HUM TV’s latest offering ‘Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay’ created quite a buzz when the channel announced that Mahira Khan would be returning to television. People were happy to hear that they would be able to see the talented actress on television screens once again.
Directed by Farooq Rind and produced by Nina Kashif for Momina Duraid Productions, ‘Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay’ is a mix of spice that makes for a meaty story with an adequate amount of tarka on top. Written by Umera Ahmed and based on her novel of the same name, the serial revolves around mixed emotions and the traumas of childhood.
‘Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay’ is about three cousins Mehreen (Mahira Khan), Mashal (Kubra Khan) and Aswad (Usman Mukhtar) who share an unbreakable bond in their childhood. Aswad is the one narrating the story.
Mehreen is an intelligent and sensitive child and Aswad too is a sweet boy who likes Mehreen. Mashal is an average girl who considers Mehreen her best friend and they feel comfortable in each others’ company. Mashal’s mother Shagufta (Zainab Qayyum) plants hatred in Mashal’s mind about Mehreen getting the attention of all family members.
Soon Mehreen’s life goes upside down when her father Mansoor (Umair Rana) becomes a drug addict and is fired from his company for embezzlement. Her mother Rabia (Laila Wasti) decides to leave him thinking he’ll be a bad influence on her daughter. The scene where Mansoor shows his love for Mehreen is emotional and makes one wants to cry. Even after numerous requests from Mansoor, Rabia is eager to leave. In an attempt to escape all this chaos, Mansoor commits suicide leaving Mehreen in a state of shock for she was really attached to her father. Rabia re-marries and leaves Mehreen in Mashal’s home with her nani (Shamim Hilaly) and mamu Tahir (Ali Tahir). Aswad too moves to Kuwait with his mother Saleha (Huma Nawab).
Struggling with all kinds of emotions, Mehreen is left alone in a house where now no one likes her. She is constantly tortured with taunts. Her nani even labels her as her father’s daughter and her mami Shagufta scolds Mashal for considering Mehreen her best friend for she is only her ‘phupo ki beti’. All these add to the turmoil. Thus, she even avoids meeting her mother and step-siblings.
The show takes a leap of many years and we now see an adult Mehreen who has anxiety and other health-related issues but she is still intelligent and is pursuing a PhD with other curriculum activities. Mashal has totally transformed into a self-centered girl who takes what she wants. She is a cunning villain who wins Aswad’s trust over long phone calls from Kuwait. She keeps lying to him about Mehreen so she can have him to her. The double standard in how these two are treated at home is also visible as Mehreen takes a bus and Mashal drives an expensive car to go to the same university.
‘Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay’ portrays how the flaws and shortcomings of parents haunt children their entire life and the narration in the beginning intelligently points this out that sometimes undue comparisons and poisoned thoughts turn an angelic child into a small-minded midget who never overcomes his insecurities. The creators manage to keep the storyline realistic, showcasing a Pakistani family system that almost everyone can understand or relate to.
Mahira Khan depicts a quite different role from her previous characters. She convincingly plays an asthmatic, good-hearted yet emotionally disturbed girl who has turned bitter due to the complexities of life. What’s best is that she is not shown as some damsel in distress; she is brave enough to stand up to people who mock her. Her looks complement her personality and the emotions she portray.
Kubra Khan makes a powerful impact as Mashal. The negative aura her character makes on screen is commendable. She perfectly plays the sweet girl in front of Aswad and everyone else while continuously torturing and throwing abuses at Mehreen.
Aswad seems to be the dumbest hero who is constantly manipulated by Mashal. He clearly has no brain of his own because he never questions about her complaining behaviour. The younger cast also does a tremendous job.
Kudos to Yashal Shahid for singing the beautiful OST as the background theme adds more soul to the scenes. Together, the entire team brings out an impactful TV serial. Viewers are waiting as to what will happen when Aswad finds out about Mashal’s lies. Will he understand Mehreen? Follow the 8pm slot every Sunday to find out. 
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