Based on the novel by Razia Butt, “Wehshi” is a show that arrives with much excitement. Airing on Mondays and Tuesdays on Hum TV, “Wehshi” has a fresh, interesting cast with a great blend of established faces along with rising current favorites. Starring Sami Khan, Nadia Khan, Khushhal Khan, Komal Meer, Babar Ali, Shamil Khan and others in prominent roles, the story has been written by Shumaila Zaidi and directed by Iqbal Hussain.
In episode one, we are introduced to two fathers, two men different from one another in every way. While Nadeem (Shamil Khan) is the father of two girls and is from a lower status, struggling with debt and blaming his girls for his misfortune, Munir is a well-off man with a happy marriage (his wife played by Nadia Khan) and a much beloved son, Asif. These two families are as different as night and day. While Nadeem’s daughter, Sobia, detests her father and has a rebellious streak due to the mistreatment she has experienced at his hand, Asif is a sweet, spoiled young man who has a very close relationship with his father. While these families have little in common, the message is quickly conveyed to the viewer – death does not discriminate between rich and poor.
The deaths of both men, the patriarchs of their own families, are heartbreaking for their families particularly due to the suddenness and unexpected nature. Watching Nadeem have a full-blown heart attack unknowingly is difficult to watch due to how realistically it has been portrayed. There are so many who are ignorant of the signs and have passed away like this, suddenly without initially thinking to seek medical treatment. Munir’s death occurs in a carjacking as he happily heads home to celebrate his promotion along with Asif’s good school result. At the end of the episode, both men pass away, leaving the fate of their families up in the air. What affect will these deaths have on the children of both men and how will these stories come together?
While the younger lead actors do not make an appearance in this episode, it’s Nadia Khan, Shamil Khan, Tahira Imam and the young child actors who make the greatest impression (along with the actor who plays Munir). The first episode is a heavy one to watch, but serves as a strong setup for upcoming episodes. How will Asif and Sobia’s lives change from this point onward? For those who have read Razia Butt’s novel, the story is already a known one, but for those who haven’t – this is an exciting foray into a story focused on child psyche and how a child is affected by traumatic events as they grow older. “Wehshi” is off to a promising start!