Pakistani drama industry is on a road to growth and magnificence which we all are bound to agree. We have seen drama, to romance, to comedy, to adventure and all the genres giving chills to their respective audience. However, today mostly what we see on television is mainly domestic violence, social issues, and typical saas bahu series. The dramas might be fit for the housewives and women from the senior citizen department but for a time being as they see the same mostly around them in reality too. Therefore, the audience is always on a verge to switch. The fastest growing audience, which has now become the Pakistani youth wants to see more than just onions getting burnt in the kitchen by a newlywed Bahu.
And that is why we have directors like Fahim Burney who brings to us a different story named ‘Dharkan’ written by Edison Idrees Masih and produced by MD Prodcutions and is currently being on air on Hum Tv. This drama has the leading names of the industry like Javed Sheikh, Waseem Abbas, Adeel Chaudhry and talented artists like Ghana Ali, Anas Ali Imran, Mirza Rizwan, Hanif Bachan, Beena Chaudhry, Saima, Shameen Khan and Omer Farooq but is also a debut of Zara Noor Abbas who is the daughter of Asma Abbas, Niece of Bushra Ansari and granddaughter of Ahmed Bashir.
When asked Zara, she told Daily times, “If it hadn’t been for Fahim Burney I would have never been a part of the drama industry. He is a star maker.”
And we see what she means; as the name ‘Dharkan’ suggests the drama is about a vivacious and charming girl Areen (played by Zara) who has chronic heart disease. The drama starts with her daily routine and her visit to her family doctor who tells her family about her even worse situation. Areen soon comes across Zaraan (Adeel Chaudhary) who is a flirt by nature; he meets Areen disguised as a doctor. Unaware of her critical situation he plays along and without any further delay falls in love with her, madly.
As a viewer you automatically start connecting the story line to various different romantic novels and films like ‘A walk to remember’ similar theme but different characters and situations. We see this drama as a great blend of our culture, its norms and value mixed with fantastical romance. Keeping the realism in mind the drama has all the twist and turns that a normal person would face. We see the name as a connection to the story line and see the synergy in the rhythm of her diseased heart with her love interest and ticking of the time for her life. The drama teaches you to live every second as beautifully quoted in ‘Alice in the wonderland’- Lewis Carroll
Alice: How long is forever?
White Rabbit: Sometimes, just one second.
Zara has not only adapted the character but she has completely indulged herself into it. When asked her, she said,
“ I personally feel so relatable to Areen that I had to make no efforts to think, believe, walk, talk and breathe like her. “
It’s easy for an actor to play the character but one needs to become the character for a remarkable reaction. With her character you get carried away and feel the happy moments, the joy and the suffering. For a new comer, she has totally proved herself that she really is from the talented family background, which she belongs to.
A drama is not one-man show, to bring characters to play a certain way. It requires a team. We see promising actors like Adeel Chaudhary giving an impressive diversity and transition of his serious role from ‘Kaise tumse kahun’ to the Free Spirit of ‘Dharkan’. We also see Ghana, Anas and Omer playing their parts with great dedication. The ensemble of Dharkan has given the audience a hook. Like a ship needs a captain to sail, drama or film or theatre needs its Director, its no surprise to know Fahim Burney sailed a great boat. He is always ready to come up with a new and exciting play and the romance that everyone yearns to watch.
The play has made a lot of promises but is slow paced and has still not picked up the plot, which the entire audience will stick to. Let’s see if it delivers what it has promised in these few episodes. And wish the team all the best for the success of this drama and all the other upcoming projects.
Shahbano Shahbaz is a graduate in Theatre, Film and Television from BNU and Managing partner and creative head at Impresario PR and Event management.