If I could use ONE word to describe this drama serial at the point when it went on air, it would be: anti-climax. Yes, the hype surrounding this serial was immense. Viewers in general were looking forward to the return of the on-screen duo, Fawad Khan and Sanam Baloch. After the ending of Dastaan, almost everyone was quite intrigued by the prospects of a humourous serial, in which the two would actually get married and live happily ever after.
However, when the drama serial finally started, it was a huge, huge disappointment. It was filled with humour, of course. There were subtle messages concealed within humour, with a skill that only seasoned writers like Faiza Iftikhar can manage successfully. The messages portrayed – hypocrisy, inherent assumption that everything to do with the West is ‘bad’, and the clash of cultures – were, and are, pertinent enough. Of course, viewers want to see some light-heartedness on screen too, what with depressing serials like Umme Kulsoom and Tum Ho Kay Chup. A few good laughs do everyone a lot of good.
That said, the production team did make some very serious errors that has affected the popularity of this serial which could have been a blockbuster. First of all, there are quite a few cheap jokes and dances on complete songs. Now, I understand that a village-based wedding had to be portrayed. But was it really necessary to show all that dancing? Producers clearly need to understand that such inclusion makes it impossible for an average viewer to watch the serial with his/her family.
Apart from that, another error was to cast Sanam and Fawad as Akbari and Asghar respectively. I don’t know about the rest, but for me at least, it is painful to watch them in a hypocritical, mean and self-centered role. The memories of Dastaan are still fresh and this role is a little too much to digest. At best, I feel the duo was suited for Akbar and Asghari – a positive role with potential blooming romance would have been more believable and refreshing. Right now, I just fast forward their scenes as they are too irritating.
And last but not the least, Akbari Asghari should have been a fifty-episode SOAP, not a drama serial. At best, a ten or fifteen minute episode of a comedy soap has more impact than half an hour episode of a drama serial, which seems to drag and drag. With soaps, at least we know that there are multiple tracks, change of characters and of course, a slower pace. With drama serials, the expectations are much higher. And Akbari Asghari falls way, way short.
I think I will watch this just to see how it turns out. However, the charm is all but lost.
Writer —– H A
