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Cheekh

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Cheekh
GenreDrama
Crime
Created byFahad Mustafa
Written byZanjabeel Asim Shah
Directed byBadar Mehmood
StarringSaba Qamar
Emmad Irfani
Bilal Abbas
Aijaz Aslam
Azekah Daniel
Theme music composerWaqar Ali
Opening theme"Mere Maula"
Singer
Asrar
Lyricist
 Sabir Zafar
Country of originPakistan
Original languageUrdu
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes30
Production
ProducersFahad Mustafa
Dr. Ali Kazmi
Production locationsKarachi, Sindh
EditorMasood Khan
Camera setupMulti-camera setup
Running timeApproximately 40 minutes
Production companyBig Bang Entertainment
Original release
NetworkARY Digital
Release5 January (2019-01-05) –
10 August 2019 (2019-08-10)

Cheekh (Urdu: چیخ; lit: 'Scream') was a 2019 Pakistani crime-drama television series created and produced by Fahad Mustafa and Dr. Ali Kazmi under their production house, Big Bang Entertainment.[1][2] It features Saba Qamar and Bilal Abbas in leads and Aijaz Aslam, Maira Khan, Emmad Irfani and Azekah Daniel in supportive roles. The serial originally began airing on ARY Digital on January 5, 2019. It was acclaimed by critics and viewers and was one of the most successful shows of ARY Digital at the time. [3][4][5][6][7]

Plot

[edit]

Mannat (Saba Qamar), Haya (Azekah Daniel), and Nayab (Ushna Shah) are all close friends. Wajih (Bilal Abbas Khan), Yawer (Aijaz Aslam), Shayaan (Emmad Irfani), and Haya are siblings. Mannat is married to Shayaan who comes from a wealthy family. Nayab is poor and lives with her father Ramzaan (Noor-ul-Hassan), greedy step-mother (Saima Qureshi) and her two step-sisters.

Nayab falls off the roof on the night of Haya's engagement and people assume she attempted suiside. Nayab is rushed to the hospital and it is revealed that someone was physically violent with her and attempted to rape her before pushing her off the roof. As Nayab breathes her last, she indicates in her testimony before Mannat and the police the identity of her assailant by calling him 'Raja' (a nickname which the women in the family jokingly use for Wajih).

Yawer, who always thinks blood is thicker than water, suspects Wajih but tries to help him secretly by asking his family to not get involved with the case. Mannat does not believe it at first until Wajih confesses it to her face himself. He tells her that on Haya's engagement night, he called Nayab on the terrace and indirectly asked her for sexual favours, but Nayab rejected him and told him to stay away from her. Wajih's ego is hurt as no other girl has rejected him before and that now Mannat and everyone else will find out Wajih's true colours, he pushes Nayab from the rooftop. Mannat is shocked and devastated; she struggles to not file a report with information because of familial relations but Wajih terrorises Mannat and Ramzaan so much that she finally files an F.I.R against him which creates havoc in her relationship with her in-laws. Wajih also reveals the truth to Yawer; Yawer, who is infertile and sees Wajih as his son, forgets his sins and promises to protect him no matter what and hires a lawyer for him.

Everyone breaks all ties with Mannat and forces her to take the case back including Shayaan but based on the arguments and how Mannat is being treated, he is confused about whom to support. Wajih falsely accuses Mannat of dating Haya's fiancé, which Haya believes. Her fiancé, seeing that Haya has no trust in him and her best friend, breaks off the engagement and parts his way from Haya forever. Before leaving, he informs Shayaan that Mannat is innocent and he should take her far away from all this. Shayaan finally believes Mannat and they move out of the house and Mannat threatens the family to get Wajih hung to death. After the first court hearings, Wajih with his laywer's support, uploads a video to the internet in which he lies that Mannat asked him for sexual favours and since he rejected her, she is defaming him by blaming him for Nayas's death as revenge. This action causes Haya and Shehwar, Yewar's wife to question Wajih's intentions and question if he is really innocent. Shewar upon visiting her gynecologist, realises that Yewar is infertile but earlier, he created documents to make Shewar infertile as he didn't want to face the humiliation. In the heat of an argument with Shehwar, Yewar divorces her.

Mannat becomes pregnant but, she starts getting stressed and becomes emotionally strained because of the case. Haya reconciles with Mannat and Shayaan and after getting to know that Ramzaan and his family is homeless because of her family, starts helping them out financially. One day, when Mannat was walking back to her home at night, Wajih confronts and follows her in his car which causes her to fall on the ground, which causes a miscarriage. Shayaan shares his sorrows with Yewar, who upset by this news, confronts Wajih. Mannat becomes hopeless and exhausted as she lost her family, respect and child because of this case, decides to give up because she can't see Shayaan suffer anymore. But Shayan, who was also equally heartbroken, motivates her and asks her to fight for their unborn child.

Seeing their determination, wajh's laywer starts terrorising and blackmailing Mannat’s mother who out of fear, appears in the court and tells everyone a fake story of Mannat being mentally unwell and makes up imaginary stories since birth. This results in the judge making the decision in Wajih's favour and Mannat is sent to a mental hospital. Shayan is heartbroken. When Mannat's mother visits to explain her reason for making a false statement, Mannat ignores her completely which causes her mother leaves with a heavy heart and pass away in her sleep. Mannat is inconsolable and yells that she was angry at her but didn't ever want this. Wajih also comes and visits her, apologizing for his actions and saying that he had to do this in order to save himself. Mannat gets mad at him and is calmed down by the staff in the asylum. Wajih's lawyer uses this opportunity and asks the doctor at the asylum keep Mannat in this drugged up state so that she doesn't cause any problems for them in the future. A few days later, Shayaan finally is able to take her home.

A friend of Wajih, Shariq, makes Haya hide behind the wall and gets Wajih to admit everything. Haya is shocked and regrets that she didn't believe Mannat and Ramzaan. Shayaan confronts Wajih and they start a brawl. Wajih losing control over his actions, pushes Shayaan who falls on a glass table, causing it to shatter and pierce his neck. Wajih runs away but is guilty of what he has done. Shayan soon dies in the hospital and Yewar who is upset with Wajih's role in it, requests the police to take the statement but Mannat tells them that it was just an accident and no one's responsible for it. When Wajih confronts her about it, she responds that there's no way she will let a small statement make up for the loss of her respect, her child, her mother and her husband. She threatens that as her iddat(mourning) period comes to an end, she will bring him to a point where he will confess all his crimes in the court. A grieving Yawer suffers a stroke and is now paralyzed.

Mannat starts terrorising Wahij in different ways who is already guilty about Sheyaan's death, Yewar's paralysis and stressed about handing the business by himself. Mannat gives a statement to the police saying that if anything will happen to her, Wajih is responsible for it. Therefore, Wajih can't retaliate or cause her any hysical harm. She also starts collecting proofs to present in the court as she reopens the case. Wajih goes the S.H.O who had unlawfully helped him previously because of bribery but the S.H.O refuses to help him without a bribe. Disappointed, Wajih goes to his lawyer who agrees to take the case once again.

Mannat is given permission by the court to represent herself. She shows all her proofs, presents witnesses and lastly, in an heated argument with Wajih where she twists the situation, Wajih subconsciously spits the truth. Seeing no way out, he tells the truth and says that as he was never objected by Yawer and given everything he demanded, even if its wrong, and believed that no matter what he does, he will be backed up and saved, caused him to develop this sick mentality. He is taken to the jail where Haya, Yawer and Shariq (now Haya's husband) tearfully hug him before the police come and take him to be hanged. Mannat is seen smiling and is telling herself that whatever loss she had gone through just to see this day (Wajih being hanged) were tests of Allah and if she would've kept quiet like everyone else, she would've lost dignity for herself in her eyes, and is satisfied supporting the oppressed.[8]

Cast

[edit]
  • Saba Qamar as Mannat Shayan: Shayan's wife; Wajih, Yawer, and Haya's sister-in-law; Nayab's friend.[1]
  • Bilal Abbas Khan as Wajih Taseer: Haya, Yawer, and Shayan's younger brother; Mannat's brother-in-law.[5][9]
  • Aijaz Aslam as Yawer Taseer: Haya, Shayan, and Wajih's elder brother; Shewar's husband.[10]
  • Emmad Irfani as Dr. Shayan Taseer: Mannat's husband; Wajih, Haya, and Yawar's brother; Shehwar's brother-in-law.[11]
  • Maira Khan[12] as Shehwar: Yawer's wife; Wajih, Shayaan, and Haya's sister-in-law.[13]
  • Azekah Daniel as Haya Taseer: Mannat and Nayab's friend; Wajih, Yawar, and Shayaan's sister.[14]
  • Ushna Shah as Nayab; Mannat and Haya's friend (Episodes 1–3).[15]
  • Gul-e-Rana as Mannat's mother.
  • Noor-ul-Hassan as Ramzaan: Nayab's father; Shamsa's husband.
  • Saima Qureshi as Shamsa; Nayab's step-mother, Ramzaan's second wife.
  • Nayyar Ejaz as Inspector Aamir Khan.
  • Shabbir Jan as Lawyer.
  • Junaid Akhter as Asad: Haya's ex-fiancé; Mannat and Nayaab's friend.
  • Shehryar Zaidi as Sulaiman; Asad's father. (Episodes 9–11)
  • Birjees Farooqui as Asad's mother. (Episodes 9–10)
  • Asfar Khan as Wajih's driver.

Production

[edit]

On being asked about why she chose the character of Mannat, Qamar told ARY News, "If I can connect with a character, I do it and If I don’t, I opt out."[16] A Badar Mehmood's directorial and produced by Big Bang Entertainment, who had previously taken initiative against social issues through their serials Aisi Hai Tanhai, Mubarak Ho Beti Hui Hai, and Meri Guriya. In early October 2018, Qamar posted a video about being a part of the project.[17] Bilal Abbas Khan was chosen for playing the antagonist, along with Azekah Daniel, Aijaz Aslam, Emmad Irfani as supporting cast, while Ushna Shah came in as an extended cameo role.[16] It marks the second on-screen appearance of Khan, Daniel and Shah after Balaa. The first teaser of the drama, which was a narration, features some of the renowned actors and personalities, including Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Sanam Baloch, Sarwat Gilani, Maria Wasti, Sania Saeed, Shaista Lodhi, and Marina Khan.[18][19][20]

Reception

[edit]

The show became a popular serial in Pakistan after airing its first few episodes.[21][22] It started off very well, averaging 6.4 TRPs.[23][24] The first episode gained 7.5, while second episode gained 7.2.[25][26] The role of Qamar and Khan was appreciated by critics. A reviewer from The Express Tribune wrote, "Her (Qamar)'s performance clearly stands out from other cast members, especially her dialogue delivery and outstanding facial expressions".[27] Sheeba Khan of DAWN wrote about Khan's performance as praise-worthy while criticized the story, saying, "I fail to understand why writers insist on making mothers so weak".[28] According to the review of The Nation, it was the third blockbuster serial for Khan after O Rangreza and Balaa.[29] Critics also praised the character of Shayan, portrayed by Emmad Irfani.[30][31] A reviewer from DAWN called him a "New Pakistani Hero".[11]

Ratings

[edit]
Episode Broadcast date Weekly rank

(in ratings)

Television Rating Points (TRP) YouTube viewership
(in millions)(in viewership)
1 5 January 2019 1 7.4 [25] 7.6
2 12 January 2019 1 7.2[26] 5.1
3 19 January 2019 1 7.84[32] 4.3
4 26 January 2019 1 7.84 4.7
5 2 February 2019 1 7.92[33] 4.8
6 9 February 2019 1 7.7[34] 4.5
7 16 February 2019 1 7.21[35] 4.2
8 23 February 2019 1 7.1[36] 4.7
9 2 March 2019 1 7.2[37] 3.9

Soundtrack

[edit]
Cheekh - OST
Soundtrack album by
Asrar
Released25 January 2019 (2019-01-25)
Recorded2019
GenreTelevision soundtrack
Length(4:32)
LanguageUrdu
LabelARY Digital
Music video
"Cheekh" OST on YouTube

The title song is Mere Maula, sung and composed by Asrar. The lyrics were written by Sabir Zafar.

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
February 7, 2020 Pakistan International Screen Awards Best Television Play Big Bang Entertainment Nominated [38]
Best Television Director Badar Mehmood Nominated
Best Television Actress Saba Qamar Nominated
Best Television Actress- Critics choice Saba Qamar Nominated
Best Television Actor- Critics choice Bilal Abbas Khan Nominated
December 31, 2020 Lux Style Awards Best TV Actor- Critics Choice Nominated [39]
Best TV Actor- Viewer's Choice Nominated
Best TV Actress- Critics Choice Saba Qamar Nominated
Best TV Actress- Viewer's Choice Nominated
Best TV Play Big Bang Entertainment Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Bilal, Saba to feature in Cheekh". The Nation. 7 October 2018. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  2. ^ "'Cheekh' actress Saba Qamar says she chooses her projects wisely". ARY News. 6 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Breaking: Mere Pass Tum Ho Airing Date Confirmed | Entertainment Pakistan". Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Injustice and evil that exists in the society, Saba Qamar talks about Cheekh". Daily Pakistan. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b Shirazi, Maria. "Catching up with Bilal Abbas Khan". The News International. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  6. ^ Khan, Sheeba (31 January 2019). "Will Cheekh be the drama that actually punishes the rapist?". DAWN. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  7. ^ "'Cheekh' episode 6 — Bilal Abbas Khan is scary as the coldblooded murderer". Daily Times. 10 February 2019. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  8. ^ "So the audiences finally know who killed Nayab in Cheekh!". ARYNEWS. 11 February 2019. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  9. ^ Zia, Iman (8 February 2019). "People Think Bilal Abbas Khan Is The Psycho Villain In "Cheekh" But Is There Enough Proof?". MangoBaaz. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  10. ^ Desk, H. I. P. (6 October 2018). "Exclusive: Aijaz Aslam to play a pivotal role in Saba Qamar, Bilal Abbas starrer Cheekh!". HIP. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ a b Khan, Sheeba (10 April 2019). "TV drama Cheekh presents a new Pakistani 'hero': a husband who actually trusts his wife". Images. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  12. ^ Haq, Irfan Ul (20 October 2018). "Maira Khan tells us what to expect from TV drama Cheekh". DAWN. Archived from the original on 9 December 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  13. ^ "Audiences are worried about Maira Khan's character in 'Cheekh'". ARYNEWS. 25 March 2019. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  14. ^ "60 Seconds With Azekah Daniel | Kaleidoscope - MAG THE WEEKLY". Mag - The Weekly. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  15. ^ "WATCH: Pakistani TV actress Ushna Shah fly like a superwoman". Dunya News. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  16. ^ a b "The uniqueness of the role was why I chose 'Cheekh': Saba Qamar". Daily Times. 13 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  17. ^ "Saba Qamar on Instagram: "What a brilliant actor and a superb performer. Working on this new project is going to be fun! @bilalabbas_khan #Cheekh #bigbang…"". Instagram. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  18. ^ Desk, Instep. "Upcoming plays of 2019". The News International. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "Cheekh: Mystery begins after Nayab's last breath". The Nation. 1 February 2019. Archived from the original on 8 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  20. ^ "'Cheekh' second episode portends a clever whodunit". Daily Times. 14 January 2019. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  21. ^ "'Cheekh' review: An edgy Pakistani crime thriller". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  22. ^ Isani, Aamna Haider. "Three TV dramas that you should be watching". The News International. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  23. ^ "'Cheekho for your own right!' — Badar Mehmood". Daily Times. 7 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  24. ^ "Cheekh– The fight of power and trust". The Nation. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  25. ^ a b "Television Rating Point - Cheekh". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  26. ^ a b "Big Bang Entertainment's Cheekh - ARY Digital on ARY Digital #NoMoreSilence #SabaQamarZaman…". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  27. ^ "5 reasons why Cheekh is unlike any Pakistani drama so far". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  28. ^ Khan, Sheeba (16 March 2019). "TV drama Cheekh will keep you hooked even after it reveals the murderer". DAWN. Archived from the original on 17 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  29. ^ "Bilal Abbas raises the bar of acting in 'Cheekh'". The Nation. 17 March 2019. Archived from the original on 18 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  30. ^ "#Cheekh: How Emmad Irfani won millions of hearts in just two scenes". ARY NEWS. 8 April 2019. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  31. ^ Saleem, Shahjehan. "Five progressive characters we need more of on television". The News International. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  32. ^ "ARY Digital on Instagram: "Engaging twists! Thank you for pouring in your love for #Cheekh on #ARYDigital @bilalabbas_khan @sabaqamarzaman @aijazzaslamofficial"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  33. ^ "Television Rating Points". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  34. ^ "ARY Digital on Instagram". Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  35. ^ "ARY Digital on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  36. ^ says (16 March 2019). "Cheekh | Episode 8-11 | Review | Saba Qamar | Bilal Abbas". OxGadgets. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  37. ^ "'Cheekh' Episode 9 — tension intensifies between Wajih and Mannat". Daily Times. 6 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  38. ^ Images Staff (8 February 2020). "Nominations for the first ever Pakistan International Screen Awards are out". Images. Archived from the original on 6 January 2020.
  39. ^ Desk, Entertainment (3 October 2021). "Lux Style Awards 2020: And the nominees are..." Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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