Tv drama’s exploration of darker facet of privilege comes as breath of contemporary air that departs from typical Pak
KARACHI:
A person is killed on a street. The case makes headlines. Social media erupts with questions. Then, slowly, consideration shifts elsewhere.However what occurs when such incidents should not handled as remoted crimes, however as half of a bigger sample?
That’s the query on the coronary heart of Shaandaar, a brand new crime thriller airing on Specific Leisure.
The 16-episode drama, directed by Wajahat Rauf, attracts inspiration from a number of real-life roadside killing instances which have sparked public debate in Pakistan. It isn’t a dramatisation of 1 particular incident. As an alternative, the story brings collectively components from completely different instances involving violence, energy and influential people.
The result’s a tv drama that makes an attempt to maneuver away from the acquainted formulation that dominate Pakistani tv.There aren’t any conventional household feuds on the centre of Shaandaar. As an alternative, the drama explores crime, privilege, energy and the results of actions that may generally seem to have been buried by affect.
The drama options an ensemble solid together with Shamoon Abbasi, Shahzad Sheikh, Areeka Haq, Ali Dayan, Laila Wasti and Ahsan Afzal Khan. Its therapy is intentionally fast-paced, with the makers aiming to mix the strain of a criminal offense thriller with the realism of tales impressed by occasions which have already entered public consciousness.
For Ahsan Afzal Khan, who performs the central character Salar, the chance to work in such a style was one of many essential causes he agreed to the challenge.
“A script picked by Mr Wajahat Rauf already offers you the impression that one thing completely different is coming,” Khan informed The Specific Tribune.
He stated Pakistani tv not often will get the chance to discover tales of this sort. “There are only a few such tales,” he stated. “We have been getting an opportunity to do one thing completely different a criminal offense thriller style.”
That distinction, he believes, is among the drama’s greatest strengths.Khan describes Shaandaar as fast-paced, gritty and darkish, however not with out moments of lightness. The tone, he says, regularly adjustments because the story progresses. “There’s a mild temper too, then slowly it will get darker and darker,” he stated. “There are social messages and numerous issues.”
The actor additionally believes that the drama’s tempo is a vital a part of its enchantment. “It retains you ,” he stated. “I watch the episodes myself. I watch them with my household and I really feel like watching the subsequent episode. It isn’t dragged.”
That response is especially important for Khan as a result of, in accordance with him, Shaandaar has introduced him a brand new viewers. “Youngsters and Gen Z are having fun with this drama rather a lot,” he stated.
He additionally stated that individuals who don’t normally watch Pakistani dramas, and as a substitute desire worldwide content material, have proven curiosity within the collection.
That could be partly as a result of the drama presents a world that feels nearer to the crime thrillers many youthful viewers already devour on worldwide streaming platforms.
On the centre of the story is Salar a personality who’s privileged, conceited and highly effective.He seems down upon others and misuses his affect. He’s narcissistic and needs issues on his personal phrases. However Khan says Salar just isn’t written as a one-dimensional villain.
“I hope individuals relate to the human facet of Salar, however to not his total persona,” he stated.
The character could also be troublesome to defend, however the actor believes that understanding the explanations behind an individual’s behaviour just isn’t the identical as approving of it. “No unfavourable character is a foul particular person, and no constructive character is an effective particular person,” Khan stated. “We’re all layered someplace.”
He argues that individuals are formed by their experiences by what they see at dwelling, what they face at college and the way they’re handled by these round them. “Did we face bullying? What did we face? All of that’s included into your thoughts,” he stated. “You might be reacting as a defence mechanism.” that is what makes Salar fascinating.
Beneath the vanity and privilege, there’s a human being with feelings and vulnerabilities. However these qualities don’t erase the harm he causes.
“He’s privileged. He’s conceited,” Khan stated. “He needs what he needs.”
