''Sang-e-Mah'' (

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
''

Sang-e-Mar Mar ''Sang-e-Mar Mar'' ( ur, , ), previously titled ''Daasi'', is a Pakistani drama serial that aired on Hum TV from 1 September 2016 to 9 March 2017. It stars Nauman Ijaz, Sania Saeed, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Kubra Khan in leading roles with Omair Ra ...

''. Having central plot line inspired from

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

'', it is written by

Mustafa Afridi Mustafa Afridi ( ur, ) is a screenwriter and occasional actor from Pakistan, known for his television plays in Pakistani dramas, Urdu television industry such as ''Aseerzadi'', ''Sang-e-Mar Mar'' and ''Ehd-e-Wafa''. For his serial ''Sang-e-Mar Ma ...

, directed by

Saife Hassan Saife Hasan is a Pakistani TV director and actor. He is best known for the drama serial ''Dil ki Madham Boliyan'' (2005) and '' Ehd-e-Wafa'' (2019). He has directed the drama serial ''Bari Aapa'' for which he was nominated for the Hum Award for Be ...

and produced by

Momina Duraid Momina Duraid ( ur, ) is a Pakistani director and producer. She is a senior producer and creative head of television network Hum TV and CEO of her own production company MD Productions. She has produced and created several series including ' ...

under her banner production

MD Productions MD Productions is a Pakistani television and film production company based in Karachi, Pakistan. It is founded by Momina Duraid and Duraid Qureshi, son of Sultana Siddiqui. History The company has produced television serials such as ''Zindagi G ...

. The series revolves around the mysteries that unfold when a young man Hilmand decides to avenge the murder of his father. It focuses on the oppression of women in the form of 'ghag' in tribal areas and also deals with interreligious harmony. It features

Atif Aslam Atif Aslam is a Pakistani playback singer, songwriter, composer, and actor. He has recorded many songs in both Pakistan and India, and is known for his vocal belting technique. Aslam predominantly sings in Urdu, but has also sung in Hindi, ...

Sania Saeed Sania Saeed (born 28 August 1972) is a Pakistani actress and television host. Works mainly in television and theatre, Saeed is the recipient of numerous accolades including two PTV Awards, three Hum Awards and four Lux Style Awards. She first ...

Nauman Ijaz Nauman Ijaz (Punjabi and ur, ) is a Pakistani television and film actor, TV anchorperson, and TV show presenter. He is the recipient of several accolades including 10 Lux Style Awards, 7 Hum Awards and a President's Pride of Performance, whi ...

Samiya Mumtaz Samiya Mumtaz ( ur, ) (born 1970, Karachi), is a Pakistani film and television actress. She has performed in several TV dramas. Family Mumtaz was born to Khawar and Kamil Khan Mumtaz. Her mother is a prominent women's rights activist, while he ...

Hania Amir Hania Aamir (born 12 February 1997) is a Pakistani actress who appears in Urdu television and films. She made her acting debut with a Pakistani comedy film ''Janaan'' (2016) for which received a nomination in Lux Style Award for Best Supporting ...

, Kubra Khan, Zaviyar Nauman Ijaz and

Omair Rana Omair Rana (born January 31, 1978) is a Pakistani actor and theatre director. He also directs plays in educational institutes, notably '' One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'' (2014) and ''Life of Galileo'' (2013) at Lahore Grammar School Johar To ...

in pivotal roles. The serial marks the television acting debut of Atif Aslam who played the main role of Hilmand Khan. The series had a cinematic launch on 8

January January is the first month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and is also the first of seven months to have a length of 31 days. The first day of the month is known as New Year's Day. It is, on average, the coldest month of the ...

2022, while it premiere on Hum TV on 9

. The series received praise from critics due to its script but was faulted for stereotypical portrayals of Pakhtoons.

Premise

A transcendent tale of love and retribution. Sang-e-Mah follows the story of a family who belong to the tribal regions of

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

. The drama will reveal how people have to sacrifice their lives and love because of an untruthful tradition.

Plot

The story is set in the fictional town of 'Laspiraan'. Hilmand (

) usually spends time at the grave of his father, Nasrullah Khan. Hilmand wants to get revenge on Haji Marjaan Khan (

) because Hilmand believes Marjaan killed Nasrullah to marry Hilmand's mother Zarsanga (

). Zarsanga and Marjaan's son and Hilmand's half-brother, Hikmat (

Zaviyar Nauman Ijaz Zaviyar Nauman Ijaz is a Pakistani actor who works in Urdu television. He made his acting debut with the drama ''Qissa Meherbano Ka'' and has since appeared in dramas include ''Sang-e-Mah'', ''Wehem'', ''Bakhtawar'' and '' Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha'' ...

), is in love with his cousin Gul Meena (

), daughter of Zarsanga's sister Zarghuna (

). Zarghuna hates Mastan Singh (

), since Mastan killed Zarghuna's husband Asadullah Khan. Zarghuna rejects Hikmat and Gul Meena's relationship, so Hikmat goes to do "Ghag", where he will go to Gul Meena's house and make an announcement that Gul Meena can only be Hikmat's bride. But, Zarghuna discovers that Hilmand did the Ghag instead. Mastan goes to kill Hilmand, but is stopped due to his father's death. It is revealed that Mastan's father, Hakeem Guru Baksh, gave Marjaan poison to kill Nasrullah. Meanwhile, Sheherzaad ( Kubra Khan) learns about the Ghag and comes to Laspiraan to gather research, since Sheherzaad is a reporter. When she comes to Laspiraan, she and Marjaan start bonding and she meets Hilmand, who gives Sheherzaad his blanket. Sheherzaad then remembers being harassed by her cousin Haider (

Shamil Khan Shamil Khan ( ur, ; also known as ''Shamyl''; born March 1978 in Islamabad) is a Pakistani film and television actor known for his role in the Punjabi language film ''Larki Punjaban''. He also appears in the Hum TV serial ''Sadqay Tumhare ...

) when she was young. Mastan finds Hilmand and stabs him, but at the hospital, Haider and Sheherzaad reunite since Haider is now a doctor. After seeing Haider, Sheherzaad uses the nurse's help to move Hilmand somewhere else for safety. It is also revealed that Marjaan got Zarghuna married to his servant, Awal Khan ( Syed Muntazim Shah). But when he was abusive towards her, she divorced him and married Asadullah, who was Awal Khan's younger brother. Seeing Sheherzaad as his daughter, Marjaan goes to Haider's house and tells his wife the truth about Sheherzaad's past with Haider. The nurse leaks this to the hospital and Haider is arrested. After Hilmand recovers, he calls a "jirga" (meeting) for Hikmat being responsible for the attack on Hilmand, even though Hilmand knows Mastan did the attack. Hilmand threatens Mastan to testify against Marjaan so Hilmand can get his revenge against Marjaan, but if Mastan doesn't, Hilmand won't let Mastan get married. So, Mastan's fiancée Harshaali Kaur (

Najiba Faiz Najiba Faiz (Pashto: نجیبه فېض) born 1 August 1988, is an Afghan-born Pakistani television host, television and film actress, known for playing variety of notable characters in films and in television mostly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. ...

) convinces Mastan to do what Hilmand says. At the jirga, Hilmand says Hikmat didn't do anything and Mastan says when his father was dying, he didn't say anything about giving Marjaan poison to kill Nasrullah, but he said for Mastan to get married. Mastan also reveals that he attacked Hilmand. Zarsanga decides to go the jirga herself and decides to tell the truth there, with Sheherzaad running after her. At the jirga, after failing to produce evidence against Marjaan, Hilmand asks Marjaan to say under oath on the hand of Shah Sab that he did not kill Nasrullah. Marjaan proceeds to do so but the moment he was to say the words, Zarsanga appears and stops Marjaan. Marjaan asks Zarsanga to go but she refuses to leave. Hilmand goes to meet her mother and tells her that Marjaan killed his father and her husband. At that moment Zarsanga reveals that she killed Nasrullah. Hilmand runs into the forests after listening that and everyone in the jirga are shocked. Hilmand goes to his father's village to verify what his mother has revealed as he feels that she had lied to save Marjaan. But after meeting Mashallah Khan (Asif Khan), his grandfather, the true character of his father is revealed and he is broken. Mashallah Khan on the other hand, intrigued at Hilmand's coming to meet him after all these years, send his sons to Laspiraan to know the reason. He gets to know about the confession of Zarsanga and now starts plotting to extract hefty amounts from Marjaan. On the other hand, Sheherzaad is looking frantically looking for Hilmand. She implores him to accompany her to the city but he is completely broken and leaves the place. Mashallah then calls another jirga on Zarsanga for killing his son Nasrullah. Zarsanga tells Sheherzaad she doesn't want to attend the jirga. The day before the jirga, Marjaan gives his turban to Hikmat, saying he should make a decision which can give everyone justice and which can save Zarsanga's respect and also making Hikmat the new Haji and the new leader of Laspiraan. At the jirga, Hikmat comes wearing the turban in Marjaan's place. Then, Zarghuna, Sheherzaad, Gul Meena, and all the other women in Laspiraan suffering Ghag arrive at the jirga. Gul Meena then shares her Ghag story, when Hilmand arrives. Mashallah Khan says he wants a share in some money for Zarsanga's death because he wants blood for blood. But, Hilmand reveals papers for some land so he asks for a whole share and all the money from Mashallah, so he and his sons leave in silence, and the elders decide to put an end to Ghag immediately, and whoever does Ghag after this will be punished immediately. Hilmand reveals to Hikmat that the papers were fake. Hilmand and Sheherzaad come home to find Marjaan and Zarsanga lying dead together. The night before, Marjaan and Zarsanga both decided to kill themselves to save themselves from embarrassment. Hilmand comforts a crying Sheherzaad. A few years later, an elderly Awal Khan asks a young kid named Marjaan Khan where his father is. The young Marjaan points Awal Khan to where his father is and Awal Khan tells him that Mashallah Khan's sons have done Ghag again. The father is revealed to be Hilmand, who is now Haji Hilmand Khan, and he turns around and looks at Awal Khan, implying that Hilmand will give his uncles a good punishment.

Cast

Production

In July 2021, Saife Hassan announced in an exclusive interview that he is going to revamp the ''

'' with a new season. He revealed the Sania Saeed, Nauman Ijaz, Kubra Khan and Samiya Mumtaz as leading actors. Hassan also announced that it will be a trilogy and after ''Sang-e-Mah'', he will make ''Sang-e-Siyah''. Sania Saeed, Nauman Ijaz and Kubra Khan respire their roles from ''Sang-e-Mar Mar'' while Nadia Afgan, Hania Amir and Samiya Mumtaz joined for second season. There were also rumours of the singer Atif Aslam to be part of the series; his casting confirmed in late August 2021. Before Aslam, film actor Bilal Ashraf has been cast for the lead role of "Hilmamd" however, he turned down the project due to date conflicts. Previously, the role has been rejected by

Ali Zafar Ali Zafar ( pa, ; born 18 May 1980) is a Pakistani singer-songwriter, model, actor, producer, screenwriter and painter. Zafar started out on Pakistani television before becoming a popular musician. He later also established a career in Bo ...

and

Fawad Khan Fawad Afzal Khan ( ur, ) (born 29 November 1981) is a Pakistani actor, producer, screenwriter, model and singer having received several awards including a Filmfare Award, two Lux Style Awards and six Hum Awards. Khan began his acting caree ...

due to unknown reasons. While discussing about the story, Hassan revealed that the first part of the trilogy will focus on

Pakhtoon Pashtuns (, , ; ps, پښتانه, ), also known as Pakhtuns or Pathans, are an Iranian ethnic group who are native to the geographic region of Pashtunistan in the present-day countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. They were historically re ...

family issues and will also tackle problematic traditions such as forced marriages. The first teaser of the series was released on 10 December 2021. Although, the production location of the series is Bhogarmang Valley located near

Balakot Balakot (; ur, ; ) is a town in Mansehra District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The town was destroyed during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, but was later rebuilt with the assistance of the Government of Pakistan and Saudi P ...

where shooting was done extensively, some of the initial sequences were filmed in the

Gurdwara A gurdwara (sometimes written as gurudwara) (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ''guradu'ārā'', meaning "Door to the Guru") is a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs. Sikhs also refer to gurdwaras as ''Gurdwara Sahib''. People from all faiths ...

Nankana Sahib Nankana Sahib () is a city and capital of Nankana Sahib District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is named after the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak, who was born in the city and first began preaching here. Nankana Sahib is the most ...

Soundtrack

The official soundtrack of the series is performed by Atif Aslam on the lyrics of Fatima Najeeb with music composition by Sahir Ali Bagga.

Reception

In late December 2021, the series received appraisal for its teasers which, promising a powerful story with larger than life characters and touch of

Shakespearean tragedy Shakespearean tragedy is the designation given to most tragedies written by playwright William Shakespeare. Many of his history plays share the qualifiers of a Shakespearean tragedy, but because they are based on real figures throughout the his ...

. The serial had views of all teasers and trailers were as high as 8.3 Million. '' The News'' while reviewing the first episode praised the storyline and characterisation stating that, series features an intriguing storyline and convincing characterisation. In another article, the newspaper praised the dialogues of the series by describing them as, "powerful and impactful." On premiere, the series received mixed reviews with criticism towards the stereotypical portrayal of Pakhtoons but in later episodes it disappeared. Mehreen Odho of ''

DAWN Images ''Dawn'' is a Pakistani English language, English-language newspaper that was launched in British Raj, British India in 1941. It is the largest English newspaper in Pakistan, and also serves as the country's newspaper of record. ''Dawn'' is the ...

'' compared it with

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

and praised its writing and characterisation. The on-screen chemistry of Aslam and Khan was also praised heavily.

Television ratings

YouTube Views

As of 29th July, 2022, the first episode generated 24 Million views and last episode had generated 8.2 Million views, the in total views of all episodes are 246.1 Million views as of 29th July, 2022. HUM TV

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

asset record

Broadcast

The show is distributed worldwide by the following T.V. channels * HUM TV (South Asia) * HUM TV Mena * HUM World

Notes

References

External links

* * {{IMDb title, 16978710 2022 Pakistani television series debuts Urdu-language television shows Hum TV original programming Pakistani drama television series