Yakeen ka Safar

Yakeen ka Safar is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. This Pakistani drama is filled with flawless powerful performances that will remain with you long after the story ends. A story with a lot of heart and mind. I make a deliberate attempt in this review to touch on the scenes I loved that I feel were created with so much care and craftsmanship. The entire show makes you reflect on life, and at least for me, made me want to live life better.

Yakeen ka Safar is produced by Momina Duraid who also created another show I liked Zindagi Gulzar Hai. Based on Farhat Ishtiaq’s novel Woh Yakeen ka Naya Safar, this show follows the lives of 3 separate families as they inevitably entwine and morph into a new journey.

In a shocking start, Noorie, a village girl, is gang-raped by the local politician’s son and his friends. She ruminates, in one memorable scene, about what do people really give “izzat” or respect to. Her story is the most tragic, but it is in the other two seemingly normal stories that the true poignant lessons of life and living thrive.

Watcher episode 1 here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k5fae_GbIw

Barrister Usman Ali is the head of one of these families. Actor Farhan Ali Agha portrays this character with finesse as a distinguished educated and sensible man who is battling with ideals and worldliness, and struggling to move past his own loss to be there for his family. Barrister Usman Ali’s elder son is Barrister Daniyal. His fight for justice, calm and unmoved convictions in face of obstacles, and unexpected story arc left me inspired to do right and stand firm in my beliefs. This one scene where the father and son face-off with no one raising their voice shows the makers understanding of elegance in drama.

Elegance takes me to Daniyal’s wife, Gaiti, played by Hira Mani. Gaiti’s strong relationship with her husband’s family, along with her quiet understanding of her husband’s passion and vision make her a refreshingly positive character. And boy the actress can act! Some of my favourite scenes are between Daniyal and Gaiti and one particular scene of Gaiti crying is heartbreaking.

I saved my favourite for later just like the show takes its time to unfold this gem of an actor. Undoubtedly Ahad Raza Mir’s portrayal of Dr. Asfandyar, Barister Usman Ali’s younger son, steals the show. His transformation from the long-haired cheerful younger son to the short-haired sharp earnest doctor of a welfare hospital is masterful. I hope to see lots more of this actor. His body language, minute gestures, pauses and glances all make me want to pause scenes and take detailed notes.

Dr. Asfandyar’s relationship with his father, his silent longing of approval, is also captured beautifully in the evolving bond between father and son. With few words and eyes that speak volumes, Barister Usmal Ali emotes his growing pride in the man his younger son has become. One of the climax scenes, as they both sit and stare at a television, brings a most satisfying sense of victory to the viewer.

Another touching journey filled with empathy towards a women’s trials in society is that of Dr. Zubia Khalil. The actress Sajal Ali grows with each scene. Be it tears or quiet self-reliance, myriad expressions flit across her face as she grows from a naive girl to a kind-hearted competent woman. Her relationship with her father also filled me with wonder on how human beings are ever-changing. I dare you to not hate and finally not begrudgingly pity Mohammed Ehteshamuddin’s Khalil, Zubia’s father. Zubia’s scene where she points out that God might forgive but human beings aren’t considerate enough to forgive is heart-wrenching.

**Minor spoilers ahead**

Now the love story. Which is sweet and totally worth the wait. When Dr. Asfandyar and Dr. Zubia’s time comes to meet you are breathless with anticipation. The serene beguiling backdrop of pristine Neelam valley, the hustle-bustle of a busy hospital that cares for its patients, aptly cast side actors and a storyteller that seems to delight in slow-burn romance and understated healing. It’s not simply a boy meets girl love story, but so much more rewarding as both discover respect, love and a sense of peace and happiness in each other and in a profession that both care about deeply. Even though I craved for more scenes with both together on-screen, I specially appreciate that the leads didn’t stop going through regular days and nights as hard-working doctors and continued to prioritize other things that mattered to them while they fell in love.

The last scene is a mirror of the first, only this time it is a scene of hope. As the original rustic soundtrack “o matti ke parindey, pankh apne tu khol de” plays, I resolve to be brave, kind and good like these people on and off-screen who were able to show so many nuances of life and relationships, and inspire in a mere 29 episodes of fiction.