Written by: Izzah Abdullah
Posted on: January 27, 2021 | 
(L to R) Iqra Aziz, Hadiqa Kiani, Sania Saeed
Drama reviews these days do not open with praises for the writer, but one cannot talk about ‘Raqeeb Se’ without mentioning Bee Gul. Never in recent years has there been a more captivating premier to a Pakistani drama, and the excitement that surrounds it feels like a call-back to the great classics of the genre. It makes sense that the drama is named after a famous Faiz Ahmed Faiz poem, because watching it was like witnessing poetry in motion. It is very difficult to find something negative to say about this drama.
Directed by Gul’s longtime collaborator Kashif Nisar, the drama tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who meet after 20 years. Maqsood Sahib (Nouman Ijaz) had been jilted by Sakina (Hadiqa Kiyani) when she chose to marry another man. His past comes to haunt him when Sakina knocks on his door after being victim to domestic abuse, forcing him to reconcile with his old pain. Sania Saeed plays Hajra Begum, Maqsood’s wife, Faryal Mehmood plays their daughter, and Iqra Azeez plays Ameeran, Sakina’s daughter.
Sania Saeed as Hajra Begum and Noman Ijaz as Maqsood Sahib
The pace at which the story is progressing is excellent; viewers already know how the story is unfolding but not what to expect. The writer breaks convention, and when the drama starts, the scene is set in the middle of the night. The two protagonists face each other right as the scene begins, without unnecessary fluff. The sharp, concise direction matches the writing well, and allows the characters to reveal themselves as the plot progresses, as opposed to pointless filler scenes.
Hadiqa Kiani as Sakina
When it comes to the acting, one cannot help but praise Nouman Ijaz, who appears like a chameleon in any role he takes on. Interestingly, ‘Raqeeb Se’ airs on the same day as ‘Dunk’ and anyone watching both dramas can easily tell the characters apart. The fact that Maqsood Sahib cannot even be compared to Ijaz’s role as Professor Humayun of ‘Dunk’, stands as a testament to Ijaz’s versatility as an actor.
However, it is the women who are a towering force in this drama. Sania Saeed is flawless as Hajra Begum, as she goes through a complete emotional arc, experiencing confusion to disbelief, resignation and acceptance. She stands confident in her marriage when confronted by her husband’s first love. Like Ijaz, this role is also a stark contrast to that of ‘Be Adab’, and offers a completely fresh character for Saeed to develop. Iqra Aziz, although young, has already developed into a versatile and interesting star. Be it ‘Ranjha Ranjha Kerdi’, ‘Suno Chanda’ or ‘Choti si Zindagi’, her nuanced work makes her stand head and shoulders above her contemporaries. Throughout the episode, one wonders if there is more to Ameeran than meets the eye, but no one could anticipate what happens in the last scene.
The real star of the show was Hadiqa Kiyani. No one could watch her performance and believe that the drama is her debut as an actor. She takes on the role of Sakina like a second skin, and slowly unravels the complexities of her character, which offer a fascinating juxtaposition to Saeed’s character. Through her accent, makeup and expressions, Hadiqa gives the viewers a thoughtful and captivating performance, and they cannot wait to see how the plot unfolds.
Hajra Begum and Sakina
The production quality of the drama is unparalleled and consistent. The wardrobe has been put together realistically and thoughtfully, while the makeup has been done subtly. Lastly, no ensemble of actors shine without proper direction. Thus far, it is very difficult to pinpoint a misstep or a wrong decision on Nisar’s part. ‘Raqeeb Se’ has generated considerable excitement, with its crisp writing and direction, supported by an all-star cast of skilled professionals. This story of love, loss and reconciliation with one’s past is a story that is both fresh and very familiar to audiences. The drama has set some very high standards, and with such a strong beginning, viewers hope that Raqeeb Se will be able to maintain its success.
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