Bin Roye (TV series)


Bin Roye , is a 2016 Pakistani romantic-drama television series, which premiered on Hum TV on 2 October 2016. Bin Roye centers on love as it follows the life of Saba Shafiq who unknown to her cousin Irtaza, deeply loves him but he only thinks of her as a friend. The story then follow Saba's obsession with Irtaza, and his marriage with her sister Saman.
Created and produced by Momina Duraid, Bin Roye it is co-directed, Shahzad Kashmiri and Haissam Hussain and was written by Farhat Ishtiaq based on her novel of similar name. The series aired on Hum TV as part of a night programming all under Duraid's production company. In 2015, an film adaption of novel, with same cast and crew was also released, which went onto become the third-highest-grossing film of Pakistan.
Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan and Armeena Rana Khan reprised their leading roles from the film adaption, as Irtaza, Saba Shafiq and Saman Shafiq, respectively. Javed Sheikh, Zeba Bakhtiar, Junaid Khan and Jahanzeb Khan also return to series in recurring roles, while Adnan Malik and Saman Ansari joined for television adaptation.

Synopsis

Bin Roye is set in Pakistan. It is the story of Saba and the struggles she faces due to being in love with her best friend and cousin Irtaza. From the very first episode it is established that Saba is madly in love with Irtaza, who she has grown up with. It is also established that Irtaza also cares a lot for Saba, and both have a very close bond. Saba is an extrovert, who lives life to the fullest, and expects Irtaza to fulfil all her childish demands. Irtaza happily does everything Saba asks for, and feels happy seeing her happy.
The story starts with Saba and Irtaza celebrating Eid, and enjoying their life in Pakistan. Soon after Irtaza decides to go to America for post-graduate studies. Saba is unhappy hearing about this and gets angry at Irtaza. Irtaza reasons with Saba and tells her that he will return in two years. Saba understands that post-graduate studies is important for his career and agrees for him to go. Irtaza goes to America and whilst studying there develops feelings for his cousin Saman.
After completing his studies he comes back to Pakistan and Saba is extremely happy to see him. Soon Saman's parents die in a plane crash, and Saman comes to Pakistan along with Irtaza to her extended family for emotional support, Saba and Irtaza take care of her. Soon Saba learns that Saman is not her cousin, but her elder sister, and that Saman was adopted by her uncle when she was a baby. This fact brings Saba and Saman closer to each other. Both Saman and Saba start sharing a very close sisterly bond. Until one day Saba realises that both Saman and Irtaza have feelings for each other. In spite of loving her sister she cannot help but feel jealousy and anger.
Soon after Saba's realisation, Irtaza proposes marriage to Saman. Saba is heartbroken seeing this, but she collects herself and tries her best to be happy for her best friend and her sister. Saba happily participates in all wedding rituals, however Saba loses all patience when she finally sees Saman and Irtaza making their wedding vows. In the heat of the moment Saba goes off in a separate room and in a state of anger and shock curses Saman and wishes for the fact that she dies! Saba curses Saman and says that Saman should have died in that plane accident with the parents who adopted her, and she can still die! Why did she come here to ruin her life! Saba's Grandmother who is aware of the situation tells Saba to calm down but in vain!
The next morning Saba feels guilty about what she said about Saman, and apologises to her Grandma. After the marriage, Saba keeps a distance from Irtaza, Irtaza notices Saba's behaviour and questions her on a number of occasions. Saba also starts changing from a very full of life person to a very serious person, Irtaza again observes this and does not seem to like this change in her.
After a while Irtaza and Saman go back to America and settle there for sometime. Saman gets pregnant and tells Saba about it, Saba gets very happy about the news and congratulates Saman. Irtaza and Saman decide to call Saba to America. Saba is very hesitant to go and meet them as she still has feelings for Irtaza, she politely declines, but is forced by the family to go and stay with them and help Saman while she is pregnant.
Saba goes to America. Whilst she enjoys the company of her sister, she again feels very helpless, as her feelings for Irtaza do not die. Irtaza's concern for Saba and his friendliness does not help her helplessness either. One day Saba, Saman and Irtaza go to a party, there, a man named Amir develops feelings for Saba. After the party, on a number of occasions the Amir comes over to Irtaza and Saman's place to try and meet Saba. Both Saman and Irtaza are overjoyed, and feel that the guy will be a great match for her. One day Irtaza sits Saba down and asks her if she is interested in marrying the guy, and she can tell him if she has feelings for him, Saba loses her patience and rudely reverts stating that he has no business meddling in her personal life and he should stay away! This behaviour of Saba makes Irtaza upset, for which later Saba also apologises!
Soon Saman delivers a baby boy and Irtaza and her name him Maaz. Saba goes back to Pakistan. A few years pass and Saba does not accept the proposal of Amir, Irtaza feels disappointed, where else Saman tries to understand why Saba does not have any love interest in her life.
Saman and Irtaza go to Pakistan for holidays with Maaz. Saman tells Saba that Amir is now getting married, Saba does not seem concerned and says "congrats," Saman asks Saba about why she did not want to marry him? to which Saba replies "He is not the person she can see her life with!" Soon after she says this it starts raining, and Saba gets excited and carries Maaz out to the rain, and both of them start enjoying dancing in the rain! Saman closely observes Saba enjoying and dancing in the rain, and suddenly it hits her that even Irtaza loves the rain a lot! After which she starts reminiscing and realises that Saba has been in love with Irtaza all this while! Thinking this Saman feels quite guilty!
The next day it is Maaz's birthday, and Irtaza, Saman and Saba go out to the mall to shop for Maaz's birthday party. Irtaza goes inside the mall to buy Maaz's cake, and Saman gets excited seeing flowers, she tells Saba to wait for her in the car and she will get the flowers, Saba stops her and tells her that Irtaza can get the flowers, but she does not listen and heads off, when Saman is returning from getting the flowers she is hit by a car in front of Saba's eyes! Saba runs to Saman to see her covered in blood! Irtaza and Saba call the ambulance. Whilst Saman is being taken to the hospital, she tells Saba that she is sorry, and now both Irtaza and Maaz are hers, when Saba hears this she gets very anxious, and tells the driver of the ambulance to drive faster! However Saman does not survive the hit and run!
Saba is shown to be extremely guilt-ridden and broken down after the accident. She keeps on getting flashbacks of Saman getting rammed in by the car coupled with the voice over of her cursing "she should have died" Saba feels that she is responsible for Saman's death as she cursed her on her wedding. Saba is completely broken but develops a very strong bond with Maaz.
Soon the Grandmother feels that it would be good if Saba marries Irtaza, as this will benefit Irtaza and Maaz, as they are lonely, and it will also benefit Saba since she has always been in love with him. Saba gets very angry hearing this proposal, as she is extremely guilt ridden, and says that she will never marry Irtaza! When Irtaza is asked about the same proposal, he outright rejects it stating that Saba deserves a much better man, and not a man who was married and has a kid, and that he cannot even think like this. Irtaza soon realises that Saba is angry with him due to the proposal, Irtaza talks with Saba and reasons with her! He tells her that he cannot even think of marrying her in his dreams and that he wants the best man for her, and he is not the best, he also says that he loves her a lot, and to not be angry with him! Saba does not seem to care much for what Irtaza says, and says "she is not angry with him" and leaves.
Soon after Saba gets a proposal for marriage. Saba does not care to meet the man in question, and says "yes." Soon Saba is married off to him. On the wedding night the man in question confesses to Saba that he is already married and has a wife and a child in America, and that he married her due to family pressure, and no matter what he can never give her the love and the importance of a wife. Strangely Saba accepts this, and tells him that she is absolutely fine with this arrangement and that she will not be telling her parents about it, which gets the man quite confused. Soon the man leaves for America, leaving Saba behind.
Saba stays back in Pakistan, and Irtaza starts getting concerned about why Saba is not going to America, and why is her visa taking so much time. He confronts Saba about it on a number of occasions but Saba rudely reverts stating that such things take time, and to not interfere in her personal matters. Irtaza's concern for Saba starts growing and he decides to take matters in his own hands, one day he goes to America for a business trip and goes to meet the husband there, where he sees him with his wife and children! Irtaza gets angry seeing this and starts insulting the husband, after which the husband tells Irtaza that Saba always knew about this, and that no one had stopped her from telling you guys! Irtaza gets angry hearing this!
Irtaza goes back to Pakistan and tells the family about Saba's husband 's second wife and children! He confronts Saba and gets angry with her for keeping them in the dark about this! Soon out of family pressure Saba divorces her husband and goes back home! After the divorce Saba becomes even more depressed! Everyone tries to get her out of the depression but in vain! Saba gets extremely bitter with Irtaza, and tells him that she is no longer friends with him and to leave her alone! Irtaza is upset hearing this and tells her that he has always wanted the best for her, so how can she think about him like this?
Saba's parents are concerned about Saba's future and become depressed. Soon Saba gets another proposal from a divorcee who is 20 years older than her and has two kids! Hearing this Irtaza gets very angry and tells Saba's father off for even paying heed to such a proposal! Saba's father explains to Irtaza that Saba will not be getting very good proposals anymore as she herself is a divorcee! Irtaza gets upset hearing this! One day Irtaza sees Saba's mother crying and stating what bad did her daughter did, and why is her life so difficult, Irtza hearing this tells Saba's mother that he wants to marry Saba! He also states that he cannot see Saba ruining her life anymore!
Saba becomes infuriated upon learning that Irtaza has proposed marriage, she then confronts Irtaza. Irtaza listens to her anger but does not change his decision. Soon Saba's grandmother gets sick due to seeing Saba in such a state, she tells Saba to marry Irtaza, Saba agrees to the marriage half-heartedly.
Saba and Irtaza marry in an intimate ceremony. but afterwards, Saba changes little and continues to isolate. Saba's parents are upset watching their daughter's condition. One day Irtaza loses his patience and forces Saba to come downstairs to his room. Saba gets furious and tells him off, and tells him that he has no right to humiliate her like this! Irtaza replies that he cannot see the family suffer like this, so please at least for their sake at least pretend to be happy with this marriage! He further tells Saba that she knows him for years, and that she should trust him enough to know that he will never force himself on her, Saba agrees to his request and tells him that she can pretend to be happy with this marriage for the family's sake.
Soon Saba softens and begins to participate in family activities, to the delight of her parents. Irtaza then one day announces that he needs to go to America for a month or two for business. The family tell Irtaza that Saba should also go along with him! Saba tries to protest but in vain!
Both Saba and Irtaza go to America. Upon landing in America and in the house where Saman and Irtaza used to live, Saba starts to feel very disturbed! To the extent of nearly fainting, Irtaza observes this and helps her! Saba continues to act rudely with Irtaza in America, while Irtaza continues to be nice to her. Slowly Saba soften ups and starts going out with Irtaza for outings. Irtaza starts to develop feelings for Saba, and tries his best to bring out the same chirpy Saba that she used to be!
One evening Irtaza finds Saba sleeping on the couch, he puts a blanket on her and observes her sleeping, soon Saba wakes up, and politely smiles at him, Irtaza looks deep into her eyes and holds her hands, which makes Saba very uncomfortable! Saba walks up to leave, but Irtaza stops her by holding her arm, Saba gets furious and starts shouting at Irtaza! And tells him point blank that she does not want to see his face, and why is that so hard for him to understand? Irtaza gets very hurt and angry hearing this and tells her that after they go back to Pakistan he will make the kind of arrangements that Saba will hardly have to see him at all! He gets angry and leaves, leaving Saba upset and anxious about hurting Irtaza!
After the incident Saba tries hard to communicate with Irtaza, but in vain! One day Saba gets through to Irtaza and tells him to come early from work as she feels extremely lonely here all alone, Irtaza softens up and tells her that he will be back by 5pm. Irtaza leaves for office, after which a friend comes to meet him and tells him to visit a construction site with him. Irtaza obliges and goes with him, while coming back from the construction site Irtaza and the friend meet with an accident!
Saba continues to wait for Irtaza at home, soon she gets a phone call informing her about the car accident, Saba gets extremely disturbed by the news and starts anxiously shivering, in the morning Saba hears a car pulling up in the driveway and she runs and finds Irtaza there! As soon as Saba sees Irtaza she starts pushing him, and starts hitting him, she yells at him and says "Where have you been! You told me you will be home by the evening!" Irtaza tries to explain that he met with an accident, Saba gets more hyper after hearing this and says "All of you guys are planning to leave me, first Saman left and now even you are planning to leave me, all of you guys want to leave me here all alone!" She gets hyper and starts shoving him, Irtaza loses his cool and holds her and shouts "I am going nowhere! I am here with you!"
Saba and Irtaza return home. Saba confesses everything. She starts by telling him that she has loved him for years and if anything ever happens to him she will die. She then further starts confessing that it is because of this love she feels so guilty, because it is because of this love she cursed her sister and she is no longer in this world. She cries her heart out and blames Irtaza for always taking so much care of her. And always being there for her. And because of this she fell in love with him so deeply. She cries and questions him! "Why did you care for me so much?" After the confession Saba passes out and Irtaza lays her on the couch to sleep.
While Saba is sleeping, Irtaza watches her, and remember all that Saba has confessed and has tears in his eyes! Soon after when Saba wakes up, Irtaza tells Saba that he has always cared for her, because he has always loved her! Seeing her happy has always been his priority in his life! He says that the love he has felt for her all these years is very pure, it is the kind of love that is not selfish but selfless, this love only wants to see her happy, the love he has for her cannot be shaken up no matter how rude she is with him, no matter what she does, he can never hate her, he says "You expect me to hate you, but someone who has loved you all their life can never hate you! " To which Saba replies that he lost his wife because of her! Irtaza tells her that no one can control destiny and life, and that she is not responsible for Saman's death! It is a bad incident that happened! And that she is not liable for it! He also says that he does not believe both of them have done any disservice to Saman! He further says that she needs to stop being ashamed of loving him, because no matter how much the try their love for each other can never die! Both Saba and Irtaza hug each other. Later they are shown to live happily ever after!

Cast

Main Cast

Development

In 2013, it was announced that a drama series is being developed based on Farhat Ishtiaq's novel Bin Roye Ansoo, before the project went into development hell for almost half an year. It was later revealed that Bin Roye will be released as a theatrical film and later on as TV series. Actor Humayun Saeed who played the lead role in film revealed, "Bin Roye is a romantic drama. But it will not just be a film; it will also be turned into a serial to be aired on Hum TV with the same cast."
In July 2015, after the release of film, the drama serial went into production with same cast and crew, with Haissam Hussain replacing Momina Duraid as a co-director with Shahzad Kashmiri. Farhat Ishtiaq wrote the screenplay for series, changing several plot details in contrast to film. In an interview she explained, "Bin Roye the drama has the same cast as in the movie, but things which were not included in movie from the novel will be seen in drama. The shoot is done and most probably will on air somewhere between April and July of this year." This became the Farhat's second consecutive collaboration with Duraid in a year and seventh over all, she recently worked on Diyar-e-Dil and Udaari, which were the highest-rated and critically acclaimed serials.
In June 2016, it was confirmed that Shiraz Uppal would compose music for series, who also composed three songs for film adaptation. In August 2016, Ishtiaq announced that series would replace, her then running series Udaari and confirmed earlier saying "the play will air this year as the last edits are under process."

Casting

All the cast members from the film reprise their roles, with Humayun Saeed returning in role of Irtaza, Mahira Khan as Saba and Armeena Rana Khan reprise her role as Saman. Initially it was circulated that Fawad Khan and Sanam Baloch has replaced Saeed and Rana in lead roles, before being confirmed by Duraid in August, 2016 that no changes has been made in cast. Describing his role differences from film, Humayun said, "there’s already a lot of difference between film and TV. In 2 and half hours, we already have to show a very large story in a limited time in a film, but when it comes to television, we personally like the way the story is narrated. Thus, the progression is completely different; you will get to see a lot that you weren’t able to see before. You will find a lot more depth in a few characters, plus, a lot more answers to those unanswered questions. Of course, in a series of 20 episodes, a lot changes." While Khan expressed, "It's not really different. Well, there's a whole new track in it which wasn’t in the original, so that’s new ! Saba is the same, I mean, the variation you would see is that you will see a lot more shades to her. Of course, Bin Roye was just 1 hour and 58 minutes, so you will get to see a lot more intricacies in this."

Episodes

Music

The soundtrack of the series is adapted from the film. The original soundtrack of the series is "Bin Roye", that is penned by Shakeel Sohail, and composed and sung by Shiraz Uppal.

Broadcast

Bin Roye was originally scheduled to release between April–July 2016, but latter it was announced that it would be released after 2016 Eid-ul-Adha. In August 2016, first trailer for series was released and on 20 September 2016 it was announced that series would on air its pilot episode on 2 October 2016, airing weekly episode on Sundays at 8:00 p.m.

Critical reception and ratings

Bin Roye received positive reviews with most praising Humayun Saeed's performance. Writing for Dawn News, Sheeba Khan wrote, "Bin Royes TV version fills in plot holes the movie couldn't" and expressed "Humayun Saeed was flawless and his chemistry with Mahira Khan was very evident. He easily fit the typical Farhat Ishtiaq character: kind, really good-looking, and successful. The comfort level and the bond that needed to be shown between Saba and Irtaza was easily visualized, thanks to the directors and actors." Saira Khan of HipInPakistan praised Humayun Saeed's performance, saying "He is the undisputed king of romantic plays. No other actor can play a romantic hero as well as him" and also praised Mahira Khan's performance. Fatima Awan of Reviewit.pk wrote, "The power-packed performances of Humayun Saeed and Mahira Khan proved how much potential this drama had if the story had more substance."
The rating of Bin Roye made a huge in UK. According to BizAsia, the first episode of the series was watched by 65,200 viewers at 20:00 – peaking at 94,300 viewers. The Sunday night slot on the channel is proving a success for the channel after the departure of ‘Udaari’ last week. The drama gained several other high ratings both in Pakistan and U.K. throughout the 17 weeks it aired.