aan-i-Jahan went on air on December 23, marking Hamza Ali Abbasi’s return to the small screen after a hiatus. Directed by Qasim Ali Mureed and written by Rida Bilal, the play is a family drama with a twist.

The leading lady, Ayeza Khan, is riding high following the success of her other play Mein, starring Wahaj Ali and Azeka Daniels.

Jaan-i-Jahan has a novel plotline with Savera Nadeem playing the vamp, the proverbial, sugar-coated stepmother who appears to dote on her stepson, Shahram, from her husband’s first wife but, is envious of the fact that he is the nucleus of her husband’s existence while her own two sons are reduced to mere props.

Asif Raza Mir plays Shah Murad, the father. It is an absolute pleasure to see him on the small screen after a long time. He is a born actor and emotes with his eyes. An actor par excellence, he excels in his role in Jaan-i-Jahaan as the benevolent landlord and businessman who enjoys a pristine reputation and ensures that those in his care are extremely well looked after.

Hamza Ali Abbasi, as Shahram, shares a special bond with his father which his stepmother and his two step-brothers are extremely envious of. Shahram also dotes on his father and is the perfect son. The father-son bond has been portrayed beautifully and both actors have done full justice to their roles.

Ayeza Khan plays Mahnoor, the daughter of a factory supervisor in one of Shah Murad’s factories. After her future husband’s cousin misbehaves with her sister, the wedding is called off.

Both Shah Murad and his son Shahram are guests at the wedding. Shahram is impressed by the way Mahnoor takes a stand for her sister and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right. After an attempted attack on his daughter, Mahnoor’s father accepts Shah Murad’s invitation to move to the factory in his hometown and he promises to provide him with everything he needs to settle in another city.

Meanwhile, things in Shah Murad household take a dramatic turn when his wife confronts him and demands equal rights for her two sons. Asif Raza Mir openly informs her that he does not think they are fit to shoulder the responsibilities and makes his views on the matter very clear. His wife leaves the room in a fit of fury. The next day, it is revealed that Shah Murad has passed away. Is it a natural death or is it murder? Apparently, the medication he was on was quite strong and had been administered by Shahram the night before. What happened that night is left to the imagination of the viewer.

All the actor do full justice to their roles. Savera, as the vamp and her two step sons, look convincing in their roles. There could have been more of Asif Raza Mir, who despite the weight gain and the advancing age, exudes a charm and charisma that actors in this day and age would find hard to match.

However, Shah Murad has been wise enough to leave the bulk of his assets and property to Shahram who falls into a fit of depression. One of his stepbrothers takes charge and is hell-bent on squandering everything. Salaries are not paid on time, loyal workers are fired and the situation deteriorates quickly.

Shahram is completely oblivious to what is happening around him and has become addicted to sleeping pills. His stepmother very cleverly manipulates him and invites her sister’s daughter, played by Maryam Nafees, to seduce him with her charms, hoping that he will marry her, thus strengthening her position in the household.

Mahnoor’s family arrives in town but since Shah Murad has passed away the night before, there is no one to accommodate them. Her father’s attempts to meet a member of the Murad household go in vain. He eventually opens a small shop in the village while Mahnoor starts teaching children at her home. How she meets Shehram and how the two go on to work towards a shared goal forms the rest of the play.

Hamza acts well but looks haggard, maybe due to the fact that he has lost a lot of weight or just age catching up. Ayeza looks pretty and does justice to her role. She and Hamza enjoy good onscreen chemistry.

All the ators do full justice to their roles. Savera, as the vamp and her two step sons, look convincing in their roles. There could have been more of Asif Raza Mir, who despite the weight gain and the advancing age, exudes a charm and charisma that actors in this day and age would find hard to match. He reminds the viewer of Nauman Ejaz as the two are powerhouses of talent and their calibre is difficult, if not impossible to match. Asif Raza Mir also has a tremendous screen presence. Hamza Ali Abbasi pales in comparison in the scenes which feature the two. Good looks with charm and immense talent are a lethal combination.

Tune in every week to view how the story unfolds and whether Savera’s evil intentions will be realised or will the rightful heir to Shah Murad’s property inherit what is his and continues his father’s legacy.

The writer is an educationist. She can be reached at gaiteeara@hotmail.com. She blogs at sanukeycom.wordpress.com