Daily Times

Actress and director Marina Khan and actor Behroze Sabzwari were invited by Asimyar Tiwana to his show ‘Celebrity Lounge’ which airs on PTV.

The veteran actors were called to celebrate the channel’s 53rd anniversary, considering their performances in the classic dramas of PTV such as ‘Tanhaiyaan’, ‘Dhoop Kinare’ and ‘Ankahi’. ‘Tanhaiyaan’, written by Hasina Moin and directed by Shahzad Khalil, starred both Marina Khan and Behroz Sabzwari, and are still remembered for their lovable characters of Saniya and Kabacha. Where these characters have not been forgotten even after almost three decades, owing to the writing skills of Hasina Moin, they owe their popularity to the unparalleled performances by Khan and Sabzwari as well. It is thought, and has been repeatedly mentioned by people that no actor could have played those roles the way these veteran actors did. It seems as if they were meant for those roles.

Being praised by people who have made the category of Pakistani drama worth talking about, and who have contributed immensely to making the Golden Era of Pakistan television prominent, is indeed a huge honour for the young actress

However, the young, modern and versatile actress Sajal Aly deems fit for the role, and that too according to Khan, who played the character of Saniya herself in her youth. Sajal Aly, known for her performances in ‘Sannata’, ‘Mastana Mahi’, ‘Be-Hadd’, ‘Nanhi’, ‘Sitamgar’, ‘Mohabbat Jaaye Bhaar Mein’, ‘Gul-e-Rana’ and ‘O Rangreza’, is an actress par excellence. Her realistic acting is praised by every single viewer of Pakistani drama. Recently, she also acted in a Bollywood movie alongside Sridevi.

Among many options presented by Asimyar Tiwana for who can perform the unforgettable role of Saniya from ‘Tanhaiyaan’ once again, Khan chose Sajal and Sabzwari also agreed.

Being praised by people who have made the category of Pakistani drama worth talking about, and who have contributed immensely to making the Golden Era of Pakistan television prominent, is indeed a huge honour for the young actress

Khan, who has worked with the best writers and best directors of Pakistan, and who herself has directed a lot of plays, puts a stamp on the opinions of viewers by considering Sajal for a comic role which in the 1980s, had to make its presence among characters being played by greats like Azra Sherwani, Durdana Butt, Qazi Wajid and Badar Khalil, and which succeeded in doing so.

The writer can be reached at m.ali_aquarius85@yahoo.com

Published in Daily Times, December 16^th 2017.