Aangan (2018 TV series)


Aangan is a Pakistani period drama series created and produced by Momina Duraid Productions, and directed by Mohammed Ehteshamuddin and Witten by Mustafa Afridi, it was originally broadcast by Hum TV in 2018 and re telecasting on PTV Home from 25 February 2020 every Tuesday at 7.55 p.m. It was a dramatization of the award-winning novel of the same name by Khadija Mastoor. Based on the partition of the Indian Subcontinent, the drama stars Mawra Hocane, Ahsan Khan, Sonya Hussyn, Sajal Aly, Ahad Raza Mir and Hira Mani as leading actors. It explores their romantic life before the partition. The series aired a weekly episode on Hum TV, from 20 December 2018 till 27 June 2019, with a total of 27 episodes.

Plot

Set in 1918 in India, Aangan depicts the Muslim family of Khameera Illahi, a short-tempered woman who was not fond of her husband, as he had affairs and illegitimate children. She had five children: two daughters, Salma and Najma, and three sons, Mazhar, Azhar and Zafar. Salma was desperately in love with a servant named Subhan. Due to class conflict, she was not allowed to marry him. Hence she elopes with Subhan, gives birth to a boy, and soon dies of tuberculosis. Soon after it, Salma's father passes away as well. This causes all the brothers to decide to sell the haveli they were living in and give each brother his own share. Azhar takes responsibility to care for his mother, while Mazhar takes responsibility for his sister Najma and his nephew Safdar.
After twenty years, the atmosphere in Mazhar's house remained the same, where Safdar was not given any respect by Mazhar's wife, as she is forced to do as Mazhar wishes. Mazhar was financially stable, as he was working under the British. Najma was sent to Aligarh for her studies, while Mazhar's daughters, Tehmina and Aaliya, lived with him. Tehmina's friend Kusum eloped with a man who later betrayed her, which caused her to drown herself. Azhar's wife and Tehmina's mother decided to get Jameel married to Tehmina, who was in a relationship with Safdar, but Safdar left her house and moved to Aligarh. A few days before the marriage, Tehmina committed suicide as she refused to marry anyone but Safdar. These tragic incidents negatively associated with love for Aaliya, who found it pointless.
Aaliya and her mother move to into the household of Azhar after Aaliya's father goes to prison for assaulting a British officer. The household includes her cousin Chammi, her snobby aunt, Najma, who has an MA in English, her grandfather's illegitimate son from his mistress, Israr and her cousin Jameel, who falls in love with her and follows her around the house making unwanted advances despite the fact that Aaliya hated 'love and romantic relationships' due to her sister's past experience with relationships and she ignores him. Chammi is the daughter of Zafar, who sends her away as her step mother does not like her to be in the same house. Chammi falls in love with a flirtous Jameel, who is just using her to complete his BA with her money. Since Chammi supports Muslim league, all members of the household find her annoying. One night, Khameera Illahi dies of health issues and leaves her family traumatised. As time passes, Aaliya realizes that she is in love with Jameel as well but she doesn't confess at all. Meanwhile, Jameel tries his best to make her believe that he is truly in love with her and all relationships don't have to have a sad ending but Aaliya remains scared of love. He joins Muslim League while his father ends up in jail for a few months. Chammi continues to helplessly see Jameel and Aaliya's love blossom, so she tries to suppress her feelings for Jameel. The family secretly fixes Chammi's marriage without informing her and Jameel decides to join the army. Aaliya continues to reject him, despite being in love with him, while Jameel tries one last time to make her believe his true love, but fails. Heartbroken, he leaves home to join the army. Chammi remains heartbroken after Jameel's departure, but is unable to do anything. Chammi learns about her marriage and silently agrees, due to Jameel's last words to her before leaving. Tragedies continue to pour in as Aaliya's father dies in jail, leaving the family in shock once again. Aaliya's mother suggests that Aaliya should marry Jameel when he returns from the army to lead an easy life, but Aaliya disagrees and decides to obtain her BT degree from Aligarh instead.
After 10 months, Aaliya comes back and has a job as a teacher in a local school. Her mother still suggests that Aaliya should marry Jameel. Chammi returns with her new born daughter, and pretends to be happy. However, she is far from happy in her village home and her mother in law bosses her around. With a heavy heart, she goes back. The war ends and Jameel returns home. Jameel and his father continue to pursue politics with opposing parties. Chammi remains in love with Jameel and his memories, despite being married. Jameel continuously confesses his love for Aaliya, which makes her frustrated and emotional. Seeing her cry, Jameel promises to leave Aaliya alone if his love makes her so frustrated.
Aaliya and her mother move to a separate house given by her uncle in Pakistan. Aaliya's mother is thrilled but Aaliya is clearly sad. Aaliya joins Walton Camp where she meets Dr. Ehsaan, who proposes to Aaliya after a few days to which she rejects him and his offers of wealth, insulting him. He walks away angrily.
Chammi returns after divorce. Azhar gets murdered. His sudden death leaves the family in trauma. His death makes Jameel much depressed and mature in life. He resists any favors from Congress but upon his mother's persuading, he agrees to work in the police as Assistant Jailer, taking their favor. Bua kicks Israr out of the house after Azhar's death and suggests Jameel's mom to find a bride for Jameel to which his mom agrees as Chammi supports them with a heavy and heartbroken heart. Aaliya, in Pakistan, is heartbroken by the news of Azhar's death but partition has them far apart.
Jameel isn't happy to marry due to his past love life with Aaliya and the guiltiness of hurting Chammi but yet is forced to agree, by Chammi and his mom, although Chammi is heartbroken from the inside. Aaliya receives a letter from Chammi, who narrates how her sorrows have turned into happiness once Jameel has married her. She told him that she never went to Pakistan because she never wanted to be separated from him. Jameel realizes that Chammi's love is a loan on him and requests her to marry him to which she agrees. Now, as Chammi narrates, she and her daughter are being loved and cared by Jameel and she is very happy.
Safdar comes to Aaliya and asks her to become Tehmina for him - to which she agrees but rejects him immediately, after realizing how he's the same as every other man when he tells her mother that all he wants to do is earn money. The drama ends with Aaliya alone, feeling like Chammi has won and she lost her love Jameel to Chammi.

Cast

Main

Writing

The novel Aangan was written by Khadija Mastoor in 1962, and won the Adamji Literacy Award in the same year. It was also translated into 13 languages, with The Women's Courtyard in English by Daisy Rockwell. While the original novel is set in the 1940s and 1950s, Dawn Images reported in December 2017 that this drama, which is based on that novel, is planned as a three-part series spanning a number of decades and will also feature the story of the 1980s and 2000s as in continuity.
The director Ehteshamuddin told The News in a March 2017 interview, "It was initially thought out as a film but now we're making a play out of it," adding, "We might turn it into a film later." He chose Mustafa Afridi to write the screenplay. Mustafa told Daily Times in a September 2018 interview that it took him a year to "understand the novel and a year and a half to adapt it" as a script. He commented that "all the characters have been defined in" skilled great detail by the author, and he worked hard to "stay true" to the "essence of the novel and its characters" while script-writing. He strongly hoped to "take the story forward from where" Khadija left it, into two sequels.
It is based on the partition of the Indian Subcontinent and the resulting independence of Pakistan. It depicts a Hindustani family that was divided mercilessly before the partition of Pakistan by the unfortunate time incidents. The story also has a political take, including British Raj, All-India Muslim League and Indian National Congress.
In a January 2018 interview, the director praised the simplicity of the novel, "It sheds light on the revolution that women went through in those times", and "Set in an inner courtyard, the story has been told from the perspective of a woman." On 17 October 2017, it was reported that Mawra Hocane had signed up for the project. On 28 March, Dawn Images published an interview with Mawra, in which she revealed she will be playing the protagonist and narrator of the story. The story will be told from her character's perspective, who will be seen romancing three men.

Casting and filming

On 19 October, it was reported that Ahsan Khan had also signed up, along with Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir. On 4 November, Sonya Hussyn signed up for the project, all in the lead cast.
Principal photography began on 7 November in Wazirabad. Sajal confirmed her shoot on 5 December, while Mawra on 27 December. Other cast in supporting roles include Abid Ali and Zaib Rehman, along with Omair Rana and Uzma Hassan. It was revealed that Ahsan will be playing double roles in the drama, and he will be romancing three women. The first spell was completed in January 2018, and then the second spell was completed in March.
Hira Mani joined the cast in third shooting spell, also as in lead role. On 19 July, it was revealed that Rabia Butt will have a cameo role in the drama and two songs have been picturised on her. Other cast include Madiha Rizvi, Shehzad Kashmiri and Ali Rizvi. The spell took place between June and August 2018 in Karachi. On 26 September, the role of Shehroz Sabzwari was also revealed. The casting was mostly done by Momina Duraid, who reportedly kept delaying the shoots to cast the right actors she wanted, as they were not available before. Khizer Idrees has served as the cinematographer for the drama.

Promotion

Talking about her family background, Sonya Hussyn shared to The Express Tribune that she thinks she relates "to the world that Aangan is set in"; she revealed her role to be extended special appearance. Mawra Hocane told about her character to The News that they have "been developing" it "every day on set" to ensure "the sort of person Aaliya is". Ahad Raza Mir commented to The News on his character, "he's somebody who is on a journey of what love means, what family bonds mean". Ahsan commented to Something Haute that the "story revolves around the characters played by Mawra, Ahad, Sajal, Sonya, Hira and" himself, adding that they all are "connected to each other in a certain way which is very different". He further told The News that the drama is shot in "a very unique way", like never have been "seen before on Pakistani television". Sajal Aly told Gulf Times that every character "is equally important", having "its own journey", as it "follows multiple beautiful characters" and is "about everyone involved". She added that "it focuses on the partition of a family" as "the physical and emotional divide of a country".
The curtain raiser, hosted by Sanam Jang, was telecast live on 13 December 2018. The drama began on 20 December, and aired an episode every Thursday at 8:00 PM PST on television only, and it did not had a digital release. The series also aired internationally on Hum TV's sister channels in North America, New Zealand, USA, Australia, Canada, UK, Europe, Arab countries and UAE with same time slot.
The drama marked the second appearance of Ahsan Khan with Sonya Hussyn and with Mawra Hocane after the Haasil, and Ahsan with Sonya after Marasim. It also marked the second collaboration of Ahad Raza Mir with Mawra after Sammi, and with Sajal Aly and Hira Mani after the Yaqeen Ka Safar. It was also the fifth collaboration of the director with MD Productions after Aseerzadi, Sadqay Tumhare, Preet Na Kariyo Koi also starring Ahsan and Hira, and Udaari.

Reception

Critical response

In November 2018, the series received immense appraisal for its promos. Aangan received positive reviews on its first episode. Reviewing the first episode of the drama, Hareem Zafar wrote to Youlin Magazine that "a promising start" with "visually aesthetic shots of the Haveli, classical music as background score, powerful dialogue delivery and masterful acting skills".

Accolades