“Sinf E Aahan” is a star-studded show that focuses on female empowerment and opportunities for females within the army. Showing female characters coming together from different walks of life, the basis for “Sinf E Aahan” is that women can accomplish just as much as men can, particularly in the army. Starring Sajal Aly, Yumna Zaidi, Ramsha Khan, Kubra Khan, Syra Yousef, Dananeer Mobeen, Tashiya Yehali Kalidisa, Sheheryar Munawar, Sonia Mishal, Saba Hameed, Usman Peerzada and many others, the story has been written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Nadeem Baig.
Episode 10 continues with the theme of these “silly” girls going through physical tasks and rigor, learning the importance of discipline. While we can appreciate the life of a trainee while watching it, recognizing how difficult it is, it’s time we move towards more substance in the story now. It has been several episodes of this, watching the girls complaining about aches and pains, Sidra (Dananeer Mobeen) griping about the lack of food and facilities and the scolding the girls are constantly receiving. There are seven main female characters in “Sinf E Aahan” and their personal stories have barely been touched upon by now. In “Ehd E Wafa,” viewers found themselves constantly complaining about their personal favorite being sidelined, because four male lead characters was a lot to juggle. But here, seven female characters is a colossal task, each coming with their backstory. When will the show start moving? It has been ten episodes – please, let’s move forward from complaints about physical activity.
Really, what’s commendable about Sajal Aly’s decision to take up the role of Rabia is how well-written this character is. She is a “real” girl. This isn’t an angelic girl who Is sweet and idealistic. This is a go-getter. She could even be considered rude in her way of speaking – but she’s not negative, she’s relatable. This is a girl who is confident in herself and her identity. She is fiercely competitive and doesn’t care who she tramples to get to the top, as we can see in her attitude towards Nathmy (Tashiya Yehali Kalidisa). This is a young woman with an ego – and yet, she has moments of kindness and in this episode, we begin to see that softening towards Shaista (Yumna Zaidi) as the two begin to develop a kindness towards each other, though it couldn’t be called friendship (yet).
Of course, Mehjabeen’s (Kubra Khan) role continues to be a highlight in “Sinf E Aahan,” a thoroughly relatable character in her spoiled nature, her exhaustion during physical training and her ability to prove herself. Mehjabeen isn’t an outwardly sweet, sugary character at all, but she has a heart of gold and a very generous spirit. It has been a lot of fun watching Mehjabeen and Pariwesh (Ramsha Khan) growing closer, now at the point where they could be called friends. With Mehjabeen and Pariwesh friends and now Shaista and Rabia accepting one another, how will this affect their respective “old” bonds with Rabia and Mehjabeen still at loggerheads? And when will we discover who is really at fault?
The story between Major Usama (Sheheryar Munawar) and Kiran (Sonia Mishal) is an interesting one, one that vaguely gives off a “Silsila” sort of feel. We are to assume Usama married his best friend’s widow and Kiran, after meeting an old friend, is running away from revealing this reality to this friend…..and when we say running away, she is literally running away in the most awkward manner. While Sheheryar Munawar is really sweet and endearing in this role, winning hearts as this kind but strict Major, it’s Sonia Mishal’s performance as Kiran that is falling a bit flat. While Kiran seems sad about her past, the performance itself is dull and uninspired. Women who go through trauma still have personality – where is Kiran’s? Hopefully this improves as the show progresses, because Sonia Mishal has proved herself to be a good actress in the past.
Overall, “Sinf E Aahan” continues to be a fun, breezy, light family watch that offers moments of inspiration and pride in being a Pakistani. But at the end of the day, this is a television drama and has to offer more than simply being a pamphlet for why women should join the army. Let’s hope the story begins moving forward soon in the form of an actual storyline.