Replacing the successful mini-series “Jurm,” “Jhoom” will be airing twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays. While the promotions of “Jhoom” sparkled and promised high-production value entertainment, viewers were not particularly sold or expecting anything of quality. Fortunately, the first two episodes of “Jhoom” do impress and the show’s concept leaves its mark, leaving audiences eating their words. Starring Haroon Kadwani, Zara Noor Abbas, Javed Sheikh, Usman Peerzada, Zainab Qayyum, Haaris Waheed, Sidra Niazi, Farhan Ali Agha, Noreen Gulwani, Reham Rafiq, Ahmed Agloria and others in important roles, the show has been written by Hashim Nadeem and directed by Ali Faizan.
In the first two episodes, we are introduced to Aryaan (Haroon Kadwani) – which is awkwardly pronounced Ar-yaan, not Aryan. Aryaan is a rebel without a cause, an intelligent engineering graduate who refuses to work and has anger management issues. His parents are divorced, and the divorce triggered a desire to “self-destruct” according to his father, Dr. Tauqeer, sweetly played by Usman Peerzada. When Tina (Reham Rafiq), a friend, is shot in a scuffle with goons, Aryaan comes face to face with Dr. Maryam (Zara Noor Abbas). Unfortunately, their meeting results in Aryaan going to jail, though Maryam eventually has the charges dropped after a meeting with Dr. Tauqeer. By the end of episode two, sparks are already flying between Maryam and Aryaan – though Maryam is well-aware of an age gap.
Zara Noor Abbas is particularly convincing in her role. While one cannot term Zara as an “older woman” necessarily, she certainly passes off well as a working professional who has been established in her career for some time – in contrast to a young engineering graduate who has yet to put his degree to use. She fits the mold of the role and not only looks classically beautiful, but also has the confidence for Maryam to be believable.
While Haroon Kadwani has played side roles in a few dramas before and played the lead in the successful telefilm “Ruposh,” this is his first real full-fledged serial as a leading man. Fortunately, he seems to have worked on his craft and his acting has greatly improved in comparison to past performances. He resumes his “angry young man” act from “Ruposh” along with divorced parent narrative, but this time, there’s meaning behind his madness – and a better performance.
Quite honestly, “Jhoom” has piqued interest enough that the next two episodes are highly awaited. The chemistry between Haroon Kadwani and Zara Noor Abbas has already managed to pull in viewers. Their attraction does not seem forced, rather it comes from a place of equal loneliness. Added interest comes in the form of Sherry (Haaris Waheed), the young man responsible for shooting Tina. While he’s the culprit Aryaan is looking for, he is safely continuing his antics under Maryam’s roof, as he’s her beloved younger brother. Dr. Maryam is initially labels Aryaan a criminal, while he’s simply an injured (though very rude) young man. However, she has a true criminal sitting with her each day in her own home. “Jhoom” has taken off with a strong start. Hopefully the episodes from here on out are equally as strong.