Haute Review: Does Sang e Mah rise to expectations?

The much-anticipated drama serial Sang e Mah starring the father-son duo Noman Ijaz and Zaviyar, Atif Aslam, Hania Aamir, Kubra Khan, Omair Rana, Sania Saeed, and Samiya Mumtaz, amongst many others finally aired on Sunday after having premiered in cinemas a day earlier. The star-studded cast, teasers and OST had already raised everyone’s expectations and following the first episode, it is safe to call it an expected masterpiece.

Read More: Sang e Mah aims to address a social evil called “Ghag”

According to YouTube’s description, Sang e Mah is a transcendent tale of love and retribution. Written by Mustafa Afridi and beautifully directed by Saife Hasan, it is produced by Momina Duraid Productions.

The narrative revolves around a family belonging to the tribal areas of Pakistan whose traditional values and family politics is prioritized over love and even their lives. While we have seen similar plots on television before,  it is how the story is being told and the strong performances that catch the attention of the viewers.

Taking inclusion and diversity a step further, the drama opens with Sikh representation, showing Omair Rana’s character Mastaan Singh praying at the Nankana Sahab gurudwara, which is a sacred place of assembly and worship for Sikhs.

 

 

While not much about his character is revealed, we are shown that he’s been waiting for the last 20 years, trying to gain redemption and peace. During this time, his fiancé continues to wait for him to return to her.

Omair fits the character perfectly and his acting is convincing as usual. Viewers can feel his pain without even knowing details about his past or why he is punishing himself. The actor that he is, he connects immediately.

The power trio Naumaan Ijaz,  Sania Saeed and Samiya Mumtaz are always a treat to watch and they share an intriguing equation in this plot. Sania Saeed as Zarghuna lives fearlessly in a man’s world with her daughter Gul Meena played by Hania Aamir who is in love with Zaviyar’s character Hikmat, the son of Haji Marjaan Khan and Zarsanga played by Naumaan and Samiya.

Despite being sisters, Zarghuna and Zarsanga would never allow Gul Meena and Hikmat to move forward with their relationship due to years of rivalry between the two families. However, Haniya and Zaviyar own the story as two young people in love against the odds of family rivalry. Their performance, chemistry as well as accent is completely on point.

 

 

While both the mothers threaten their kids to end their relationship, Hikmat pledges to make Gul his wife. Even if it means he has to announce Ghag, a centuries-old tradition in which a man fires outside an eligible girl’s house to claim possession of her, warding off all competitor suitors.

 

 

Zarghuna is anything but a weak woman. She lives shoulder to shoulder with men, owns a gun, rides horses and lives life on her own terms. As Gul Meena says, the mother and daugther are already breaking norms and offending the community, there is no way Haji will agree to make her his daughter in law. But there’s more to it.

 

 

Apart from these strong performers, Sang e Mah also marks Atif Aslam’s full fledged acting debut. Exceeding all expectations, Atif as Hilmand makes his presence felt.

Read More:Atif Aslam takes you into the magical world of Sang e Mah with a soulful OST

 

 

Hilmand is Haji Marjaan Khan’s elder son who seems to be in conflict with his father and refuses to return home. He lives in his own separate world with those he calls his friends. His eyes express there is deep sadness within the character and one cannot help but be charmed and intrigued by him.

 

 

 

The first episode mainly highlighted Ghag which has been committed after many years in the community. Zarsanga expresses her displeasure by stating that the offender should be punished in a way that no one ever dares to consider another woman as property. However, she doesn’t know that one of her own sons is considering the practice if he doesn’t get the woman he loves.

While all this is going on in the tribe, we are also introduced to Kubra Khan’s character Sheherzaad. She is a journalist who wants to investigate the practice of Ghag by probably visiting a tribal area in person.

 

 

Though the story is based in tribal traditions, it connects with urban life thus making it more relevant. We look forward to the upcoming episodes to see how the characters develop and story unfolds.

Packed with strong performances, Sang e Mah consists of a great mixture of new and veteran actors. Overall, it has proved to be a fantastic first episode.