This is not a weekly or monthly wrap up but I just wanted to enlist the Web Series, Dramas and Movies I have watched in the recent past on OTT. Also, the reasons why I am mentioning them though all I have not liked in equal measures.
By now, my friends must have come to know that I am an avid watcher of Pakistani TV Dramas because of their strong content, powerful presentation and outstanding performances. First in the list is Dobara (A Second Time) which deals with the subject of second also late marriage and that too of an older woman with a much younger man. In our society, where tradition plays a major part, women, strictly as per convention, should be younger in age than men, in marriage. On the other hand, men have no age limit. Even in India Shining a much older man can marry a very young girl. In fact, in the matrimonial columns of dailies, middle aged men’s craving for girls in early twenties as their preferred bride, therefore, do not come as a great surprise. In Pakistan, which has a more orthodox social set-up, a rich, middle aged widow (gracefully played by Hadiqa Kiani) with grown up kids marrying a young boy (Bilaal Abbas), fit to be her son, is seriously taboo. Whether the relationship of faith, trust and loyalty remains unblemished amidst fierce opposition from families of both sides and usual misconceptions and misgivings of society at large, is the central theme of the story. Hadiqa adds dignity to the characterization of Meherunnisa, the generous, kind-hearted elderly lady and Bilaal sails effortlessly through the portrayal of an undisciplined but intelligent young man. Both grow as their relationship matures with time which signifies that growth and maturity have more to do with experiences than with age. The storyline is not very subtle, actually quite predictable at times, but there are certain unexpected moves which lend a quality of unusualness to the Series.
Sang-e-maah (Moonstone), is second in the list, which has grossed million views in no time. This serial marks Atif Aslam’s debut in TV Drama. Undoubtedly, his screen presence and theatrical execution, are one of the main attractions of this Serial. Followed by the towering performances by Noman Ijaaz, Saina Saeed and Samia Mumtaz. The drama pivots around the baneful practice of compelling families to give away their daughters to men almost at gun point. This is the second of the Trilogy, the first one being Sang-e-marmar (Marble Stone), which dealt with the futility of prolonged family feuds and bloody revenge. Show of power in any form is bad, be it grabbing a woman’s hand in marriage or bartering women to save family prestige. Both the Serials have almost similar cast, deal with exploitation of women in various forms and evils of patriarchy.
Sinf-e-ahaan (Women of Steel), is a Serial produced by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), media and PR wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces. It is the story of seven girls from different social backgrounds whose lives change after joining the Pakistani Army. It is a very different way to encourage women to join the Armed Forces. However, it also makes for an interesting watch. The tough Army training infuses determination, courage and dignity in the hearts of these seven women and teach them new meaning of existence. Those who came from backgrounds of affordable luxury learnt that life is much more than being presentable in society and those who came from minority groups and remote tribes, learnt to stand tall and make a place for themselves in their worlds.
In between these weekly shows, I finished watching the Poirot Series on SonyLiv. Sir David Suchet, as Poirot, is riveting. One cannot imagine anyone else in his place as the sharp and shrewd detective created by Dame Agatha Christie. I am yet to watch the Ms. Marple Series which is in my to-watch-list. But there have been many Ms. Jane Marple but only one Mr. Hercule Poirot with his quaint English and inimitable mannerism. I can watch the Series several times over. However, the dramatizations are quite different from the novels which provoke me to re-read the books.
Coming to Netflix-ing, I binged on Craiglist Murder (based on true story) but it saddened me to see how a bright young Med-student succumbed to his psychological challenges. Heart Parade, on the other hand, is heartwarming and a feel good movie, all about taking life slowly and enjoying every moment of it. Needs to be jotted down to imbibe in my whirlwind daily routine!
After watching Ajay Devgan as Captain Vikrant Khanna in Runway 34, on Amazon Prime, I could not stop myself from binging Rudra on Hotstar Special. Frankly, it was a wrong choice although Devgan was power packed and perfect in both. Captain Khanna is an ace but arrogant pilot and role model for young, starry-eyed co-pilots. However, on a cyclonic night, way back from Dubai to Cochin, his miscalculated risks lead to an enquiry by none other than the intimidating Mr. Narayan Vedant(Amitabh Bachhan). The film is inspired by an incident of a Jet Airways flight from Doha to Kochi in 2015. Directed by Ajay Devgan, the film received positive reviews but did not do so well at the box office. However, it is an edge-of-the-seat-thriller with a message. Rudra, on the other hand, is about a super cop, Rudraveer Singh, obsessed with his job which has spoilt his personal life beyond repairs. His USP is that he thinks like a criminal and that is why able to understand their minds and catch them red handed. But, at times, his methods transcend the limits set by law. The Season – 1 is nail-biting but the violence and gore quotient is too high for family watch and at times cringe worthy.
At present, I am watching Habs (Imprisonment) on You Tube, again a Pakistani Drama, about Basit (Feroze Khan) whose father dies an untimely death. His will reads that his son can only become heir to the family inheritance if he gets married. Otherwise, the reign of control will pass on to his mother, whom the boy abhors, as she had left him and his father when he was a child. Incidentally, his father calls her back before his death. Basit, understandably, does not believe in marriage but is compelled to enter into an arrangement of convenience with his secretary, Ayesha (Ushna Shah) to secure a nikaahnama (Marriage Certificate) in order to run the business which is going out of hand because of fiscal crunch. Ayesha comes from a humble background and is currently the sole breadwinner of the family but she is principled and a responsible daughter. Turn of events bring Basit and Ayesha together as husband and wife but will it lead to a bond of love and happiness?
There should have been a longer list of to-watch Serials and Movies but as I am veering to my earlier passion, i.e. reading, I am keeping it to the minimum.
For the present, it is traa-laa and a Happy Weekend…
