Humsafar
Humsafar | |
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Humsafar title screen | |
Genre |
Drama Romance |
Written by |
Zakir Ahmed Novel by Farhat Ishtiaq |
Directed by | Sarmad Sultan Khoosat |
Creative director(s) | Mirza Zeeshan Baig |
Starring |
Mahira Khan Fawad Afzal Khan Naveen Waqar Noor Hassan Atiqa Odho Sara kashif |
Theme music composer | Waqar Ali |
Opening theme |
Woh Humsafar Tha written by Naseer Turabi performed by Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch |
Composer(s) | MAD Music |
Country of origin | Pakistan |
Original language(s) | Urdu |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 23 |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) | Nina Kashif |
Producer(s) | Momina Duraid |
Editor(s) |
Kashif Ahmed Tanveer Aalam Rao Rizwan Danish Usmani Faisal Saleem |
Location(s) | Karachi |
Cinematography | Shehzad Kashmiri |
Running time | 38-42 minutes |
Production company(s) | Moomal Productions |
Broadcast | |
Original channel | Hum TV |
Humsafar (Urdu: ہم سفر, Ham-safar; lit. Co-journeyer) is a Pakistani television drama serial based on the book of the same name written by Farhat Ishtiaq. It is directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat. It originally ran on Hum TV for a season from September 24, 2011 to March 3, 2012. The story revolves around the trials and tribulations of a married couple Asher Hussain (Fawad Afzal Khan) and Khirad Ihsan (Mahira Khan) and the jealous forces that work to break them apart. It is the most critically acclaimed drama in the history of Pakistan. It received Pakistan's highest ratings ever. It received 16.88 TVRs on its last episode, which were its highest.[1]
Later in 2012, it became the first ever Pakistani drama to air in India.[citation needed] It aired in India on Rishtey, and it was highly appreciated. Many reports said that this channel showed remarkable progress in ratings when it aired Humsafar and it paved its way for other pakistani dramas on that channel. In the last quarter of 2013, it was also broadcast in Saudi Arabia and gathered huge ratings and audiences.[citation needed] People showed their love towards the main lead Mahira and Fawad khan and created many Arabic facebook pages.
Humsafar has been named the 'revival' of Pakistani Dramas due to the popularity it received and the doors it opened for Pakistani television. Humsafar turned the cast into international stars, and won every award it was nominated for.
Synopsis
Episodes 1-5
The story revolves around three characters Khirad Ihsan portrayed by Mahira Khan lives in Hyderabad, Pakistan with her mother, Maimona Ihsan. The family is very poor. Maimona's wealthy nephew, Asher Hussain, portrayed by Fawad Afzal Khan, is introduced with his best friend and maternal cousin, Sara Ajmal portrayed by Naveen Waqar. Unknown to Asher, Sara is deeply in love with him. Both Asher and Sara's mother, Farida portrayed by Atiqa Odho and Zareena portrayed by Hina Khawaja Bayat, assume that Asher will eventually propose to Sara since they have always been so close.
Maimona is diagnosed with cancer and requests help from her brother, Baseerat Hussain portrayed by Behroze Sabzwari, who is Asher's father. Baseerat brings Maimona and Khirad to his mansion. However, doctors claim that she will eventually die. Maimona is worried for Khirad and she requests Baseerat to get her daughter married. Baseerat decides that Khirad will marry Asher.
When Baseerat informs Asher, his son is shocked, having no marriage plans and sees Khirad as his exact opposite. After Asher shares this news with Sara, she is heartbroken, revealing her love for him. Asher tells her that he does not have feelings for her and sees her as a friend. Sara promises Asher that she will not let him marry Khirad. Baseerat begs him to marry Khirad.
Eventually, Asher relents. Farida, who is extremely possessive about her son, lashes out at Baseerat, begging him to reconsider. Baseerat threatens his wife with divorce if she interferes. Meanwhile, Khirad is also shocked to learn of Baseerat's plan. Khirad decides to talk to Asher, but decides not to do so. However, she has no choice but to comply with her mother's last wish. Sara tries to commit suicide. Asher and Khirad are married with a simple Nikah. After Maimona dies Khirad is depressed. Both Asher and Khirad feel that they have been forced on each other. Neither are happy about the union, however Asher promises Khirad that he will try his best.
Episodes 6-10
The pair begins falling in love with each other. Asher values her innocence, simplicity and purity of her heart. Sara pretends to befriend Khirad and then humiliates her. Asher rebukes Sara for her cruelty.
Baseerat becomes ill and warns his son against hurting Khirad. Asher, already in love with his new wife, agrees. Baseerat later dies in his sleep.[2]
Khirad enrolls in graduate studies. She meets Khizar, Sara's paternal cousin who has strong feelings for Sara, still not over Asher. Khizar starts to visit Asher's house, praising Khirad and making Asher jealous. Khirad suddenly gets pregnant with Asher's child.[3]
Episodes 11-14
Farida offers to pay for Khizar to study abroad and marry Sara if he can convince Asher that he is having an affair with Khirad. Sara lies to Khizar, telling him that she'll marry him when he returns. Khizar contrives to have Asher see Khirad and him alone. Farida admits to Khirad that she would never allow a school teacher's daughter to be her daughter-in-law. She tells Khirad that she is unfit to be her house servant. Khirad protests and calls Khizar, who falsely keeps insisting that she has an affair with him. Farida backs Khizar's lies and kicks Khirad out of the house before Asher speaks to her. Before leaving, Khirad leaves a note for Asher. Although Asher returns expecting to be able to speak with Khirad, his mother lies and says that she and Khizar have already eloped.
Heartbroken and alone, Khirad takes refuge with her mother's friend, Batul Khala, in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Throughout her time there, she calls Asher, but he hangs up when he finds out who is calling. He even denies knowing anyone named Khirad. After a few months, Khirad goes into labor and calls Asher one last time. Again he hangs up and she prematurely gives birth to a baby girl whom she names Hareem. Khirad vows that she will never forgive Asher.[4]
Episode 15-17
After four years Khirad's daughter needs a heart surgery . She cannot pay the hospital bills and tells Asher about her problem. At first he refuses to help, but later relents, secretly moving the two into his house. She claims to no longer wanted to be with Asher and does not tell him what his mother had done.[5][6]
Sara spots Asher with his wife and daughter. After comments that anger Asher, she leaves and calls Farida.
Episode 18-19
Sara updates Farida. Farida quickly returns and threatens to throw Khirad back on the streets again. Khirad tells her, "I don't want anything to do with your son or your mansion...I don't even see your son as being worth talking to. Your son is weak. He couldn't protect me. He no longer has any place in my heart."
As Hareem demands to see old pictures from their wedding,Asher brings out an old box, which contains the note Khirad had left as she was first leaving.[7]
Asher overhears Khirad's friend Afsheen telling her to take Asher back if he asks her to. Khirad refuses.
Episode 20
Khizar returns from abroad and demands Farida fulfill her promise. Sara refuses, but Farida insists her, since Khizar threatens to admit the truth to Asher.[8]
Hareem's heart surgery takes place and is successful. Khirad decides to leave Hareem with Asher.
Asher finds himself redeveloping feelings for Khirad again and decides to forgive her. He says to her while she's asleep, "I wish I can take you far away from here, far away from all the pain in this world...but one thing is true, Khirad, I've completely lost in trying to hate you." Khirad shows no interest.
Episode 21
Khizar visits Farida and threatens "destroy" her with his knowledge. Asher meets Khizar leaving Farida. He confronts her and she responds, "He wants you and Khirad to take divorce..."
Sara's depression intensifies. Zareena, Sara's mother, is remorseful and wishes she had nothing to do with Farida's plot. She tells Sara that her acts caused her depression.
Asher takes Khirad to the seaside of Karachi and pours out his feelings. He begs her to stay for Hareem. Khirad, again rejects him. She tells him she's leaving Hareem with him.
Episode 22
Khirad tearfully says goodbye to her sleeping daughter, leaving another note for Asher. She surrenders her rights over Hareem.
Khizar attempts to confess to Asher but Asher forces him out without listening. He finally discovers Khirad's original note. Asher overhears his mother's revealing phone call with Khizar. He has a breakdown and leaves. Farida stumbles upon Khirad's letter.
Sara commits suicide. Her mother blames Farida for Sara's death.
Episode 23
Asher heads for Hyderabad to bring Khirad back, telling her that Hareem won't eat and Khirad relents. Farida hears them return and claims the letter was false and that there is no proof that Hareem is Asher's daughter. Asher says, "You gave me life. And at the same time, you took it away from me. You murdered your own son, mother. You took his life away..."
Farida returns to her room where she is met by imaginary incarnations of Sara, Baseerat and Khirad. Sara blames Farida for her death and is happy Asher understands his mother's evil nature. Baseerat asks her, "Do you know why your son is crying? It's because his own mother murdered all of his happiness..." Khirad asks her, "Did you really think Allah was going to let you do this to me? Look how swift His justice is...your son has been taken away from you." Farida begins screaming uncontrollably.
Asher asks Khirad to take him back for Hareem's sake and this time she agrees.
Farida loses her mind, but, still lives with Asher. She constantly sees an imaginary Sara trying to murder her. When she sees Hareem, she asks, "An angel...an angel in my house...who's angel is this?" Asher responds, "She's your angel." Farida, smiling at Hareem with love and affection, responds, "She's my little angel."
Asher and Khirad watch Hareem play in the rain and remember when Khirad would periodically remove the clip from her bun to let her hair down. Flashbacks show the time when an excited Khirad danced in the rain long ago. They laugh, smile and hold hands.
Cast
=== Main cast ===
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=== Other credited cast ===
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Soundtrack
Woh Humsafar Tha | |
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Soundtrack album by Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch | |
Genre | Theme song |
Length | 39:47 |
Language | Urdu |
Producer | Momina Duraid |
The theme song Woh Humsafar Tha was composed by Waqar Ali and sung by Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch. It was written by Naseer Turabi in 1971 after the fall of Dhaka. The lines of the song are frequently used during the course of the show.
In certain parts of the show, a track from Dexter, "Blood Theme" composed by Daniel Licht is played. However, this is not credited in the ending credits.
Tracklist | ||||||||||
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No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length | |||||||
1. | "Woh Humsafar Tha" | Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch | 6:26 |
Critical reception
The drama has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. Many hail it as the revival of Pakistani Television.[9][10]
Overall, however, the series has gained a very large audience internationally. The Humsafar page on Facebook reveals thousands of European and North American fans and viewers, with many saying they've never watched a Pakistani drama but are completely hooked on Humsafar.[11] Many have praised the acting, particularly the roles Fawad Afzal Khan and Mahira Khan, as being outstanding with regards to character growth and emotion. Naveen Waqar, who plays Sara, has gained instant success despite this being her acting debut.
In addition, it has become the most watched drama in Pakistani media history.[12]
HUM TV never officially released the TRPs, but as per sources (TVKahani) the last episode created record by recording a TRP of 13.8. The show averaged trp of 9.5-11 during the run.
It also got critical acclaim and received 4.5 stars on TVKahani. The chemistry between the lead pair and the direction by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat were appreciated the most.
Awards
It received many awards around the nation:
- Best on Screen Couple to Fawad Afzal Khan and Mahira Khan - Hum Awards 2013
- Phenomenal Serial of the Year - Hum Awards 2013
- Best Actress to Mahira Khan - Pakistan Media Awards 2012
- Best Director to Sarmad Khoosat - Pakistan Media Awards 2012
- Best Drama - Pakistan Media Awards 2012
- Best Supporting Actress Naveen Waqar - Pakistan Media Awards 2012
- Best Original Soundtrack Woh Humsafar Tha to Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch - 11th Lux Style Awards 2012
- Popular Song of the Year Woh Humsafar Tha to Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch - 11th Lux Style Awards 2012
- Best Drama -12th Lux Style Awards 2013
- Best Director to Sarmad Sultan Khoosat-12th Lux Style Awards 2013
- Best Actor to Fawad Afzal Khan -12th Lux Style Awards 2013
- Best Actress to Mahira Khan -12th Lux Style Awards 2013
Broadcast History
- Pakistan-Hum TV
- Pakistan- Hum 2
- United Kingdom and Europe- Rishtey (9th March 2013 - 25th May 2013)
- Middle East- MBC Bollywood. (The Arabic dubbed version of Humsafar, titled as Rafeeq Al Rooh رفيق الروح (English:Soul Mate) began broadcasting on the popular MBC TV Network. The drama has been dubbed in Syrian Arabic accent which the viewers seem to be enjoying.)
- United States- Hum TV
- Canada- Hum TV
References
- ↑ "Humsafar — Mohabbaton ka safar". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "International Segment: Rangmunch.tv Recommends Humsafar! Episode # 8 update - "For a simple four letter word, ‘Love’ has too many connotations". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "International Segment: Rangmunch.tv Recommends Humsafar! Episode # 6 update". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "International Segment: Rangmunch.tv Recommends Humsafar! Episodes # 9-14 update". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "International Segment: Rangmunch.tv Recommends Humsafar! Episode # 15 update – Fire & Ice!". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "International Segment: Rangmunch.tv Recommends Humsafar! Episode # 16 Review - Birth of a father!". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Parents are God’s messengers of unconditional love!". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "The Woman and Mother in Me!". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Mohabbaton ka safar". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Humsafar: Here’s what the noise is about". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Popular Pakistani television drama Humsafar reaches reaches Toronto fans via web". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Humsafar - the most watched drama of the past decade". Retrieved February 29, 2012.