Written by: Saman Khalid
Posted on: January 18, 2024 | 
| 中文
Ayeza Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi in Jaan-e-Jahan
A star's comeback is almost always accompanied by immense anticipation on the part of viewers. The Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi had a similar relaunch last month, with the release of his new drama, Jaan-e-Jahan. It was not just Abbasi's much awaited appearance on television, but also the recreation of his on-screen paring with Ayeza Khan. They starred in the blockbuster drama Pyaray Afzal almost a decade ago. Jaan-e-Jahan is an ARY Digital production, written by Rida Bilal and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed. With seven episodes out as of now, Jaan-e-Jahan has fast become a polarizing show that is being scrutinized by the viewers and critics alike. The hype certainly calls for an answer to the burning question: was the decade long wait worth it? I would say, not really!
Ayeza Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi
The story follows the all-too-familiar premise of a rich guy falling for a middle class girl. Shehraam, played by Hamza Ali Abbasi, is the golden child of an affluent family who lost his mother when he was a child. He was raised by his step mother, played by Savera Nadeem, who has insidious intentions of her own. Mahnoor, on the other hand, is a strong-headed girl who is supposed to get married at the start of the show. However, the marriage gets compromised when she decides to speak up for her principles. The basic problem with this show is the characterization, which is riddled with typical stereotypes. The "hero" is too perfect and morally upright to be realistic, while the step-brothers don't take responsibility for anything. However, Shehraam's father is incredibly fond of him, which irks his step mother. This dynamic makes for a fairly bland set-up that fails to keep the audience engaged. Jaan-e-Jahan is playing it safe by recycling conventional narratives instead of introducing characters with different personalities. This makes the plot predictable and boring.
Savera Nadeem, Asif Raza Mir and Hamza Ali Abbasi
Without getting into spoilers, quite a few events that take place in the drama are a far cry from real life. Over the top actions and a weak plot mark the television serial so far. Moreover, the characters are shown to be taking major decisions casually, with little concern for their consequences. It seems like such occurrences only serve to move the story in a specific direction, instead of making an impact on the viewers.
Ayeza Khan with her on-screen sister
Everything is revealed to the audience in the very first episode. There is no mysterious backdrop or potential for suspense. Good storytelling almost always counts on a few missing pieces without which the narrative becomes lackluster. As a result, there is very little that propels the patrons to tune into the next episode. A couple of intriguing threads of mystery would have done the drama a huge favour.
The main cast of Jaan-e-Jahan. (L to R) Asif Raza Mir, Savera Nadeem, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Ayeza Khan.
Over the span of the first two episodes, the characters undergo major life changes and very unpleasant ones at that. The experiences leave them wrecked and emotionally devastated. Problems arise from the inability of the script to properly develop the characters. The audience needs time in order to develop some kind of affinity with the fictional characters. Jaan-e-Jahan is unable to emotionally connect with the viewers, who are unable to empathize with the intense emotions of the protagonist.
Ayeza Khan with Noor-ul-Hassan
Despite all the contentions, there are definitely a few nuggets of excellence in the drama. The first highlight has to be the alluring cinematography. The camera work is impressive, to say the least, as it boasts a film-like appeal. The setting is also a relief from the usual houses used for shooting in Pakistan. On top of that, the performances are superb. It goes without saying that the cast of Jaan-e-Jahan comprises multiple veteran actors who have given life to the drama. Hamza Ali Abbasi is expressive and shows his expertise as an actor. Savera Nadeem, another gem of the drama industry, portrays the various shades of her characters to perfection. And finally, Ayeza Khan, the female lead, does total justice to her role as well. The acting is definitely the saving grace of the show at this point.
Haris Waheed and Raza Talish in the drama
While the drama isn't perfect by any means, it still holds ample potential. If the pacing and the characters develop in the upcoming episodes, the show can improve significantly. Having said that, the viewers are also looking forward to the unravelling of the romance between the leads. Whether or not Jaan-e-Jahan will live up to Pyaray Afzal's legacy is a mystery that time alone will tell.
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