By Maliha Rehman
Jannat Se Aagay doesn’t seem to be your usual drama – at least, not from the teasers.
This isn’t your typical story relying on domestic politics for thrills. Nor does it seem to be focusing on the angry young man playing hero. Rather, this upcoming drama, about to begin airing on Geo Entertainment, appears to be relying on the shoulders of its leading women, with the men playing pivotal roles. The story may delve into relationships and matters of the heart but it will also be showing the inner workings of a life in show business.
This could be interesting.
Further attesting to this drama proving to be ‘different’ is the team behind it. Helmed by producers Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi of 7th Sky Entertainment and director Haseeb Hasan, the cast consists of some very talented young actors: Kubra Khan, Ramsha Khan, Gohar Rasheed and Talha Chahour.
Kubra is the titular ‘Jannat’, the morning show host idolized by many and ruling ratings with viral content that she may achieve even while risking crossing moral and ethical boundaries. In one teaser, she is shown grilling the family of a rape victim so that they cry on live TV. In other teasers, one catches hints of Jannat’s personal struggles; her flailing marriage and her desperate obsession with staying at the top.
The drama’s other leading lady, Ramsha Khan, plays Tabassum, a fan smitten with Jannat and wanting to be just like her. In initial teasers, she is shown to be staring at the TV screen, riveted by Jannat’s show. Later teasers reveal that she meets her idol and begins working for her. One catches glimpses of the two women’s interactions, where they both profess to be wanting to be like the other.
Gohar Rasheed is evidently Jannat’s husband. Their marriage seems to be an unhappy one, with him having an affair, she threatening to expose his betrayal on live TV and he, in turn, retaliating that he would go live on her competitor’s show and divorce her publicly. Meanwhile, Talha Chahour appears to be in a relationship with Tabassum. He feels threatened by her interactions with the glamorous Jannat, and is shown wondering if she would be satisfied with an ordinary life, with him.
The story will clearly be relying largely on the workings of media; how individuals can become so obsessed with glitter that their entire reality begins to get defined by it. The subliminal messages make you think about the teasers later – one can only expect the drama to be even more powerful in its narration.
There’s also the chemistry between the cast to look forward to. Longtime friends Gohar Rasheed and Kubra Khan will be seen together. Kubra will be working again with director Haseeb Hassan – their last project together, Alif, was very memorable. Gohar will also be working again with the director, having worked with him previously in Mann Mayal. Ramsha Khan will be returning to screen after a considerable sabbatical, having last been seen in 2022’s Ramzan hit Hum Tum. Talha Chahour made a brilliant debut with last year’s Jo Bichar Gaye, followed by Wabaal. Jannat Se Aagay could give this talented young actor another chance to prove his mettle.
This drama, in fact, may prove to be very interesting to watch in terms of performances, thrusting its cast out of staid cookie-cutter formats and giving them the chance to explore interesting new directions. Also included in the ensemble cast are Hina Bayat, Saboor Aly and Faiza Gillani, among others.
Add in Haseeb Hasan’s detailed storytelling and the infamous 7th Sky touch of topping the charts and one is looking forward to the weekend, when the drama will finally air!
What do you think?