2022 seems to have started off as a big year for the entertainment industry with several films, dramas, and web series scheduled for release. While films may have suffered delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Pakistani drama industry, which is possibly bigger than Pakistan’s film industry, continued to produce content and entertain the public who had no choice but to stay home.
There was a plethora of content to choose from in 2022, from critically acclaimed serials such as Raqeeb Se, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi and Parizaad to the blockbuster hits such as Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3, Fitoor and Raqs e Bismil. Needless to say, there was an incredible variety to choose from.
This year has also started with the promise of some exciting content and just this week, two new dramas – Badshah Begum on HUM and Badzaat on GEO – have taken off to much fanfare. Both feature stellar casts that created the needed hype and anticipation even before the shows premiered.
Beginning with Badshah Begum’s first episode that aired on March 1, one has to say that it has an interesting combination of emotions, religion, politics, secrets, and a lot more. Directed by Khizer Idrees, the political period drama stars Zara Noor Abbas, Yasir Hussain, Farhan Saeed, Ali Rehman, Komal Meer and Shahzad Nawaz in key roles.
Penned by Saji Gul, the drama revolves around family rivalries and a battle over the throne of the imaginary village of Piranpur. The first episode introduced us to most of the characters giving us an idea of the dynamics.
The story revolves around Pir Shah Alam (Shahzad Nawaz) and his children from two different wives.
The opening scene featured Zara Noor Abbas as Jehan Ara rescuing her visibly intoxicated younger sister, Roshan Ara (Komal Meer) from what appeared to be a club. Ali Rehman plays Bakhtiar who is visibly interested in Jehan Ara which creates tension between the sisters who already have a hard time getting along.
Farhan Saeed plays Shahzeb who along with his younger brother Murad (Abul Hasan) lives with their phupoo Hakim Bi (Saman Ansari), the cruel ‘Badshah Begum’ who manages women’s affairs in the area.
Yasir Hussain as the antagonist Qaiser also makes his intentions clear. He wants the gaddi and for that, he needs a daughter which is probably a first in South Asian culture where a male heir is a requirement.
The scenes shift from urban to rural showing the audience a contrast between the lives of those raised in the city and those living in Piranpur.
Overall, Farhan Saeed was the highlight of the episode and it was refreshing to see him play a role other than the conventional romantic hero. Some scenes and dialogs were very impactful, others could have been shot/performed better, however, it seems too early to give a verdict.
Unlike most Pakistani shows that have sob stories or helpless protagonists, here we might see Zara Noor Abbas, playing the powerful Badshah Begum, a strong woman protagonist taking charge of the throne in a male-dominated world.
And speaking of helpless and scared female characters who shiver and get nervous around the male lead, is Urwa Hoccane who plays Anabiya in Badzaat that aired two episodes this week. The drama also features the very versatile actor, Imran Ashraf as a hero with anger management issues.
The story revolves around Imran’s character, Wali who has been carrying the title of Badzaat all his life due to his mother’s (Saba Faisal) profession (dancer). Despite being raised by a loving step mother, his past and roots have shaped him into a violent man filled with rage.
Anabiya is visiting Wali’s house for a wedding where she gets to interact with him and become a victim of his anger and harshness. While she seems to be a happy go lucky individual otherwise, she always seems frightened around Wali which he finds “cute” like most toxic men do.
Directed by Siraj-ul-Haque and written by Misbah Nosheen, the drama’s cast also includes Ali Abbas, Mehmood Aslam, Nida Mumtaz, Zainab Qayyum, Sidra Niazi, Zoya Nasir, Sajida Syed, Zohreh Amir, Danial Afzal, Ayesha Mirza, Hanif Muhammad, Anas Ali Imran, and others.
Badzaat has just begun and it’s too soon to call it a hit or a flop, however it is getting the traction because of the cast (Imran Ashraf primarily) and because of the slightly odd story line.
Which drama do you like more?
