hat a treat it is to watch Saba Qamar four days a week on the small screen! Pamaal, starring Saba Qamar and Usman Mukhtar in lead roles, started airing this week. Even though only two episodes have been aired so far; the play has already made its mark as an outstanding production.

Saba plays Malika Riaz, a writer who, when the play opens, receives a best writer award at a ceremony. When Malika is asked about her journey in an interview a couple of days later, the play switches to flashback mode and viewers are introduced to a young Malika with dreams in her eyes and a spring in her step.

As a writer, this is a productive phase of her life. She is working on a novel, named Pamaal, that may turn out to be her magnum opus. In an eerie twist, her words start taking a life of their own. The line between fact and fiction begin to blur.

Actor Haris Waheed plays Anas, Malika’s maternal uncle’s son. The two cousins share a great rapport. He tries to help her by sending one of her stories to a publication through a contact of his but the effort is in vain.

When Malika starts narrating the plot of her novel to Anas she also speaks of its protagonist, Raza, the inspiration behind whom was her late father. In a series of scenes, Raza, played by Usman Mukhtar, lights up the screen with his presence.

Saba not only looks like a dream, but also acts extremely well. Haris, as her cousin, also essays his part beautifully. The supporting cast, including her mother, maternal uncle and an aunt, lend adequate support in propelling the narrative forward.

The viewers learn that Malika’s mother was widowed two years after her marriage. Since then, she has been living with her brother and sister-in-law.

Raza, a man who likes a lot like the protagonist in Pamaal, lives in Islamabad with his brother and sister-in-law. He is the vice president of a bank.

Portrayed as a rather moody and temperamental individual, he likes to inhabit his own little world. Both his brother and sister-in-law wish to see him settled and try to arrange a match, but all their efforts fail.

She is working on a novel named Pamaal that may turn out to be her magnum opus. In an eerie twist, her words start taking a life of their own. The line between fact and fiction begins to blur.

In the meantime, Raza meets Malika who is visiting Islamabad from Murree, where she lives, to buy medicines for her mother. Her uncle’s family has gone to Lahore for a few days.

The chance encounter with flesh-and-blood Raza steers her life in a new direction. Raza falls in love with Malika. In their second meeting, he proposes. Initially taken aback, she later begins to reciprocate his feelings.

Malika is apparently attracted to Raza because he reminds her of her late father and resembles the protagonist of her novel. He is both fantasy and daddy issues come alive. That is where the second episode ends, leaving the viewers hungering for more.

The screenplay, direction and the narrative are above average. The outdoor locales, particularly in Murree are well captured. Saba Qamar looks extremely attractive and breathes life into her character.

Usman and Saba share good on-screen chemistry but Usman, with his usual deadpan expression and the dark, brooding look he has in every play comes across as somewhat monotonous.

This play is off to a promising start. The story appears to be different from the usual fare. With Saba as the lead, the viewers can expect great things. She appears to raise the bar with every performance. There is no doubt that she is one of the finest actresses in Pakistan.

Verdict: Keep watching Pamaal as Malika falls in love with Raza. The cinematography is amazing and the setting; Murree, with its lush green mountains and valleys, is straight out of a postcard.

Tune in every Monday and Tuesday to catch this gem – emerald to be specific.

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