You know how YouTube algorithm works. Once you watch a few videos from a channel, it starts showing more clips from the same channel. If you watch one trailer, it shows you more.

And last week it showed me two – Badshah Begum and Badzaat. I already posted about Badshah Begum, but Badzaat got pushed back because a) office work took most of my time. This remote working has blurred the boundaries of work-life balance. I work like all the time. And b) I wasn’t so sure if I would want to watch this drama.

Yep.

Badzaat has me split, confused, unsure. And I have my reasons, hear me out.

Imran Ashraf, Love

I love, love, love Imran Ashraf. I have liked him ever since his role as Dastageer in Dillagi. His role as Azhar in Dil Mom Ka Diya, and then everything else barring Kahin Deep Jaley (what a mess that was–the drama and the novel, both, rolling eyes), he knows his shit and it shows. +1

Sehmi Heroine, Hate

And then there is Urwa who looks like a million bucks whether it’s Mehr in Amanat (one of her worst choices ever), or Saba Kareem in Parizaad, or Guddi in Mushk; she is gorgeous. I loved Guddi, I was in awe of Saba Kareem. But… Yes, there is a but. Her character in Badzaat looks like an extension of Mehr in Amanat–dari sehmi, dabi kuchli, nazron ko niche rakhne wali bachhi. -1

Chemistry of Lead Couple, Love

Imran Ashraf and Urwa Hocane won my heart in Mushk, and I’m sure this time around again they will impress us with  their chemistry. +1

Ali Abbas’s Choices, Hate

Ali Abbas’s is a terrific actor, like father like son. But lately his choices are just so meh. I saw him as older brother in Kahin Deep Jaley, and Samia’s third husband in Ghisi Piti Mohabbat, and then there was that drama where he was paired with Komal Meer, what a drag that was. I’m not sure I like his role in this drama. -1

Add GEO to the combo, Hate

And then lately I have started to notice that Geo is an expert in taking a perfectly good concept and ruin it. This might be another Kahin Deep Jaley for Imran Ashraf and Ali Abbas. This might be another Amanat for Urwa. -1

What’s the overall score now? Lemme see… -1.

Ouch!

Unless this drama airs on a day that has some breathing room, I might let it go.

What do others feel about this teaser?

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So long!

Shabana Mukhtar