It is often difficult to predict what a particular show has in store for the viewers, especially when it comes to Pakistani horror TV serials as horror and television have always been a misfit when we talk about Pakistani television and that too on prime time.
Horror demands attention with an equal amount of jump scares that could leave the audience in mystery. Previously, shows like ‘Chalawa’ and ‘Belapur ki Dayan’ managed to attract the viewers with their take on kaala jaadu and peer-faqeer. But ARY Digital’s latest offering ‘Neeli Zinda Hai’ has come up with a new dose of horror, suspense and spookiness.
Directed by Qasim Ali Mureed and produced under Six Sigma Plus Production, ‘Neeli Zinda Hai’ is a suspense-thriller series. With the introduction of all the key characters in the first episode, the serial lays the groundwork for the rest of the season. The story revolves around a married couple Sumbul (Sonia Mishal) and Aman (Mohib Mirza) and their mute daughter Minal (Tehreem Ali Hameed). Aman returns from a long stint in Australia after Sumbul goes through a stillbirth, which leaves her massively traumatized. Sumbul is understandably resentful of her elusive husband who has been away for the past 6 years, leaving her in a toxic household, under the mercy of a petty and problematic mother-in-law, Meherbano (Kinza Malik). Even Minal is not close to her father as she hardly remembers him.
Mehrbano is actually obsessive about her son and hates her daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Aman also notices his mother’s disdain for Sumbul and in an attempt to smoothen things over with his wife and build a relationship with his daughter, decides to move out of his parent’s house with his family. But the news doesn’t go well with Mehrbano as she accuses Sumbul of taking her son away and curses her that she won’t be happy. One can see what kind of a mother Mehrbano is, as she can go to any length to keep her son near her. Things start getting more problematic for the couple as they move to their new home that already looks haunted.
The outlook of the house is full of mystery as it is well-furnished with a trimmed garden and fresh flowers despite being empty for quite some time. Sumbul has her doubts after seeing the house but she keeps her superstitions to herself. It is evident that this is the same house where Neeli (Urwa Hocane) resides. Though the family tries to get closer to each other, they grow further apart due to the paranormal activities in the house.
Sonia Mishal and Mohib Mirza share great chemistry and deliver sincere performances. More power to Sonia for depicting the role of Sumbul as a damsel in distress who then comes to terms with Neeli in unusual circumstances. The child Tehreem as Minal is the highlight of the show as she is the first to see Neeli in the house, yet she is quite comfortable with her. Kinza’s character is a bit overrated while Mohammad Ahmed as Aman’s father is always an excellent performer and even with limited scenes, he manages to steal the show. Urwa Hocane does a brilliant job as Neeli with her scary aura throughout the show and without the use of makeup or any horror cliches.
‘Neeli Zinda Hai’ manages to keep its horror quotient while also telling a real story. The serial is thrilling, exciting and entertaining as it has an intriguing plot written by Adeel Razzaq. The eerie atmosphere and the mysterious happenings in the house seem convincing as the director gives attention to detail. In between all the paranormal happenings, it is good to see how Mehrbano’s attempt to get rid of Sumbul through black magic clashes with her personal encounter with the paranormal.
A glimpse of Neeli’s life shows her being happy on her wedding night as she marries the love of her life (Osama Tahir) but then realises that it is some other man who she was forced to marry. Neeli also has a child who is no more with her. No one knows what happened with Neeli but it is evident that she will push Sumbal to the point of being considered unstable in an effort to attain Minal.
With a strong script and cast that does its job to perfection, let’s hope that this serial gives more chills and goosebumps with an unexpected and twisted end. 
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