Saraab
| Saraab | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Original title | سراب |
| Genre | |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Naveed Nashad |
| Opening theme | Naveed Nashad |
| Country of origin | Pakistan |
| Original language | Urdu |
| No. of episodes | 30 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Moomal Shunaid |
| Production locations | |
| Cinematography | Saleem Abbas |
| Production company | Moomal Entertainment |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hum TV |
| Release | 20 August 2020 – 11 March 2021 |
Saraab (transl. Illusion) is a Pakistani psychological drama television series broadcast on Hum TV from 20 August 2020 to 11 March 2021. It is written by Edison Idrees, directed by Mohsin Talat, and produced by Moomal Shunaid under the banner Moomal Entertainment. It stars Sami Khan as Asfandyar and Sonya Hussain as Hoorain, the former's eventual wife suffering from schizophrenia.[1][2][3]
Plot
[edit]Hoorain is different from the people around her and lives at a distance from them. She likes her cousin Asfandyar and wants to marry him. She is ignored by her parents (as her sisters Namal and Warda are clever and sharp-minded) and lives in a separate room at upper story of the house. These factors contribute to Hoorain becoming a victim of schizophrenia. Things become complicated when she starts to act like a schizophrenic. She has hallucinations and consider everyone as her enemy. Asfandyar discovers about her disease and helps her but things become complicated and interwoven. Asfand and Hoorain get married, and soon Hoorain discovers she is pregnant which further complicates her schizophrenia. The doctor warns Asfand that pregnancy could lead to Hoorain having more psychotic attacks. Hoorain is admitted for therapy until she visibility starts getting better. Warda, Hoorain sister tries to instigate her against Asfand. Meanwhile, Hoorain suffers a complicated delivery after another of her hallucinations and her mother prays that her baby will be a boy, as every girl would not have a husband as kind and understanding as Asfandyar if the baby inherited her disease. Hoorain gives birth to a healthy boy, who is named Sheheryar. he story is Asfandyar's struggle to help Hoorain recover from this disease. Hoorain is readmitted in the hospital after her hallucinations about Sheheryar, and three months later Asfandyar comes to take her back home as she has recovered, but she fakes losing her memory. However, the name Sheheryar slips out of her mouth, which leads to Asfand discovering she was faking losing her memory as she remembers Sheheryar clearly. Hoorain then reveals she faked this because she wanted to protect her child from her crazy hallucinations and thought she was incapable of raising Sheheryar. Asfand then consoles her and they both embrace, going back home.
Ten years later Asfand, Hoorain and Sheheryar are shown to be living peacefully, and Hoorain has not overcome her schizophrenia completely, but she is learning to control it because of Asfand's patience and treatment.
Cast
[edit]- Sonya Hussain[4] as Hoorain “Hoor”
- Sami Khan as Asfandya "Asfand"
- Nazish Jahangir as Namal, Hoorain's sister
- Ghana Ali as Warda, Hoorain's elder sister
- Aurangzeb Leghari as Hoorain's father
- Fareeda Shabbir as Hoorain's Mother
- Sajid Shah as Asfandyar's father
- Kinza Malik as Asfandyar's mother
- Ejaz Khan as Nadir, Warda's husband
- Humaira Zahid as Warda's mother-in-law
- Jahanzeb Khan as Sufiyan; Warda's brother-in-law
- Pareezay Fatima as Huma, Asfandyar's sister
- Hani Taha as Zari, Warda's doctor
- Shafqat Khan as Asfandyar's friend
Soundtrack
[edit]| "Akhiyan hain udaas kyun" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Naveed Nashad | |
| Language | Urdu |
| Released | 13 August 2020 |
| Length | 4:19 |
| Label | HUM |
| Songwriter(s) | Qamar Nashad |
| Producer(s) | Moomal Entertainment |
| Music video | |
| "Saraab" OST on YouTube | |
The original soundtrack of the show was released on 13 August 2020. The music was composed and sung by Naveed Nashad while lyrics were written by Qamar Nashad.
Production
[edit]In early 2020, it was announced that Sami Khan and Sonya Hussain, who previously starred together in Ishq Zahe Naseeb, are working together on a project, and later it was also revealed that the latter will play a schizophrenic in the series. By the April 2020, the 70% shot has been completed, which was earlier postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][5][6] The first and second teasers of the show were released on the 4 August 2020.[7]
Reception
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]The series garnered critical praise due to its subject of schizophrenia and Hussyn's performance, with Something Haute hailed her as, "the highlight of the play that addressed schizophrenia, doing complete justice to her role."[8][9][10][11] It received negative reviews due to the portrayal of the toxic sister rivalry.[12]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient(s)/ nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Pakistan International Screen Awards | Best TV Actor - Jury | Sami Khan | Nominated | [13] |
| Best TV Actress - Jury | Sonya Hussyn | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ Hunia Taj (6 August 2020). "Saraab – Sonya Hussyn, Sami Khan pairs up for new drama". incpak.
- ^ Report, Desk (8 August 2020). "Why Sonya Hussyn saying autism is a symptom of schizophrenia is irresponsible". Dawn Images. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Sonya Hussyn is all set to play a schizophrenic in upcoming serial". Express Tribune. 22 April 2020.
- ^ Haq, Irfan Ul (12 October 2020). "Sonya Hussyn has her own YouTube channel now". Images. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ "Sonya Hussyn continues to shed light on mental illness". Daily Times. 21 February 2022.
- ^ News Bytes (25 February 2020). "Sonya Hussyn to play a schizophrenic in her next drama serial". The News. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Teasers for Sami Khan And Sonya Hussyn's 'Saraab' Are Full Of Intrigue". 4 August 2020.
- ^ ""Saraab has been a huge learning experience," says Sonya Hussyn". 16 March 2021. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021.
- ^ Buraq Shabbir (14 June 2020). "How Pakistani dramas are now openly addressing mental health issues". The News International.
- ^ Buraq Shabbir (16 August 2020). "What's in store on TV this season". The News International. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ Farheen Abdullah. "Saraab serves as a guide on how to destigmatize mental health". Cutacut. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ Afreen Seher (28 February 2021). "Women without agency". The News International.
- ^ Images Staff (6 November 2021). "The winners of the PISA Awards 2021 are here". DAWN Images. Retrieved 30 October 2022.