When I started reading film history I came across a hero. An actor “James Dean”. The man who worked in only three films before his tragic death. Was nominated for Oscars in all three and bagged two Oscars eventually. I always wondered how you can be so successful with so little work. Now when I think about it, I know the answer, because I know shehnaz sheikh. If ever we count the most talented actresses to appear on screen. She would always be there despite working only in two serials and tanhaaiyaan was for sure owned by the charming lady.
Hasina moin produced some absolutely stunning scripts in the golden age of Pakistan Television. She had this beautiful technique of building up the plot from a very calm and loveable family situation and then the narrative gradually picking up pace. Although even then her plays were never the sob fest like today rather the smiles were spread all over. Another thing marking her scripts was her powerful female leads who always take charge of the matters from the front rather than crying in solitude.
Tanhaaiyaan was a classic Hasina storyline. Two sisters who are a total contrast in their character but love each other all the same. They lose both their parents in a car crash and move in with their aunt (a role brilliantly portrayed by badar khalil) , The elder sister shehnaz is awestruck by how they had to lose their house due to what happened and vows to get it back. She starts working day and night to make that come true. Enters the teen age cum child hood friend (asif raza Meer) who tries to pull her back to life and a classic romance blossoms although one sided. Mean while at the home the younger sister turns the whole house in to a disaster. The house owner who is an elderly unmarried fellow (qazi wajid) tries to scold the tenants and ends up proposing the bewildered aunt. Mean while his manger (behroz sabzwari) is facing the struggle of his life in the hands of the younger sister. To add to the mix come in the elder sister of house owner (azra sherwani) and her faithful deputy (jamshed ansari)
The play was, is and will always be a treat to watch. I have watched this play a number of times and never have felt the need to fast forward any scene or being bored at any point.
What made the play special? I think we have to say that the touch of Midas belonged to shehzad khalil. His casting was superb. Every actor was the complete personification of the character in the script. The two lead pairs. Shehnaz sheikh & asif raza Meer and marina khan & behroz sabzwari had mesmerizing chemistry. Especially behroz I think deserves a special mention since “qabaacha” is still one of the most memorable characters of PTV screen. Similarly qazi wajid and badar khalil were a beautiful couple. All these couplings actually propelled this play to greatness. The supporting cameos were also exquisite. Whether it was subhani bayounas playing the philosophical father or charming young man playing rival to asif raza Meer every one put in brilliant effort.
What makes this play different from today’s stuff was the pace of narrative. It was never too slow to lose interest and never too quick to leave us bewildered. It was really a realistic portrayal of a family’s problems. The tiny bits where marina is scheming to get her favourite qabaacha or the parts where jamshed ansari is making a fool out of behroz always bring huge smile to your face.
Karachi centre had a trademark of producing quality plays cantered on in house family issues of an urban educated family “tanhaaiyaan” was one of the most beautiful productions produced in this line.
