Drama Update -- August 2016

Good lord - how did we manage to neglect the blog so bad? My heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been so patient with us! Thank you for STILL stopping by - I promise there will be (by hook or by crook) a new post up this week! But for now, let me go ahead and post an incomplete-but-now-complete post that I started in June. (I know, I know - beghairti ki inteha. Tauba!) Of course since I did it in June, I had to do over any reviews I had changed since then...so the opinions are totally up to date.

Honestly, I didn't watch any dramas for a month (month and a half? Two months?) and then spent a week, right before Ramadan and well into Ramadan, binge watching them. And then I got caught up with summer vacations and travelling and spent the last week catching up, so I haven't completely caught up with some dramas that were on my to watch list. (Which is good because I just promised yall another post within the week so...)

A lot of the dramas I was watching came to an end -- Naraaz, Sehra Mein Safar, Abro, Tere Mere Beech, Bay Qasoor. The last four of those were all the good vs. evil type but for some reason while the dramas managed to deliver on the evil, they didn't manage to satisfy on evil getting a taste of their own medicine. So that was kind of a bummer. 

At any rate, here's the rest of what I missed and caught up on...

Aap Ke Liye

I kinda like this, so far. It's another one of those poor girl marries rich guy stories (which I'm a sucker for) and if you don't watch the OST, you can convince yourself that the drama will play out like an epic Barbara Sharif Bollywood movie - you know, where she gets married to the guy and then evil saas aur nandoon ki akal thikanay karti hei in the most hilarious way possible.
Highlight - The fact that the hero and heroine are years apart is a part of the story, so it doesn't gross you out as much as it should. Arij Fatima plays the smart mouthed/borderline annoying Washma effortlessly. It's a breath of fresh air to see Waseem Abbass playing a slimey old lech instead of the evil/worthless ghareeb lardkion ka baap.
Lowlight - The actress playing the younger sister, whose storyline no one (i.e. me) gives two cents about.

Dil Lagi

I know I said I wasn't too thrilled with this drama in the beginning, but it finally won me over (matlab, with only two episodes, one would hope so!). Anmol is blinded by misunderstandings and anger and she's gonna regret her hurtful actions. Mohid couldn't be more of a picture perfect Prince Charming if he tried, but Anmol manages to (kind of) bring him to a breaking point. Shit hits the fan, ladies and gentlemen, but luckily gets resolved instantaneously (speaking when you compare it in in drama time). I love how Anmol's mom, sister, mother-in-law and nand are all actually trying to help her and not appearing and disappearing from the screen as a bunch of the writer's after-thoughts. 

Highlight - Imran Ashraf is hilarious as Mohid's sidekick and the comic relief and his love story with Anmol's sister is sweet and cute. He's an absolute treat to watch.

Lowlight - Can. Not. Stand. Mehwish. Hayat. Ufffff... And quite frankly, I don't care how good of a reason Mohid had to slap Anmol, it's still abuse and it's still unacceptable. "I slapped her for her own good." Wow. *taalian*

Main Sitara 

This 60s based drama effortlessly took us to a time and place when Bollywood produced classics we still love today. It's easy to imagine the characters as a part of that era. Saba Qamar makes you fall in love with Surraya, and root for her when she grapples with becoming Sitara and staying loyal to the woman who helped her get there.
Highlights - Everyone in their role shines. The casting in this drama -- wah. Dil khush hogaya!

Lowlights - ....and then there's Meera Ji, which is the only weak link. Her stilted - and unconvincing - dialogue delivery are an epicfail.

Note: Season Two is currently airing, but I haven't watched any episodes yet :(

Man Mayal

Well guys, Ayesha Khan finally made her appearance and it gives me immense joy to say, "I told you so." The drama has officially derailed and left us wanting to ask a million questions - why has the evil naukar become the most loyal naukar? Why is Salauddin so blind to Jeena and her maneuvers? Why is she living in his house?! Why is Manu such a door mat? The only character that makes sense is Mikael who has, at least, stayed true to his character. 

Highlight - Nothing. (Personal highlight: I managed to abandon ship like 10 episodes ago...really, I feel for everyone still watching this crap.)

Lowlight - Jeena calling Salauddin her "cutie patootie." My ears, they burn. Ayesha Khan is horribly miscast as Jeena. And Hamza Ali Abbassi's affected deep voice - I guess he's trying to portray how solemn/deep/sangeedah Salauddin is - is distracting and dumb. 

Mein Kaisay Kahoon

Honestly, I didn't bother to keep up with this. It started out cute enough, but it dragged on and on and on and I didn't feel like wasting my life to catch up. But I heard it ended well...so...if you watched it, picture me giving you a high five ;)

Mera Yaar Mila De

This drama - regardless of its many many plot holes, is my favorite mistake. It's filmy, it's fun, it's easy to watch. It also reminds me more and more of Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, except the heroine and Ajay Devgan actually had the decency to get married before he dragged her to Europe to find her one true love. I was all in for Mushq giving Fahad the "tum nei mujhe pyar kar na sikhaya, laykin Dabboo nei mujhe pyar nibhana sikhaya" speech, which didn't happen #Sad. But still, this drama was fun and filmy and I loved it....Hmm...I feel like I repeated myself there....

Highlight - Towards the end Striker gets limited screen time, but Sundus Tariq makes up for it as the talkative and bubbly Iqra. 

Downside - The younger sister's evil sister-in-law and her husband who can't stand up for her. I don't know why they needed this side story at all. Why didn't Zeba just get her happy ending?

Tum Koun Piya

I love Ayeza Khan, I like Imran Abbas, and I'm into cliched dramas about evil mother-in-laws, so this drama ranks pretty high on my watch list. The story flows effortlessly and even though it's predictable, I find myself won over and looking forward to each episode.
Highlight - Hina Bayat is off-the-charts convincing as the evil mil with double standards. Yasir Shoro is also killing it as the baighairat and gold-digging brother-in-law.

Lowlight - Sumbul and Ramish's relationship is a bit of a weak link, if you ask me. Sumbul seems too much of a strong and smart girl to let Ramish get away with the stuff that he does. (I'm glad she left.) Ramish's mom's wardrobe continues to distract.

Udaari 

Let's just cut to the chase - if you can only watch ONE drama airing right now, make it this one. The story, the lessons, the casting (for the most part), the acting, there is not a single thing that detracts from the awesomeness this drama brings to our screens every week. Ahsan Khan is easily the man of the hour - he should win every award possible for his amazing portrayal of the snake Imtiaz.

Highlight: To take such a sensitive topic and present it so flawlessly...I'm impressed beyond words. Bravo Team Udaari!

Lowlight: Farhan Saeed, as the arrogant band vocalist turned lawyer, is probably the weakest link amongst the players of the drama. 

Zindagi Tujh Ko Jiya (aka 100 Din Ki Kahani)

I haven't caught up with this either. I probably will though...eventually. I do know that it ran for a total of 60 episodes...#OneDay

So there you have it folks, dramas I watched, dramas I enjoyed, dramas I am rooting for, and dramas that I dropped. On my list now are Besharam, Saya E Dewar Bhi Nahi, BeAib, and maybe Intezaar and Dhaani (which airs on Geo and I haven't watched a single drama from Geo that wasn't totally blog worthy). I keep going back and forth on Zara Yaad Kar, but I think maybe it's just too far in to catch up with now, so it might just continue to be a miss as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks again for all your support and the kind words you've left while we were on our short hiatus! Hopefully, we'll continue to post more regularly now.

Happy watching!

Drama Update -- March 2016

Wow a month goes by fast! I feel like we just did an update...ah well, four weeks is plenty for a drama to pick up or pack up. It's fun to go back and see how the dramas are still fairing one month later. So, without further ado, let's see how we're still feeling about the dramas that we are following...

Abro

I still don't know why I love this drama. I wish I could just watch it in one go. The drama makers have managed to make us go from hating Abro to sympathizing with her - and that's quite an accomplishment. I just can't wait to see where this drama is headed. In a perfect world, Abro and Ali should do something to totally redeem themselves to the parents (so his mom, Zubaida can die of shame for her horrendous treatment of Abro) and Fauzia should turn out to be a total churail and make Zubaida rue the day she married Abid to her. *fingers crossed*

Highlight - Ali has been an amazing rock of a husband to Abro, standing by her even when his mom has crossed all boundaries of rationality (and humanity). 

Lowlight - Zubaida's treatment of Abro is a bit OTT nasty. Also her hairstyle is a huge eyesore and distraction. 

Bay Qasoor

Why are we (I) still watching this crap? This drama is completely insane. Escape if you can!

Highlight - Aiman Khan's pretty to look at. Yep. That's the best I could think of. #pathetic

Lowlight - Who can forgive their husband and step-father after the complete nastiness they've pulled like Sadaf and Hira are doing in this drama? Also, why does this business tycoon keep marrying these bimbos? 

Dil Lagi

I thought about doing a dedicated review for Dil Lagi, but with only two episodes aired, I found there is not much to say. Mehwish Hayat's character is unnecessarily confrontational and of course our hero - the ghunda with morals - falls head over heels for her, because duh. Ghunda ghundi se pyar nahi karayga tu kiss se karay ga?

Highlight - Humayun Saeed ki onscreen kashish is undeniable and it gives us the fuzzy-feelies to see him onscreen again. 

Lowlight - Honestly, I find the unrealistic-ness of this drama a little off putting. The drama doesn't have a filmy feel to it, so the OTT character antics are not as forgiveable as they are with Mera Yaar Mila De (see below).

Gul E Rana

Ahhh. The drama we love to hate. I can't believe how many friends I have that are loving this drama (and hating our reviews lol). However, I stand by our reviews: this drama has too many holes and too little wins. In fact, it has no wins if you ask me. Please see the detailed post on the episode 15 update for further dissing of this masterpeice.  

Highlight - Only three episodes left...by next months update, this drama will be over. #Yay

Lowlight - Three episodes still left and Adeel shows no signs of reforming. This basically means he's going to reform at the very last second, making his already much-hated character even more hateable and if the drama makers really get crazy, then Rana will forgive him too - making us hate ourselves for watching this rubbish till the very end. 

Man Mayal

In spite of all the stars and pretty filmatography of this drama, I don't really see what the hype is all about. The story is progressing and the characters are all convincing enough, so I'll stick around to see where the drama is going. 

Highlight - Watching Talat Hussain in the drama was a real treat - in a limited appearance he is powerful and will leave you heart broken.  Also, I'm glad Mikael didn't turn out to be some psychopath - he's just a spoiled brat, partying it up on his parents tab.

Lowlight - This sinking feeling that Ayesha Khan is going to make an appearance any episode now... 

Mana Ka Gharana

I want to like this drama, promise. But it just seems to be going on and on and on with no destination in sight. Kissi tarhaan Mana ki shadi nahi ho pa rahi. Mana's mom is a total witch and I'll never forgive her for the horrible way she's treated and used Khizzer. 

Highlight - Maalik and Zarri's nonexistent but existent love story is endearing. 

Lowlight - Gul Bahar and Saleha are single handedly winning the churail competition. Also disappointing is how Ghalib and Maalik dont think twice about Khizzer's sudden personality change. 

Mein Kaisay Kahoon

This easy-going drama has turned into a never ending custody battle for a Montessori child and his non-existent jaidad. What a shame, the characters were so cute and the drama began with so much promise. 

Highlight - Right now the only reason why I'm watching it is because the story is tad bit different and because I only drop dramas midway under extreme circumstances (ex: Tumhare Siwa and Chup Raho).

Lowlight - The soteli Nani that appears and disappears as she wills. Rohail's mom that has got to be the worst fake-just-returned-to-Pakistan-from-overseas character ever. 

Mera Yaar Mila De

This drama is so filmy, so colorful, so entertaining, that I've decided to forgive its many flaws and just go with it. Faisal Quraishi is just too clean looking to pass as the mohallay ka gunda with a conscience. But, again, he's just so fun - especially with his loveable side kick, Striker - that it's entertaining to watch. 

Highlight - Sajjal Ali is absolutely stunning (Enrique must've sung, "Love to see you cry" with her in mind), Striker and Dadi are totally winning best supporting roles in this drama. 

Downside - Mehru Jee, for inexplicable reasons. Who the hell parades around Lines Area in Karachi dolled up like that?  

Naraaz

If you haven't seen our detailed post, feel free to visit it for the details on why this drama is derailing. This different storyline was a winner in our books, until the drama makers decided to push it into territory where it is unrecoverable from. 

Highlight - The child actor playing Aazar wows completely. 

Lowlight - Fareeha is dead, and Azlan's brilliant idea is to let his best friend adopt Aazar because he has better medical coverage. Or some stupid reason like that. Worst parent ever. 

Sehra Mein Safar

Iqra has rejected Ayaz and married the shady - and slimy - Shehreyaar. I must say, Emmad Irfani has come a long way from his monotone acting in Aasmano Pe Likha. If you have some time to spare, this drama is entertaining enough - even if it is slightly predictable. 

Highlight - Iqra's parents are in a two way tie (with Fareeha's parents from Naraaz) for the best parents ever award. Also, I'm totally in love with the OST.

Lowlight - Iqra's stupidity over monetary issues with her husband are just ridiculous. If she hands over her jewelry and committee money to him, she quite frankly deserves all the tears of regret she's going to cry when she finds out what a fraud her husband is.

Tere Mere Beech

Sanam Chaudhry is honestly carrying this entire drama on her fragile shoulders - and quite frankly, I don't know how much further she'll be able to carry it. It feels like we're just watching the blame Hareem game on repeat for the past few episodes and I really hope the drama will pick up the pace soon. Noor Hassan - as Nadia's rich but wishy washy husband Ali - is totally wasted in this drama. 

Highlight - Hina Bayat's sudden appearance, as unconvincing as it may be, is a breath of fresh air. Hopefully, Phuppo can now go back to her gaon and stay there. For the rest of the drama. 

Lowlight - Nadia and Sadia's constant berating and blaming of Hareem for everything is annoying and unjustified - especially since her jhat-phat marrying Fahad was all Nadia's fault to begin with. 

Zindagi Tujh Ko Jiya (aka 100 Din Ki Kahani)

As pointed out by many of our readers (thank you!), this drama has returned to our screens under a new but not-as-catchy name. Since I've seen the first 20 something episodes, I haven't been watching it, but will probably pick it up again once the unaired episodes begin.

Highlights: An easy watch with enough twists and turns to keep you coming back. 

Lowlights: You really want to wring Safia's neck. 

That concludes the drama update for the dramas we're watching. Some people have asked me about Pakeeza and honestly, it looks like an abusive husband story and down right depressing. I'm going to let some more episodes air and get some feedback before I consider watching it. There's a period drama Saba Qamar is doing that is supposed to air on TV One that I'm looking forward to. Along with the over-promoted Tum Koun Piya with Ayeza Khan. 

Please do comment below with any other dramas you're watching...we're always looking for good recommendations!

100 Din Ki Kahani - Episode 18 Update

Awesomeness continues in 100 Din Ki Kahani at a slow - but steady - pace. Here's a quick break down of why you need to be watching this drama!

Raheela baybaki se goes to Bilal's house to confront Samra and Bilal hurries and ushers her out before she can cause any damage...

...Not that it stops her from trying again. This time she answers his phone when Daddy dearest calls. Rest assured, Bilal manages to save the situation one more time. 

Bilal and Raheela duke it out until he breaks the Big News to her: If he divorces Samra, she gets half his jaidad. Now Raheela hates Samra's guts because she managed to out smart them all. 

For her part, Samra has come up with an answer to her own created problem. She and Bilal should run away to Europe for long enough to come back with a baby and claim it's theirs. Of course, Bilal is on to her, so it's fun watching him being snide to her andar he andar. 

Meanwhile, the achi wali choti behn has found out about Zeeshan's beemari and she is going to leave no stone unturned to help him get treated...

...Including getting the house evaluated in this scene which provides some comic relief in the form of a frustrated real estate agent. 

Zeeshan continues in his quest to be a jerk to Mariam - I mean, I get it, but I don't get it. It's just cruel the way he's treating the poor girl. Oh, also he has - by silent omission - agreed to marry his sister's nand (who of course plans to oust Mariam as soon as she walks into the house). So basically, Zeeshan will marry phone-stalker Afshan (then die, so no issues) basically ensuring his sister gets to return to his susral AND Mariam hates his guts so she won't be sad and miss him when he dies. Wah. Logic dekho. *taalian* 

Luckily, the drama has this cute child-star to help Zeeshan face the realities of the stupid decisions he is making.

In a rare moment of greatness, Mariam decides to tell her nand off and refuses to hand over a golden chain Zeeshan had given her... Unfortunately, the spurt of spunk lasts a total of 15 seconds, then she gets bullied by her nand and she gives in. Seriously, who wants to see Mariam kick some ass - Me! Me! Me! #TeamMariam

And now, for my MOST favorite twist: guess who's husband is busy playing hanky-panky behind her back? Safia's!! YAAASSSS!!!

As the premise of this drama proves, the writers sure do have a keen sense of irony. On the outside this is a story of how Zeeshan's life is ending where his child's is (and his as a parent should have been) beginning. But within this grand scheme are the side stories, all of which provide the same lesson: You get what you give. I can not wait to see how fate (or hopefully Mariam) kicks Safia's butt! #TeamMariam

Until next time...

Bay Qasoor - Episode 7 Update

Wow! I'm on a roll with these episode 7 updates! Today, we're talking about Bay Qasoor, starring Samina Peerzada. 

Bay Qasoor is the story of Sadaf, a naik single mom that remarries to help provide her and her infant daughter with a roof over their heads. Waseem, her second husband, literally provides little more than that roof. He has a daughter from a previous marriage, Sehr, who he has spoiled rotten and she has grand dreams of marrying into money, i.e. Sadaf's daughter is the good daughter and Waseem's daughter is the bad daughter. 

Sehr marries Shreyar, a man three times her age to achieve the monetary luxuries she has always dreamt of. Daddy dearest suffers a massive heart attack due to his daughter's foolish actions. To add injury to insult, Shehreyar is Sadaf's ex-husband and Hira's dad. 

Now you know why I'm so inexplicably absorbed by this drama. Because it's gross in a train wreck you can't look away kind of way. 

Let's explore what happened this week In the most current episode...

Hira confronts her slimy dad, who promptly calls his ex-wife an adulteress and she slams out of his office to run home and confront her mom. What follows is the most uncomfortable scene of screeching and crying that I've witnessed in a long time. 

The only saving grace of the meltdown scene is this miss: Waseem's talak yaafta behn that lives with them, who overheard the commotion. This is the second drama where we see a sister from hell, being played phenomenally well by Javeria Abassi. She's lazy and greedy and she's raising her boy to be a future ghunda. She's happiest that Sehr has married Shreyar because she gets to mooch off her brother and his daughter  (Sidenote: Her ex-husband was played by Aijaz Aslam. I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out why he would play such a nonexistent role...Answers, anyone?)

Sehr is living the life. And nothing anyone can say is going to bring her down. I think Aiman Khan has done a good job portraying Sehr. She's very beleiveable and her character is well developed. She knows what she wants and she's not afraid to do what she must to get it. 

I'm sorry...I'm innocent...blah blah blah... 

Hira vows to avenge her mother and then storms into Shreyar's office to scream at him i.e. The quiet and suljhee hui Hira looses her mind. Maybe it's because we haven't seen her co-worker beau in this episode...?

Shreyar isn't about to let his ex-wife or estranged daughter mess up his life - he promptly storms to Sadaf's house and enlightens everyone of their previous relationship, the one secret Sadaf was trying so vainly to keep.  

Speak of the devil (or angel in this case)... Meet Hira's Mr. Wonderful. He is - duh - perfect. Of course Hira's stupid stepdad can't see that, and he has all but rejected Babar's marriage proposal for Hira. #Jerkface

Ok. Maybe Sadaf didn't think that. Maybe it was just me. But it's worth repeating: Stepdad has lost his mind.

And with this, all the cards are now on the table. How will Sehr react? Aiman (and Javeria, who I suspect will help Aiman's character plot her next move) has done such a great job playing this spoiled - yet naive - brat, that I'm excited to see what will happen next. 

On the down side, I'm disappointed Samina Peerzada is playing such a wishy-washy role when she is capable of so much more...and the fact that Sajid Hasan and Waseem Abbas are playing the same old same old is just that - same old, same old. #Snooze

At any rate, Bay Qasoor remains my favorite guilty pleasure at the moment. And if anyone else is enjoying this drama too, don't worry - this is a judgement-free zone! *smirk smirk*

Happy watching!

Gul E Rana - Episode 7 Update

Hmmm...another lucky episode 7! Let's talk about *Drumroll* Gul E Rana!

So here's a recap of what's happening up til now in a nutshell: Gul-e-Rana is this perfect being (i.e. Cliched Pakistani drama heroine) whose loving father dies and she, her mother and younger sister, come to live with their dad's super duper rich, estranged step brother. Uncle is a nice enough guy, he genuinely cares for his brother's kids, and his sister's kids (more on that in a while). He has a wife (who either has a medical condition that makes her fragile as glass or she's scared of her own shadow, not sure which yet) and an obnoxious, ultimate bad boy, waiting to be reformed by the right woman, son (more Pakistani drama cliched characters), Adeel. Uncle also has two, money hungry, leechy sisters who have a daughter each, both fighting to win the coveted Adeel in marriage. Adeel - the ultimate dreamboat that he is - has gotten it into his head that he should marry GuleRana. And that is where we find ourselves at the beginning of the episode, Adeel telling his elder Phuppo off on how there is no way GuleRana will marry her son, Zafri. 

What I like about this drama is that the evil characters aren't as blood thirsty as we have seen them to be in the past (*cough* #MohabbatAagSi #Humsafar *cough*), for the most part they provide comic relief and make sure there is more to this drama then watching how perfect GuleRana is and what a big flirt Adeel is. Zafri is one of my favorite characters. He's a good for nothing, lazy nincompoop, and his scenes with Adeel are always amusing. 

I think the whole secretary coming to complain the boss "toyed with her emotions" bit is completely unnessary. We know Adeel is a jerk. Rana knows Adeel is a jerk. So I'm assuming this bit is just thrown in to prove to us that Rana can stand up for a cause and she has a backbone. Yay. 

Rana's younger sister is definitely the more gullible and seedhi-saadhi one. In an inexplicable way, Adeel's being 'nice' to her and her friendliness towards him, provides the false sense of security that deep-down-inside Adeel has a good guy inside of him. You know, like the Grinch. 

Auntie, I hope your tarbiat isn't about to backfire...

Stepmom's reaction to Adeel declaring he plans to marry Rana are priceless and spot on. Though, as pointed out earlier, I don't know why Farah Shah is playing such a muted character. It seems like such a waste of her talent. 

Let's talk about Rana's khala ka beta, Asher bhai. It's quite obvious that he has a thing for Rana, tu why he is getting engaged to someone else is anyone's guess. As for Rana, of course she's completely oblivious, as a shareef lardki should be. Just in case you were wondering, in my humble opinion, Imran Ashraf that shines like no other in Mohabbat Aag Si, is also wasted as the khala ka beta in this drama.  

As you can see, everyone's goofy smiles of joy were left biting the dust when Rana flat out rejected Adeel and any marriage plans to him. 

Predictably, Adeel ain't taking no for an answer. When he confronts Rana, she says no and slaps him. The look on Adeel's face post-slap was scary enough to have me quaking in my boots. 

But, lucky us, Adeel has a plan B: kidnap Rana to force her to do his bidding. Lord help us all...

Quite honestly, I think Hum TV basically banked on the star power of Feroze Khan and Sajjal Ali together for viewers to watch this drama. The drama is watchable - so far - but Adeel's aggressiveness may prove to be a deal breaker. Sajjal Ali is doing what she does second best: looking pretty and giving occasional glimpses of what her true acting capabilities are. Feroze Khan teeters dangerously between good acting and trying too hard. When he's in polished duds, he looks the part quite well. When he goes casual he becomes more trashy and less classy -- the skin tight, cap sleeve t-shirts (a size too small) need to be ditched. And set on fire. As soon as humanly possible. Just sayin.

I hope as the drama goes on, Rana can start doing her magic on Adeel and we viewers are spared endless snooze fest episodes of zulm and sitam on Rana. Also, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's reaction to Adeel's ingenious plan.

Until the next drama...