Can you think of any director who managed to make the biggest drama of the year with his debut project? That’s what Musaddiq Malek pulled off with Habs. The drama was a perfect mix of mass and class with good masala writing, solid performances and smart use of the premise. The drama serial that ended last night was a ray of sunshine that our drama is safe in younger hands.
Musaddiq’s Magnificent Debut
For the unversed, Malek has assisted Nadeem Baig in biggies like London Nahi Jaunga and Sinf-e-Ahan. It is perhaps his association that helped him gain a knack for exploring the undertones of human emotions. He used his instincts to punctuate the storyline to add that extra goosebump like his mentor. Musaddiq dazzled with complete control over his craft and brought a certain freshness, style and technique to every frame. Habs has surely kick-started Malek’s career as a director with a distinct language of storytelling, intricate detailing and prolonged silences. Each moment will stay with the viewers for a long time.
Mainstream Appeal
What made Habs a breakthrough drama was the sensitivity it showed in portraying the unusual relationship between a husband and wife. Habs gave us a new dimension to a road less traveled and has set the tone of content done right. It felt like someone has peeked into the lives of real-world relationships, casual conversations pinched with vulnerability appealing to the masses, wrapping in one of its kind product. Making a drama about complex relationships was never a mean feat but Malek nailed it on the head. Right from the cast with a blend of known and lesser-known faces from the likes of Ushna Shah and Feroze Khan to Janice Tessa and Dania Enwer, everything had an arc.
The Bar Is Set High
Habs flowed like water mainly thanks to the sophisticated treatment that makes it seem as if anyone could do it. Of course, not many could, as it was a clear indication that good production houses are ensuring that drama in Pakistan is just as good as it was in the 80s.
