Shak-deceit that begets deceit and the layers of distrust go deep.
So far the tightly scripted narrative is moving at a fast pace. Since this is a first look, a recap of the story and cast is in order. Shak introduces us to Sehrish/Seher (Aisha Khan) and Itesham/Sham (Adeel Hussain), a happily married childless couple, and Mahum and Atif as their nosy interfering friends.
Episode 2 begins with Sehrish rescuing Rumi and tending to his scrapes. Many band-aids later, Sehrish meets his mother and their new neighbour Sania (Sanam Saeed)- the harried, hardworking housewife managing home, kid and a demanding invalid mother-in-law (Badar Khalil ) with a persecution complex the size of South Africa where Sania’s debt-ridden husband Ali toils away- at least we hope when he is not in his luxurious hotel room.
Itesham’s introduction to Sania reveals some suspenseful intrigue. Sehrish, with her yearning maternal instincts and blunt fashion scolds Sania for not keeping an eye on Rumi, even as Itesham tries to stop her. Lectures on parenting never go down well but if she were talking to Kashaf she would have ended up with a bruised ego, so in that sense, it is refreshing to see Sanam Saeed as the more sedate Sania.
Returning home, Sehrish and Itesham are thrilled at Ammi’s(Shamim Hilali) arrival. So much so that you do a double take when you find out that Ammi happens to be Sehrish’s saas which his conveyed through Sameera Fazal’s intelligent dialogue and unfolding plot. Their banter, exercise routine and Sehrish’s possessiveness are nicely done. In direct contrast is Sania’s saas who Sehrish overhears pulling a no hold barred, machine gun-esque rant. Sehrish runs home to nazaar utaro her amused saas. When Sania comes over she runs into Ammi – who recognizes her and secrets unfold.
With an economic use of scenes and dialogue, turns out that Itesham and Sania were briefly engaged though never emotionally involved. On questioning her son if Sehrish knows, he defers by saying there is no need to rake up the past despite her concerns that this could lead to trouble.
Episode 3 continues with Mahum and Atif’s return to dig deeper into Sehrish’s new friendship and sudden aloofness. Although Itesham notes ki Atif “bahut khabbar rakta hai” why oh why are you downloading your deepest, darkest secrets onto him?
Meanwhile, Sania’s saas’s goading spills over into a frustrated Sania beating Rumi. Is it me or is she just a cold mother? Any guilt ridden parent would have smothered an upset kiddo in hugs and kisses (even some of the Hersey’s variety). Sanam is reading more school teacher than overburdened mom to me doling out long lectures and a handshake!
Rumi in turn bounces back to Sehrish’s house in cute determined childlike fashion. Walking Rumi back home, an irate Sania angrily confronts Itesham, while her saas on hearing male voices begins another shaaki rant. Sehrish, who swings by to return the ball (now in a supporting role), marches in to take her now speechless and shocked saas to task, ending with how she needs to appreciate her bahu, help around the house, and the ideal solution to this would be if Sania started working. This seems odd, not to mention judgmental about Sania’s domestic status which is driven more by circumstance than her own.
This rapid fire round lands attention seeking saas in the hospital, and a chastised Sehrish plea bargains while Itesham reiterates his annoyance at her interference. Though she tries apologize, Sania has some choice words of her own for Sehrish. Still, her words leave a mark on Sania as she talks to Ali and mentions getting a job. Ali’s parochial values rear their ugly head when he informs her that her job is to look after his mother and child, and Sania retreats into her shell.
Itesham feeling that their past has something to do with Sania’s curt reaction, tries to talk to her and clear the air while Sania berates him again. Sehrish notices them talking and this sows the seeds for future distrust.
So far, so good. The drama has set the stage to look at the lives of a childless couple, and the larger issues of distrust and deceit. Shak ticks many boxes – interesting story, good build-up and suspense, strong actors, high production values, nifty editing and pacing so I’m crossing my fingers that the characters don’t degenerate into unidimensional types – the only character thus far to have to no saving graces is Sania’s saas-played in an irritatingly-apt-needy way by Badir Khalil.
The always stellar Aisha Khan plays Sehrish with spunk, and she and Adeel Hussain with his disarming manner make a very believable couple with a natural ease with one another. Shamim Halili is lovely as the sensible, level headed mother in law with nary a negative breath about her daughter-in-law’s childlessness. (As an aside, how cool is it that she sports her salt and pepper do in an age where coiffed and coloured hair is de rigueur. Respect!)
Will Sania apologize to Sehrish? Will Itesham stop running his mouth off to Atif? Will Rumi wear more than just red shirts? Are you sticking around for more? Don’t be shy – comment away.
MM (aka A musing Muslim)
