Director Danish Nawaz repertoire of work has credible and back-to-back hits like ‘Khaas’, ‘Chupke Chupke’ and ‘Dobara’. His recent outing ‘Jafaa’ explores the dynamics of good and bad girls within the context of familial relationships and societal norms. It is written by Samira Fazal and stars Mawra Hocane, Seher Khan, Usman Mukhtar and Mohib Mirza in leading roles. Twenty episodes down, the HUM TV serial is at an important juncture with ample twist and turns ahead.
Jafaa: The Narrative
The story of ‘Jafaa’ revolves around Dr. Zara (Mawra Hocane) the ideal daughter who happily agrees to marry the man of her parent’s choice Hassan (Mohib Mirza). Post-wedding within no time, she realizes the dark side of Hassan. The latter is suffering from a disturbing past as her mother left him and his father for another man. Resultantly Hassan can’t imagine to loose Zara at any cost. But his violent and abusive nature is a big red flag.
Zara’s cousin Deebu (Sehar Khan) is a rebellious young girl who isn’t interested in her studies. Instead, she prefers to have an affair with her classmate and also meet him outside the college. Her father played by Noman Masood comes to know about this development, he instantly fixes her marriage with Dr. Numair (Usman Mukhtar). The latter is also Zara’s friend, and faces the consequences of Deebu’s affair.
Hard To Find Mistakes
The highlight of ‘Jafaa’ are the well-written engaging characters. Fazal’s story has all the trappings of an intense drama that keeps the interest going from the word go. Hassan chasing Zara various times, losing his temper followed by practices of abuse, is thrilling to watch and is aesthetically shot. On the contrary, the sugar and sweet chemistry between Deebu and Numair is seen to believe. Danish Nawaz’s handling of the subject is exemplary and he keeps his focus firmly on the characters. The realism is portrayed effectively, but more importantly, the plot resonates deeply. It’s good to see how aptly he handles subjects like domestic violence and mental dysfunction.
The Magnificent Performances
Mohib Mirza, as Hassan, brings intensity to the drama as the suave and manipulative man in Zara’s life. His character serves as a representation of the toxic masculinity that controls and suppresses women in conservative environments. Mohib’s deeply flawed character keeps the viewers intrigued and emotionally invested too.
Mawra Hocane’s portrayal of Zara is subtle yet powerful, capturing the depth of her character’s pain, endurance, and strength. Her nuanced performance allows viewers to empathize with a woman torn between societal expectations and her own dignity.
Sehar Khan delivers a vibrant and energetic portrayal of a free-spirited, talkative, young girl. Her ability to handle Deebu’s bubbly personality with moments of vulnerability showcases her range as an actress. Also, her transformation from a carefree girl to a responsible one is super convincing.
Usman Mukhtar delivers another memorable performance. The always-dependent actor makes good use of a meaty role and hits the ball out of the park. His expressions are bang-on and speak a lot. It seems that he can’t do anything wrong.
Anxiously Looking Forward
‘Jafaa’ is at a pivotal point with important revelations and confrontations to happen. And we are all for it. Overall, ‘Jafaa’ addresses important issues, features entertaining moments, and packs a surprising punch.
