DAREECHA

'Dareecha'-Persian for Window

An MCONTENT Production written by Syed Mohammad Ahmed, directed by Farrukh Faiz and successfully running on ARY Digital. ‘Dareecha’ first came on air on the 12^th of September and is telecasted every week, from Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (PST)

About three months old now, this serial has captivated many a people owing to its simple depiction of everyday life. Everybody can relate with certain aspects of the story and the characters in the serial due to the realism. Dareecha attracts audience from all age groups primarily because a family can sit together and watch it just like the good old days when Pakistan Television was alive, for real. Moreover, the bonding within the subject family is tremendous, the warmth comes through and the house has been given a very apparent domestic illustration as well as a mysterious ambiance. In all aspects of film-making, from makeup and wardrobe to lighting and editing, the crew has excelled and made it all seem effortless. Where most TV shows focus on larger than life family sagas or on perfect dolled up leading ladies portraying lives of the elite living in luxurious homes, Dareecha has earned its rightful place and is gaining popularity among viewers slowly and steadily.

The performance of all the actors is absolute, each fitting perfectly in the character they play. Expressions are just right, neither too dramatic nor missing out on sentiments. Genre being mystery, more often than not, we see certain characters displaying a drastic change in facial expressions within split seconds which is not only exceptional but a rarity to find on our television these days. While the Direction is outstanding, the Casting is brilliant as well. The cast mostly comprises of newcomers along with veteran artists such as Fazila Qazi. Salma Hasan has appeared onscreen after a long break from television with Dareecha. Rashid Farooqi, a character actor and Adnan Shah (alias Tipu) are a few representing pivotal characters.


The writer has written not just any story, it is more of a mystical piece. And so is the serial’s original soundtrack, performed by the band ‘Kaavish’, written by Syed Mohammed Ahmed. Watching Ahmed Sahab’s serials is like reading a novel, simple but deep, something that gets you entrapped and thinking. Because when Ahmed Sahab’s work combines with Faiz's direction, the result is something very unique and rare! It has its own charm and the Dynamic Duo have a league of their own when it comes to fan following, as they know their audience, about their existence and what to offer them. Notably, there are many short scenes in an episode, each carrying a weight of its own. Each scene has a number of minute details and meaningful dialogues, often thought-provoking, thus every episode is extraordinary in that sense. It is exceptional that a single episode offers a variety of scenes ranging from the saddest moments to the lightest note, a series of thrilling events followed by tranquil and calm with the perfect incidental music for each situation giving its viewers a roller coaster ride of emotions. Background music plays an essential role in giving the viewer the right feel of what is being portrayed and the soap has a pretty good ensemble of tunes to ensure that. Alongside, Mr. Syed Mohammed Ahmed who is also responsible for the Art Direction has managed to translate all required moods and concepts with utmost precision giving every scene a detailed dense imagery.

All characters in Dareecha are heroes in their own lives, each giving it a meaning to their full capabilities under the circumstances that have befallen them. A remarkable initiative by the writer to dilute the conventional approach that there can only be one central character in a tale, with others revolving around as secondary. Rather, all tracks in the storyline are entwined beautifully and woven together so as to connect all dots in the plot but it is taken care of that every character holds an essential place in the narration.

A beautifully written script along with equally fine direction, the serial is a second by the Writer/Director duo. Their first serial together was ‘Shaista Shaista’, also an MCONTENT production which aired on TV ONE.

BARI HAWELI
Apart from houses where the viewers get to see the characters living in, there is a house often talked about in the serial. It is referred to as the ‘Bari Haweli’ and belongs to Gaeti Ara’s in laws. All Men in Haveli had more than one wife and it was considered to be very normal. But Gaeti could never compromise on that. It is told that she used to live there prior to her husband’s unexplained death, which is believed by many to be a planned murder. According to Gaeti Ara and Shamshad Bibi, black magic was a common practice in the house.

Gaeti’s family feels the existence of an entity in their house, besides the spirit of Shah Ji. That of a woman dressed in a traditional Black Ghagra Choli always donning a ‘Ghoonghat’. The veiled rustic lady is very much present in the house, affecting usually Maheen with her energy, but cannot be seen by all. Only Maheen can see her and spots the lady when she feels her presence around herself. And Gaeti Ara claims to have seen someone of the very same description. Very often we see glimpses of the woman standing at Maheen’s bedroom window. The mysterious lady seems to be connected to the Bari Haweli which is said to be the root of all unexplained events and home to all supernatural in Gaeti’s life.

CHARACTERS:  

Faizan Shah

Gaeti Ara (Faizan’s mother)

Iftikhar Shah also known as Shah Ji (Faizan’s father)
Roshan Ara better known as Bebo Khala (Gaeti's sister & Faizan’s aunt)

Maheen (Faizan’s wife)

Shahrukh (Gaeti’s House servant)

Surraya (Faizan’s Office employee)

Moin (Faizan’s Office emloyee)

Ejaz (Surraya’s father)

Shamshad Bibi (Gaeti’s friend)

Abdul Qudoos (Maheen’s maternal uncle)
Munni - Betrothed to Shahrukh and lives in the town where the Bari Haweli is located.

Unseen characters:

Bare Taya (Shah Ji's older brother)
Bari Tai (Shah Ji's sister in law & Faizan's aunt)

Chanda Bi (Daughter of Bare Taya and Bari Tai)

Faisal Shah (Chanda Bi’s husband)

Jora Kaka (Black Magician)-Reportedly worked for Bari Tai and died years ago while performing voodoo in an open grave

Alamdar Chacha and Choti Chachi (Faizan’s paternal uncle and aunt)-Died mysteriously in a fire that broke out in their room. 

BARI TAI
People of Bari Haveli always called her Bari Tai, although she was not old. Taya married a young girl who developed to have a very possessive nature. Gaeti Ara recalls that Tai was very violent towards Faizan, hitting and scolding him every now and then for no apparent reason. Faizan was then a seven year old boy and the horror haunts him even today, he gets nightmares of being slapped by Tai as a child. Everyone in the house including Maheen, who has never met her and yet quotes her, have something to say about Tai except Faizan. He has never said a word for her. Gaeti Ara claims that Bari Tai was into Black Magic while Shahrukh stated that Jora Kaka, her aide in voodoo died some time ago while practicing and his work is now carried on by Faisal Shah.

GAETI ARA
A seemingly gullible woman, entrapped somewhere between her sorrows of the past, the troubles in her present and the worries of the future of her home; All this anxiousness and a constant worry for her ‘almost insane’ son, Faizan, his repeatedly failing marriages and his present wife Maheen. She believes it is not a medical condition, but in fact the effect of black magic. And more so because of her faith in Shamshad Bibi who blames her in laws from Bari Haweli for Faizan’s condition, as does Gaeti. It has been shown that many a time, things are found hidden in various spots in the house, things that are used in black magic for casting spells upon victims. Gaeti has been seeking help from Shamshad Bibi, something Faizan disagrees with, for many years now. She is a religious woman and has strong faith in the Almighty. She believes that Shamshad Bibi is a saint with who can cancel, by God’s Grace and His Divine Words, the negative energies in her house. 

SHAMSHAD BIBI  

‘Deen aur Duniya ka itna khoobsurat imtazaj maine bohat kam dekha hai…..’ Gaeti describes Shamshad Bibi as enlightened and religious.
Famously known as a clairvoyant, she is said to have a long queue of people outside her house, seeking her help to get rid of curses and spells. Gaeti is one of those, but also her friend whom she often visits. Shamshad Bibi seems to have a good deal of knowledge about her past life, however there are certain things that Gaeti has been hiding even from her. She is the one person in the house with the most secrets, some of them dark, that she keeps from her family. Shamshad Bibi hints of being aware of that too, and tries to break Gaeti more often than not. At the same time, she herself is equally mysterious and secretive.
Shamsa, a woman who works in the Bari Haweli came all the way to Shamshad Bibi’s place to have her daughter spiritually healed. She gave an account of strange events in the Haweli that were unknown to both Gaeti and her trusted acquaintance. It was from her that Shamshad Bibi came to know about the unfortunate demise of Faizan’s uncle and aunt. Their death being unnatural, Gaeti could not help but accuse Bari Tai and her accomplices for the episode.

ROSHAN ARA
Roshan Ara, nicknamed Bebo, is a woman in her thirties who has been hurt in the past. Despite that, she is a person full of life, always giving her opinions in a comical way no matter how serious the situation is. Loud thinking and straightforwardness being her characteristics, Bebo hurts her sister Gaeti with her brutal comments every now and then. And as a result, continues to move up and down between her family home and her sister’s house. Almost always she ends up apologizing and asking for forgiveness with the same carefree attitude.
Loved by all, Bebo often proves to be a buffer consciously or otherwise neutralizing extreme conditions and coldness between house members. Bubbly in appearance and mannerism, she is very loving and possibly the only person who can never upset Faizan. Seven years older than him, she states of always looking up to him as an older brother while Faizan affirms that she is the only friend he has. 

ABDUL QUDOOS
Abdul Qudoos is Maheen’s maternal uncle who spent most of his life attending to his sick mother. He has thus been cut off from social life for a very long time and would usually immerse himself in a pile of books reading about home remedies and herbal medicines. As a result of which he is now a practicing ‘Hakeem’ but ended up being frozen in time, his style of speaking and manners that which have been long forsaken by the society. If seen through the eyes of the people of today, Abdul Qudoos appears ‘cartoonish’ and silly by every gesture he makes. Yet, his sweet, gentle nature has won the hearts of Maheen’s in laws especially Faizan’s.
He had met Bebo in Maheen’s wedding reception and has ever since been her secret admirer. His love at first sight, as it appears to be, has finally gotten Bebo to have a soft spot for him. The two are soon going to be engaged, much to Gaeti’s delight.

SHAHRUKH
He has been living with Gaeti Ara for the past 15 yrs and calls her ‘Maa ji’. He is often the object of everyone’s suspicion, especially Bebo Khala, due to his strange behaviour. Shown to have been eavesdropping most of the time and giving each and every piece of information on the phone, he is another puzzling character in ‘Dareecha’. It has gotten impossible to decide whether or not he really is behind all the mischief in the house!
But for the past few days I have started to believe that he is just like any other home servant, who likes to gossip about his employers. It goes without saying that maids and servants no matter how loyal can't be trusted with family secrets!
Having said that, it is unjustifiable for him to be talking about the house to some outsider, who he claims, is Munni. Especially when Gaeti fears the safety of her family is endangered by those living in Bari Haweli.
It certainly is a mind boggler when the ‘Suspicious Shahrukh’ comes to play instead of the usually comical ‘Servant Shahrukh’. Then, he appears more like the mastermind, rather than an accessory, behind all the villainy against Gaeti’s family. 

EJAZ
Surraya's father Ejaz sahab was a General Manager at some place, apparent from his conversation with Surraya, and lost his job. (Perhaps due to some conspiracy at the workplace) Thus he cannot find work elsewhere and becomes a drunkard.

He ends up doing something very wrong for the sake of money and liquor offered by Surraya’s boss. Knowing Faizan is his only hope with regards to his alcohol cravings and noticing his interest in Surraya, Ejaz seems more than ready to wed her off to him regardless of her dislike for Faizan and the fact that he would have to compromise his daughter's affection towards himself. Now that he has realized how wrong he was, it is too late for him to make things right.

SURRAYA
To me the people in this story represent something more than just human characterization, something symbolic. A theme that we can all relate to, what we face in our everyday lives. In Surraya’s case, Moin is representing the Good (Angel) while Faizan the Evil (Satan). Surraya, here, is the pious one. It seems like Faizan is trying his level best to take control over Surraya’s free soul. However, being virtuous she can only be drawn towards good. She keeps away from all vile, tries hard to walk on the right path but has hardly any support. She is trapped among unethical, sinful individuals with her morals and values in today’s world. A tough life, I must say!  

MOIN
Moin is a person anybody would like to get acquainted with. Witty and amicable, he is not only friendly but also kind and caring. If needed, he will not hesitate in giving all that he can whether it is monetary help, assistance or moral support. At least that is how he is with Surraya, standing beside her during the ups and downs she faces on a daily basis. Despite going through a tough time as a child, he seems to have a positive outlook on life. An optimist, he never seems overwhelmed with sorrow even in the most difficult of times. Instead he gets serious, convinces that the issue can be straightened out and finds a way around it. However, in some cases tries his best to handle the situation like getting Surraya to agree to marry him or to convince her in taking his help for her father’s treatment.

FAIZAN
A brilliant mind gone bad due to an unpleasant atmosphere at home, while being brought up. Again a lesson for the audience, to consider what effects our acts today might have on the children tomorrow. He has seen and knows that his parents did not care for each other. He has been empathic towards his father, being a boy and moreover after his unexplained death.
(I believe Gaeti could only have been confirming if Shah Ji died or not, out of hope not anxiousness. She couldn't have had the nerve to kill him. Faizan knows that and believes she wanted him dead, but for a child even this thought is quite nerve-wrecking.)
He is an only child and is therefore a stubborn, hard headed fellow. Also very self-centred, this is evident by the wallpaper on his phone (His own photo). As a child he got whatever he desired for and has only learned to conquer what he wants. At the moment, Surraya is his target, a challenge to win; not by force but by manipulating her own will. And it is by now obvious he enjoys women's subjugation to him.
Faizan is extremely complicated and needs the best of psychiatric therapies to open up what is locked up inside of him once and for all. He can live a normal life only if the chains from his past are broken loose to allow him to let go of it.

MAHEEN
Maheen, a very vulnerable yet self-assured person, mysterious and puzzling. You can never guess what’s going on in her mind at any moment. The statement, ‘Mera dil ghabra gaya hai, sadiyon ki tareeqi se…,’ has an underlying meaning. Here, she wasn’t just talking for herself, she meant much more than what seemed obvious. She has a weight on her shoulders, she feels for all the women who were once related to Faizan and likes of those women.
Maheen, to me, represents ‘WOMAN,’ imprisoned and caged by all for centuries. Deep, so extremely deep that nobody can measure her threshold. She is complicated to such an extent that she can surprise, not only others, but often herself. She is dominated yet bold, innocent yet shrewd, used yet manipulating. It is impossible, even for her, to explore herself.
She is gifted with many talents, a bright and skillful mind which she can use brilliantly to its full potential. This is evident by knowing about her parents’ death before she was told, by Bebo Khala talking about her piercing eyes that seem like reading others’ minds and of course, by her mystifying conversation with Shamshad Bibi. There has been more than just a hint that she gets visions, mostly of the past, near and distant.
She can and will take control of her situation because she is flexible enough to tackle Faizan, who is still child-like with hidden anger and bitterness. Once she gets to the root of Faizan’s unruly behaviour, she can surely make things work. According to me, Maheen is the one who can look through the window (Dareecha) opening to Faizan’s mind.