Introduction

Daasi is 2019 romantic drama currently airing on Hum TV. It is written by Misbah Nausheen. I see that name a lot these days. Someone to look out for. Mohsin Talat is directing it under the banner of MD production. The official wiki page of Daasi lists other credits as well.

Plot Summary

The episode opens with a janaaza procession as amidst heavy downpour.

Adeel Hussain plays Aahil, son of Salahuddin (Behroz Sabzwari).

Aahil’s mother Rubab (Hina Khwaja Bayat) cannot forgive Salahuddin for his supposed betrayal 18 years ago. Rubab accuses Salahuddin cheated on her with his colleague and friend Shahana, who has since left the country. At one point, she says, “I am just indifferent to him.”

I like that line and the way she said it. I wish I could that to people’s face. Oh, I wish.

Aahil requests her to talk to Salahuddin before it is too late, or she will regret it. She does regret it, of course. Aahil hates her. Furqan Qureshi plays Aadil, the one person who stands by Aahil’s side, his friend and his saviour in tough times.

The scene change to a town-ish area and we see a desi girl in bright orange salwat kameez with yellow odhni walking through the streets. Meet Sunehri (Mawra Hocane). I took a mental note to make a dress in similar combination. I may not look like Mawra Hocane but that combination is great. She fights with a shopkeeper and we know she has a temper. She talks to her mother (Fazila Qaiser) in the usual non-chalant manner, too.

The scene changes and we see a don like man Mujtaba. Aadil is talking to him very politely and obediently.  Either he is scared or he is strying to get brownie points with him, because we see him falling for don’s sister Aliya (Faryal Mehmood).

Aliya and Mujtaba are Sunehri’s first cousins and neighbouts. Mujtaba has a crush on Sunehri. There is a reference to Shahabuddin repeatedly, but we don’t see him.

Aahil leaves his house. Where will he live? Oh, we know, wink wink.

Review

I am a girl and I have never been to a qabrastan and have never seen how the last rituals are done. This was new and gave me goosebumps.

Maut ka khayal hi darane ke liye kafi hota hai.

Why is Aahil’s story going back and forth? I read somewhere that multiple flashbacks spoil the reading experience for the reader. It did the same to a viewer (me).

Aahil, Aadil, Aliya… Similar sounding names. It reminds me of another writing rule that characters’ names should not sound similar. It ruins the exposition. Anyway.

Behroz Sabzwari’s portrayal of ailing Salahuddin borders on overacting. Aahil and Rubab’s confrontation was too loud.

Adeel Hussain, who I have admired ever since I saw Talkhiyan (what a drama) and then Shak (even though the drama dragged), Dobara Phir Se (I like it. It has Sanam Saeed in it), Ho Mann Jahan (not a big fan of this movie)… I like his acting.

اور بھائی میت میں آئے تھے، ٹوپی ہی پہن لیتے۔ ایسا بھی کیا۔

Hina Khwaja Bayat is not different from Zaroon’s mother in Zindagi Gulzar Hai or elder sister in Ek Kasak Reh Gayi.

Whoever is Mujtaba plays his wicked role nicely. His voice reminds me of Mohsin Abbas Haider, especially when he says “Behen Kab Kaha Maine?”

Mawra is okay. I love Faryal’s energy in all the roles she plays. Fazila Qaiser is adorable as always. I saw her last as Masha’s mother in Pyar Kahani. Do watch that telefilm. It is funny.

Final Words

The start is a little shaky, but I am willing to give it a try.

What do others think of this episode? Please leave comments. Until next review, stay blessed.

Shabana Mukhtar