This year, we’ve seen an influx of Ramadan entertainment. There are religious shows, there’s Jeeto Pakistan, there are shows like “Nasihat” and “Makafat” which tell a different story each episode and then there are Pakistani dramas. Ramadan dramas tend to generally fixate on comedy, specifically over-the-top comedy, and this year we have 6 such shows – “Very Filmy,” “Dil Pe Dastak,” “Ishqaway,” “Tere Mere Sapnay,” “Chand Nagar” and “Rafta Rafta.” But there’s one more show which is also a Ramadan daily drama, but does not follow the comedic format and that show is “Umm-e-Ayesha,” which stars Nimra Khan, Omer Shahzad, Mehmood Akhtar, Nida Mumtaz, Tara Mehmood, Asim Mehmood and others in a story written by Hina Huma Nafees and directed by Saleem Ghanchi.
Umm-e-Ayesha (Nimra Khan) is a middle-class girl who wears hijab and conducts her life according to Islam. Unfortunately, she faces harsh judgements from society where her dressing sense and beliefs are the target of ridicule. She meets Aswad (Omer Shahzad), a practical man with a different approach to life. While their relationship stars off on a negative note, will he learn to appreciate Ayesha and will their relationship take a different turn?
Nimra Khan is likable as Umm-E-Ayesha and performs her role with the sincerity required while Omer Shahzad is perfect as the self-assured Aswad. As far as Ramadan dramas go, “Umm-E-Ayesha” gets the tone right, being a drama which highlights Islamic practices, the rights given to women by religion, the way Muslims should conduct themselves and so forth. And yet, while it sounds preachy, it’s the opposite. Rather, the director and writer have written an almost stereotypical Geo daily drama entertainer which keeps the audience glued to their screens simply with the addition of a religious female lead.
Straight away, “Umm-e-Ayesha” reminds the viewer of two shows – the first is “Shanakht” on Hum TV, which aired in 2014. The drama, which starred Maya Ali, Fahad Mirza and Noor Hassan in lead roles, touched upon the way religious people are seen within upper class circles. The second show is “Mera Rab Waris,” which starred Madiha Imam and Danish Taimoor, which explored the bias against a religious young girl after she’s married into an upper-class, “modern” family. And yet, while there are resemblances, “Umm-E-Ayesha” creates its own space and its own narrative, bringing together an unpredictable pair. With fast-paced episodes full of lessons, it will be interesting to see how Ayesha and Aswad wind up together. This one is enjoyable and meaningful.