a child’s upbringing. 

The show also focuses once again on a love triangle between three cousins who shared a childhood together; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is essentially a case study of internal flaws and unspoken guilts that makes us human and how we learn to cope up in a less than ideal society.

 + Main Cast

1. Mahira Khan as Mehreen Mansoor
2. Kubra Khan as Mashal Tahir
3. Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub
4. Omair Rana as Mansoor
5. Zainab Qayyum as Shagufta
6. Haroon Shahid
7. Laila Wasti
8. Huma Nawab as Saliha
9. Kaif Ghaznavi
10. Shamim Hilali as Aswad’s Grandmother
11. Khalid Malik

+ Plot

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a story of three cousins; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Their lives have coincided with each other since childhood. While Mashal and Aswad grew up in a stable, loving household, Mehreen had to live through the mistakes of her father for being a drug addict and financially unstable. As they grow older, it is obvious that they all share an unbroken bond between each other that will only culminate with certain unforeseeable events.

+ High Points

i – The confrontation scene was great between Mehreen and Mashal. Arguably the dysfunctional relationship between the two is probably the best aspect of the show. There are hidden grudges and mannerisms that are hinted at with each childhood flashback scene. The memories make it obvious why Mashal has always been envious of Mehreen’s success and wants to snatch away everything that Mehreen has ever achieved in her life.

ii – Even though every other character in the show is either underdeveloped or not given enough screen time, Umera Ahmed has written Mehreen in a way that is not only realistic but also quite relatable. Even though life has always wronged her in so many ways, she is also not without faults of her own. She also feels envious, hurt and afraid to face her past. 

+ Low Points

i –  Episode 8 was very lethargic to say the least. The themes of Aswad and Mehreen’s engagement were repetitive and grew tiresome midway through the show. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay needs some urgency into its storyline to liven up its pacing and characters. Right now, it certainly feels like the momentum of the show is at a stand still between the three main cast of the show and nowhere to go.

ii – The whole “rehearsal for the nikah” scene was just lame. Is marriage the only thought that Pakistani women’s whole life is based around? They have no personal goals and ambitions of their own? It’s a terrible precedent that our media has set for our younger female and male audiences alike. 

iii  – A show about love and drama usually works when there is strong chemistry between the two main characters. But nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Aswad and Mehreen. They practically hate each other and only decided to get engaged due to external pressure from their elders. Aswad cannot say no to his mom and Mehreen… well, just to spite Mashal? Is that really worth destroying your future for? Apart from the convoluted plot, the two actors feel awkward whenever they are on screen together. This could be one of the vital reasons why this show lacks certain engagement necessary for the viewers to tune in every week. 

+ Overall

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay has steadily been getting comfortable with being a mediocre, run of the mill Pakistani drama. Apart from the Mehreen/ Mashal conflict, nothing is memorable about the show.

Rate: out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay Episode 7 (2021). The new TV series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Farooq Rind. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a Momina Duraid Production and currently airs on HUM TV.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

• Directed by Farooq Rind
• Written by Umer Ahmed
• Produced by Nina Kashif & Momina Duraid Productions

+ Note

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay marks 5 years since Mahira Khan appeared in a TV drama and as was the case before, this drama was also originally a novel by Umera Ahmed where the childhood and upbringing play an important part in the main plot of the show. The show deals with dark topics such as drug addiction and its impact on a child’s upbringing. 

The show also focuses once again on a love triangle between three cousins who shared a childhood together; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is essentially a case study of internal flaws and unspoken guilts that makes us human and how we learn to cope up in a less than ideal society.

 + Main Cast

1. Mahira Khan as Mehreen Mansoor
2. Kubra Khan as Mashal Tahir
3. Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub
4. Omair Rana as Mansoor
5. Zainab Qayyum as Shagufta
6. Haroon Shahid
7. Laila Wasti
8. Huma Nawab as Saliha
9. Kaif Ghaznavi
10. Shamim Hilali as Aswad’s Grandmother
11. Khalid Malik

+ Plot

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a story of three cousins; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Their lives have coincided with each other since childhood. While Mashal and Aswad grew up in a stable, loving household, Mehreen had to live through the mistakes of her father for being a drug addict and financially unstable. As they grow older, it is obvious that they all share an unbroken bond between each other that will only culminate with certain unforeseeable events.

+ High Points

i – Episode 7 benefited immensely from well defined roles for each of the main characters. The continuing war of words (and now slaps apparently) between Mehreen and Mashal was seamlessly progressed without feeling forced, Aswad’s dilemma of pleasing his mother fits well into the woes of a love triangle and the casualty of this conflict is undoubtedly Saffan who has to needlessly suffer in the process. Even though the show has its own set of problems, the plot progression is admittedly great without forcing sudden changes onto the viewers. And this is the aspect of storytelling where the writer Umera Ahmed shines the most.

ii – What’s also refreshing is that our main protagonist Mehreen also ends up acting selfish due to a personal vendetta. Most Pak dramas depict their protagonists as “goody two shoes” who are pious and utterly flawless in character. By depicting moral ambiguity in Mehreen, the viewers have the opportunity to relate to her and even though Mehreen cares for others, she also succumbs to flaws of her own. And it’s also great that the people close to her, call her out on her selfish actions.

+ Low Points

i –  Although the show has somewhat improved since its lackluster beginning, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is still devoid of the spark that separates it from the rest of the shows out there. The story lacks any sort of urgency that makes the viewer tune in every week. And the fault somewhat lies also in the performance from Usman Mukhtar. Apparently he is supposed to be the center of attention for the two ladies but the lack of energy and charisma in his performance brings the stakes down a notch. Seven episodes in and it’s evident that Usman Mukhtar was wrongfully casted for the role of Aswad.

Spoilers Alert!! (If you would like to avoid it, please skip to the Overall section):

ii – The engagement scene was comical for all the wrong reasons. By the stunned impressions of the duo, it’s understandable what the show was going for (an abstract, out of body experience) but unfortunately, the result of them sitting in a trance was laughable and did not work to the context of the show. Well, at least the director Farooq Rind tried something different so can’t fault him on that.

iii  – With Mehreen’s engagement, it is unfortunately apparent that Saffan will be shoved out from the picture. It’s a shame that Haroon Shahid only serves as a minor character in the show as he could be deemed as the most likeable of the cast. I hope I’m proven wrong and he gets to play a bigger role in the story of Mehreen.

+ Overall

With Episode 7, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is slowly but steadily finding its footing with its narrative direction but the show still lacks the energy and urgency that would make the viewers tune in the show every week.

 Rate: out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay Episode 6 (2021). The new TV series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Farooq Rind. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a Momina Duraid Production and currently airs on HUM TV.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

• Directed by Farooq Rind
• Written by Umer Ahmed
• Produced by Nina Kashif & Momina Duraid Productions

+ Note

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay marks 5 years since Mahira Khan appeared in a TV drama and as was the case before, this drama was also originally a novel by Umera Ahmed where the childhood and upbringing play an important part in the main plot of the show. The show deals with dark topics such as drug addiction and its impact on a child’s upbringing. 

The show also focuses once again on a love triangle between three cousins who shared a childhood together; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is essentially a case study of internal flaws and unspoken guilts that makes us human and how we learn to cope up in a less than ideal society.

 + Main Cast

1. Mahira Khan as Mehreen Mansoor
2. Kubra Khan as Mashal Tahir
3. Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub
4. Omair Rana as Mansoor
5. Zainab Qayyum as Shagufta
6. Haroon Shahid
7. Laila Wasti
8. Huma Nawab as Saliha
9. Kaif Ghaznavi
10. Shamim Hilali as Aswad’s Grandmother
11. Khalid Malik

+ Plot

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a story of three cousins; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Their lives have coincided with each other since childhood. While Mashal and Aswad grew up in a stable, loving household, Mehreen had to live through the mistakes of her father for being a drug addict and financially unstable. As they grow older, it is obvious that they all share an unbroken bond between each other that will only culminate with certain unforeseeable events.

+ High Points

i – Episode 6 served as a better narrative this time around. The story progressed fluidly, the conversations and arguments made more impact to the plot of the show. There were no time wasting scenes to hinder the pacing and a good example of how an episode should be written on a weekly basis.

ii – It was great to see Mehreen stand up for herself and make realistic counter arguments to Mashal’s accusations. Its really few and far between but when it comes to strong female representation, Mehreen currently serves as one of the better ones on Pakistan Television.

+ Low Points

i –  Aswad’s reaction to Mehreen seemed very unrealistic to the context of the show. His incredibly conservative mindset when it comes to meeting friends of the opposite sex seemed forced and unnatural to the character that we had been initially introduced to. Granted, one could argue that it is Mashal’s manipulation that has corrupted him but its way too early for that. We are only six episodes in, this doesn’t feel earned and natural but only what the script required him to do. Oh my god, she is having lunch with someone at a restaurant!? How dare she!? 

ii – The cousin rivalry between Mehreen and Mashal solely revolves around Aswad’s affection (even though there are plenty of issues under the surface like favouritism, lack of parental support, horrend childhood etc). This storyline is worthy of exploration but what would serve most beneficial is that they get rid of Aswad as the main crux of their rivalry. Luckily, episode 6 feels like Mehreen is slowly moving away from being under the fascination of Aswad and probably the right way to go.

iii  – Speaking of Mashal, her character is not being properly represented by the actress Kubra Khan. Her performance is not on par with what the script requires of her. And the fault lies on both the actress and the director Farooq Rind. The narrative portrays her as a conniving, evil mastermind who is pulling the strings of Aswad but only comes off as a whiny, entitled child of the family. This scenario would’ve been much more believable if Aswad was head over heels in love with her, which obviously does not seem to be the case. Why would he so blindly believe her lies is beyond me or the intelligence of their audience. And this seems to be the underlining problem of the show. The plot structure seems to be solid but the development leading up to it seems faulty and not given enough time to breath to make it seem realistic.

iv  – The Production of the show still looks like an overlit mess. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is one of the very few Momina Duraid productions that look visually unpleasant as if they have no clue what lighting is supposed to represent in moving pictures.

+ Overall

All the pieces of the puzzle are there for Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay to be a successful drama but lack of proper progression and not so stellar performances hinder the show’s true potential.

 Rate: out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay Episode 5 (2021). The new TV series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Farooq Rind. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a Momina Duraid Production and currently airs on HUM TV.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

• Directed by Farooq Rind
• Written by Umer Ahmed
• Produced by Nina Kashif & Momina Duraid Productions

+ Note

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay marks 5 years since Mahira Khan appeared in a TV drama and as was the case before, this drama was also originally a novel by Umera Ahmed where the childhood and upbringing play an important part in the main plot of the show. The show deals with dark topics such as drug addiction and its impact on a child’s upbringing. 

The show also focuses once again on a love triangle between three cousins who shared a childhood together; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is essentially a case study of internal flaws and unspoken guilts that makes us human and how we learn to cope up in a less than ideal society.

 + Main Cast

1. Mahira Khan as Mehreen Mansoor
2. Kubra Khan as Mashal Tahir
3. Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub
4. Omair Rana as Mansoor
5. Zainab Qayyum as Shagufta
6. Haroon Shahid
7. Laila Wasti
8. Huma Nawab as Saliha
9. Kaif Ghaznavi
10. Shamim Hilali as Aswad’s Grandmother
11. Khalid Malik

+ Plot

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a story of three cousins; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Their lives have coincided with each other since childhood. While Mashal and Aswad grew up in a stable, loving household, Mehreen had to live through the mistakes of her father for being a drug addict and financially unstable. As they grow older, it is obvious that they all share an unbroken bond between each other that will only culminate with certain unforeseeable events.

+ High Points

i – One of the aspects that Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay does better than the rest has to be the dialogue. The written conversations between friends in the show is one of the stronger suits of the writer Umera Ahmed. It seems very natural as if the two characters have known each other for some time. The casual banter between the friends lures the viewer in to become a part of it. And exactly what good writing should do.

ii – Its a neat idea to show Mehreen writing her daily dairy as to how the current situation is unfolding and it would be great if the show could have more such scenes added to the narrative.

+ Low Points

i –  Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay has the potential to be original and different from the rest of the shows out there but that’s unfortunately not the direction the show wants to go for. The cousin love triangle, the tired old tropes of misunderstandings and jealousy, we have seen such themes time and time again and this show is no different. It’s such a pity because the writer Umera Ahmed has proven to be (as a writer) much more talented than this. 

ii – Apart from Mahira Khan, the other two leads Kubra Khan and Usman Mukhtar seem like their performances are not up to the task. The subtlety that the role requires is absent from both of these performances. And as I have previously mentioned before, Usman Mukhtar lacks the screen presence that the character of Aswad requires. The lead does not have to be cocky but there has to be an abundance of charisma which attracts both of his female leads towards him. And this always begs the question; why are the two girls in love with him? So far, the show has given no explanation for this. Just cause the script demands it I suppose …

iii  – Since the premiere episode of the show, I have been complaining about the production quality of the show, namely the habit of “overlit” scenes and the picture below is a prime example of it. This scene takes place in a car at night but the interior of the car has been lit as if they are being interrogated by the cops! The scene needed some softer light and shadows to give the illusion of the actors sitting inside a car at night. Momina Duraid’s projects usually have great production work but Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is one of their worst looking shows to date.

iv  – I believe the show will benefit more if there are more scenes outside the bungalow. Scenes taking place in the University, office or just outdoors will bring a much needed authenticity to the story. It is becoming very tiresome that 90% of the scenes are just characters sitting on a sofa and having a conversation about the current situation. This is why Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay as a show lacks energy or even a sense of urgency to its plot. Show the characters going through their daily routine, mixing work with personal life. So far, Mehreen is the ONLY character that we know who has a life outside her situation with Aswad. And at its current state, the show is lethargic and downright boring.

+ Overall

Episode 5 was proven to be inconsequential to the rest of the plot. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay continues to suffer from tired old Pak drama tropes and lack of originality really hurts the overall product at the end.

 Rate: out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay Episode 4 (2021). The new TV series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Farooq Rind. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a Momina Duraid Production and currently airs on HUM TV.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

• Directed by Farooq Rind
• Written by Umer Ahmed
• Produced by Nina Kashif & Momina Duraid Productions

+ Note

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay marks 5 years since Mahira Khan appeared in a TV drama and as was the case before, this drama was also originally a novel by Umera Ahmed where the childhood and upbringing play an important part in the main plot of the show. The show deals with dark topics such as drug addiction and its impact on a child’s upbringing. 

The show also focuses once again on a love triangle between three cousins who shared a childhood together; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is essentially a case study of internal flaws and unspoken guilts that makes us human and how we learn to cope up in a less than ideal society.

 + Main Cast

1. Mahira Khan as Mehreen Mansoor
2. Kubra Khan as Mashal Tahir
3. Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub
4. Omair Rana as Mansoor
5. Zainab Qayyum as Shagufta
6. Haroon Shahid
7. Laila Wasti
8. Huma Nawab as Saliha
9. Kaif Ghaznavi
10. Shamim Hilali as Aswad’s Grandmother
11. Khalid Malik

+ Plot

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a story of three cousins; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Their lives have coincided with each other since childhood. While Mashal and Aswad grew up in a stable, loving household, Mehreen had to live through the mistakes of her father for being a drug addict and financially unstable. As they grow older, it is obvious that they all share an unbroken bond between each other that will only culminate with certain unforeseeable events.

+ High Points

i – What is commendable about Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is the fact that the team behind the camera does not force emotions out of its audience through overly melodramatic music and excessive use of slow motion/ flashbacks. It tries to achieve all this through the performances of its actors because on some level, the director of the show has faith in their capability to do so.

ii – In these four episodes, Haroon Shahid has been briefly involved in the show’s storyline and hopefully we get to see much more of him since his performance and screen presence seems noticeably better than Usman Mukhtar as the lead actor of the show.

+ Low Points

i –  Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is an unfortunate retreading of old drama cliches, presented in an unoriginal fashion. Characters play their good/evil parts without much reasoning behind it. Mashal does bad deeds against Mehreen just for the sake of plot progression, characters enter at the wrong place at the wrong time, creating misunderstandings between two characters who the audience would want them to be together (namely Mehreen and Aswad). Although this is not a flaw but a certain lack of originality from the creative team and thus, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay feels already stale like the majority of the TV shows on Pak television. With Umera Ahmed as the writer, I had some high expectations for the show but unfortunately (so far), I have been proven wrong.

ii – Of all the cliches, Mashal seems to be the least developed main character of the show. Like Mehreen, she wants Aswad and is willing to do whatever it takes to attain him. Her goals are to create falsehood regarding Mehreen and create misunderstandings between her and Aswad. Even going as far as poisoning her pet bird?? I don’t understand what motivated her to do so as this drastic step felt completely out of place with the rest of the plot. And sadly, Kubra Khan’s performance is not convincing enough to play a strong main antagonist of the show.

iii  – “Why is the electricity bill so high!?” asked by one of the characters in Episode 4. 

This line of dialogue was hilarious yet so fittingly ironic for me because since its premiere episode, I have been complaining how the show is unnecessarily overlit, presenting a washed out, over produced look to the images. Just had to laugh at that moment. Seems like the show itself is subconsciously aware of this fact! 

iv  – There is apparently a “Comedy scene” where Shabo (the maid) breaks the fourth wall and addresses the viewers by staring directly into the camera. Breaking the fourth wall is usually done when it is well established right from the beginning that the character has that ability (for example, the character of Deadpool). This just came out of nowhere and felt completely out of place to the format of the show.

v  – The romance feels stale between the duo; Mehreen and Aswad. There seems to be virtually no chemistry between the leads of the show and the scenes that Mahira Khan and Usman Mukhtar share seem awkward and unnatural. This should not be the case since in the show, they are in fact close cousins who have shared their childhoods together. On the other hand, the romance between Mahria and Haroon Shahid seems much more natural and plausible (and this is where the plot is heading I suppose). Usman Mukhtar was a miscast in this show as his performance does not carry the charisma and presence that the role demands.

+ Overall

Four Episodes in and Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay already feels stale with retreading of tired old cliches of Pak TV dramas. With a writer like Umera Ahmed onboard, I would have expected much more original storytelling.

 Rate: out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay Episode 3 (2021). The new TV series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Farooq Rind. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a Momina Duraid Production and currently airs on HUM TV.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

• Directed by Farooq Rind
• Written by Umer Ahmed
• Produced by Nina Kashif & Momina Duraid Productions

+ Note

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay marks 5 years since Mahira Khan appeared in a TV drama and as was the case before, this drama was also originally a novel by Umera Ahmed where the childhood and upbringing play an important part in the main plot of the show. The show deals with dark topics such as drug addiction and its impact on a child’s upbringing. 

The show also focuses once again on a love triangle between three cousins who shared a childhood together; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is essentially a case study of internal flaws and unspoken guilts that makes us human and how we learn to cope up in a less than ideal society.

 + Main Cast

1. Mahira Khan as Mehreen Mansoor
2. Kubra Khan as Mashal Tahir
3. Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub
4. Omair Rana as Mansoor
5. Zainab Qayyum as Shagufta
6. Haroon Shahid
7. Laila Wasti
8. Huma Nawab as Saliha
9. Kaif Ghaznavi
10. Shamim Hilali as Aswad’s Grandmother
11. Khalid Malik

+ Plot

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a story of three cousins; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Their lives have coincided with each other since childhood. While Mashal and Aswad grew up in a stable, loving household, Mehreen had to live through the mistakes of her father for being a drug addict and financially unstable. As they grow older, it is obvious that they all share an unbroken bond between each other that will only culminate with certain unforeseeable events.

+ High Points

i – Mehreen can potentially be a character of interest as she suffers from childhood traumas and a wallflower in a society where the modest are never appreciated. The themes are all placed accordingly for the actress to execute it with emotion on screen (but unfortunately fails at it. A point I will get to more later in the review).

ii – I suppose it is also commendable that Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay does not over rely on cheap emotional tactics like music overpowering the scene rather than the actors playing it out through their strong performances.

+ Low Points

i –  (Yawn) this show just lacks any sort of momentum or energy to it. Nothing significant happens during the third Episode. The characters themselves feel lethargic, just lounging on their couches in pretty much every scene. Whatever story progression we saw in the first episode has been missing since.

ii – Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay has the potential for sympathetic characters for the audience to get behind but so far, that has not been the case. The performances of the two lead actresses seem mediocre and overly simplistic to their personalities. Every interesting character should have layers of emotion or depth to them but up till now, the acting seems very flat. Although judging from past shows, Mahira Khan has the potential to be more diverse than this show has you believe.

iii  – The production of the show seems visually off color to the dark, dramatic narrative of it. Every image is overlit without any play of shadows  and in return, the show looks cheap and tacky. 

iv  – Episode 3 has a scene where Shabo the maid accidentally trips and slips tea over a character. This comedic scene fell apart completely on arrival because we, as an audience, never got to see the result! It’s as if Charlie Chaplin slipped over a banana peel but instead of showing the pratfall, only the laughter of the crowd is depicted on screen. Slapstick comedy is all about visuals and timing and the director Farooq Rind seems to be lacking in both.

v  – Three episodes in, and Umera Ahmed’s writing has been surprisingly very disappointing. It all seems like a rethread of regular cliches of Pakistani dramas, namely cousin love triangle, lifeless exposition scenes and (with exception to Mehreen) flat two dimensional characterization. I really hope that the show picks up pace and depth soon as Umera Ahmed as a writer is definitely capable of it.

+ Overall

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is unenergetic, filled with long drawn out scenes of dialogues that lead to nowhere. That trend should change soon if the show runners want to keep their viewers tuning in every week.

 Rate: out of 5 stars

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay Episode 2 (2021). The new TV series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Farooq Rind. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a Momina Duraid Production and currently airs on HUM TV.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

• Directed by Farooq Rind
• Written by Umer Ahmed
• Produced by Nina Kashif & Momina Duraid Productions

+ Note

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay marks 5 years since Mahira Khan appeared in a TV drama and as was the case before, this drama was also originally a novel by Umera Ahmed where the childhood and upbringing play an important part in the main plot of the show. The show deals with dark topics such as drug addiction and its impact on a child’s upbringing. 

The show also focuses once again on a love triangle between three cousins who shared a childhood together; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is essentially a case study of internal flaws and unspoken guilts that makes us human and how we learn to cope up in a less than ideal society.

 + Main Cast

1. Mahira Khan as Mehreen Mansoor
2. Kubra Khan as Mashal Tahir
3. Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub
4. Omair Rana as Mansoor
5. Zainab Qayyum as Shagufta
6. Haroon Shahid
7. Laila Wasti
8. Huma Nawab as Saliha
9. Kaif Ghaznavi
10. Shamim Hilali as Aswad’s Grandmother
11. Khalid Malik

+ Plot

Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay is a story of three cousins; Mehreen, Mashal and Aswad. Their lives have coincided with each other since childhood. While Mashal and Aswad grew up in a stable, loving household, Mehreen had to live through the mistakes of her father for being a drug addict and financially unstable. As they grow older, it is obvious that they all share an unbroken bond between each other that will only culminate with certain unforeseeable events.

+ High Points

i – Episode 2 does a convincing job in presenting the anguish of Mehreen and her troubled past regarding her father. It is obvious that she is still struggling to come to terms with her upbringing which leads to lack of confidence and trouble believing that she could ever be liked by someone else.

ii – The inclusion of Haroon Shahid is always welcomed as his performance brings a sense of serenity to the show. Perhaps he is always typecast as the “nice guy” but at least he’s good at it.

iii – The theme song by Yashal Shahid is integrated well into the dramatic moments of the show. It never proves to be overbearing and has a sense of blending itself into the scenes without overpowering them.

+ Low Points

i –  Episode 2 was very unimpressive as the show feels like it does not want to evolve beyond the “love triangle” storyline. It is a tad bit disappointing since the writer Umera Ahmed can write better stories than the cliches we see now time and time again on Pak television. Hopefully I’ll be proven wrong in the next few episodes and the show depicts some originality into the storyline.

ii – The roles of Mehreen and Mashal are too stereotypical for their own good. They lack depth in their characterization and the performances end up being very superficial. Mehreen is a nerdy, introvert so she HAS to wear glasses and act awkward while Mashal is self confident but devious so she HAS to act mean and self serving. Perhaps on paper, this all sounds fine but the characterization and the performances lack maturity as they don’t feel like real people but rather cardboard cutouts of their dictated personalities.

iii  – Usman Mukhtar as Aswad Ayub also has not been very impressive up till now. The charisma of a lead actor seems to be missing in his performance and baffles me why the two women would be in love with him. Usman Mukhtar was a miscast for this role as his characterization does not fit to his presence on screen. Someone like Ali Rehman Khan (with natural charisma) would have fit the bill better.

iv  – It is perhaps too early to predict but two episodes in, the show does not seem engaging enough to gather a large viewership in the following weeks. The plot and characters don’t seem original or captivating enough for many to tune in every week. I suppose fans of Mahira Khan would be eager to give this show a chance but up till now, it lacks the “it” factor which separates the show from the rest on television at the moment.

v  – The overall visual presentation of the show seems very farcical with its “TV Advertisement” over-lit scenes. The images do not fit at all to the tone of the storyline.

+ Overall

Episode 2 has sadly been a disappointment. Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay needs to move away from the cliches of a cousin “love triangle” and find its own path. And Umera Ahmed is one of those writers who could potentially make this possible.

 Rate: out of 5 stars