“Hum Kahan Kay Sachay Thay” is a show that reminds us, as an audience, what we’ve been missing from our television screens in terms of quality. Marking Mahira Khan’s return to television after a lengthy gap, it’s also one of Kubra Khan’s rare drama appearances, along with Usman Mukhtar as the hero, an actor who is generally choosy. Written by Umera Ahmed, “Hum Kahan Kay Sachay Thay” has been directed by Farooq Rind. The show centers around two cousins, Mehreen and Mashal, at odds with one another and the object of their affection, Aswad, caught in the middle.
In episode 4, Aswad (Usman Mukhtar) returns to Pakistan. This return is important in many ways, but most specifically it highlights Mashal’s (Kubra Khan) behavior. We immediately see Mashal on edge, as she now has to keep her lies concealed – but how? She’s unable to have an honest conversation with Aswad in front of Saleha (Huma Nawab), so she drags him out for lunch. She cannot leave Aswad alone with Mehreen (Mahira Khan), because Mehreen may expose her lies….or worse, demonstrate the talent Mashal has claimed as her own. Mashal is a fascinating character in a way, because she is not mentally well at all. Not only does she have extremely low self-esteem, due to which she adopts Mehreen’s entire existence as her own, but she also has psychopathic indicators, such as murdering Mehreen’s bird. This is a character headed on the fast track to nowhere – but how much damage will she cause along the way? Kubra Khan is playing this role with a lot of sincerity, allowing the audience to feel exactly how “dangerous” Mashal is.
Of course, there’s Mehreen, played brilliantly by Mahira Khan. Mahira Khan’s performance is refreshing and just reminds us of why she has been missed – she is a natural at dialogue delivery. Mehreen shares a moment with Safeer (Haroon Shahid), telling him that she’s ready to marry him, recognizing that Aswad is a lost cause. While the audience roots wholeheartedly for Safeer, it’s clear that he will not remain in the picture for long. There’s an incredibly sweet moment between Aswad and Mehreen, unexpectedly so, and the bond Aswad and Mehreen once shared comes sweeping right back in, catching both cousins off guard. The easy friendship between the two fits right back into place, like two pieces of a puzzle – but Mashal will not allow that to continue. Usman Mukhtar and Mahira Khan share a natural sort of chemistry that brings a smile to the face……despite recognizing the turmoil in store for the two.
This show does not come without its share of flaws. First of all, it’s Aswad who comes across as the weakest link – not due to Usman Mukhtar’s performance (which is great), but rather just rationalizing the character. Is it really so difficult to assess who is telling the truth? Put a paintbrush in Mehreen’s hand and watch her paint – or Mashal. Why would Aswad assume that his mother has never seen Mehreen in action, painting? Or how hard is it to visit Mehreen and Mashal’s college and talk to some students about the two? Why is it so easy to pull the wool over his eyes regarding a girl who he used to be so close to? Really, this is the weakest link, just the idea that these lies of Mashal’s couldn’t be cleared up immediately. Other than this, the show is wonderful, a drama that the audience looks forward to each week. Now if only Aswad’s behavior and confusion is given some solid reasoning…..