Like last year, Har Pal Geo has not lagged behind in introducing a Ramadan drama to give competition to Hum TV (which has Hum Tum and Paristan this year). And like last year, “Chaudhry and Sons,” like “Ishq Jalebi,” is also a family-centric comedy surrounding a joint family with internal problems. Starring Imran Ashraf and Ayeza Khan in lead roles, the show also stars Noor Ul Hassan, Asma Abbas, Yasir Nawaz, Madiha Rizvi, Irsa Ghazal, Usman Peerzada, Saqib Sameer and others. The story has been written by Saima Akram Chaudhry and directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain.
While “Chaudhry and Sons” is loud and has very lively characters with hilarious dialogues, this is a family drama at heart. The story focuses on Dildaar Ali and his family, a family that has yet to move on from disgrace that occurred two decades ago when Dildaar Ali’s daughter rejected Tashi (Yasir Nawaz) and eloped with the man she loved. This act threw the family into despair – while Dildaar Ali disowned his daughter and refused to have anything to do with her, Shakir (Noor Ul Hassan) and Sabir (Saqib Sameer) tried their best to do away with their family’s age-old customs, blaming this culture for losing their beloved sister. What’s great about this show is how, amidst the comedy, the narrative depicts just how customs and tradition can harm families. The concept of “log kya kahenge?” is something that has been carried out for generations and, at the end of the day, does it really matter? Can families disregard their loved ones out of fear for societal norms and tradition?
Of course, these points are made in subtle ways with humor taking the forefront in a laugh-out-loud sort of way. Whether it’s Bilal’s (Imran Ashraf) antics as a young man who thinks very highly of himself to the banter between Shakir, Nimmo (Asma Abbas) and Sheeba (Madiha Rizvi), the jokes have been so well-written that it does not feel like forced comedy.
Meanwhile, Pari (Ayeza Khan) and Malika Daadi (Irsa Ghazal) start making their way to Dildaar Ali’s home after a mishap at their own home. Pari accidentally knocks her admirer (read: stalker) off a ladder, believing she has killed him – though the audience knows he is just fine. These moments are funny only due to the way they are presented, otherwise in reality any man peering at a woman over the wall on a ladder while she sleeps would be cause for alarm. This situation winds up being the push for Pari and Malika to leave their home in search for a new one, worried Pari will be arrested for murder. Unknown to Pari, Dildaar Ali is her grandfather.
Obviously with the direction “Chaudhry and Sons” is headed in, we know that Pari will make her place in Dildaar Ali’s household, winning everyone over before the truth being revealed as to her connection with the family. Though predictable, the story is sweet and it will be great to see Pari bonding with the family. And of course, the relationship between Billu and Pari is one to watch out for. Overall, “Chaudhry And Sons” is a quality product that is leaving its audience in splits after each episode. If the show can maintain this pace for another 25 episodes, that will be the test of its success – but so far, so good!