Shehr-e-Zaat

I have read and loved the novels written by the great Pakistani writer Umera Ahmed. When Shehr-e-Zaat was announced, I was deeply skeptical about the faithfulness of TV screen artists to the beautiful characters I had in my mind of the meaningful story of this novel. Anyhow, I couldn't manage to watch it for a long time but do heard praise and appreciation of the whole drama team. The other day I was you-tubing when I saw it's first episode in the list. To see how those characters were introduced, I clicked on the episode and now just in one night, I am done with 10 episodes of this beautifully created drama. One thing that really is appreciable here is that Umera has taken the same story of this short novel to a whole new level with the same central theme. After the writer, Sarmad Khosat as a director has totally done the job very well. Mahira and Sameena Peerzada have done remarkable performances. The dialogues of the dramas are thoughtful and often I had to pause the video and go into the thinking mode. If you are thinking to watch this drama and came on it's IMDb page for checking the ratings and reviews, You need to stop worrying. No, you won't waste your time. It's a different yet even beautiful adoption of the novel. Watch it !! It's a Gem for sure!!!

There is a scene in the serial where everything falls into place for Falak; self realization and yes I am talking about the iconic mud scene in the serial and that is when you can tell that Sarmad Khoosat is undeniably talented. First he gave us Humsafar and now another iconic serial. He must take a bow. Shehr e zaat was another story of self realization and a quest to find spirituality but it was the depth in the screenplay which made it so soulful and brilliant. Everything character is something to learn from and there are very clear laid out messages in the end. Umera Ahmed is an intelligent writer and her recent plays are a testament of that but there are times when you just don't agree with her vision but in the end whatever she writes, she justifies it deliberately. Her dialogues and characterization is beautiful and she has given us one of the most iconic characters that are to stay forever. Should I mention how beautiful were Nani's and Falak's characters. While at some point you feel that the writer didn't do justice to some characters like Falak's mother but you let it pass because overall this was a beautiful piece. The actors did brilliant from Samina Peerzada to Nadia Afghan, everyone brought their A game. A special mention to Mahira Khan for effortlessly portraying the ever changing dynamics of Falak's characters and the way she insinuates into the character is beautiful. While through most of the serial she does good, in some scenes she is exceptionally brilliant. Shehr e zaat is a beautiful piece written by Umera Ahmed, gracefully resting on Mahira's shoulders through and through and it is the masterful direction which it to another level and leaves us in the list of iconic plays. Bravo.....

This has to be one of the greatest masterpieces of the PK drama industry. Beginning with the exquisite opening scene, with Falak stepped over the threshold and into the cupola, admiring the adorned graves and peering into the windows of vaulted tombs, I too began my exploration of this richly nuanced story.

A huge round of applause for Sarmad Khoosat, the story teller who truly exceeded my expectations as this was not an easy story to tell.