Things are heating up.

In their anger and frustration ‘Sham and Seherish’s are now raking up the past and pointing accusatory fingers at one another. Seherish – feed on a steady diet of Mahum and Atif’s concocted stories – is actually taking them to heart. ‘Sham fed up by her shakki nature and unfounded anger blames this behavior for the loss of their unborn child. You have to wonder if they have reached the point of no return?

Sham anticipating this, reaches out to his mother to help calm things down and also has the sense to suggest that Sania maybe right in wanting to leave her job. I can’t help but feel his frustration at his situation – an unreasonable (and possibly depressed) wife who is making assumptions on hearsay is chipping away at his faith, trust and love.

While thoda dramatic ho gaya, oddly enough it was still believable. Adeel doesn’t even look like he’s playing a character – he seems to fully embody ‘Sham and makes a strong case for holding his own and you sort of understand his decisions and rationale behind them. If we thought Adeel and Aisha had great chemistry before they are practically combustible now.

Aisha Khan is also playing the paranoid wife to the T without histrionics which is commendable in itself. I am simply amazed that despite her suspicions being untrue, I can still sympathize with her character though I really wish she would just listen. In a fantastic scene at the hospital,  even the doctor picks up on the tension and responds with a bite I have rarely seen given to the  supporting cast.

I am also warming up to Sania and Ali. Kudos to Sania for believing that honesty is the best policy and for Ali too, for not jumping to conclusions despite his mothers voice in his head. Sanam was wonderful in this episode – right from her making the decision to tell Ali, to her presence of mind (and watching action English films!) that saved ‘Sham’s life, to her conversation with Seherish to her shaken demeanor on returning home and that lovely conversation with Rumi – very very nicely done. See what wonders Sanam can do if she turns off her inner Kashaf?

Ali too has buried his authoritarian streak for now, but if the promos are anything to go by, not for long. Jibran is proving to be quite adept at handling this oscillating character. He probably will have a larger part to play in things to come so looking forward to see how that unfolds.

And to the third couple – Atif and Mahum who would have great careers are strategists if they didn’t waste it on personal and professional vendetta. It is so wonderful to see all these amazing actors really proving their prowess and making this a treat for all us viewers.

A word of praise for the entire crew and technical team behind Shukk as well. Wonderful production values that add to the characterization, holding the tension taut is some stellar editing and brilliant visuals by the DoP (Naeem Mustafa) whose subtle use of reflections and mirrors is admirable (see hospital scene to name just one).

Yasir Nawaz has his mark all over this.  From evoking excellent performances, restraining from any over the top-ness, relying on visual storytelling that follows the golden rule of show don’t tell – this is terrific stuff.  His overall vision that controls the pacing, reins the build up and calls on his strength as an actor-director, he is in his element because to take a fairly predictable story ( it is called Shukk after all) and still keep us at the edge of our seat is a feat -I salute you sir!

MM (aka A musing Muslim)