“Safar Tamam Hua” is now three weeks in and it’s still unclear where the story is headed. “Safar Tamam Hua” stars Madiha Imam, Ali Rehman Khan, Samina Ahmed, Syed Jibran, Saife Hasan, Haaris Waheed, Sonia Nazir and Maha Hassan. Based on the novel by Rahat Jabeen and directed by Sheherazade Sheikh, “Safar Tamam Hua” tells the story of a tight-knit family with a few black sheep who spoil the broth.
What’s frustrating about shows like “Safar Tamam Hua” is that they rest on a fairly flimsy plot. Yes, there are those who do not confide their personal feelings to the adults in their family, but when matters are so dire, why wouldn’t they? The relationship between Anoushay (Madiha Imam) and her Khala (Samina Ahmed) has always appeared to be a close-knit one with Sami (Ali Rehman Khan), Anoushay, Khala and Rija being a very sweet family unit. Why then have Sami and Anoushay not confided in Khala about their relationship? Is there any reason to leave her in the dark, particularly because Anoushay’s father is now conspiring with Jamal (Syed Jibran) to marry Anoushay and Jamal? It’s understandable that Anoushay has low self esteem because her own father has never bothered to provide for her, leaving her to be raised on the mercy of others. But Sami is her own, her Khala treats her as her own. If anything, the misfit of the household is Khala’s own son, Jamal, who not one member of the house is close to. The confusion and misunderstanding here appears so forced that it’s not palatable and it makes the show very grating to watch, again, only because it’s a small matter of Sami and Anoushay having an honest conversation with Samina Ahmed’s character.
Of course, Jamal is well aware that Anoushay and Sami like each other, but he is stubborn and will do anything to get his way. Jamal is a despicable character and to add to the mess, there’s also a random neighbor who has taken a liking to Anoushay – despite seeing her several times with Sami! What is with the men in this show and not understanding that the object of their affection does not have any interest in them?! She is taken! It’s a frustrating premise and Anoushay is attracting all the neighborhood loafers barring Sami. Coming to the positives of the show, Haaris Waheed’s Danish and Sonia Nazir’s Ayeza are a very sweet couple and their characters appear to be very likable ones. There’s a really sweet scene at the beginning of the episode with Danish, Ayeza, Rijja, Sami and Anoushay and these scenes really feel as though viewers are watching cousins who are comfortable in each other’s company – again, making it evident that Jamal is the odd man out. Rijja is being played by Maha Hassan and Rijja is one of those characters who is immediately lovable in her innocence and naivety. While many may have read the novel and know where the story is headed, this isn’t as clear to viewers who haven’t and the OST does not give away much either. As of three episodes, while the characters are endearing and the show has some likable moments, the story of this drama has yet to take off – and we are waiting for that to happen.