“Nauroz” continues to deliver each week with a story that keeps viewers coming back. This is a Pakistani drama which not only tells an interesting narrative, different from anything else we’ve seen on television, but it’s also a show which puts out messages that the audience can relate to. There’s a “philosophy meets reality” sort of messaging in “Nauroz,” which manages to click. Starring Mawra Hocane, Shamyl Khan, Rana Majid Khan, Mahnoor Shaukat and Manzar Sehbai, the story has been written by Kashif Anwar and directed by Shahzad Kashmiri.
In episode 10, Reshtina (Mawra Hocane) is fed up of social media and being a content creator. After the death of Agha Jaan, she feels life to be useless, the world to be full of fickle, hollow individuals putting on a façade. In the mountains with the nomad cutting himself off from life (played brilliantly by Salman Shahid), Reshtina swears off the world – but is quickly set straight by this wanderer. He states that the young are those who drive the world and are able to make change, while he is older and the time for change is over. He encourages Reshtina to face the world head-on, telling her the secret to discovering what’s right and what’s wrong – what makes one feel burdened is wrong and what brings peace is right. It’s such a simple thought, one that we overlook each day as we complicate our lives.
Headed back home, she comes across Gulshan, a woman who has been thrown out of her home by land-grabbers and is being threatened. It’s in this moment that Reshtina, realizing she’s up against powerful people, recognizes the power of social media. Finally utilizing her account for good, she puts out the message to her viewers regarding the situation, reaching followers with family members in positions of power. Not only are the police sent in Reshtina’s direction, but Rustam (Rana Majid Khan) also arrives at the right moment, angrily lashing out at these men for daring to lay a hand on Reshtina. And while we love Rustam’s open display of affection and protection, Reshtina realizes quickly why Rustam is there. While Rustam is arrested, Reshtina swears off meeting him again, viewing him as a corrupt individual. Reshtina is still living a black and white life, a life of right and wrong where her thoughts are very much idealistic and straightforward. But is that how the world actually works? Can some people be bad for others and good for others? And if someone like Rustam has good in him, isn’t it possible to change? With Rustam now behind bars, we’re anxiously waiting for his return. Rana Majid Khan has become a force in this show, a beloved character and the sort of grey hero we’ve been waiting for.
Meanwhile, enter Shayaan, the man who has been inspiring Reshtina on social media. She is now driven to make inspirational, meaningful videos, something which she has seen Shayaan do online. We are introduced to Shayaan on a personal level as well, a man who once worked in the drama industry and left it, fed up of regressive messaging and toxic storylines. With a drive to change the world with positivity, Shayaan has created a career out of vlogging. How will his path connect with Reshtina? And is Shayaan our “true” hero? And if he is, what will happen to Rustam? While Shayaan is certainly not an unwelcome hero, we’ve really been enjoying watching our unique, shaded hero in the form of Rustam.
Mawra Hocane is excellent as Reshtina, our female lead. It’s a pleasure watching her week after week in a role that is not only likable, but also allows for growth. Mahnoor Shaukat is a natural as Hira, Reshtina’s true friend. For the last couple of weeks, “Nauroz” has been leaning pretty heavily on the negative aspects of social media, leaving audiences wondering what the ultimate messaging is here. However with this week, it’s clear – and applause worthy. Social media use and content creators are not negative, but different content appeals to different people. Reshtina became a content creator on Hira’s (Mahnoor Shaukat) suggestion and her format, but is now discovering her own niche and space. “Nauroz” continues to deliver meaningful, strong episodes while remaining focused on the promised story.