100 Din Ki Kahani - Episode 1 to 2

It never fails to amaze me how a little grooming can take an actress a long way. Please see exhibit A:

Yep. You can barely beleive it's the same person. Did you guys see her in Aasmano Pe Likha? I can still hear her screeching AAAALLLIIIIYAAAANNNN!!!! *ouch*. But since then, she has not only worked on the outside, she's doing a pretty good job at the acting bit too. Which brings me to why I decided to watch this drama: she's in it. (Like, duh. That was too easy.)

Ok. Here's the deal: our hero, Zeeshan, is the perfect husband, son, brother and employee. And here is a screen shot of the people in his life...

Sanam aka wife: She ran away from her super rich daddy to marry Zeeshan. She's also expecting their child. 

Anwar Sahab aka Boss: I've never seen a boss lend his employee money for an anniversary, ride on a bike with his employee, or rush his employee to the hospital (more on that in a second). Best. Boss. Ever. 

Evil Mom: She's like the mom that makes you really WORK for that jannat beneath her feet. She hates Sanam and is very vocal about it. She wants her son to marry her daughter's nand. At any cost. 

Safia aka Evil Sister: She hates Sanam too - probably because her mother-in-law kicked her out when Zeeshan married Sanam and not Afshan (the nand) - and she's equally vocal with the hatred spewing. Her spineless husband can't stand up to his mom to bring her home, but is disgustingly sneaking around with her. 

Zeeshan also has another younger sister, Sania, who is amazingly sweet and she genuinely loves her brother and Bhabi. She's so sweet, y'all should have a screenshot of her too...

Uhhh...ok. Maybe that's not a good screen shot OF her, but she's definitely on the nice list. Moving on....

The beginning establishes how awful the mother-in-law and sister-in-law are, how Sanam is taking it like a trooper, and how Zeeshan is fully aware of - and appreciative of - what Sanam has sacrificed to be with him. They share a genuine affection. There's also absolutely no stopping the pure hostility coming from his mom and elder sister. The lengths they go to to make sure the love birds are unable to celebrate their first anniversary will leave you with a horrible taste in your mouth. 

Zeeshan is rushed to the hospital by his boss when he feels dizzy in the market (where he is buying his mom and sister made up "necessities" instead of his wife a present), and we find out why this drama is called 100 din ki kahani: 100 days until their (much loved and anticipated) baby is born and 100 days is the time the clairvoyant doctors have declared Zeeshan has to live. 

Of course, Zeeshan has told no one about his beemari, cos, as we all know, sharing is for WIMPS. 

Safia is resorting to jadoo thoona to get rid of the Bhabi and her child. Mom looks a bit uneasy about it, but doesn't put a stop to it. #Disgusting

Regardless of the miserable treatment these two are receiving, it's refreshing to see Zeeshan and his wife showing respect to his family. No yelling back or name calling, no matter what they receive. 

Of course, whereas Sanam is happily counting down days to her due date, only we as an audience get to share with Zeeshan's angst that this is also a count down of his final days. (It's like the second the clock strikes midnight on the 100th day, he's going to fall face forward in his biryani...)

Cons: There seems to be some confusion around names. The wife is Sanam (as per story synopsis on the website) - or she's Mariam (as per her dad). Also, I thought the boss' name was Anwar, but a few scenes later he becomes Baig. Also, how come The doctor declares Zeeshan has cancer, but there's no mention of treatments? I guess it's all for the better, becaue how would Zeeshan afford those treatments anyway?

At any rate, I like this drama. The inlaws are evil, and Sanam Chaudhry and Furqan Quraishi are cute as a couple. I loved Furqan in Jab We Wed (with Aiza Khan), and he wasn't too shabby in Muqaddas either, so I'm not afraid to call myself a fan. He's refreshing after an overdose of Noor Hassan and Zahid Ahmed. There's also another half a dozen people, yet to be introduced, in the (melodious and catchy) OST, so I'm anticipating some good developments as the drama progresses. 

The drama airs twice a week,which is always a win if you ask me. And it airs on Hum Sitaray on weekends...

Do give it a go and let me think what you think!