Written by: Hurmat Majid
Posted on: August 30, 2021 | 
| 中文
(L to R) Kubra Khan, Usman Mukhtar and Mahira Khan
HUM TV’s most recent production, Hum Kahan Kay Sachay Thay, is a recipe for success, with a stellar cast, a story by Umera Ahmed and Farooq Rind’s direction. Produced by Momina Duraid Productions, Hum Kahan Kay Sachhay Thay is a story that is familiar to audiences, and this is where its magic lies. The story revolves around Mashal (Kubra Khan), Mehreen (Mahira Khan) and Aswad (Usman Mukhtar), three cousins that grow up trying to fulfill the expectations of their elders, whilst building their relationships with each other according to their wishes.
Omair Rana as Mansoor (Mehreen's father)
Mehreen loses her father (Omair Rana) to alcohol at a young age. She comes to live with her grandmother (Shamim Hilali), uncle (Ali Tahir) and aunt (Zainab Qayyum), once her mother (Laila Zubairi) remarries. Mashal, who previously lived in the shadow of Mehreen’s achievements, plans to take revenge on her cousin. She intends to do so by constantly putting her down and building a web of lies around her. The agenda behind this is to get Aswad to dislike the cousin he has favored since childhood.
Mahira Khan as Mehreen
Aswad lives abroad, but his mother (Huma Nawab) sees the pain and deprivation that Mehreen is experiencing by going through life without either of her parents. Aswad’s mother has always seen Mehreen as a prospective match for her son. However, Mashal has developed feelings for Aswad and attempts to win him over by boasting of made-up accomplishments. Who will end up with Aswad remains to be seen. Besides the three cousins, another character in the story is the house help, Shabbo (Kaif Ghaznavi), who is around the same age as the trio and seems to be a silent witness to everything that is unfolding in the family.
Aswad (Usman Mukhtar) and Mehreen (Mahira Khan)
While the plot of the story is quite simple and run of the mill, what stands out is the treatment each relationship has been given on-screen. From childhood to adulthood, we see the dynamic between Mehreen and Mashal shift. Mehreen’s aunt’s (Mumani Jan) attitude towards Mehreen undergoes a change after her father dies and she comes to live with them, losing some of its warmth and respect.
The manner in which these relationships unfold is quite relatable and not portrayed as negatively as is generally seen in dramas. The characters behave with one another without any melodrama, and that is how this drama has an edge over others. That is how the writer, director and producer have managed to keep Hum Kahan Kay Sachhay Thay realistic. It is a story about the Pakistani family system that almost everyone can understand, whether having experienced it or observed among the extended family.
Behind the scenes
The other commendable aspect of the drama is that despite her circumstances, Mehreen is not shown to be a helpless damsel in distress, who needs a man to rescue her. She has the courage to stand up to the people who wrong her, and also the confidence to express her emotions. Her love for her father, despite him being an alcoholic and a gambler, is understandable. In times of trial, she derives her strength from memories of her father. On the other hand, though Mashal is a rather conniving character, one cannot resent her for it, and the viewers are able to empathize with Mashal’s predicament.
Kubra Khan as Mashal
In terms of casting and production, the drama is an excellent example of the wonders that can be achieved, even with a predictable story, when the casting is done right and the production quality is high. Five episodes in, there are hardly any production flaws to be noticed, and all of the actors are doing justice to their roles. Hum Kahan Kay Sachhay Thay is a master class on how the treatment of a story is what makes or breaks a drama. Overall, the drama has audiences absorbed and waiting for the 8pm slot every Sunday. We certainly hope the momentum continues.
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